Contribution for The Sunday Challenge #424: Abandoned

There are several things to consider when trying to photograph and illustrate some concept. First one should ask oneself whether the output would bring up the concept without any title and caption. For example does this image in any way illustrate the concept of something or someone being abandoned?

The choice of subject alone matters. If one would choose some small item, then it could just as well be an item lost, but not abandoned. So, one could assume that bicycle is an item too big to become lost. Unless the owner suffers some sort of situational or medical memory loss.

Then the context (surroundings) should support the concept. Supposedly negative space (empty street around) can support the message. At least I hope it make the viewer to "feel" the emptiness, and then maybe also the feel of solitude, and also something that is left behind and abandoned. To use that empty space I particularly left the photography until Sunday morning, because then there would be less other bicycles standing around, and no people and traffic either.

Also the way how the subject is placed can support the message. A bicycle knocked down may look more abandoned than a bicycle standing upright. I actually took a shot of another bicycle knocked down on the ground. But I finally decided to upload this for the challenge.

The overall state of the item can make it look abandoned as well. A brand new bicycle would probably look less likely an item that becomes abandoned. Whereas an old, tire flat, and worn-out bicycle may become abandoned because it no longer works.

Finally one can try to use some photography and post processing methods to support the message. I chose to shoot in black and white in purpose, already on the camera, to make the bike and space look more "abandoned". But that was not enough. By increasing the contrast and making especially shadows dark, I tried to "underline" the message. I also added vignetting to put the bike in the "dark", and away from the "light" (street behind on top left).

But then there is the real story, which is somewhat impossible to illustrate without words, especially on a still image. This very bicycle has been there for months. If one looks carefully, one may notice the heavy lock attaching the bike to the lamp post. So, obviously the bicycle has been valuable enough at some point of the time. The way how it stands there is actually caused by me. Two to three months ago I moved the bike to this side of the lamp post, because it was sort of on the way. But I also wanted to make sure the bike would not become damaged any more by snowplows or street sweepers.

So, the question is, does this image alone make one to think that the bike is abandoned? Very likely not. But at least one can try to send that message with an image.