Sylvia Williams
November 2025 - Water for all
About the Image(s)
This photo was taken at the Pagoda in downtown Norfolk, Va. It is on a path popular with walkers and joggers.
I visited with a group of photographers from my photo club while on the Scott Kelby photowalk. While walking around the area, this vignette caught my eye. I like the light and shadow in the photo. I also liked that a public water fountain exists and that someone thought to bring a bowl for the dogs.
I recently discovered both liminal photography and urban still life photography and feel that hits the mark for both.
8 comments posted
Sylvia, your picture caught my eye.
Reduced colors, minimal objects, and differently textured shadows.
Of course, I immediately googled the terms, and I think part of the description definitely fits your photo.
It's the stillness and tranquility that your image exudes, the sheer empty space, devoid of people.
I really like both of those aspects.
I hope you'll show us more pictures on this theme.
Posted: 11/14/2025 17:52:26
Reduced colors, minimal objects, and differently textured shadows.
Of course, I immediately googled the terms, and I think part of the description definitely fits your photo.
It's the stillness and tranquility that your image exudes, the sheer empty space, devoid of people.
I really like both of those aspects.
I hope you'll show us more pictures on this theme.
Posted: 11/14/2025 17:52:26
Sabine, thank you for your comments.
Liminal and Urban Still Life photography are both very new to me too. But I find myself drawn to them. It means I need to get out and about more, and at different times of day. Posted: 11/16/2025 19:13:43
Liminal and Urban Still Life photography are both very new to me too. But I find myself drawn to them. It means I need to get out and about more, and at different times of day. Posted: 11/16/2025 19:13:43
Sylvia, For me Water for All is a powerful human rights statement piece. It symbolizes meeting the basic needs of all people and humanely treating animals. It also brings to mind Jim Crow's racial segregation as well as today's political issues. The gate shadow symbolizes that water or social rights are not accessible for all. The simplicity and shadows are the beauty of this image.
I looked up urban still life and liminal photography. Didn't know urban still life was described as such. Thanks for the inspiration and reminding me about Scott Kelby. Posted: 11/15/2025 17:19:39
I looked up urban still life and liminal photography. Didn't know urban still life was described as such. Thanks for the inspiration and reminding me about Scott Kelby. Posted: 11/15/2025 17:19:39
Liminal and Urban Still Life photography are both very new to me too. They kept popping up in my Facebook feed.
Thank you for your comments - I love what you see in this photo. Posted: 11/16/2025 19:14:41
Thank you for your comments - I love what you see in this photo. Posted: 11/16/2025 19:14:41
Sylvia, very nice simple image with just a few elements with a water fountain and water dish. Exposure looks spot on and the contrast in color between the wall and floor is great, leading my eye from the bottom to the wall fountain. The most interesting part of your image to me is the lattice shadow pattern on the right side of the image creating somewhat of an optical illusion to me. The pattern can be reversed when looking at the same location, depending on which direction you think the light source is coming from. I also like the light pattern on the left side of the wall and fountain. Very interesting. Great job Sylvia. Posted: 11/16/2025 18:09:21
Thank you, Jim. I loved the shadows as well. Posted: 11/16/2025 19:15:02
I had a similar reaction as Yvonne. It's difficult to see a wall-mounted water fountain without segregation coming to mind. That said -- I did enjoy the shadows and the dish for dogs.
In the category of "nits" I straightened the photo just a tiny bit... Posted: 11/17/2025 13:47:55
In the category of "nits" I straightened the photo just a tiny bit... Posted: 11/17/2025 13:47:55
Sylvia, I like this photo. It is a simple image and one that shows kindness toward dogs. I like how you have placed the dog bowl and the water fountain at a diagonal in the image. The shadows of the tree and gate/fence add texture to the photo. Nicely done.
I am not really familiar with the term urban still life, but I find myself taking photos with this theme from time to time. Didn't know it had a name... :) Posted: 11/18/2025 21:11:38
I am not really familiar with the term urban still life, but I find myself taking photos with this theme from time to time. Didn't know it had a name... :) Posted: 11/18/2025 21:11:38