that's a really interesting comment rthawk. how'd you picture a couple in this picture? and why is the umbrella waiting to go out? it's a romantic thought all the same.
my interpretation was quite the opposite. if i were to give this photo a title, i would call it "coming in from the rain". i don't see a couple in it, in fact, i see exactly one person. there is a melancholy mood to this photo, which is the essence of a dreary rainy day. and that is why i love this photo.
now let me explain why i interpreted the photo the way i did. notice the direction of the slippers outside, along with the umbrella. the slippers are facing inward, suggesting the person has stepped into the house. the umbrella is facing outward, suggesting that as the person entered the house, she left the top of the umbrella facing out to avoid getting the carpet wet. and she did this, rather than fold up the umbrella to allow it an opportunity to dry first. and culturally speaking, many asians believe it is bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house, so an open umbrella would imply that it has been outside (assuming JazzyJess' culture shares this belief).
but i find your idea romantic; if i were to picture such a photo, i.e. one of an umbrella awaiting a couple to take it out for a walk... i think i would picture an unopened, rolled up umbrella standing by an open door. next to it, two pairs of shoes facing outwards. it would be especially cute if they were rain boots. :) and of course, light must be on the umbrella to show that it is awaiting attention. if it were in shadows, it would imply neglect.
