Midwest Cliché - Part Five

Go Left, Young Man
 © 2009
Larry Torno

Today's photo continues the Midwest Cliché series that I originally began posting on August 16, 2009. 
     Go Left, Young Man was found in a rural area that borders the edge of our city. I thought it ironic and yet, possibly fitting, that there would be warning signs not to proceed straight ahead to the countryside. Instead, you're directed to pass by this area and enter a new subdivision with cookie-cutter style homes and flat, treeless roads. 
     Perhaps it's better that the original rural citizens don't want anyone trespassing on their land as much as the new neighbors don't want to be part of the past. Notice how perfectly straight the silos are aligned in a row and how haphazardly the newly constructed road signs fall out of rhythm. 
     When Horace Greeley borrowed the quote "Go west, young man, and grow up with the country!" from John B. L. Soule, he had no idea that we might one day go so far west that we would end up in the east. 

Black, White and Nude - Part Two

Nude 61, Standing
© 2009
Larry Torno

I love the strong diagonal line that cuts across this photo and the way it runs into the circular shape at the bottom of the image. I also like the way the soft figure gently emerges out of the white space and is defined by the crisp, black areas.

Nude 61, Standing is available as a limited edition print through the Bruno David Gallery.

Black, White and Nude - Part One

Nude 35, Standing

© 2009

Larry Torno

Negative space – it's often overlooked as a primary means of creating compositions. In this case, the black background areas come together to mold and shape the white female form within. Instead of the subject taking the emphasis in the image, the negative space holds the important role of containing and defining the model inside the photo.

Nude 35, Standing is available as a limited edition print through the Bruno David Gallery.

Overhead Projections - Part Four

Jaws
©2009
Larry Torno

On December 27, 2009, I posted a series of photos taken in the same location, but over a course of several years, with dramatically different views. In the three images presented here, I wanted to show again, how going back to a certain location time after time, often yields new opportunities for photos.
     The first image, Jaws, is actually a rest station/shelter that overlooks a naturally growing prairie in St. Louis County. There's a bicycle path that runs past the shelter and alongside a two-lane road.
     The second image, Midwest Cliché #4/Ride with Traffic (posted 9/6/2009), was shot about 100 yards from the shelter and interestingly enough, the third photo, Midwest Cliché #3/Roadside Attraction (posted 8/30/1999), can be found about 50 yards in the opposite direction.
     I like the location and I like finding inspiration each time I go back.

Jaws is available as a limited edition print through the Bruno David Gallery.