Karl Leck
March 2025 - Laundry
Original
About the Image(s)
Laundry was taken at the Philadelphia Flower Show this year. These plastic socks were hanging in a large garden display. I was attracted by the contrast between the dark socks and the rest of the laundry. I felt akin to the scene in that most of my laundry gets air dried. The image was made with a Nikon Z7 with Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4S lens at 89 mm. Exposure was ISO 800, 1/20 second, f/5.6. Post processing in Photoshop Elements adjusted tonality for better detail in the socks and cleaned up the background.
9 comments posted
Love the composition and concept. I prefer the black silhouette in the original to the detail in the processed image. I love the shape of the t shirt. I think the image would have more character if the shirt were blazing white. Posted: 03/11/2025 12:54:33
On a recent photography workshop in Costa Rica, a photographer kept commenting that she wanted to shoot laundry. I asked why, and she said that it was because you can learn so much about the people and culture from their laundry. That got me thinking! (There was a lot more to shoot in Costa Rica...)
Anyway, the muted tones of the socks are a little strange; and I wonder about their cuffs -maybe because this was a display of plastic socks? What would your own laundry look like? This might be a good monochrome image, have you tried that? Posted: 03/12/2025 14:31:50
Anyway, the muted tones of the socks are a little strange; and I wonder about their cuffs -maybe because this was a display of plastic socks? What would your own laundry look like? This might be a good monochrome image, have you tried that? Posted: 03/12/2025 14:31:50
As can be seen by the edges of the socks, they were sown to be flat. While the original is color, I took it to black & white and then toned it warmer. It fits the monochrome definition as you see it. When I drive through Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, (aka Amish country) there are many farmhouses with laundry drying outside. You do begin to wonder about the lives of the people who wear the clothes. Karl Posted: 03/13/2025 21:42:29
I like random imagery. Nice work here; makes me just observe thinking of the story, i.e. who wears this laundry and how do they live? Posted: 03/13/2025 19:21:29
I like the interesting pattern. The shirt was hung up in a hurry. Notice one pair of socks matches, and the other doesn't. The Amish are fairly thrifty people so, it wouldn't surprise me if the owner did not have a duplicate of the mismatched pair.
Just a tip! Many of the Amish do not like their faces reproduced on film. When shooting near their farms I will ask if I can tak pictures of their farms and equipment. i let them know that I respected their beliefs about not taking personal images. Quite often my approach resulted in semi guided tours and lots of interesting shots. Posted: 03/14/2025 17:20:38
Just a tip! Many of the Amish do not like their faces reproduced on film. When shooting near their farms I will ask if I can tak pictures of their farms and equipment. i let them know that I respected their beliefs about not taking personal images. Quite often my approach resulted in semi guided tours and lots of interesting shots. Posted: 03/14/2025 17:20:38
Karl, this is a superb picture. I absolutely love it. I agree with the others who suggested the black socks would look better as true black. You might also consider removing the very right piece - the white one that appears gray - to further refine the composition Posted: 03/15/2025 10:23:05
Hanoch, In a local discussion about the image which I originally showed with two black socks increasing the contrast between the socks and shirt, the viewers said they wanted more detail in the socks. So, I brought up some shadow detail for this version.
I may take out the sock piece on the right.
This may be one of those love-or-hate images that I just keep at home. Karl Posted: 03/15/2025 11:33:50
I may take out the sock piece on the right.
This may be one of those love-or-hate images that I just keep at home. Karl Posted: 03/15/2025 11:33:50
Correct, Karl. I completely understand the trade-off and the desire for greater detail. Ultimately, it's your artistic decision, and you're the best judge of which option to select. I still greatly appreciate the image Posted: 03/16/2025 00:28:32
This is a test of the notifications. Posted: 03/26/2025 19:57:48