melancholy

aglaia b

melancholy

This portrait was shot using a Mamiya RB67 and Kodak Portra 160NC colour negative 120 roll film. This is a straight scan of the original with no editing.

Thank you so much Sophie Shapiro for providing these lovely words by Mary Oliver.

The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice – – -
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
‘Mend my life!’
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.

You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations – – -
though their melancholy
was terrible. It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.

But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do – – – determined to save
the only life you could save.

Words by Mary Oliver

melancholy belongs to the following groups:

***Amazing + Analogue***, Australian Portraits and Kustom Kulture Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
melancholy by aglaia b
melancholy by aglaia b
  • Mike Paget

    Mike Paget

    Lovely portrait!

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks very muchly mike! ;-) xox

  • Leno

    Leno

    Beautiful…... love brown eyed girls…sorry digression!:))

  • aglaia b replied

    ha ha
    thanks leno! ;-) xox

  • pinkyjain

    pinkyjain

    Gorgeous portrait, such lovely hair & rich brown eyes

  • aglaia b replied

    thank you sweet pinkyjain. ;-) xox ♥

  • Sophie Shapiro

    Sophie Shapiro

    The Journey
    One day you finally knew
    what you had to do, and began,
    though the voices around you
    kept shouting
    their bad advice – - -
    though the whole house
    began to tremble
    and you felt the old tug
    at your ankles.
    ‘Mend my life!’
    each voice cried.
    But you didn’t stop.

    You knew what you had to do,
    though the wind pried
    with its stiff fingers
    at the very foundations – - -
    though their melancholy
    was terrible.It was already late
    enough, and a wild night,
    and the road full of fallen
    branches and stones.

    But little by little,
    as you left their voices behind,
    the stars began to burn
    through the sheets of clouds,
    and there was a new voice,
    which you slowly
    recognized as your own,
    that kept you company
    as you strode deeper and deeper
    into the world,
    determined to do
    the only thing you could do – - – determined to save
    the only life you could save.

    Words by Mary Oliver

    A wonderful emotive photograph Aglaia which reflects your Spirituality. Your emotions are in harmony with the highest possible expression of love! Fantastic!Sxxx

  • aglaia b replied

    what a beautiful poem you write here by mary oliver.
    i enjoyed it very much.
    i feel rich sophie for crossing paths with such a lovely lady as yourself.
    thanks so much for your delightful comment and lovely placement of this poem. ;-) xox ♥ ☀

  • Sophie Shapiro

    Sophie Shapiro

    I feel rich Sophie for crossing paths with such a lovely lady as yourself
    And I Aglaia feel exactly the same!Sxox….....you must teach me how to do the heart! My next lesson!Sx

  • aglaia b replied

    ♥♥♥♥

  • Leno

    Leno

    Thanks aglaia…..great song!xxx

  • botticcelli

    botticcelli

    you look so very beautiful…!

  • aglaia b replied

    ha ha tis not me rafeal.
    yes she is very beautiful, thanks. ;-) xox

  • RebeccaT

    RebeccaT

    What a beautiful portrait…such emotion. I love it! :)

  • deliriousgirl

    deliriousgirl

    Oh Woweeee! Spectacular rich colour you’ve caught here!!!!

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    great capture

  • Paul Vanzella

    Paul Vanzellafounder

    superb emotion captured.. wonderful shot aglaia!

  • mhkantor

    mhkantor

    wonderful lighting love the soft tones great pose and expression fantastic portrait aglaia.

  • mhkantor

    mhkantor

    did i mention the hands, forgot to – the placement of the hands is a brilliant touch.

  • Phineous Cassidy

    Phineous Cas...

    loooovelly stuff matey

  • Lisa Jewell

    Lisa Jewell

    You’ve captured melancholy…...

    Light and tone is divine….

  • flower68

    flower68

    beautiful lighting!

  • andreasphoto

    andreasphoto

    perfectly framed. and melancholy can be a great mood. sometimes.

  • Maureen Bloesch

    Maureen Bloesch

    nice!

  • Shaun Johnston

    Shaun Johnston

    Really beautiful portrait. Thanks for sharing!

