Carousel
This is part of a series i have put together. I am growing ever fascinated with childhood, their thoughts and in particular children’s literature, art and so-called amusement – there is always an intense darkness about it – so i have tried to create dark images visually and psychologically – i didn’t ask Abe to pose but was pleased his head was turned because now i hope we look through him and discover our own thoughts (Hope that makes sense to you).

Carousel belongs to the following groups:
All the Fun of the FairAvailable for sale as Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Torfinn Johann..., about 1 year ago
A wonderful b/w shot Deb. Excellent as always!
Bruce Halliburton, about 1 year ago
Wow! – This is really magical – another classic!
Carlo Cesar Ro..., about 1 year ago
Beautiful light and shade! Very good composition and detail! Wonderful B&W shot! Congrats Deborah!
Dave Pearson
,
about 1 year ago
This is great. I love the way it’s composed and I love the treatment. Works so well in monochrome.
And, also, I really like the motivation behind it. I like it all the more because I’ve had a similar sort of theme happening myself of late
cdwork, about 1 year ago
Another great shot!!
Sean Farragher, about 1 year ago
CAN ALMOST HEAR THE SOUNDS
Victor(Vic) Be..., about 1 year ago
great one , as usual looks like old stuff…
just stunning !
Nancy Coyle, about 1 year ago
Deborah!!!!!!!! I love this. There is much mystery to it and intense mood. I look forward to the whole set!!!!!!!!!!!
Arthur Chambers, about 1 year ago
Takes me back to my child hood -well done again Deborah///////////
Miss Misery, about 1 year ago
this is great well done
Martin Derksema, about 1 year ago
Yes, childrens books can be very dark. If I look at this picture my eye goes indeed in the direction Abe is looking at. I remember that a lot of things that were supposed to be fun for children rather frightened me. It is a great and intriguing picture. When you see such a carousel in colour it always looks very happy, with al the colours and lights. The way you show the carousel gives it a feeling of emptyness. As if it is for us to dicide if this is fun or no fun. Almost like a parody on a carousel. I like the way Abe lookes at it from a distance. As if he is observing it and making up his mind. For me the darkness in this picture is not a sad darkness. It is just a totally different way of looking at childrens entertainment. Starting point of a mental process in the brain of the viewer. In other words: great job!
Ashley Ng, about 1 year ago
Great capture Deb. Love the sharp focus of the child and the carousel slightly out of focus and overexposed, as if a “fantasy” or “dream”
PhotogeniquE IPA, about 1 year ago
It’s like one of those dream sequences in a kids movie, with the slightly spooky music playing. All this from one photo? Yeah!
dave
tonilouise, about 1 year ago
I just love this Deb. I’ve always wondered about the darkness surrounding Children’s nursery rhymes etc. When I was very young, we had a popular kids book of the time called “Coles Funny Picture Book”. It wasn’t funny, it was just plain scary. I felt a little like Abe does in your image. Beautifully photographed and processed…
ciege622, about 1 year ago
very very wicked cool!!! : ) you make some very creative blk/wht
Antoine Dagobert, about 1 year ago
Excellent as always Deb! Love it!
Simon Gladwin, about 1 year ago
I like this Deborah…....you are such a thinker and your images always have a point and try to communicate something. I saw your comments on the Torfinn/Antoine thing. I think all your postings are superb and you have a lot to offer. I have learned from looking at your work and drawn encouragement from your comments. Dont stop!
Jeff Burns, about 1 year ago
Fantastic job. Very well done.
WitheringMoon, about 1 year ago
Great work Deb this is fabulous!!! love the dark clouds looming above has a sort of nightmare feel to it!!! can imagine the scary music!! – however your in “the danger zone”” good luck my friend lol!!!
StacyLee, about 1 year ago
Incredible shot! You did a great job Deb!!
SylviaHardy, about 1 year ago
It is a very powerful image Deborah! I keep coming back to this studying it and wanting to give you justice in my feedback! The thing that I feel from this is a sence of volnerability and danger for Abe, and yet there is a sence of helplesness because you want to be by his side, an adult like mother or father to reasure him! But because he is alone in this picture and you get a sense of movement from the carusel, you feel drawn into the picture and not being able to escape, hoping that at any moment I wake up and it was all a bad dream!
freebornman, about 1 year ago
I got up,looked at this, made a cup of coffee thinking about how powerful images are and how they can recreate ‘long forgotton’ (we think) memories. I love the carousel,it’s always been one of my childhood favorites but the memory that pushes back into my mind is one of a small boy who didn’t want to be on the thing…....as tonilouise said children often view their world as far more frightening than us adults…........ anyway the outcome was not a nice one and the kid got injured. Whenever i see a carousel I almost run toward it….seriously ….love to stand there watching it swirl around …horses going everywhere and nowhere …... but that childhood image ( i was only six) always interupts…........................ a bit like the coffee i was making…. i come back to my screen and whole bunch of people have beaten me to it. I love Abe’s side on look…....... such a cool take Deb.
earthjammedia, about 1 year ago
fantastic image, a sense of something not quite right,
shawhouse, about 1 year ago
fine, dramatic image. really tells a story. Joseph Campbell was praised for his genius when he shared insights into universal myths and archetypes – but his work would have been meaningless without the webspinners, the storytellers that make the audience feel the story, breathe life into the monster under the little kid’s bed and cause the hairs on the back of adult necks to stand at attention. Your takes on the fears, terrors and magic that come with the territory of childhood are a real gift for forgetful adults. I look forward to seeing the creepy clown :) something wicked this way comes…
Naomi Frost, about 1 year ago
Oh, Deborah. This is my most favourite of all of your images. It’s just wonderful. I can’t wait to see the rest of the set!!!!!
Barbara Gordon, about 1 year ago
This has an awesome mood to it. Excellent!
Craig Goldsmith, about 1 year ago
Deborah, well done! This is a striking image with loads of impact, I love the composition, the processing is great, it gives a real sense of drama.
margo, about 1 year ago
To me the story is incredibly sad. The little boy has finally made it to the fairground, but too late. Everyone (playmates and all) have gone, the place is deserted and he is quite alone with his feverish anticipation squashed. Not what he expected – like growing up. No fun here. What now?
Madison Ellis, about 1 year ago
Excellent Photo…Love the contrast, and the idea!!!
Dan Cahill, about 1 year ago
Love the perspective. It has a dream like quality to it. Beautiful work.
Heather Rivet..., about 1 year ago
fantastic
Rhana Griffin, about 1 year ago
This is just wonderful! Very dramatic.
Angela Stewart, about 1 year ago
Gorgeous illustration of childhood Deb. It conveys to me the awe and beauty of a fairground, but the darkness of this image brings back all the warnings of danger if I strayed too far from my parents in such a place. Great work!!
Cinthia Creel, about 1 year ago
Amazing photo. It’s almost like a still from a movie. So beautiful.
Helene Kippert, about 1 year ago
Beautiful work Deb
Cathleen Taraw..., about 1 year ago
Very old-style -cool.
Charles McKean, about 1 year ago
Fab too
Panteli Pyroma..., about 1 year ago
Great shot Deb, love the dark sky, and composition
Belinda Leopold, about 1 year ago
Very dark and dreamy-I think it’s hard to get this feel to a photo, so well done!!
Mel Brackstone, about 1 year ago
This is fabulous, Deborah, I love the atmosphere that you’ve produced with this!
Antanas, about 1 year ago
Perfect capture, excellent light.
Andrew Bosman, about 1 year ago
Deb, you’ve achieved what you set out to do here, well done.
Adela Hriscu, about 1 year ago
wow, exceptional atmosphere, dreamlike!
Paul Louis Vil..., about 1 year ago
It makes perfect sense to me Deborah! Very powerful image, love it! :D
Michael Kienhuis, about 1 year ago
I had a day at our show today Deborah! But i love this. Beautiful! M:>
Deborah Parkin, about 1 year ago
thank you everyone for your inspiring comments – they mean a lot to me.
lightsmith, about 1 year ago
it might be the carousel of death…. the great vehicle of reincarnation…... whatever – it’s a very moody and impressive picture. like it very much.
Halcyon007, about 1 year ago
Wonderful shot, as always, Deb.
