photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Seventy One: Making the most of a rainy day > Futility, New York City, New York, 2009
previous | next
29-JUL-2009

Futility, New York City, New York, 2009

The woman in red is frantically trying to hail a taxi. She has no umbrella and is soaking wet. Taxis are hard to come by in a New York City rainstorm, and she moved on after a few more minutes of futility. The presence of umbrella bearing pedestrians walking casually on both sides of her add context intensifying her plight. Meanwhile, falling raindrops explode on the crosswalk in front of her and throw a misty curtain over the entire scene.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/25s f/5.2 at 144.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis20-Aug-2009 05:22
Defeated! That's exactly how I would feel if I were in her soggy shoes. The weather takes no prisoners. Thanks, Jenene.
JSWaters20-Aug-2009 04:18
This reminds me of one of my own NYC drenchings where I had to take refuge under the Guggenheim's entry overhang - and I had an umbrella! Sometimes, prepared or not, the elements are going to win. She looks rather defeated.
Jenene
Phil Douglis04-Aug-2009 23:13
I was wondering the same thing, Tim. If you watched TV, listened to a radio, checked the weather on line, or read a newspaper, or even talked to your friends, you knew that a big rain storm was heading up the coast towards New York City that day. This image speaks to human folly -- we all have had times when we thought were invulnerable. I guess that this day was her day to defy the odds, and she pays for it here with a drenching.
Tim May04-Aug-2009 19:11
The phrase "What was she thinking?" comes to mind on this one. She has clearly been out shopping and takes care to be fashionable - why didn't she bring a bloody umbrella?
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment