Hand, a photo from Ile-de-France, North

Photographer's Note

The metro system in Paris always amazes me. The system of tunnels and stairs is so enormous and everything seems to fit perfectly. I wonder what a 3D image of the totale system would look like, with all these tunnels and stairs crossing eachother at different levels below the ground.

Another thing that I like about this metro are the big rubber wheels. I've never seen these wheels on other subways. Or maybe they are just hidden in other metro trains, while they are exposed in Paris. I guess I have to pay more attention when I am travelling by metro in other cities.

I like the people in this picture. The young woman, the old man and the guy standing with the back against the window. And who's hand is that? His own? Or from a hidden lover?

avigur_11, MiguelP, robiuk, Isabelle, rtome, Angelillo, calimex ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

avigur_11 (22553) 2006-06-02 1:59

A very interesting shot, Michael.
There are many questions bout the hand, and I am not sure about the answer, too.
I always like to look at people in the Metro, and to see how they try to do everything, everything - but not catch somebody's eyes.
I like the old man with the hat, and the bored hands of the unvisible woman on the right. I alos like the capture - with a correct amount of brightness and contrast, and a very nice crop, with a dark space at the bottom.

Really a good one, Michael, I like it.

Regards,

Itzik

RGatward (20108) 2006-06-02 3:15

Well, having made so many failed attempts at something like this on my last trip to Paris, I'm very impressed. Great control of light, especially since you've decided to include the very dark wheels, which even there show detail.

MiguelP (14470) 2006-06-02 3:20

What I like of this photo is the sense of cotidianity and of course, the detail of the hand. What I like of the metro is the thousand of histories and stories of the people travelling inside. "The last metro" by François Truffaut, wonderful movie that comes to my mind right now.

dom_inik_m (1717) 2006-06-02 4:38

We're obviously in synch, Michael! I was thinking of posting another shot taken in the metro while we were together, a few hours later.
But it'll have to wait a few more hours, because I need to rush, now...
The fact that there are dozens of untold stories, begging to be explored and developped, is what I like the most in your photo. Obviously, I'm much more blasé than you as far as the technical facilities of the metro are concerned, but my fascination for the the slices of life I can fleetingly rub elbows with and imagine never left me. While many people seem to absorb themselves in the sound of the canned music they carry inside their iPod or the weirdly spelled SMS on their mobile phone, I only need to open my eyes to travel way beyond the place I need to physically go... not forgetting luck, too, every now and then! ;-)
About your questions:
- Have your ever seen an anthill "rebuilt" behind a glass pane, for educational purposes? I feel that the métro system in Paris would look like that, especially if you consider all the other systems (water, electricity, sewage...) it must coexist with.
- It's his hand. No doubt about it. *o)
More to come, then...

erdna (5713) 2006-06-02 11:39

A very interesting photo. It is like observing people from different screens, each one in their own different positions. Could be a good idea to take pictures of several trains, plant yourself in one position and wait. Just thinking aloud bought about by your photo. It is a good one.

Andre'

carper (96) 2006-06-02 11:41

hij is prachtig Michael
echt een hele goed foto, technisch ontzettend goed, mooie compositie, prachtig licht en een uitstekende pov, zeer goed werk.
gr. jaap

robiuk (10807) 2006-06-02 17:48

Hi Michael,
What I first noticed here is your full inclusion of 'tyres' (or 'rubber wheels' as you call it) - this really helps the composition and makes the tram look almost like an old-fashioned train coach from the turn of the century (not this one, but the previous one! - LOL)
Hand is important element and may act as so called 'point of interest', even though people in the left hand window are more intereting to me than the hand - but that's (only) me.
Very interesting shot! Thanks,
Robi

Isabelle (9046) 2006-06-03 8:03

hello, Michael,
Lovely days we had, thanks once again, and thanks a lot for the beer :D You made me rearrange my suitcase!
Love the way you managed light here, ranging from the dim light out of the train and the strong light inside.
The hand in thing is a lovely spicy addition (we have a saying here reffering to hand in hand, hand in thing, thing in hand, and the next you can guess ;))
Great you had the eyes to catch the moment!

Ebbe (9625) 2006-06-03 17:09

A fine framing of the door and one window. And the hand really makes it special.

Angelillo (9374) 2006-11-03 17:42

Hi Michael,

Fascinating the mystery of this hand. Even before reading the note, the hand is the center of attention in the shot, the eyes are captured by it. I thing very interesting the varied plans in the shot joined by the glass. Beautiful!

Angel.

PS: Nice to have met you in Amsterdam, Michael.

Jeppe (18654) 2006-12-14 15:23

Hi Michael

Congratulation with your new "title" - I can understand if you dosn't have time for TE these days - I like this french view - reminds even of our trips in Rotterdam.

Regards
Jeppe

calimex (151) 2007-03-11 10:15

Great framing, Michael. There is something somewhat timeless in this photo, in that it could have been taken as far back as, say, the 1980s and not been much different, since the Métro colors haven't changed much, nor the train technology or the people and their "look": the guy in the beret, etc. I think the mysterious hand makes this picture also.
Regarding the rubber wheels: Mexico City's Metro has the identical technology on its trains, since it was built by a French company in the late 1960s.
Thanks!
José