Great composition and timing make this the fab shot it is for me
Rich Gale, about 1 year ago
great image I like the dark feel to it, well done. Rich .
micmac, about 1 year ago
Fantastic
Andrew Walker, about 1 year ago
Lovely composition, must admit that i love the fairground, the creepier and tired the better
Kerry McFarland, about 1 year ago
Love the mood in this one, Deb. Really great work, as usual! Fantastic composition.
sharka, about 1 year ago
I agree with shawhouse this photo really tells a story! Great photo Deb!
illicit, about 1 year ago
so dream sequence like. yet another great image Deborah.
Robert Elliott, about 1 year ago
A stunning image, wonderful !
Michael Douglass, about 1 year ago
Wow Deborah, so much atmosphere in this, great treatment, love the lighting, especially on the boys hair.
kimwild, about 1 year ago
Amazing, does make you wonder at what exactly he is looking…does he see what we see?
Pete Chennell, about 1 year ago
perfect capture Deb, love it!
Stefan Trenker, about 1 year ago
excellent composition! looks fantastic in b/w
very well done
Lost Lost, about 1 year ago
Spooky, moody, wonderful!
mare, about 1 year ago
WOW! What a powerful and compelling shot… Discovering our own thoughts – I think this shot is working as you hoped!
Colin Tobin
,
about 1 year ago
I don’t even know what I can say about this. It is so powererful and so stunning.
paul777, about 1 year ago
Well captured Deborah….......i love the way Abe is looking at it. Is he intrigued by the carousel, is wondering if it is open or opening. Or is Abe going to ask for some money to have a go?
ed wong, about 1 year ago
this is awesome; i love the darkness in your black&whites; you should definitely publish a book!!
kenmo, about 1 year ago
Feel sort of surreal and distant…. Truly amazing….
tassj, about 1 year ago
i love it :D
lance leopold, about 1 year ago
I like this a lot,Deborah!!!
Dave Pearson
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about 1 year ago
You’re on the front page with this Deborah. That’s well deserved.
Deborah Parkin, about 1 year ago
Thank you for all your comments i really appreciate them – if you fancy looking at another carousel image then check out Dave Pearson – it’s excellent!!!
Dave Pearson
Andrew Edgar, about 1 year ago
Wonderfully done, works very well, great image
Casey Castille, about 1 year ago
What a great shot! Perfect image.
Matthew Bonnin..., about 1 year ago
Deborah, I strive to images as good as this one.
I like the desolation of the “fun” in the background and I’m asking what the figure is thinking. Is it wonder, is it fear?
I like this a lot.
Murray Newham, about 1 year ago
something so dreamscape about this, its confrontational for me, and a little disturbing…
NervousNellie, about 1 year ago
This is wonderfully dark. I like it a lot, it is disturbing, but in a good way.
superville, about 1 year ago
its like a snapshot from “something wicked this way comes.” this is the tone i envision when i read ray bradbury!
Louise Cooke, about 1 year ago
Deb, sorry, somehow I missed this the other day, but millions didn’t – what an amazing response! Fantastic atmosphere and pretty darn spooky. I recently commented on a Nancy Coyle image that she “took the fun out of fun-park” and you’ve done exactly the same thing (with a totally different image of course!!). Great work, great atmospher and congrats on the home page!
Nicholas Averre, about 1 year ago
Wow deborah.. this is a stunning image!! Very dreamy, so well captured.
Cadence, about 1 year ago
Fabulous! You captured so many moods here.. I love the dark sky, and the fact that the subject is not facing the camera =)
paulineism, about 1 year ago
Brilliant
Rachel Taylor, about 1 year ago
This reminds me of some of my earlier work when I was fascinated with the concept of the dark side of amusement. There seems to always remain a ‘darkened myth’ attached to the nostalgic circuses and amusement parks. Very beautiful…very haunting. What is it about the dark side of the moon…very magnetic?
ozczecho, about 1 year ago
Wonderful work…really striking…is the boy sad that the theme park is leaving town? Is it being shut down? Great nostalgia, beautiful tones and framing…love it.
wolfllink, about 1 year ago
It kind of looks to scary to get on. LOL well done!
pmistric, 12 months ago
Beautiful. Love the darkness you created here.
Carl Chick, 11 months ago
Very surreal. The image could represent either joy, or sorry, depending on the viewer. You nailed your stated intent. Good work.
Dakolina, 11 months ago
your pictures could launch a thousand emotions
Mark Tisdale, 11 months ago
Oh wow – this is great!
paulevelin, 11 months ago
oustanding portfolio
another fave
Bjørn Gjelsten, 10 months ago
one picture… one million thoughts….
memory, 10 months ago
I’m reminded of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train which features a tense scene with carousel. I notice there are not many people around which adds to the unease. Fascinating shot.
Kate Towers IPA, 10 months ago
lovely work, perfect in b&w
Russell Fry, 10 months ago
terrific image, well done!
aphoto4you, 10 months ago
very very nice…
billyboy, 10 months ago
Deborah, there’s lots about this image that blows me away. First of all , the number of people who have related to it is awesome, and that means you have managed to do that magical achievement of getting right into our deep souls with a simple image. Yeah, I’m looking through the kid’s head at the carousel, and where I would normaly see a bright, happy and colorful attraction, I see lost hope and crushed dreams. Everyone who sees the carousel as a fun amusement has gone home and the scene has turned monochrome, the weather’s turned dark, the music has stopped and the movement frozen. Something has happened to this kid to distort his perception and its roots go very deep. It’s scary because you get the feeling he will turn this disotrted perception outward later in life, possibly to the harm of others.
I don’t know why there was so much commenting 2 months ago, then only a handful in the past month or so. Maybe you’ve been less active on RB recently so fewer members have been drawn to your portfolio? I just commented on a couple from Redtempa and noticed yours so thought I’d check out your stuff. I’m glad I did because there are few artists here that have the ability to say as much as you do through their images with sheer mood. I don’t know whether it’s in your ability to pick up perfect expressions from your subjects, or your strong monochrome compositions or your post processing… whatever it is, it looks like you’ve been doing it all your life and you are a true master at it. Congrats on blowing me away!
paulevelin, 10 months ago
came to look at it again
such a strong and beautiful image
Mark Hayward, 9 months ago
This is an incredible image Deborah. This has just stayed with me since the first time I saw it but at the time hadn’t left comment. Amazing, amazing shot.
DawsonImages, 9 months ago
Beautiful like an obscure childhood memory
PNFdeb, 9 months ago
very moody and rather a retro feel to your work…strong and powerful
Daniel Fitzgerald, 9 months ago
This looks awesome, like your others I guess ;)
mare, 9 months ago
I still enjoy this one alot!
aphoto4you, 9 months ago
brings back memories alright…very nice capture….
Michael Oubridge, 9 months ago
This has a sinister feel to it, i don’t know why, maybe the b&w does it !!!
Michael Farruggia, 9 months ago
this looks like a dream….really amazing shot
Kenneth Fugate, 9 months ago
This is an outstanding photo
Robert Knapman, 9 months ago
Yes I see what you mean. The unfinished business, what’s left unsaid, what’s hinted but not stated…what’s the thought…and where dd it come from?
Oh to be able to read the back of a (childs) head. I love the hair highlights which add greater depth, possibility and a certain significance to the turned away and looking beyond…and even furtehr beyond. Really an excellent image Deb and almost utterly timeless :))
Oli Johnson, 9 months ago
Wonderful photo.
Jeremy Harrington, 9 months ago
this is a fantastic shot Deborah, as you can already tell from all the comments! the black and white works perfectly with the composition to create a great sense of atmosphere.. well done
Damien Woods, 9 months ago
Another well captured shot and set in black and white. BnWs are great. They really simply the subject being captured.
Elizabeth Freu..., 9 months ago
I’ve always thought that carousels and circuses are profoundly disturbing. This is brilliantly captured here.
Tony Middleton, 9 months ago
fantastic tonings and composition !
marcusjohn, 9 months ago
This is just simply brilliant..
checkma8, 9 months ago
cool image nice work
JLHopgood, 9 months ago
Extremely thought provoking piece of art. I (think) can see where you’re coming from. The darkness does make it a totally different piece.
david malcolmson, 9 months ago
This a very powerful image, dark and dreamlike at the same time.Fun fairs inhabit a strange world of excitement and mystery, and are part of the personal mythology of our young lives.Where do they come, where do they go?
davidmilne, 9 months ago
Outstanding BnW Deborah,very thought provoking image!
German Saravanja, 9 months ago
What a beautiful shot! It feels like a dream- love the glow off the boy!
