As you can see from the EXIF data, this isn’t quite a straight shot, but I wanted to catch something of the sinister element of these devices. And while I have no principled objection to public safety, I am a little uncomfortable at the increasing tendency to monitor our every move.
This particular camera watches over a small flight of steps that descends from pavement level to a basement entrance to a town hall. Hence the protective enclosure; i.e. it’s within reach of anyone who might wish to subvert the local council’s Big Brother policy. Actually, having said all that, I suspect that if I worked in the basement office that this camera protects I might see things differently.
And I suppose that’s one of the key points: when we’re being watched, it feels invasive, when we’re doing the watching, it makes us feel safe, or safer perhaps. I guess what’s needed is a culture that is safe, rather than one that provides means whereby we can monitor the threats to our safety … but then I always did have a tendency to pursue utopian ideals ;-)
camera capture date aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO focal length image quality white balance optical filter
Canon G5
2.09pm on 1/3/04
f4.0
1/1000
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
50
15.8mm
RAW
auto
B+W UV 010
As usual, I clicked on the chromasia link in my toolbar first thing this morning, and wow! What a great image, very stark and hard, yet with a quiet geometric design that provides disturbing tension with the subject.
The image certainly has an Orwellian feel to it, and the color tone only adds to that feel. Wonderful shot!
comment by djn1 at 01:10 AM (GMT) on 4 March, 2004
Thanks. This was/is one of those images that I can look at and think that it's ok, but it didn't really work for me. If you're interested, I've tried to sum up why I'm not all that happy with it in the blurb that accompanies tomorrow's entry.
As you can see from the EXIF data, this isn’t quite a straight shot, but I wanted to catch something of the sinister element of these devices. And while I have no principled objection to public safety, I am a little uncomfortable at the increasing tendency to monitor our every move.
This particular camera watches over a small flight of steps that descends from pavement level to a basement entrance to a town hall. Hence the protective enclosure; i.e. it’s within reach of anyone who might wish to subvert the local council’s Big Brother policy. Actually, having said all that, I suspect that if I worked in the basement office that this camera protects I might see things differently.
And I suppose that’s one of the key points: when we’re being watched, it feels invasive, when we’re doing the watching, it makes us feel safe, or safer perhaps. I guess what’s needed is a culture that is safe, rather than one that provides means whereby we can monitor the threats to our safety … but then I always did have a tendency to pursue utopian ideals ;-)
capture date
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
focal length
image quality
white balance
optical filter
2.09pm on 1/3/04
f4.0
1/1000
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
50
15.8mm
RAW
auto
B+W UV 010
Big Brother is watching you - closely! They seem afraid that people might not like it, huh?
As usual, I clicked on the chromasia link in my toolbar first thing this morning, and wow! What a great image, very stark and hard, yet with a quiet geometric design that provides disturbing tension with the subject.
The image certainly has an Orwellian feel to it, and the color tone only adds to that feel. Wonderful shot!
Thanks. This was/is one of those images that I can look at and think that it's ok, but it didn't really work for me. If you're interested, I've tried to sum up why I'm not all that happy with it in the blurb that accompanies tomorrow's entry.
Wow. I must say, I like these pictures with strong contrasts. Very detailed - very cool.
I like the treatment of the image, definitely gives the camera a sinister look, enhanced by the grill placed around it and the long shadows.
i actualy found my self exclaiming "wow" out loud when this image loaded. stunning. nice job!
great shot - the lighting and shadows are great and you used them to create a wonderful image. nice work.