Shyness, curiosity. This is an interesting direction you have taken!

blackdog: Thanks Martin - not sure about it being a direction, but I do like to experiment with the medium to see what it can do. Then some things get absorbed whilst I realise that others are not for me.

I'm a bit of a failure as a housewife, aren't I? But then, I suppose you could always do them! This suggests to me a kind of longing - not sure for what, but there is a feeling of being trapped and wanting to escape. I like the image - just shows how the familiar can be made unfamiliar.
Ingrid

blackdog: As we both know it is the condensation trapped between the double glazing and no amount of cleaning will remove it ;o) I guess the strong vertical and the bars of the fence do imply trapped - glad you liked it ;o)

It suggests to me that you didn't take this picture: it's more like Ingrid's style. I know she didn't but you have put aside your normal way of presenting things for this rather wistful piece

blackdog: Very astute Chris, but I assure you it is all mine. There is inevitably a cross over of styles in this cauldron of photography ;o)

This reminds me of waking up from a afternoon nap and trying to look outside of my dirty windows with my sleepy eyes wondering how late it is and trying to get used to the bright skylight. While the plant on the right is being shaken by a soft wind my memory starts to regain it's normal function.
I could go on and on about what's going on in my mind right now while still looking at this picture behind a non calibrated lcd monitor at the office. One of them is that it looks like I'm seeing 4 UFO's......

blackdog: Sounds like you could write a short story ;o) Got a bit worried about the UFO's though ;o) Wierd effect - not pixelation through processing (there is none) something to do with the sensors ability to differentiate when the lens is defocused perhaps.

A blurry dawn. Blackdog with his eyes half-caked, not able to bring the external world quite into focus. Only able to cope with the near to hand.

blackdog: That would certainly be me ;o)

Ok you have reeled me in on this one Mike...
At this time of morning and as an immediate response it suggests choices to me ... be the trapped passive reflective observer or make a decision and step out and interact in the outside environment.

blackdog: Thanks Richard. Another trapped soul - its all the strong verticals you have been working with Richard. ;o)

I think anniedog is out of order suggesting that you clean the windows, Mike, after all you are the man of the house. Of course i cou;ld be wrong and would apologise to Ingrid if she were simply joking here. Great picture...I love the way the black breaks up this into seperate images. There are two depths too and my eyes move betwee the very near and the dreamy world invoked by the distant.

blackdog: Actually condensation trapped between the double glazing and no amount of cleaning will remove it ;o) Glad you liked the image - a bit of an experiment!

I just see you here behind a desk with a pile of work...you love to go outside, but your conscious says you first have to do your work and than play around outside....which gives you a much better feeling.
And Mike you should see my windows...well I only can do one thing at the time....play tennis, run, taking pictures...yes being a housewife is a very heavy profession....

blackdog: Pile of work, but much more fun to take photographs ;o) Ingrid famously hates housework and I don't complain but this is actually condensation trapped between the double glazing and no amount of cleaning will remove it ;o)

That you have a far better view out of your window than I do! Ingrid's right, get and clean them, its' all blurred

blackdog: We have the M40 nestled out there somewhere, but yes we have a great view - just cannot see out of the windows ;o)

I would say that sun and rain are acting together Mike and one is not sure whether he wants to go out or not!.

blackdog: The rain would be condensation trapped between the double glazing - but yes it was a day for interior shots ;o)

that triffid outside is mighty interested in the goings-on in your bedroom lol

blackdog: Lounge / hall but yes they never stop growing - give them an inch and they would cover the glass.

mike .... you have tuned into a hitherto unsuspected romantic and poetic aspect of chad's nature

blackdog: Don't know about Chad's nature, but I do have an inner romantic trying to get out ;o)

Very very nice !!! Curiosity comes to mind ..

blackdog: Thanks Shakara ;o)

awesome shot!!

Have a good and sunny weekend!!

blackdog: Thank you Chantal - doesn't look too good just now, but hopefully it will brighten up ;o)

ha i have just realized you and Ingrid are one so i best not say my thoughts for fear of you been banished to the barn

blackdog: Yes indeed - you have it in one. Also we live in a barn so don't worry about banishing me - I wont have far to go ;o)

putting chad and mike's comments on ingrid's post together, i finally realize that ingrid is mike's wife (that you both bear dog, lol didn't even spark a little neuron)

ok on a more serious note, this is a well spotted shot
it suggests a gloom, or nostalgia so well
and yes it could even suggest laziness to get out of bed
i wish that bar in the middle wasn't there though

blackdog: We don't like to bark too loudly for fear of disturbing the neighbours ;o) I like the idea of nostalgia - and there are days when I feel welded to the bed and gaze out of the window. Not a lot I can do about the bar though short of pulling the windows out - some things you learn to live with and the eye no longer sees ;o)

you know mike, the aesthetics of this shot is much closer to Arvo Part and the ECM aestetics in general than your portraits of the ladies. I'm sure Manfred Eicher would be pleased to accept this picture for an album on his label (after a conversion to b&w, of course).

blackdog: Actually shot in B&W and toned as I felt it needed a little warmth, but do agree with you central point. I was interested in the captured personal reactions with the portraits and would class them as separate - this is much more about my own interpretation. Do you think Eicher has done so many recordings that he is running short of images? Perhaps I should give him a ring ;o)

Why would you want to clean your garage windows?

blackdog: Err - this is the house. The cars have to suffer outside ;o)

This is lovely. Such a relaxing image and the sepia tone is perfect.