“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women, merely players”, said William Shakespeare once. It’s also the motto of this blog. This monochrome street photograph is yet another example of it.
During Saturday’s photo walk in Nuremberg’s Südstadt I discovered this mural I hadn’t seen before. I instantly knew this would make a perfect backdrop for passing people. My stage on this Saturday morning. I did set up the camera and then merely waited. For people entering the scene.
I took quite a few shots. My favorite was this one, of the man passing with his white shopping bag. The juxtaposition of the funny face of the cartoon figure painted on the wall, looking up at the (smiling) bird, and the passing man with his bowed head, looking down. If he’d looked right instead of down, maybe the mural would have cheered him up a bit. All the world’s a stage….and we street shooters capture the stories.
Taken with my Leica M and the Summarit 35mm F/2. I’ve used zone focusing here, pre-focusing the lens at f/8 so that everything between 2 and 10 meters away was in focus. Increased the ISO so I got a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 sec to freeze the action.
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You all stay healthy!
Marcus
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Thanks for sharing! This is a great capture.
Thanks, Sheila, your kind words are so much appreciated! Marcus
I had to memorize that particular Shakespeare in high school. It is my favorite and perfect for this photo.
Thanks, Julie, how fun you had to learn it in school. But it’s a great quote for Street Photographers. Marcus
Klasse!
Danke, Maren, freut mich sehr! Liebe Grüße, Marcus
And what great capture it is once more. ❤️
Ahhh, thanks so much, my friend! XOX
Perfect backdrop!! I do think he’d have been much happier if he’d caught sight of the mural. 😉
Thanks, Amy, and I think your are right! Have a great week! Marcus
well caught Marcus!
Thanks, Yuri, much appreciated! Marcus
Wonderful capture!
Thanks so much, highly appreciated! Marcus
This photograph is fantastic! It seems that when you are on the streets the whole world certainly is turning into the stage. You notice moments that most of us miss. You created in this image an amazing juxtaposition and humorous.
I wish you all the best, Marcus!
Thanks for your wonderful words, Kaya, the mean so much! Marcus
This is so great Marcus! I love the mix… it’s like fantasy meets real world. 🙂
Thanks, Janet, appreciate your visit and comment so much! Marcus
To me this man looks like he is in deep thoughts and doesn‘t want to be disturbed by a cheerful mural. At least that‘s what I see in your picture. Like it. 😃
Thanks, Annett, love your interpretation of the image! Have a splendid week! Marcus
I imagine you got quite a few interesting photos with this mural as a backdrop. The contrast between this man walking by and the characters in the mural could inspire many stories. I’m also curious about what the contrast in their colors looks like and if it adds to the feeling contrast between them. I imagine the man in black and earth tones, more monochromatic, with the vibrantly colored mural behind him.
I like this strategy of finding a setting, backdrop, and waiting for people to walk by. Perhaps a series…
I like the mural a lot. I find it delightful. I hope the man at some point saw or sees – actually ‘sees’ – it.
Thanks, Arati, I so much appreciate your sharing your thoughts here! Have a wonderful week! Marcus
A shot worth waiting for. 😊. Well done!
Thanks, Irene, much appreciated! Marcus
Wonderful photo Marcus! The man does look a bit sad. I tip my hat to the artist! 😎
Thanks, John, your kind words are much appreciated! Marcus