This week, our guest host, Biasini the horse, has chosen Communication as the topic for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. This was an interesting theme with many connotations; so many ways to communicate our thoughts and feelings.
Can you hear me now? Probably not. I saw this pay phone at our local gas station and, figuring it was something that would soon be a thing of the past, I took a picture for posterity. Mobile phones have almost completely replaced this old-fashioned mode of communication and a good thing too. It was a miracle if you could find one that hadn’t been vandalized and was still in working order.
The best way to communicate with the crowd, when even a voice on a loudspeaker can’t be heard, is by means of the electronic signboard seen here at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Back in the day when there was no such thing as radio communication between ships, flags were the means of issuing orders, declaring a vessel’s country of origin and also its intentions. These flags were hoisted at the Tall Ships Festival at Navy Pier in Chicago.
Sadly, another form of communication that seems to be going the way of the dodo is the newspaper. Our household cancelled the daily newspaper many years ago in a cost-cutting purge that saw the abandonment of many such unnecessary luxuries, but I missed scanning the news from this crisply tangible source, missed filling in the ridiculously easy crosswords and mourned the loss of connection with the community. It’s just not the same, reading the ‘police blotter’ online.
Some years ago, I photographed a protest that had been prominent in our local news. I rarely take pictures of people and when I do, they are usually candid, unposed shots that don’t normally turn out that well. I don’t feel comfortable in this situation but I summoned up my courage and engaged the protesters in conversation, asking them about their cause and obtaining permission to take their pictures. I explained that I was writing a piece for my blog about the town itself and had just happened to come upon the protest by chance. Many of those present that day were quite happy to pose for pictures but many weren’t and of course, I respected their wishes, but I found it rather ironic that people who were willing to communicate their displeasure with their current working conditions by standing at the roadside, brandishing placards and screaming at passing motorists, were not willing to express their obviously deeply-held views on a more personal level. This communicated to me that they either mistrusted my motives or were afraid of possible reprisals. Fair enough.
Finally, with a nod to Anne Leueen and her horse, Biasini, here is a shot that I captured at Arlington Race Track a couple of years ago of my granddaughter, who loves horses, making contact with one of the outrider’s mounts, a communication of kindred spirits.
Wow I haven’t seen a pay phone in over 10+ yrs ππππ£ππ€ βπππ£π ππππ₯ ππ πππ ππ β
jeez I get the local paper on the web every day 10$ a month though π
Probably for the same reason that I prefer holding a book when I’m reading rather than peer at the words on a screen, I would much rather get my news the old-fashioned way, by looking at a newspaper. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Love your last picture…real communication and bonding, Sue!
Thanks, Indira! She was so thrilled to get a close-up look at the horses. A day at the track was always a regular outing for us during the summer but, sadly, I read that Arlington may close down because of dwindling attendance, certainly not helped by the pandemic.
Technology has changed the way we communication. Love your take on, Sue.
Love the last image especially.
Thanks, Amy!
The flags were my favourites.
Thanks, Tom. With all the pandemic woes, I sometimes wonder when, if ever, we’ll see some of these sights again.
It does seem that normal life keeps on retreating.
Hello Sue Human. Biasini here. Thanks for responding to my challenge. What a funny old phone that is. We horses would never have used that of course. And thank you for including the young girl patting the outrider’s horse. That horse will have loved that special bit of attention. π΄
Thank you for visiting, Biasini.
What is it about horses and children? Perhaps we lose a bit of our ability to communicate non-verbally as we age? Certainly kids have mastered that! Terrific choices for the challenge Sue. I nearly posted a similar photo I shot in Vietnam of an old phone like yours. You just never see them any more. And, I agree, that’s a GOOD thing!
Thanks, Tina! It always amazes me how well animals respond to children, even when roughly handled, unintentionally of course. In this instance, there was no doubt about the love shown.
GREAT examples. Well done. Some animals, at times, are meant to be hands on. Will we ever know or understand what psychic energies transfer, and in which direction?!
Thanks, John. Good point about psychic energy. In this instance is was palpable.
Love your post – and the girl and horse communicating. I still have to have my newspaper – sit every morning for at least an hour with it. The touch, the feel the smell, the sound…cannot be replaced.
Thanks, Ann-Christine! I agree, there’s just something about the hands-on approach to reading, whether it be a book or newspaper.
Agree totally!
Wonderful post, Sue. I especially love the image of your granddaughter and the horse. Her love of horses is almost palpable. Lovely.
Thanks, Patti. It was heartwarming for me to see that she was having such a good time. I think it was the highlight of her day.
Wow! I didn’t think payphones still existed! Love all the photos but the payphone and the ship masts really caught my eye!
Thank you, Cherie! And thanks for visiting.
You’re very welcome. π