Way – All Over Confusion

Posted by kairospix (Singapore, Singapore) on 10 May 2007 in Abstract & Conceptual and Portfolio.

Sometimes, life can be so much easier, simpler and sane if we only need to go one way, to make one choice. But then again only having one path is as good as not having much of a choice isn’t it? And having not much of a choice is no different from being a lifeless robot isn’t it?

So having choices and being able to decide on which to take are very fundamental aspects of what it means to be free agents, as beings with the freedom of choice. It’s what makes us human and adds flavour to our lives. And it’s what dignifies us.

Yet it is exactly because we have this freedom of choice that it complicates life too. Both for others and for ourselves. Haven’t we come across situations when other people’s choices aren’t in line with ours that we end up having to spend more time exploring other alternatives that will be more amicable to all? And haven’t we encountered a myriad of choices that we have to face alone such that it can be overwhelming?

Having many choices can be like the picture above, with many arrows pointing in many directions, many paths and many ways. Turn right, bend left. Go up, come down. Zig here, zag there. Confusing!

And do be careful lest these alternatives end up becoming like gripping tentacles having a tight hold on you!

So I guess in a way having only one choice, one way (hey! there’s that word again, => Way) can be a freedom enhancer too, isn’t it? Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise? ;)

Camera - Canon Powershot G6
Lens - Canon 7.2 - 28.8mm (approx. 35 - 140mm)
Capture date - 06 May 2007
Aperture - f 5.6
Shutter speed – 1/30 sec
Shooting mode - aperture priority
Exposure bias - 0EV
Metering mode - Pattern
ISO - 100
Focal length – 25.1mm (approx. 122mm with Macro Mode)
Stablization – Hand-held
Cropped? - Yes
Post-processing? - PS CS2 a border; LRoom processed
Lighting? – Indoor Fluorescent Lamp

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Comments (35)

oot skoot from Eden Prairie, United States

This totally matches my shot. That's pretty cool.

10 May 2007 5:22am

@oot skoot: :)

M.E. from Encino, United States

your arrow series is really interesting!

10 May 2007 5:37am

@M.E.: tks! :)

Behrooz from Tehran, Iran

Another great one again. Do you use that Lighting Effect filter in PS or something alike?

10 May 2007 6:57am

@Behrooz: tks! no i don't use Lighting Effect filter in PS
i use different settings and cropping in LRoom :)

Art Monkey from Salt Spring Island, Canada

that is an amazing symbol - where is it from?
love the writing - I admire the time and deliberation you take to write what you do

10 May 2007 7:00am

@Art Monkey: i created the symbol :)
tks for your kind words of encouragement! :)

Dave from United Kingdom

Once again great positioning and darkening of the edges. I completely understand your thought for this image, I often find myself torn in all directions and pretty sure I don't always end up taking the right one.

10 May 2007 7:17am

@Dave: hey friend just hang in there even wrong turns can sometimes lead to something better.
if it's not just trun around and look for other better alternatives.
take care!

Soodabeh from Yazd, Iran

Really nice photos! I have never seen your page before. I come back soon! They are so creative and full of imaginations and colors! BTW thanks for your kind visit and comments!

10 May 2007 7:23am

@Soodabeh: tks for droipping by for a visit. do come by again! :)

Rahul from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

You really take time to do this stuff hehehe... I admire your write ups. :)

10 May 2007 7:51am

@Rahul: hehehe yep! tks! :)

tengtan from Melbourne, Australia

I like the philosophical musings and the EXIF details as well as the finished product - the graduated spotlighting is admirable.

10 May 2007 7:52am

@tengtan: tks! :)

toekneeoeeo from Chicago, United States

cool stuff, very creative...i'm sure you might have but have you heard of istockphoto.com? you could prob. make some cash on your shots, alot of them would make great stock photos....

10 May 2007 8:02am

@toekneeoeeo: yes i have heard of them.
but i've read somewhere that they are pretty picky and particular and so not so easy to get accepted.
but will consider trying it.
tks for your uplifting words and vote of confidence that my shots are good for istockphoto - they give me confidence :)

Manuela Photography from Hainburg, Germany

Well, this reflects the way I sometimes feel on a busy day... Excellent graduated light!

10 May 2007 8:24am

@Manuela Photography: :) hope you are coping and managing well
take care friend!

Kamaki from France

I like it much. Very graphic picture !!

10 May 2007 8:49am

@Kamaki: :) tks!

hat full of sky from Croatia

Nice colors and shapes.

10 May 2007 9:20am

@hat full of sky: tks.

