Northwest Frame of Mind

Weekly Photo Challenge: Blur (Morning in Westlake Park)

Published by

Lisa

April 3, 2015

Ah, lives of men! When prosperous they glitter – Like a fair picture; when misfortune comes – A wet sponge at one blow has blurred the painting. Aeschylus

I spent some time searching quotes this morning looking for a starting point to accompany the word “blur” and of the many pages of quotations I read this one by Aeschylus stuck with me all day. Walking through Westlake Park I knew why as the juxtaposition of the big department store full of glittery merchandise, a brightly colored food truck promoting small bites and happy times then a huddled homeless man trying to disappear into the stones brought the ancient Greek quote into modern-day.

40 responses to “Weekly Photo Challenge: Blur (Morning in Westlake Park)”

Wedgwood in Seattle History

April 3, 2015

Great composition of the photo and so much thought you put into illustrating the quote.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  I’m glad you appreciate the composition and quote. Thanks for sharing your comments today.
  
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Angeline M

April 3, 2015

Really good juxtaposition; this quote and photo are sadly perfect.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Thanks so much, Angeline.
  
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Debbie

April 3, 2015

I bet the homeless man feels his life is passing by in a blur too.
So many people walk past, and do not see.
the quote is so apt also …. ‘a wet sponge’ can destroy the glittery painting. an ancient quote yet so apt to modern day life.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Debbie. Many people did walk past while I was thinking about this scene and no one looked down to see the man…
  
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Mabel Kwong

April 3, 2015

Wonderful interpretation of blur, and a great shot to go along with this week’s theme. That food truck does look inviting and I’m sure it pleases and whets the appetites of many locals in a day…but one can’t help but feel sorry for the homeless guy on the road. Great colours.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Thanks, Mabel. 🙂 I wanted to try the food truck but it wasn’t open yet when I was in the park. Maybe next time…
  
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  1. Mabel Kwong
    
    April 5, 2015
    
    Too early for lunch…that has happened to me before, turning up an hour early before noon at food courts and the stalls are still setting up. Good luck for next time 🙂
    
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restlessjo

April 4, 2015

Brilliantly done, Lisa! I was so focussed on the colourful van, I barely noticed that poor guy. Exactly the point. A peaceful and happy Easter to you 🙂

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  I’m glad you spent a little time and saw the whole picture, Jo even though the pretty van is a great distraction on its own. Happy Easter to you too. 🙂
  
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Heyjude

April 4, 2015

An interesting take on the challenge. Like it. Well, I don’t like the homeless man, but I do like the image and the thought you have put into this. Well done Lisa 🙂

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  I know, it’s hard to click like on a photo that includes homeless people, Jude… Thanks for viewing though and thanks for the nice comments. 🙂
  
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NancyTex

April 4, 2015

Beautiful and sad.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Sad indeed, Nancy.
  
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Tina Schell

April 4, 2015

Love this response – very creative and thought provoking. Nicely done. Photo of course is terrific.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Thank you, Tina. Creative and thought provoking are what I was trying to achieve here so it’s great to hear you enjoyed it.
  
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Amy

April 4, 2015

Well done, Lisa! Yes, very sad…

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Thank you, Amy!
  
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Maryellen Stewart

April 4, 2015

Once again Lisa shows us that art goes beyond the obvious and leaves us expanded from the experience.
Love you, Maryellen

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 4, 2015
  
  Thanks for the wonderful comment, Maryellen it means a lot. Love you too. 🙂 Happy Easter!
  
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yprior1

April 4, 2015

this is super cool – and the photo also has so much more (in addition to your juxtaposed items) – like there is this natural flow with a curve form the middle to the left – like the rooflines raise – 1,2,3 and 4 – and even the trees seem to get larger as they move left – then the sprite of green form the smaller left tree adds to the color of the truck,…. and then the design features on the building and in the stone – I missed the homeless person at first – but whew – after the quote and reading what you wrote – he stands out majorly now – and the two brown bags seem to play with the other squares and rectangles in the buildings….
and such a cool quote you found…
“Ah, lives of men! When prosperous they glitter – Like a fair picture; when misfortune comes – A wet sponge at one blow has blurred the painting.” Aeschylus

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 5, 2015
  
  It’s always so fun to hear we “read” photos in much the same ways, Yvette. You’ve managed to point out all the “in the background” elements I liked about the framing in this shot. I’m glad you see the man right away now, I’m going to remember this quote every time I walk through this part of Seattle.
  
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  1. yprior1
    
    April 5, 2015
    
    that is cool that this quote will stay with you now — and you know, this is an example of another thing I like about blogging – it really can lead to some enriching things that take with us,. Like I shared this veranda in a window post once, and every time i walk by it I remember the feel of blogging at that time (because for me it changes – as people come and go and as i evolve). And just other things too – anyhow, I really enjoy seeing this part of the country from your posts… :0
    
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sunsetdragon

April 4, 2015

Great shot.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 5, 2015
  
  Thanks. 🙂
  
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Patrick

April 4, 2015

A single image that shows the spectrum of our society.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 5, 2015
  
  I thought it caught a lot in one moment too, Patrick. Thanks for your comments.
  
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Mountainstroh (Tony)

April 4, 2015

Well done as always!

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 5, 2015
  
  Thanks so much, Tony!
  
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M-R

April 4, 2015

I confess to not having ‘got it’ until reading your text, Lisa.
As I get older, nuances seem to flit past me.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 5, 2015
  
  I’m glad you stuck around to read the quote then, M-R. 🙂 It isn’t an obvious “blur” photo so I understand not getting it without some explanation. 🙂
  
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  1. M-R
    
    April 5, 2015
    
    No, honestly, Lisa – unless something has a subtitle in very large letters, I’ve reached the stage of just looking at it and wondering … Sighh …
    
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LadyPinkRose

April 5, 2015

Your photography is par excellent, Lisa, and the quote I know you poured yourself into. Such sadness filled my heart as I saw the opulence in your image, with the homeless man so near yet so far. Just again so much thought was put into this post, and it shows. Thank you. Love, Amy

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 5, 2015
  
  It’s so nice to hear you appreciated this post Amy even though it isn’t a happy one. Thank you! Lisa
  
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  1. LadyPinkRose
    
    April 5, 2015
    
    No I agree it is not a happy post. Too much callousness and greed in this world, which your image portrayed perfectly. We are ALL brothers and sisters! It is past time people understood. *sighs*
    
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  2. NW Frame of Mind
    
    April 5, 2015
    
    Yes it is…
    
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elmediat

April 7, 2015

Very effective post. The composition of the image is excellent. The accompanying text thought provoking.

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1. NW Frame of Mind
  
  April 8, 2015
  
  Thanks so much, Elmediat. I really appreciate your visit and comments today.
  
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themofman

May 8, 2015

Indeed.

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