Culture Clashes and Other Unexpected Urban Contrasts
The unexpected juxtaposition is one of the most satisfying experiences of photography.
And in Boston there's a huge mix of cultures and styles on parade. You just don't have the same opportunity for happy photographic accidents in the suburbs or the country.
When we spend so much of our lives in self-selected media bubbles, it's refreshing to get outside and realize there's an endless supply of different people we could never have made up in our wildest imaginings.
The city may be the ultimate "built environment," but in concentrating so many different people and things into such a small area, it becomes one of the most natural places you can find, full of contrast and compromise.
Take, for example, this truck:
It certainly seems out of place in Downtown Crossing, next to that shiny black Limousine. (Or is it a hearse?) If I were sharing a mental representation of the city, or constructing it as a setting for a novel or a movie, I'd never have thought to put that damn thing in the middle of Boston.
But seen from the side, strangely, it seems to blend right in. I wonder if anyone's crashed into it, taking this for an empty parking space?
With contrast comes coincidence. I love this affectionate couple embracing as they look thoughtfully into the distance, while a woman passes them holding a bag labeled "PASSION," laughing at the absurdity of it all.
Blues and reds, smiles and frowns, crutches and tattoos - taken in isolation, these elements wouldn't be that compelling. But squish 'em all together and it starts to feel like a story's unfolding.
And since we're celebrating unexpected contrasts, why not throw in a bit of time travel?
And whatever's going on here... SWEET!
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Camera divider and signature illustration by @atopy.
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You witnessed time travelers on streets, and you are not aware that they Came from the past REALLY 🤖
I'm now dreaming of painting an old vehicle to cammo to match the city. Gray and such like a building with doors and windows and sidewalk leading up-to and such. With perspective from ground uptoward background. Wouldn't that be fun! See how many folks notice, and yet, like you say, someone would no-doubt run into it.
Totally off-subject, but I worked in NYC for awhile. Couldn't believe the parking process. Actually saw folks banging into vehicles front to back, to 'make room'. Thought that was only in the movies.
Great photos, as usual. Love your take on juxtaposition dynamics, and the images you 'find'. You are becoming a cityphotopro. Keep up the great works.
Your idea makes me think of the old road runner cartoons where the coyote would paint a forced-perspective tunnel entrance on the side of a mountain. Doing it to a car might be a decent way of disposing of an old vehicle - or maybe tricking the meter-maid.
Only been to NYC once, but I couldn't believe how complicated and misleading the signs for parking were. Like, what does that even mean, though?
Good lord, you'd need a PhD to 'paak the caah'. That is amazing. And the whole place is amazing. So noisy, and vibrant. And all asphalt and cementy. Not sure I could live there. As for signs, I could never figure out "don't block the box", until a friend got a ticket doing it. "Oh".
(What does the 'before' and 'after' mean? Just gotta ask...)
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Chic article. I learned a lot of new things. I signed up and voted. I will be glad to mutual subscription))))
I've been swimming through this mix so long, I've stopped noticing.
I s'pose that may be a good thing, maybe?
Joe
@joe.nobel
science fiction, fantasy, erotica
I keep looking for people I know in your photos (as if I'd recognize them after 40 years)
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