It is a cold night in Gothenburg. Me and my dear K are on our way home from a late evening somewhere. On these trams, during winter time, it feels like it is even colder inside than outside, with the hard seats and dead, black windows. The lights outside barely reach through, having only our reflections to watch. At this time, everybody on the tram except the usual bunch of tipsy youngsters are silent. Everything has already been said and the only thing you could ever wish for is your warm bed at home. I find those trips very intriguing since the naked expressions on peoples faces. It’s like no one cares to pretend any longer. During these winter nights, not many show happy faces. And the few you see are even more intriguing. What could possibly have made them feel like they obviously do, are they in love, did they win a million on the lottery? What?
To me, this picture represents all these thoughts. The few colours are as a contrast to these rather depressive thoughts very vivid and warm and stands also in bright contrast, being complementary colours. This weights up the picture to me, giving it balance to the otherwise harsh reality.
Exif data, as taken from the reality, slightly edited and formatted to soften the raw details:
January 21, 2006
1/10 s
f/2
ISO 200
Panasonic LC1 at 7 mm (35 mm eqv: 28 mm)
10 Comments
Wonderful image. Two thoughts: First, how cold was it, approximately? Second, 1/10th of a second, does the camera have IS?
No, that camera had not IS, you could say I was not one of the tipsy ones.
In Gothenburg, the temperature usually don’t decrease more than down to the freezing point, but since it is a coastal town, and the wind is the kind that goes right trough your bones, it feels more like -20C (-4F)… It was probably around the freezing point.
Ove, this photo is wonderful and easy to connect to–many of us have sat and stared out a window into a cold dark scene lost in thought. I’m enjoying the “better ones” photos and especially your descriptions and commentary on each of them.
I’m happy you’re enjoying the series, Earl. I have in total ten such colour photos, and is still working on doing the same selection of b&w photos. My plan is to have them in a gallery here on the blog, later on.
That would be a great idea, I love this image. I always think that part of Europe is VERY VERY cold, but I forget how much the water can have a mitigating effect. Have to visit some day.
Yup, that’s so true, the Gulf stream passes by right outside Scandinavia, and our part doesn’t get as cold as North Scandinavia, where it is more like Canada. I think the very North of Scandinavia is like Alaska. In fact they meet, don’t they, Alaska and Greenland, at least.
Another thought provoking image. I am a fan of photographs made from stolen moments that catch people in thought.
Anita, I’m a fan of these photos too, they are mostly the very best portraits.
Brr… Vivid description of a trainride during the dark ages in Göteborg. I can almost feel them coming. Oh well, your photo certainly shows the bright side of things!
Haha, yeah, you know those trams, Thomas. And you know how winter-time is over there.