Spoleto 1

[Ted Byrne]

[aprilS]

I find this image challenging, because I keep struggling to reconcile the brilliant colors and lush textures with the lone dark figure, dark (barred) windows, the darkened doorway he just passed, and the narrow road/corridor.

I keep coming back to idea of dark within.

The doorway and windows seem ominous, leading to dark interiors. The shape of the windows echoes that of the subject; who seems to be trudging, just barely lifting one foot in front of the other.

Despite the brilliant color, for me it's a very dark image.

Which is a fascinating juxtaposition.

[habakuk]

How inviting the colors on the tiles in the foreground are. What a nice start to dive into the scene. And it is clear how to "read" it - from bottom up along the path, ending with the person, which takes me with him out of the frame. The halo around the person suggests there must be something special about him. It puts emphasis on him. But I don't see darkness, I don't see rejection, blocking, dark insides etc. To me, the colors are much to vibrant to weigh the dark areas. This is life! There are some probably dark corners and side ways (as in the lower left corner), but if we stay on course, if we stay on our line of life, there is color, brightness, joy, and there is nothing in that picture that suggest to me that something dark or negative is waiting around the corner.

cheers
®

[eob]

Well, I see this image from a completely different point of view. While I love general composition and strong graphic effect, I just can't bear the colors. For me, they are very confusing and distracting the hell out of me. I would much rather look at the black & white version of this image.