'Imagine'!, a photo from New York, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

Better if opened in New Tab.

I had intended to post this at the beginning of this month, when it was the memorial of John Lennon's 80th birthday but, somehow ... I got side tracked!

One of our intentions on visiting New York was to see the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park.

I must admit, I was a little underwhelmed when I saw it, not from the design but because people were walking over it, which seemed so disrespectful!

It was a difficult photograph to take because of the deep shadows and because I had to wait patiently so that no feet were on the memorial. But, if art is placed the floor ...!

I didn't want feet on the memorial but I did want to have feet all around the edge, where people were seated, so that 'Imagine' was still imagining a John Lennon audience.

Some of John Lennon's sayings resonate today and I rather like this one, 'Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.'

I added another musician that we saw in Central Park, as a workshop, but this one was very much alive.

Have a lovely w/e wasting time just how you enjoy wasting it, Bev :-)

holmertz, ikeharel, Fis2, jean113, CMJC, jhm, worldcitizen, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, ricardomattos, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ChrisJ, PiotrF has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (92852) 2020-10-31 3:28

Hello Bev,
I understand your feeling that it would be disrespectful to walk across a memorial site like this, but when people are buried inside a church it's impossible not to walk across their graves. Nobody would regard that as disrespectful. But I agree that it would have disturbed this photo to have people walking across the mosaic dedicated to John Lennon. I didn't know about this memorial site, but it's nicely created. "Imagine" looks much better than for instance "Jealous Guy" (which was one of his best songs, imo). ;-)
The WS photo is nice, but I was expecting something more "exciting", like when I met Spencer Davis in a London street in 1966. He was not an anonymous elderly man. ;-)
Kind regards,
Gert

ikeharel (105901) 2020-10-31 3:32

Obviously this memorial place was mounted after my time spent in NYC, Beverley, so I never saw it during my countless strolls through Central-Park.
I can believe this spot had drew many visitors to the park ever.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

Fis2 (155625) 2020-10-31 4:28

Witaj Bev!
Interesting place.
A very curious memorial, mosaic makes impression.
Good POV and colors.
Well done.
Nice weekend.
Krzysztof

jean113 (22047) 2020-10-31 5:32

Hello Beverley, a memorial that I was totally unaware of.
It makes a good centre piece for your shot. The sunlight has given you some nice dappled shadows. The surrounding benches with the people gives the memorial a context.
Love the quote about 'time wasted', I will remember that one.
Best wishes,
Jean

pajaran (102632) 2020-10-31 5:44

Greeting.
a beautiful mosaic in the park, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast and good text.
Nice photo and memory of John Lennon.
Nice photo in the workshop.
I wish you a nice afternoon, all the best for the weekend.
Paja.

CMJC (4773) 2020-10-31 7:04 [Comment]

Show Comment

jhm (203003) 2020-10-31 7:06

Hello Bev,

I understand you perfect, but people around have less respect for a photographer.
The circle is a nice artwork to make with different colours of mosaics.
An excellent composition, nice presentation too.
Vert well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

worldcitizen (14272) 2020-10-31 8:21

Hello Bev,
I've photographed this spot several times, and it's definitely hard to get the composition we'd like. I'm surprised by one thing in this shot; usually, the memorial is covered with flowers, often times creating a peace sign. I've rarely seen it empty like this. You created a lovely scene. I like the shadows and the inclusion of people's legs near the benches. Take care!

Silvio1953 (205719) 2020-10-31 9:39

Ciao cara Bev, great view of beautiful decoration on floor, fine details, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

PaulVDV (54853) 2020-10-31 11:16

Hello Beverley,
I read about this memorial site but had not seen a picture of it. During my visit of NYC I was twice in Central Park. Once I saw a signpost towards this but in the end it did not lead to it and it was already getting dark so I left the park without seeing this site ... :(
The play of light and shadow on the ground next to the memorial is more beautiful than the legs, but the latter give a good indication of the size of the memorial site.
I wasn't aware of John Lennon's statement about wasting time but now I won't forget it anymore. It is very reassuring.
Best regards, Paul

Tue (82232) 2020-10-31 11:16

Hello Beverley,
A good photo of the memorial, which I missed completely every time I visited Central Park as I wasn't aware of its existence. But I may post a photo of the John Lennon Wall in Prague soon. I really like the pattern of shadows cast onto the ground by the overhanging trees.
Lars

pierrefonds (103537) 2020-10-31 11:39

Hi Bev,

The tight frame is putting the memorial in evidence. The point of view is showing the details of the John Lennon's memorial. I was a teenager when the Beatles started. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jmdias (102900) 2020-10-31 12:11

bev

a curious memorial, it remind me a huge detail of a portuguese sidewalk at side of the monument to portuguese navigation in lisbon. nice view . few days ago I was reading about a brazilian who talk with john few minutes before he being killed and the guy invited him to visit brazil and he liked the idea, but the death was waiting him..

take care
jorge

lousat (129957) 2020-10-31 14:45

Hi Bev,in fact this way to remember the great John isn't the best, so i understand why you were a bit disappointed,especially watching people walking over too. But no problem,it's a new thing for me and so your post is very useful,excellent capture of player in the WS too. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

ricardomattos (15058) 2020-10-31 18:26

Hi Bev,

I was unaware of the existence of this memorial. Placed like this on the floor, it is difficult for people not to step. However, people are expected to remember the music and lyrics that made us dream and reflect. This reminds me, thank God, that there is a hope that is not a dream: � ... new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness ".

Congratulations

Ricardo

ifege (32239) 2020-10-31 20:56

HI Bev
Yes is art is made part of the paving what can you expect, although it looks a little raised like a traffic roundabout. Good patience from you to get this photo of the meorial that I missed when in NY.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (104159) 2020-10-31 22:52

hello dear friend and have a nice day
we must visit this
memorial site and thanks
for sharing it with us
thanks for your useful notes too
regards
costantino

jemaflor (135424) 2020-11-01 0:30

Hi Bev,
well framed, nice pavement well made, photogenic, good quality, exposure and sharpness, good message. Tfs.

alvaraalto (42276) 2020-11-01 1:15

Hello Bev,
Such works of art on the ground are always very difficult to photograph. If there is no possibility to photograph from any height, there is always a strong distortion
It is also difficult to determine how much you can show of the surroundings.
Il think you made a good choice under these difficult circumstances.
The street musicians are a cheerful part of the Central Park and I too have photographed several of them.
Excellent presentation
Have a nice Sunday.

BennyV (32570) 2020-11-01 4:33

There is a place...as a Beatles fan, I hope one day to visit this place too. I like the inlcusion of the bits of people on the benches.

Benny

emka (152194) 2020-11-01 10:24

hello Bev, In New York, I stayed by Couch Surfing, very near Central park, so I have seen this monument several times. As Brenda has noticed, usually the flowers are put. This song, imagine, became a kind of the hymn of peace. Probably not only me, seeing this mosaic murmur the song.
I read that Paul McCartney said he's "often with John" in the dreams. In one dream, for instance, they were trying to play a song together; however, McCartney's guitar was covered in sticky tape.

Best regards MAlgo

ChrisJ (160008) 2020-11-02 16:35

Hello Bev,

Unless it has prominent 'Don't walk on...' signs, people are inclined to walk over it. You probably noticed that the USA has a LOT more signage than the UK. Anyway an apt anniversary upload for John Lennon. There won't be any such memorial for Mark Chapman. Good sharpness and framing. Tfs!

PiotrF (52330) 2020-11-05 13:37

Hello Beverley,
Interesting closeup of the memorial.
I like informative note, good quality, nice colors and good composition.
Fine presentation.
Reagrds
Piotr

Miguel82 (47106) 2020-11-05 15:16

Beverley, that memorial dedicated to John Lennon in central park is actually a mosaic but it looks like a compass. Many people are sat on the benches around it to take photos. A tribute to the famous artist. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.