Living

Oh man that cuts right through to the bone!! I’m glad i don’t have to walk past that on my way in to work!! Well captured Chris!

“Better than the reality, better than the memory, the moment of expectation…”(Simpsons). Aren’t dreams a bit like that, never quite live up to them selves. Or do they? I also wonder if the person who wrote this is living in a cardboard box under a bridge somewhere.

the man in the foreground dosn’t have the stature of a man who’s happily skipping to their destination… definately adds to the kick of the image and message…

Good one !

I think the quote goes “better then the deed, better than the memory…”, not certain though. It’s the Simpsons episode where Marge is getting bowling lessons and her instructor is hitting on her. Ahhh, the moment of expectation…

Well captured moment Chris!

Maybe you should have PSed that with Nightmare eh mate? ;)

Hey folks, thanks for all your comments

just spent 6 gruelling non-stop hours driving from Tamworth to Sydney Airport, past a nasty accident just near the Golden Guitar, and through torrential rain and lightening with more potential floods. It’s a almost blessing that my flight back home is delayed to be able to get ‘on the bubb’ and find so much great feedback about this image.

It was indeed serendipity to capture this. I noticed it as I drove up the main street. After I parked and walked to the median strip, I framed the shot and the stooped man limped into the middle of it, I could have hugged him (might have freaked him out though). For me his bent shoulders say everything here.

He probably does need a hug, he just doesn’t know it…

Hey Chris, great moment captured. I agree with Paul; seeing that every morning would start to get heavy.

Best picture on RB!

Hmds up who can say yes? Confronting.

Very strong capture. So full of tears, sorrow, tenderness, pain, ...... life :(

My language is not good enough to express how I feel.
Hope you undersdand . Merci.
marie

Wow, thanks everyone for the comments on this piece. It seems to have hit a raw nerve. One of the sadder things looking back at this picture for me is to know that this was the kind of town where I could have stood there all day taking the same picture.

I love how the walking man has slumped shoulders, think he may NOT be living his dream.

Chris, great work, love the slumped shoulders

Nice spotting – Im not living my dream yet but Im working towards it.

So superb beyond words… great, great work!

Thanks again to everyone who has commented on this image (without going in to names, I mean everyone). I keep revisiting this one to because it confronted me with my own existence. This was my third week in a row on the road (apart from flying back home for the weekend). I got lost, I drove through torrents and floods, over mountains, across plains, past road accidents and countless roadkills, turned up to hotels that were blacked out, drank buckets of crap coffee and lost my phone. Just to sell stuff. When I saw this hoarding I found it unusually introspective for a place like this, but when this guy walked in to the shot, I knew why I was there and what I had to learn.

Willy Loman on his final walk home. Love this shot.

You certainly have struck a chord with this shot Chris, judging by the extent of comments. Well done.. Sometimes you need that stroke of luck to get an image to work.

I like how the old man on the bench is over seeing what’s happening. Very good shot!

I feel the opposite – I wish I walked past this or saw it on my way to uni everyday (although some might say that’s because of my youth & naivety…). I miss this kind of thought provoking graffiti. There doesn’t seem to be as much around these days.

Great image though Chris

haha love these kind of shots.

Well ARE U, seems to be the big ??????

I can see this pic being used for years to come, submit it in some comps, you might be surprized how well you do. Well done
xkc

Hi Chris, after what you went through prior to capturing this magic shot, I’m sure you’ll never forget it or the moment it struck you. Well done. This is truely excellent.

All I can say is thank you again everyone for comments on this image. It means a lot to me that this has resonated with people here.

After your words on a recent photo of mine few minutes ago, I must say, that I was totally without voice in front of this photo.

I had a very hard shock because of its simplicity, and with all the messages that could be found in it.

would you look at this ? I found these links this morning.

http://digitaljournalist.org
http://masters-of-photography.com

YAY this one is on the HOMEPAGE too! You’re a star.

I swear I have seen this before, but Ive never been to Kempsey…eeerie

I am still working on my dream. I know that everyone needs a wake up call every once in a while. The world is working too hard and fast anymore to stop and dream. I think that everyone would be a lot happier if they would just slow down and dream. The happiest moment is when your dreams comes true. Never give up on your dreams.

Oh God!!! How poignant!! Speaks VOLUMES for me at the moment-I love shots like this. I’m glad you captured it :)

Well, damn. Answer is yes and no and working on it!

Gahhhh… i”m in love with this picture.

What an incredible shot. WOW Love it

Thanks again to people who have commented on this image. It means a lot to me, and it’s great that I can finally move it to it’s rightful place at the front of my portfolio. It reminds me everyday to keep following the right path, and to never bow my shoulders.

This is a very cool image Chris! I’ve seen your pic a while ago but it does just grab you when you look at it!
M:>

Love it !

Nice capture! Very effective

great image

It is strikingly thought provoking and visually stimulating.

Thanks again to people who’ve added comments to this recently. This is possibly one of the best moments I’ve managed to capture.

I sure hope not. My dreams usually involve man-eating Pez dispensers.

I am now! Minus the man-eating Pez dispensers.

HA HA HA! made it but didn’t need your butt!

Great street capture

“The Decisive Moment” – well done.

Thanks for all the new comments and favouritings everyone!

A split second capture Chris …. and you nailed it …. wonderful.

(And yes – I’m starting to…....)

Hmm.. makes you think, doesn’t it?

Good question

Great shot. I need to look at this every morning when I wake up.

This is so poignant – a great reminder to us all.

Thanks again to all of the people who have commented on this, it remains one of my favourites and luckiest!

Great shot Chris.

yeah I am – I’m working for redbubble.
:-)

perfect timing…such an outstanding shot

This looks awesome sitting above my bed :)

my anwer to that..in one word..nope… but i am changing that.; this is actaually a very eye opening pic

i’m working on it!!awesome shot.don’t you just LOVE the ones you don’t miss!it’s almost like he was paid to be there!have you seen Tom White?

well spotted!!! says so much hey?!

Great shot! Do we really know? Or are we the dream…

What a moment to capture. I might go and slash my wrists now.

On second thought, I’ll just drink myself into a stupor.

i just love this statement. thought provoking

Wonderful capture, Chris!

i love inspiring grafitti like this. great shot.

Iove this, sooooo good

great shot.. i’m working toward creating the life i want.. it’s exciting!!!

man, did you capture life ! woo.. reality sucks… well done.

great capture

Great timing the guys in the shot certainly don’t look like they are living their dream. i certainly wish I was living mine…hey ho. Well done.

I read about the popularity of this image for you on the B&W version. There is no wonder why for me. You read this line and take one look at the man’s body posture and ask yourself, am I this poor guy??? Fantastic moment captured. Chilling message. Particularly for the gentleman that seems to bogged down to read it.

zinger!

this rocks!!!

Great capture, his stature goes so well with the statement on the wall

Its such a painfully true message that gives it such a kick! i hate to love it!

What a classic, Kempsey hey. Not much in the way of employment there and it has it’s social problems. Geographically the Macleay Valley and Mid North Coast is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. Local knowledge and a 4WD helps when you want to reach some of the more remote places.

A powerful message – examine our lives. Are we living or existing? Great shot.