Work / Flow
Part of the “Out of Place” series exploring the culture / nature divide – our alienation from nature. I find it perplexing just how easily we humans get mesmerised by work that is often intrinsically meaningless and the virtual world which seems mainly mired in trivia. It’s all the more strange when you consider that the bulk of humanity has only lived in cities for less than 100 years. Prior to that, for countless millennia the natural world was all we knew.
I spend hours in the Park and it’s interesting watching the way other people relate to it. For example, this set of falls is literally 1 minute off the main road through the Park. There are 3 sets of fall each more majestic than the one before. And yet the average amount of time that people spend here I’ve noticed is less than than 10 minutes. 10 minutes!! And then off home to get ready for work or to sit down and watch 4 hours of T.V.
I
just
don’t
get
it.
Still – one advantage – fewer people to bugger up my shots.
Anyway this is part of a series attempting to portray this collective psychosis of our species.
Yes she is actually sitting there on top of a 30m waterfall – not photoshopped- very brave I thought, though we did take the wheels off the chair so she didn’t go sailing over.
Model: Jacqui S
Photography / art direction: Geoff
Canon 1Ds MkIII
Tv: 1.6 secs
Av: f/22
ISO: 100
FL: 24mm
Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Geoff Coleman...
Alistair Wilson
beautiful shot Geoff, and great model too
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Alistair – yes Jacqui is a superb model and very brave too.
Geoff Coleman...
Vicki Ferrari
Amazing shot, one brave model and was your computer insured
!
Your words ring so true, Geoff!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Yes she certainly is Vicki and I hope her laptop still works! Thanks for your lovely comment.
Hans Kawitzki
Now how brilliant is this,superb shot and a very brave model
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Hans – very much appreciated.
Marguerite Foxon
I cant believe this wasnt p/shopped – jeepers, you do some amazing things!! As do your models. Well, I got the message as soon as I looked at the photo but your little essay about our modern workaholism was good! Keep up the good work mate!
Geoff Coleman... replied
I’ve been really lucky with the models who’ve worked with me – Jacqui was another one prepared to push the limits to make the shot work – very professional. Glad you liked my little rave – got a bee in my bonnet about it at the moment.
Craig Goldsmith
Wow, I immediately thought photoshop, then I noticed the water flowing changing around the base of the chair and went, what the…. the actually did it on location, more power to you, its a great concept!.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Craig – I hate that “pasted-on” photoshop look (although some concepts can’t be done any other way) so I like to try and make it real whenever I can.
BigD
Beautiful model and a brave lady too. Good job, Geoff
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks my friend – glad you think so.
PJS15204
This will definitely sell great concept and execution wonderful work here :)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comment – much appreciated.
Vicki Ferrari
(you mean it wasn’t your computer? This model must really trust you Geoff!!!)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Well she was a real professional Vicki – really committed to making the shot work and unfortunately, being a luddite, I didn’t have a laptop.
Adam Bykowski
She is in quite a precarious position. A dangerous set-up. Glad everything worked out. Cool idea. I like your experimentation ideas. I think the model should get more credit than the photographer here. LOL
Geoff Coleman... replied
Lol – I completely agree Adam – to be in a less-than-optimum situation and yet stay really focussed on conveying that on-line trance expression is an indication of just how good she is.
Birgitta
Creative work, Geoff!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks :-)
Jason Eshman
Your comments are so true, and the photo is brilliant. Where else could you leave the insanity of the city behind but the Royal. Lived there most of my life and I still love going back to it.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Can’t flaw your logic there Jason – but how did you ever leave it?
jeffrae
Wonderful shots, beautiful model and your commentary is right on…my hasband is still trying to figure me out…wanting to know just how long I can stand there looking at one thing like a waterfall etc. hahaha…
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comment but why is your husband trying to figure YOU out – shouldn’t it be the other way round lol?
Dave Lloyd
Geoff. This is simply brilliant. Spend more time in the park !
Geoff Coleman... replied
Have to come home to feed the cat – damn pets – not even mine!! Thanks mate.
Tatiana R
OMG, Shoes!!! Make sure you don’t submit it into “Shoes” group otherwise you might be attacked by female shoes lovers for ruining such a beautiful pair! LOL Just kidding, great shot and well executed concept and an excellent brave model! I agree that it is good on one hand that city tourists don’t hang around for too long. As a photographer I try to wait for 10 minutes before taking a first photo as to connect to the place, so by that time, if they were there, they usually gone. :-) Again, great image!
