Shop
Personal Favourites
Previous Next
Rhoufi's Portfolio
Black & White 101+
Shot in the Heart of Melbourne - 2013
Street Photography 101+
I have noticed that as you get older,
you become invisible;
people don’t seem to notice you much anymore.
People bump into you because they don’t see you coming,
or if you stand still, they pass closer and closer,
reducing the space you occupy, until you flee.
You begin dressing in brighter colours,
and clothes of outrageously bad taste,
hoping someone might just acknowledge you by pointing.
Young professionals peer into a room where you are waiting
for some urgent procedure to keep you alive,
declare it empty and call it a day.
Is this what the French call “la petite mort” – the little death?
Is this how it ends?
I wasn’t expecting to vanish slowly!
The term “la petite mort” or “the small death” has several meanings.
In the musing above it describes an undesired event or painful realization
that affects a person so much that “a part of them dies inside”.
The more idiomatic, sexual meaning was not intended here ;-)
Candid Street Photography,
National Gallery of Victoria
Single image capture, processed with angst.
Pentax K-5; DA 35mm F2.4 AL Prime Lens (52mm film equivalent)
F4.5, 1/8 sec, ISO1000
To reveal art and conceal the artist,
is art’s aim.
Oscar Wilde – “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
View Full Profile
Comments
I have noticed that as you get older,
you become invisible;
people don’t seem to notice you much anymore.
People bump into you because they don’t see you coming,
or if you stand still, they pass closer and closer,
reducing the space you occupy, until you flee.
You begin dressing in brighter colours,
and clothes of outrageously bad taste,
hoping someone might just acknowledge you by pointing.
Young professionals peer into a room where you are waiting
for some urgent procedure to keep you alive,
declare it empty and call it a day.
Is this what the French call “la petite mort” – the little death?
Is this how it ends?
I wasn’t expecting to vanish slowly!
The term “la petite mort” or “the small death” has several meanings.
In the musing above it describes an undesired event or painful realization
that affects a person so much that “a part of them dies inside”.
The more idiomatic, sexual meaning was not intended here ;-)
Candid Street Photography,
National Gallery of Victoria
Single image capture, processed with angst.
Pentax K-5; DA 35mm F2.4 AL Prime Lens (52mm film equivalent)
F4.5, 1/8 sec, ISO1000
– Rhoufi
Awesome work Rhoufi, your candid shots are always a big step above the rest.
What a fabulous take !!!
Oh BillyBoy, what a compliment – you really have made my day with this comment. Thank you :-)
– Rhoufi
There’s no doubt about it, we are certainly becoming invisible as we age! Wonderful words and image!
Seniors unite, eh Mel. I bet if you come to Melbourne, I’d notice you in a crowd :-) Thanks Mel
– Rhoufi
brilliant image …. invisble, and seeing everything …….
(regarding “la petite mort” … well….. not really that…. lol…. will explain in private:))
Yes that’s it exactly – see Maggie’s comment below: the older you get the more you notice around you. And Merci for the French lesson – I am most grateful to you for making me find the second meaning; it was quite funny with the most common French meaning ;-) Trust the English to find a less intimate meaning to suit their Victorian inheritance. Merci Madame for keeping watch ;-)
– Rhoufi
hmmm if it was all to end ‘la petit mort’ style, it mightn’t be so bad :)
Wonderful image Rhoufi. Sad sentiment.
I love your ‘processed with angst’ description.
Yes, fuck it… rage, rage against the dying of the light.
You ain’t there yet by a long shot!
Oh yes! what away to go; I wonder how many do go that way ;-)
“rage rage against the dying light” – oh how I love that phrase, well composed :-)
Well Maree, I would like to think I nowhere near it yet, I certainly don’t feel like it that’s for sure. Thank you many times over :-)
– Rhoufi
excellent work
Thank you Natasha :-)
– Rhoufi
Very nicely composed and processed – well done
Excellent composition and so well framed. I like this a lot!!!
YES..I hear you…I see you…I Feel you* yes
AND
I agree with Maree…every single word she wrote!!!
I , too, refuse, dao,r to go silently into that dark night.
We have come too far , at great cost, to give up now.
Spread your wings , man…take to the sky…Feel the wild air
xo
sass
Wow, Rhoufi, this street photograph is absolutely captivating.
And now that I’ve ready your notes, well… lol.