My son and I went for a visit to the St. Louis Zoo this afternoon. While we were walking back to the car on yet another gorgeous autumn afternoon, I spotted this couple in the distance amongst a group of trees.
They were being photographed. There had been a wedding at the Art Museum that was breaking up just we arrived, so I assumed that this couple – that did not look like the bride and groom – were associated with the group and were making use of the wedding photographer for a few extra shots.
Something about the scene prompted me to snap a couple of shots; there was a sense of photographing the photographed here. The couple were posing, but for the camera whose flash unit you can see in the lower right corner. Here was I with yet another angle, this time unprepared.
I wondered if they had seen me, but I was a long way away using a zoom. When I got home and uploaded the image to my computer, I was struck by the expression on the man's face. Here he was, being kissed and photographed. He looks happy, but with just enough ambivalence to suggest mixed feelings about the scene. Was it his idea to photographed? Was he being rushed by his girlfriend, perhaps herself with romantic feelings about marrying that maybe he did not share? Was he simply a bit embarassed, or tired, or wondering if he was going to be late for the reception?
Who knows. But I like images such as these that prompt such imaginings.
musickna said:
Thanks, Andy! 🙂
edwardpiercy said:
Well I don't know what he's thinking. But I think I know what I'd be thinking. 😆
Dudley said:
Spotlighted by the Blue Star Grouphttp://my.opera.com/BlueStarFavorites/blog/
CaptainPenguin said:
If they are still together next week I will be very surprised,he musyt also be lacking in taste because if I was being kissed by a girl that beautiful I would be reciprocating with gusto
musickna said:
Thanks for your comments, guys. Edward, I am pretty sure I know what you would be thinking! :DNigel, I think you are quite right and saw deeply into that shot. Take a look at the second photograph I have of the couple – to me, this does not look like a pairing that will last.
musickna said:
😆 Let's hope not. I prefer to let the story end with the photographs! 🙂
CaptainPenguin said:
If the camera never lies I think your second photo confirms what we thought.Have you considered though what will happen if either of these people or their freinds are on Opera,we could get a positing with all the sordid details on.
musickna said:
Ah ha. A novelist at work here! 🙂 Certainly as likely as any other scenario.
edwardpiercy said:
Okay, here's a new theory based on the second photo. It's a wedding. All sorts of relatives show up at weddings. So maybe she's his cousin, giving him a friendly kiss on the forhead, which made him feel uncomfortable. Particularly because his cousin is so HOT. 🙂
edwardpiercy said:
Alternative theory. They're not only cousins, but he's gay. :0
pandashavingtorture said:
I'm quite sure he's checking out the tities of another lovely lady! But of course he being male and all, he cannot multi task! :sherlock:He can snog that beautiful young lady at any time he wants, but he can't look at ANOTHER lady's bosoms all the time!!! :sherlock:In short, he's a pervert, who's destined to be eventually dumped or stray away from his pretty lady friend! :mad:So it's actually quite a sad photograph if you look deep enough… (or see things that aren't really there!)IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE!!! :up:Though admittedly my GAYDAR readings are going through the roof looking at that guy! :yikes:
musickna said:
Thanks for your ever insightful comments, Aidan! 😀
pandashavingtorture said:
No problem, long time, no comment.
musickna said:
True – nice to see you back! 🙂
cakkleberrylane said:
Interesting!! My son was married in Savannah on Nov. 10 2007. And… I was the photographer!
musickna said:
Good for you, Lois. I'm sure they were better than most professional's too. 🙂
cakkleberrylane said:
Oh I don't know about that, but they certainly got photographs made with love!