The Promise of 2009

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 2 January 2009 in Documentary & Street and Portfolio.

Well.

On a cold gray New Year's morning in San Francisco.

I'll confess to being somewhat conflicted about what to capture as my first image of the New Year. There were two powerful possibilities - sitting less than 60 meters (200 feet) from each other. I will try to post the alternate one tomorrow.

So - Here we go with all we need to fly into the year 2009. It may be true we start off broken down. But we've found a tow! We have fenders that don't look as though they'd fend off much of what's headed at us - but we're well strapped down. And allow me to point out that it is a very confident shade of blue.

Happy New Year...( and wish us all luck )...as we are moving forward...

© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission

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Comments (15)

yz from Budapest, Hungary

Happy new year to you too! Funny capture. I think it is more of the allegory of my country :)

2 Jan 2009 9:17am

@yz: ...it is for the entire world, yz.

dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa

Unusual capture to say the least - but I agree with you on the very confident shade of blue lol :) The yellow's not too bad either, though...

2 Jan 2009 12:27pm

MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States

Whaaaaa????

Yes indeed.

Happy New Year.

2 Jan 2009 1:51pm

hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong

Stephen, the longer I look at this image, the more I'm drawn into it.... Subtle tone and colors, DOF, simple composition... don't know how exactly you did it, but you've wonderfully brought life to a scene of misery and banality! I wonder how many people would have thought that this could be strong enough to be worth photographing in the first place...
Wish you a joyful and peaceful 2009!

2 Jan 2009 2:53pm

@hugo poon: Thanks Hugo - the truth is this little toaster of a cart drew me like a magnet - - - I can't explain it myself.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

The Blue is smiling at you, I don't know why but I can't stop looking at it...I think Hugo said it well ;)

2 Jan 2009 3:37pm

@Lorraine: ...thanks, Lorraine.

Jeff from Pembroke Dock, United Kingdom

Perhaps it was left there hoping somebody would nick it ??..Glad you got there before it disappeared..Smashing shot Stephen,and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.

2 Jan 2009 4:12pm

@Jeff: ...onward, Jeff - chart our course carefully and ever onward...

chrissy from London, United Kingdom

Good shot

2 Jan 2009 4:27pm

grant from kansas city, United States

i must say, it looks like a big smile for the new year!

2 Jan 2009 4:31pm

Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France

Happy new year !

2 Jan 2009 6:00pm

JJ from Jersey City, United States

Happy New year, a interesting capture, and yes I do agree it is a confident shade of blue.
I think this is something would have overlooked and not captured but you have captured it so well,

2 Jan 2009 8:27pm

@JJ: It was so chilly and gray in San Francisco yesterday morning. And the light was that really boring 'flat' light that just depresses a photographer (and everyone else). This little cart was almost screaming, "shoot me, shoot me!"

Suzanne from Huntington Bch, United States

That vehicle, whatever it is, has a sad face. But there's always tomorrow.

2 Jan 2009 10:07pm

@Suzanne: Oh, Suzanne - if you think (as do I) - that this little fellow has a sad face - wait until you see tomorrow's post.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

A colorfully interesting composition.

3 Jan 2009 3:08am

willow from Chelsea, United States

Hmmm... Kind of limping into the new year, huh? A fun image.

4 Jan 2009 1:00am

@willow: Ah - it's no big deal - the ship may be broken but we can still dance on deck...

Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States

Stephen, awesome photo and awesome thoughts! great work!!

5 Jan 2009 10:48pm

Walter from Watkinsville, United States

It is all the angle of choice. What would it have looked like from another angle? I am sure you captured them, but this one suits it best. Welcome 2009 with all it brings and may we make it the best it can be.

6 Jan 2009 1:12am

@Walter: I am most optimistic - and a little bemused. This is good opera.I can't wait to see what this year might bring. My prayer is for far more peace on this beleaguered earth.

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