Geoff Coleman... replied
I didn’t think to ask her about the shoes (well I am male!) – don’t they just dry out if you get them wet – God I hope so!! You’re spot on Tatiana – getting a feel for the place you are about to photograph is critical I think. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Phineous Cas...
you would be hung dried and delivered if whs spotted ya doing this though well worth the effort
Geoff Coleman... replied
Shhh – don’t dob me in. Thanks Phineous.
Julian Escardo
I am faving this piece one thousand time over Geoff – the act of daring, innovativeness, creativity and yes, art direction alone deserve it…..but lets not forget the model – so poised and in tune with you and your message – Top notch, ten points (out of ten) Geoff! – and that is not even talking about the silky waters…...mmmmmmmright!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Well thank you my friend for that brilliant comment – you made my day. Actually I’m blown away by the response this one has got – my conceptuals usually fly under the radar.
Julian Escardo
(times)...oops!
midzing
fantastic work,,,,, well done
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you.
Richard Allen
An excellent concept and very well presented.
I like this a lot… :)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Richard – glad you like it.
bevanimage
If this is what they mean by open plan offices, then I want one! You are so right Geoff. Much modern work is simply a way of justifying our existence to someone else – if it wasn’t done nobody would notice. It makes us stupid and destroys our ability to observe and see.
Wonderfully creative and perceptive piece.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely, thoughtful response – I really appreciate it when someone goes to this much trouble to write a comment.
Martin Muir
Totaly brilliant Geoff,just an amazing shot awesome.top class.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks mate – glad you think so.
Phineous Cas...
not a chance mate i was hanging 6 metres in the air today installing gutters on a factory but them workplace dudes are everywhere knowadays not sure what i was more scared of them or falling probably them as the fines are massive
great stuff Geoff
Geoff Coleman... replied
:-)
monocotylidono
Brilliant concept and execution! And (having been in the workflow software industry for the last 20 years….) I absolutely love the title!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for the great feedback
TextureoftheSin
Fabulous image – Jacqui is a terrific model :)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks ToTS – she is exceptional ‘tis true.
~ Ademac
Creative concept and result….............. love the styling.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – between us Jacqui is getting quite a collection.
Lensman2008
This illustrates so well how embroiled we are in our various industries. No matter what job we do, we seem to have got ourselves so bogged down with work (and the recession isn’t helping) that we find little time for the more basic things in life, like enjoying nature and everything it has to offer.
Nicely ‘scene’ and shot!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Couldn’t agree more – thanks for your considered feedback my friend.
eclectica
Love everything about this Geoff, including your vision!
Geoff Coleman... replied
What a lovely comment – thanks Veronica
Troy Spencer
brilliant and perfect execution.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly.
Richard George
You nailed it with this piece Geoff. Needs little in the way of explanation. Speaks volumes to me. Great work man!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Yeah my rave was probably overkill but I just needed to get it off my chest – thanks Richard for your excellent feedback.
Roslyn Lunetta
haahaaa well done, this would make a great updated, corporate wall poster for productivity….and kudos to that brave model!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Hmmm – not quite what I had in mind lol!! Thanks Roslyn
John Vandeven
Awesome work Geoff…Looks terrific.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks John – glad you like it.
david campbell
very cool
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you.
LoneAngel
wow .. stunning
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you kindly.
EricAnderson
cool picture
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for that.
deepbluwater
your concept, thought process, observations and execution
are just stunning & something I think about often as well.
love this image…
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your particularly lovely comment – very much appreciated.
simonesphotos
Wow Geoff, this is absolutely brilliant!! Love the whole concept and the title is just genius! Totally agree with all that you said about the “obsession” most people seem to have about work and the lack of “natural” time they spend enjoying life. In a way I am blessed I have bipolar, because it is that desire and absolutely need at times to “escape” people and that “claustraphobic world” they exist in that allows me to actually experience natural life, natural love and natural peace in the environment as you say, we as humans lived for hundreds of years prior to the industrial revolution, and yet most act as though they can’t survive without it!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely and considered comment Simone – couldn’t agree with you more – balm for the soul.