Catalin from Romania

you continue your arrow series with another great and original shot. bravo my pal

10 May 2007 9:52am

@Catalin: tks pal! :)

ConvexClix from Mumbai, India

This one and checked a few from the previous snaps, you relate so much from the pictures and weaving them into those themes.. its lovely and actually makes one think. But what is the object you used ... is that a symbol or something on some object .. or did you actually craft it?

10 May 2007 9:55am

@ConvexClix: actually it's just something i crafted with MS Word and printed out :)
i didn't have the time to look for something to capture the idea of many confusing directions so i made it instead :)
tks for your feedback and comments :)

purelysnow from Chengdu, China

Very inspiring photoblog!! Now I understand the name of your blog; will you be doing Life next?

10 May 2007 9:56am

@purelysnow: tks! you're very perceptive! come visit again to find out if you are right in your guess :)

CHANTAL from Terheijden, Netherlands

great shot here.

10 May 2007 10:39am

@CHANTAL: tks!

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Having one choice implys two directions. Having no choice implys one direction. Is one direction boring or purpose driven? Thanks for getting me thinking with your post of today.

10 May 2007 11:52am

@Craiger: glad that it gave you food for thought! :)
tks for visiting. come again whenever you can! :) take care!

HorseRotorVator from Newton, United States

Your stuff is always enjoyable to come look at. Great shot! :)

10 May 2007 11:57am

@HorseRotorVator: tks!

Kheoh Yee Wei from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Very creative! Nice work mate ! you are good ;)

10 May 2007 12:14pm

@Kheoh Yee Wei: tks mate! :)
still learning... have much to learn from you! :)
you the MPM=Master Photo Maker! ;)

Alicia from Singapore, Singapore

ahhHHhH. arrows everywhere! *looks around frantically, unsure which way to go*

lol. nice play with the lighting.

10 May 2007 1:24pm

@Alicia: LOL!
tks for dramtizing it! :)

Daroru from Amagasaki, Japan

Great, graphic-minded shot!

10 May 2007 4:15pm

@Daroru: :) tks!

elaine from paris, France

confusing indeed! cool capture

10 May 2007 5:10pm

@elaine: :) tks

Evie from Fairfax, United States

Creative idea.

10 May 2007 6:07pm

@Evie: tks.

Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom

Good choice of image and text

10 May 2007 7:24pm

@Richard_Irwin: tks!

P.J. from United States

There are way too many choices and directions in life for sure!

10 May 2007 7:34pm

@P.J.: yes, sigh... but it also means it can make life interesting :)

adalove from Alcala de Guadaira, Spain

cool shot! loving the confusion..

10 May 2007 8:01pm

@adalove: tks! :)

alla from Toronto, Canada

OMG, this is the picture I have in my mind right now! I feel free and at the same time I don’t know where to go next!

Where do you find all those arrows and other cool stuff!

10 May 2007 8:16pm

@alla: :) glad that it's something you can identify with! :)
hope you'll find your way someday...hang in there
haha - some arrows were from the roads/road signs around my home, some were made from computer software, etc :)

Zoli from Dunaföldvár, Hungary

Cool!
Interesting, inspirational photo. I like your style!

10 May 2007 9:36pm

@Zoli: tks pal! :)

Florian from Paris, France

Nice colors. But where did you get this abstract form ???

10 May 2007 9:49pm

@Florian: heh heh i made it with a PC loaded with MS Word and printer :)
tks for coming by :)
come visit again whenever you can

Kaddy from Mumbai, India

All your photos have a really innovative look... see this one, what an inspiring photo... the effort you put in taking these pics is truely reflected in your photos!!! Great Work!!!

11 May 2007 4:40am

@Kaddy: tks for your kind words of encouragement! :)

Chiaki from Shiga, Japan

mysterious image,
yeah, that's confusing!

11 May 2007 12:49pm

@Chiaki: :) tks!

Erik Tjallinks from Netherlands

Beautiful image, confusing experience, I'd rather see clearly what I prefer! My wife always says to me: do not flups. Flupsing is constantly not being sure of what you want, not being able to decide. In the morning you want A, in the afternoon it's B. You try to get support from others for your decisions, but you won't get it ,for these others don't know what they are expected to support. Thanks for eliciting these thoughts in me!

11 May 2007 2:39pm

@Erik Tjallinks: thanks for sharing your thoughts!
and thanks for teaching me a new word - flups!
yeah it's tough isn't it not to flups and stay on track with your original decision.
haha yes when people don't know what is expected they just make their best guess but unfortunately when you do that the other person will wonder why you are not with him or her...but but but but in the first place he or she didn't make it clear what are his or her expectations (psst... give you an example - my Dept manager; he tells us to synergize as a team but fail to give clear directions and expectations; then he thinks we are not synergizing together...sigh...)