  • margpie

    margpie

    Brilliant! Is this you? I cant work it out, but, someone mentioned it was in their comment, but, I am not sure, anyway whoever it is, it is very thought provoking and Sophie’s poem clinches it, brilliant work as usual my friend :)

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks marina.
    LOL no it is not me, i’m the one in the avatar, with the red dyed hair and completely different nose. hehe.
    i do love this shot for the model was able to express a sadness not only in her eyes but with her lips as well.
    ;-) xox

  • eagerlyawaiting

    eagerlyawaiting

    i feel i have to say i can be really picky about portrait shots.. what appeals to me..
    but..
    i saw this.. and instantly felt that stillness and then i saw how timeless she looks..
    very very beautiful portrait..

    thank you ;]

  • PJ Ryan

    PJ Ryan

    OH !! this takes me so far back .. J looks beautiful .. i love the title .. and Sophies (Mary Olivers)piece of writing is brilliant.

    Such a beautiful portrait :)

    xx

  • Caroline Gorka

    Caroline Gorka

    Lovely portrait …thoughtful :)

  • aglaia b

    aglaia b

    thanks so much for all your wonderful words and ongoing support my fellow bubblers:
    rebecca, ♥
    jen, ♥
    antanas, ♥
    paul v, ♥
    mhk, ♥
    igo, ♥
    lisa, ♥
    flower, ♥
    andreas, ♥
    maureen, ♥
    shaun, ♥
    eargelyawaiting, ♥
    nicole, ♥♥
    and
    caroline. ♥

  • Faith Hunter

    Faith Hunter

    This is a stunning portrait. The lighting and angle are gorgeous.

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks so much faith. ;-) xox

  • Helen Chierego

    Helen Chierego

    She looks like a typical girl from the 60s with her perfect eyeliner and hair style. The pose is reminiscent of that time too. Nice title. xoxo

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks so much helen! ;-) xox

  • jemimalovesbigted

    jemimalovesbigted

    this is gorgeous Aglaia! You really have a way with portraits you clever girl you =D

  • aglaia b replied

    oooh, what a lovely compliment! thanks lisa. ;-) xox

  • Adam Lana

    Adam Lana

    definitely one of the better portraits I have seen.. great great work

  • aglaia b replied

    cheers adam and thanks! ;-) xox

  • careless rapture

    careless rapture

    such beautiful lighting

  • aglaia b replied

    many thanks ms rapture. ;-) xox

  • lolowe

    lolowe

    I can see it in her face. Really lovely.

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks my dear! ;-) xox

  • Jerame *

    Jerame *

    very nice

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks jerame ;-)

  • Steve Chapple

    Steve Chapple

    Such a beautiful look. This didn’t come up in my activity monitor I just happened to drop by. I will take you off my watch list and re add you to see what happens!

  • aglaia b replied

    full of sweetness you are!
    thanks ;-) xox

  • Alan Findlater

    Alan Findlater

    Excellent work well done

  • aglaia b replied

    thanks so much alan! ;-) xox

  • JulieDegenhardt

    JulieDegenhardt

    Hi everyone. I just wanted to say its me in the photo and thank you for your lovely words and comments. Sophie, without even knowing me, you really captured where i was in my life then. Spooky!!!! Thanks for making me famous Aglaia…...xoxoxox

  • aglaia b replied

    ♥ xox ;-)

  • Stephen Thomas

    Stephen Thomas

    Outstanding Portrait!
    Stephen Thomas

  • Robert Armstrong

    Robert Armstrong

    Truely beautiful! Wonderful shot!

  • brigusser

    brigusser

    What a stunning piece of work….world class.-

  • bigbear2311

    bigbear2311

    Beautiful portrait!! Well done!!

  • mindiballerina

    mindiballerina

    Classic!

  • Christophe Testi

    Christophe Testi

    Love the emotion you captured here, great shot.

  • heartleftbehind

    heartleftbehind

    i love this. her expression is very striking. There’s a story behind her face. very lovely shot :)

  • aglaia b replied

    what gets me about this portrait of her is that she is expressing sadness with both her eyes and mouth. this is a very special one, very emotive.
    thanks so much for your comment ♥LB. ;-) xox

  • juha

    juha

    magnifique portrait,j ai toujours été attiré par les filles mélancoliques ,je sais pas pourquoi!

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