Lacemaker
Incredible – I’m lost for words.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you – very much appreciated.
David Clarke
Stunning series of shots, Geoff, outstanding!! Such a great concept and so well executed.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks David – really appreciate the feedback.
BigD
Geoff Coleman... replied
Love this signature of yours – thanks.
joyousmoon
Congratulations on your feature!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks so much Pamela.
Kezzarama
This is fantastic. I agree whole heartedly with your comments. I’m a ‘cube farmer’ and joke that I’m going to drag my desk outside on beautiful days. I am often amazed at the complete ignorance of my colleagues to outside events (mmm does that mean I’m not focusing on my work? ha ha).
Geoff Coleman... replied
Good for you if you aren’t – everything of value happens outside the workplace. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Thierry Vincent
Stunning shot! Very creative and technical too, this is a great work!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your thoughtful comment – really appreciate the feedback.
BigD
Béla Török
Brilliant work, Geoff!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – glad you like it.
Brendan Schoon
WOW, excellent work!! Great composition and a very nice place to portray such a nice model!! Also a very cool idea and the exposure and lighting control is great!! Very well done.
Brendan
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for you very considered feedback Brendan – really apprecite it.
jerry alcantara
cool work
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you kindly.
BettinaSchwarz
these are fabulous shots. I love the concept of what you’ve created and the subject you are dealing with here, that you have written your comments to, is a subject I have pondered greatly, particularly in the last three years through my move to London – I’ve observed the patterns and habits of my life changing … ... it takes awareness, not least of all awareness of the Self, to make conscious decisions about what to fill the time of our lives with, what experiences we wish to create … ... most however flow along with the current of the majority that surrounds them … in a sleep-state … removed from the real currents of life – only floating along the surface, being swept along by forces they never bother contemplating … !
- thank you for the creating and sharing!! :)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your really considered response to my piece Bettina – I couldn’t agree more with all that you wrote – one hit at life and almost everyone sleepwalks through it!
Jess Fleming
very interesting choice of subjects to put together…well done!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Jess
stephen mclaren
I think you have a great train of thought here Geoff. How about doing one with a few people in a board meeting as the tide moves near them on a beach… or a kid lounging about on a sofa watching tv in the woods.
I think I prefer the laptop girl in the third photo. It seems more perilous and shocking to have the girl as a small part of the scenery.. but they all look great.
Well done to all involved! Its excellent!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Great ideas Stephen – mind if I steal them! I have been thinking about doing a series on just this work / life theme. Very much appreciate the feedback.
Ray Johnston
Great compostion
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks
LumenLux
Occasionally I get to enjoy that shot, in this case yours, that takes me out of my comfort zone and inspires me too. Thank you.
Geoff Coleman... replied
What a brilliant comment – you made my day – thanks!!
Michael Douglass
ha, awesome piece.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks mate.
LindaR
love this ~ !!! perfect title ~ also holds the analogy of work/life balance ~ great, creative art ~ !!xx
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Linda – really appreciate your comments.
Miron Abramovici
Very creative!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you.
RavenSoul
Love this for so many reasons! Excellent shoot!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – so glad you like it!
John Wright
Now that is really clever and original. Well done!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Many thanks.
Michael Walters
Geoff mate this is just so so brilliant, and wouldn’t it be some good to have an office there, another out of the box brilliantly thoughtful shot from you.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Michael – yes it certainly would. I’m going to hang this up at work – be interested to see what my fellow cubicle inhabitants make of it.
John Spies
Well put and well done. I know the spot, she is really on the edge.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Yep – she was very adventurous – brilliant model. Thanks.
Daidalos
just… wow
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you.
phillip wise
great concept and idea and executed beautifuly….a great office to work in…and congrats on the top 10 in the out of place challenge
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Phillip for your lovely comment – very much appreciated.
kristiane
What a wonderful place to work..beautiful and brave model…Outstanding concept and great work…
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely feedback Kristiane.
MrJoop
Doesn’t the blue look good? While on an economy coach tour, through U.K. and Ireland, in 1997, whenever the tour guide sent us off on photo-opportunities, I headed for the parks, where the locals relaxed (and also some museums).
Have been in and around the shire for a long time but never been to this spot.
Good one!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
it’s a magic spot – well worth the visit. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Simon Geddes
Great concept mate:-)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – glad you like it.