Lisa G. Putman, 9 months ago
This is so beautiful! I love the dreamy quality to it! Gives me a warm fuzzy!
augigirl, 8 months ago
it’s like a romantic childhood memory. Thank you!
Ian Johnson, 8 months ago
Very unique shot..i like your style of super high contrast photography-
Ian-Alyson Pearson, 8 months ago
wow, so stunning!
geoff curtis, 8 months ago
Brilliant…...kind of takes you back.
Geri Bragg, 8 months ago
amazing shot.
metronomad, 8 months ago
fabulous… haunting in its kind of eerie beautiful way.
Darren Burdell, 8 months ago
Great image! love the dreamlike quality this has.
Kenneth Fugate, 8 months ago
nice
studiomunch, 8 months ago
Fab work, there’s a great sense of longing in the picture, not enough money in your pocket to have a ride, just got to watch the other kids on the crousel
pinkyjain, 8 months ago
Awesome photo, great shot, awesome effect, loving the B&W
N Chester, 8 months ago
Superb work
kipishiux, 8 months ago
Fantastic work!
Kenny Gulley Jr., 8 months ago
hauntingly powerful image
Elizabeth Aust..., 8 months ago
Really fabulous!
Luis Correia, 8 months ago
Beautiful composition.
purehart05, 8 months ago
Strong, haunting capture. Element of mystery… almost as if innoccence had been lost.
Al Camardella Jr., 8 months ago
Seen many of your shots Nancy, this is new to me.
One word – WOW! I love this photo so much.
Deborah Parkin in reply to Al Camardella Jr.’s comment, 8 months ago
Thanks Al – glad you liked it and thanks for the comment – really appreciate it :)
Al Camardella Jr., 8 months ago
Your very welcome Deborah , I feel like a dork though calling you Nancy (I’m VERY new to this site and thought I was surfing my friends Nancy profile.) Sorry, it’s been a long week :)
Still, just an amazing shot and happy I saw it.
Hope you have a great day. – Al
Deborah Parkin in reply to Al Camardella Jr.’s comment, 8 months ago
LOL!!! Al – don’t worry – i take it as a great compliment – like you i am also a big fan of Nancy – have a great day too :)
Lumineux, 7 months ago
Deb, this is the most wonderful image, it speaks to me on so many levels that I could not possibly begin to express them all. You have an amazing eye, that sees far more than just the opportunities placed in front of you.
Kacholek, 7 months ago
wow wow wow wow wow amzazing picture
Kacholek, 7 months ago
wow wow wow wow wow amzazing picture
Tim Yuan, 7 months ago
love it!
Lila Alias, 7 months ago
your work is stunning!!
greenbeards, 7 months ago
...guess you don’t need another comment to tell you how gothic-good it all is, but still here’s another: you should be involved in film.
Anisha Aiyappa, 6 months ago
i agree you really feel like you’re looking with him. wonderul capture
luxquarta, 6 months ago
This shot is excellent ! Congrats !
Mandy Fell, 6 months ago
Another amazing image the darkness of the image is fantastic very thought provoking great work
Mandy Fell, 6 months ago
Another amazing image the darkness of the image is fantastic very thought provoking great work
kimberleigh sarah, 6 months ago
I LOVE this! Amazing shot ! :)
John Brotheridge, 5 months ago
Thought provoking image Deborah. I empathise with your description entirely. I have always had a sinister feeling around fairgrounds esp’ at night. I put it down to being told as a child not to go there alone, stay away, strange men etc. And one image always sticks in my mind, the opening credits of a 60’s American TV series, I think was called the Twilight Zone which used the lights of a Carousel set to spooky music. Bet you think I’m mad don’t you? Well I might be rambling, but you definitely stirred a latent fear in me with this shot. Neat B&W though :)
Lindsey Downing, 5 months ago
makes complete sense to me. I love the creepy innocence of this shot. Nice job. :)
Jason Connolly, 5 months ago
BRILLIANT, you obviousy carefully think about what you shoot ,whereas I just shoot at will LOL. very thought provoking work you have.
Alan Findlater, 4 months ago
Really good work well done
Peter Zentjens, 4 months ago
Such a strong and powerful image! Kudos.
