| | Interesting that the image should make you think of that particular sonnet. I would have to say that it strikes me in a similar way -- or something akin to it.
When I look at that photo, I am reminded of something that my grandfather used to say late in his life (he lived to be 98).
It takes courage to grow old.
The man in your photo has what could almost be described as the visage of a aged king who has weathered the many trials and tribulations of a long life. This is a king who still reigns with dignity -- and that, in truth, is what "growing old in dignity" is all about. In an interesting way, the iron fence contributes significantly to the "meaning" of the photo -- at least, to how it reads to me. The iron bars in the foreground could easily dominate this scene, but their lack of definition cause them to melt away and instead, emphasize the clarity beyond, like panes of a window which we look beyond to to see the "real" scene of the elderly man, sitting king-like upon his throne -- strong, vigilant, but relaxed and stoic. Oddly, the arc of shadow thrown by the fence forms a crown-like image on the column beside him, contributing yet again to the symbolism of the aged king. The austerity and subtle boldness of the architecture works so well as the background for this image -- organizing the space but also providing such a monumental "throne" for the king to rest upon while gazing out upon the world. Quite seriously, this strikes me as an incredible composition and I'm actually amazed at how you managed to capture this "on the street".
croc |
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