Nomade: The title of this sculpture from the Papajohn sculpture park in Des Moines is "Nomade". It sits next to a grassy hill and is a centerpiece of the park which contains somewhere...

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

The title of this sculpture from the Papajohn sculpture park in Des Moines is "Nomade". It sits next to a grassy hill and is a centerpiece of the park which contains somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 dozen sculptures. I've shot it from several different angles. It's about 35 feet tall from the base to the top. For Your Consideration.

Walt

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Really nice job technically, Walt, but the sculpture itself is a mystery to me

I don't have a sense of its size, nor whether it's in a vast field or a city, or the creator's message (not uncommon for me and art, though). Because of the weather and light - and your straightfoward processing, I'm not feeling any particular emotion or mood associated with your photo of it. Am interested in your own assessment of this one, if you'd be willing.

Seems like we've had a little bit of previous discussion about the challenges of photographing sculptures, statues and such, but other than Edie's recent topic, I'm drawing a blank on when and what we might have covered.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Linda From Maine wrote:

Really nice job technically, Walt, but the sculptu... (show quote)

I guess I have an advantage as the photographer in knowing the size, location, etc. that you as a viewer don’t. This is rather well known in the central Iowa area and thus has been photographed quite a bit. I myself have shot this several times and know the difficulty in doing so without a lot of clutter and background distractions. I liked this shot for it’s simplicity, with only the sculpture, sky and bit of hillside in it, with a strong contrast between the sky and sculpture. Don’t ask me what the sculptor had in mind as I’ve never figured it out but I like it.

I imagine this image would probably be more relatable locally with those who are more familiar with the sculpture.

Walt

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you Walt! I was curious enough to Google and I guess there's at least one other, in France. Comparing some of the photos with yours, I agree that the simplicity and contrast are strong points in your composition.

And I found a quote by the artist, so now I understand the work itself

"...I always imagined that our skin is permanently tattooed with text – our life, our experiences – tattooed, but with invisible ink. And then suddenly, somebody is able to decipher these tattoos; that person becoming a lover, a friend..."

Whuff wrote:

I guess I have an advantage as the photographer in... (show quote)

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Linda From Maine wrote:

Thank you Walt! I was curious enough to Google and... (show quote)

I was aware that there is another somewhere. I had googled it long ago and it had been installed somewhere for a while then moved to a different location so I kind of forgot which one it was that had moved around and where the other one was. The artist’s take on it is kind of interesting - gives one pause to think anyway. Thank you for your comments.

Walt

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Walt, I see this as being a profile of a head and shoulder, so for me it makes it somewhat interesting. So it grabs my attention but doesn't seem to hold it. Perhaps at least for me a more dramatic sky or photographing it from a different angle, would work better, at least for me.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I like the angle/perspective you chose to capture this sculpture; this gives the viewer a feel for the artwork's towering size and magnificence, and also any possible distractions are effectively excluded from view. Set against the rich blue sky, the sculpture looks all the more attractive. Superbly done, Walt!

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

NJFrank wrote:

Walt, I see this as being a profile of a head and shoulder, so for me it makes it somewhat interesting. So it grabs my attention but doesn't seem to hold it. Perhaps at least for me a more dramatic sky or photographing it from a different angle, would work better, at least for me.

Would a more dramatic sky detract from the subject? Would it draw the eye away from the sculpture? Interesting concept to wonder about.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

rook2c4 wrote:

I like the angle/perspective you chose to capture this sculpture; this gives the viewer a feel for the artwork's towering size and magnificence, and also any possible distractions are effectively excluded from view. Set against the rich blue sky, the sculpture looks all the more attractive. Superbly done, Walt!

Hmmm...... I’m getting mixed signals here. Linda gets absolutely no sense of the size or surroundings. I guess each viewer has their own take on it.

Walt

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Cleverly photographed to avoid distractions, and I like the blue sky, however there’s a lack of scale without doubt. I’d like a figure conveneniently situated to give me sense of size. Even if it’s dropped in to the correct scale as an afterthought.
I also am uncertain as to how much more of it there is - are those his knees in front, and am I therefore being robbed of more sculpture? I resist the temptation to Google for another image, at least for now.
Reading Linda’s research on the artist’s intent, he hasn’t really achieved that as I’d expect the text to make words showing life’s experiences, but I just see letters. Nevertheless, it is a lovely sculpture and a great shot.
Have you tried a sunset shot Walt, that could be attractive if it’s in the right direction?

Stephan G

magnetoman wrote:

Cleverly photographed to avoid distractions, and I... (show quote)

One of the greatest problem is selecting the environment to place a piece of Art, of any kind. That is why certain works are placed into large blank rooms. Also, how to arrange sets.

In the presented photo, it is the sculpture alone. Everything else would be distracting or completely useless. The placement is intended to arise questions about the structure. The photographer does well in his own placement. It is up to the viewer to contemplate further. The title or what the creator of the art intended are superficial to the impact of the Art on the viewer.

As for one interpretation, how does one know what is in another person's mind? They only know when that person arranges the glut in his mind and presents a story vocally. What we may be looking at is the contents of the mind (RAW?) before it is filtered.

Art is left to be interpreted.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Stephan G wrote:

One of the greatest problem is selecting the envir... (show quote)

But is there more of it Walt?

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

magnetoman wrote:

Cleverly photographed to avoid distractions, and I... (show quote)

I haven't been there at sunset but I'm sure that would make for a nice photo. I'm about 50 miles away so it's only when I get down there that I have a chance so I have to make do with the lighting that's available. At times I wish I lived in the city so that I'd have more opportunities to take photos there, but then I watch the evening news and think "Nope, don't care to be there."

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

magnetoman wrote:

But is there more of it Walt?

Here's another shot from a different angle, taken on a different day that may show better scale.

(Download)

Stephan G

Whuff wrote:

I haven't been there at sunset but I'm sure that would make for a nice photo. I'm about 50 miles away so it's only when I get down there that I have a chance so I have to make do with the lighting that's available. At times I wish I lived in the city so that I'd have more opportunities to take photos there, but then I watch the evening news and think "Nope, don't care to be there."

Walt

Does the park run lights on the sculptures at night, would you know?

Side bar: Many years ago, a group went out in New York City to ask directions to eight places. The results proved to be interesting. Long time residents were incorrect more times than newcomers. The long time residents mentally put the place they go to regularly closest to their homes, in error.