Congrats with your homepage too
Victor(Vic) Be..., 4 months ago
congrats – it looks so good on the Home page !
the best here !
Richard Veal, 4 months ago
Well done on this making the home page Deb.
Andrew Robertson, 4 months ago
Congrats on making the home page Deb – fantastic image. Andy x
Deborah Parkin, 4 months ago
Thanks everyone – lovely suprise and thanks for letting me know :)
Joanne A. Bradley, 4 months ago
Excellent work! Congrats on making homepage!
f4rr3ll, 4 months ago
this is awsome!
i dont think it would be so effective if the kid in the foreground wasn’t there.
good work!
Ken Mucke, 4 months ago
Hey you….CONGRATS on making the home page….This has always been one of my FAVS
Megan Dacy, 4 months ago
Wow, this is amazing. Fantastic work!
shanghaiwu, 4 months ago
love this image/brilliant on homepage
Paul Tupman, 4 months ago
Looking good there on the Homepage Deborah! Congrats! This is one of those all time classic images.. you’re a great story teller!
Kimberly Neuen..., 4 months ago
I’ve never liked fairs and circuses, even as a child. Your image speaks to my inner fears of these things. It’s a beautiful image and well composed. I’d love to see what you could do with my other fear…porcelain dolls.
AmyX, 4 months ago
This is beautiful….
amyx
pinkyjain, 4 months ago
Wondrous, such Magic. Congrats on Being Featured on the Home Page
Alexandra Donn..., 4 months ago
Wow, this is a beautiful and powerful image to me!
Anna Margittai, 4 months ago
such a great photo! beautiful
Rosina Lamberti, 4 months ago
this is anazing
SANCHEZISDEAD, 4 months ago
One of my favs! lovely shot! i can visualize it with a soundtrack fo Paul Cantelon
cheers from guatemala city!
Peter Redmond, 4 months ago
This is marvellous!
Christian Hartung, 3 months ago
i know you have heard this probaly a billion times but i have to say what a great shot, i love how the glow affect comes straight to you, well done
Michael Gray, 3 months ago
STUNNING! well done. instant fav and watchlist.
JerameS, 3 months ago
Awesome!
Christine Hall, 2 months ago
Love everything about it! Instant favorite!
WizardOne, 2 months ago
While I love color to the point of making my eyes bleed… I do admire the nature of your B&W work. Very well developed. Nice to get lost within. Great job.
Stephen Chapple, 2 months ago
Just love being inspired by the way every image you put on here oozes with emotion and character!
“Vision – It reaches beyond the thing that is, into the conception of what can be. Imagination gives you the picture. Vision gives you the impulse to make the picture your own.”
Robert Collier.
Stephen Chapple, 2 months ago
Just love being inspired by the way every image you put on here oozes with emotion and character!
“Vision – It reaches beyond the thing that is, into the conception of what can be. Imagination gives you the picture. Vision gives you the impulse to make the picture your own.”
Robert Collier.
Elana Bailey, about 1 month ago
I agree with you about having Abe’s head turned, it is better. You have such a talent. I hope you do take up the Photography Degree. All the best.
igotmeacanon, about 1 month ago
this is awesome, i love your b+w work
Andrew Walker, about 1 month ago
Deborah, please please please add this image to my group ‘All the Fun of the Fair’ What with it being taken at a fair and all :-)
Regards
Andrew
Glenn-Patrick ..., about 1 month ago
This is brilliant.I know that’s a pretty deep comment and all but it’s all I can come up with.I have stared at this for 10 minutes now, I’m a bit dumbfounded.
Cathleen Taraw..., about 1 month ago
Great news about the book, Deborah :)
Kai-Marie Will..., about 1 month ago
wow, wow, wow and just wow. sorry my words have failed me =)
Jack McCabe, about 1 month ago
Congrats again…
Deborah Parkin in reply to Jack McCabe’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks Jack and thank you for all your other input – i really do appreciate what you had to say :)
Ronald Rockman, 27 days ago
The nightmare merry go round , great work Deborah P, this is fabulous I love the dark clouds looming above.
Cheers
Rock
newbeltane, 16 days ago
reminds me of the story ‘Something wicked this way comes’... Great image.
Steve
MhDkHr, 11 days ago
Perfect deb….
LinaJ, 9 days ago
brilliant!