Thursday, April 22, 2010

Shadow Shot Sunday 56 - Puddles in Mexico City
















Mexico City has some of the cleanest and most pristine pavements I have ever seen in such a big city, all thanks to the obsessively observed daily routine of sweeping, brushing, and mopping which seems to be scheduled for 7.15 most mornings. One maniacal mopper always gives me a particularly mournful and doleful look as I walk across his freshly mopped stoop on my way to work.....
















Freak thunderstorms and torrential flash floods last weekend here in Mexico City, arriving as a prelude to the forthcoming rainy season, left lots of interesting puddles on these pristine pavements. So I went puddle hunting to see what shadows, reflections and other worlds lived in these pools of water...













As you can see, I found plenty of new transient worlds inhabiting all these ephemeral puddles.....trees, skyscrapers, apartment buildings, ornamental lamps...














I am still trying to decide which I like best, and whether they are more effective in natural colour or softened sepia tint....









What do you think?? I would love to get your opinions on which one works best as I have to submit a shot for a little photography competition amongst friends under the theme "Images within Images." In the meantime check out some great shots at Shadow Shot Sunday and special thanks to Gerald over at Ackworth born, gone West who first gave me the idea of looking down with one of his own puddle shots....plus the inspirational edgy urban photography over at Art of the City. Be sure to check them both out!!

30 comments:

Lynne with an e said...

I love the magic of images in puddles! It's very hard to choose a favourite of this series, but I do prefer the coloured shots to the sepia one.

For me, the first & fourth pictures have a wonderful depth of perspective to them, really drawing me in and down into the puddle image.

The second is really pleasing in its colours and graphic shapes, contrasted with the randomness of the scattered leaves.

I like how the third photo's tree image is repeated in the shapes seen in the pavement.

I guess if I really have to vote for one, I'd choose the second. However, I must warn you, my taste is often contrary to what's popular. But you did ask.

Joanna said...

These images are lovely Catherine. I agree that the colour works better for them than the sepia as it helps the brain to figure out what's going on. I think my favourite is the fourth one with the squareness of the buildings in the reflection and the scattered leaves. I'll for sure check out your friend's blog too.

Sunshine and Shadows said...

I like the natural color shots the best. Your pictures are beautiful.

Tom Hilton said...

Another vote for the second--it has that quality of looking like a window into another world, which is what I love about my favorite puddle reflections.

Chubby Chieque said...

Puddles makes wonder. Great artistry job.

Loving it Cath!!!

Have a wonderful SS...

Sylvia K said...

I love the first and third one, but the second one is terrific, too! I love catching reflections, but sometimes they're harder to catch than shadows. All of yours are wonderful! Hope you have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Jen said...

Happy SSS to you-
I like them all, but prefer the real colors.

Anonymous said...

I like the first one best, and I definiely prefer colour to sepia.

Ralph said...

Such lovely reflections, they could be in the city (buildings) or country (trees). The dedication to cleanliness is not often see in many big cities, but the fastidiousness of cleaning (with the attendant shadows) is refreshing, the urban cleanliness is great!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I love reflections in puddles. The one with the building has such clarity!

Gerald (SK14) said...

I'm glad I inspired you to puddlewatch. The first one is great especially as the reflection is quite unusual. The second one with the buildings has a bit too clear a reflection for my taste. I like the one with the trees but the first is definitely my favourite. In this case I prefer the complexity of the colour version rather than the sepia which seems just a little insipid. But they are all very good.

A Wild Thing said...

Back at cha...it's always a treat to visit your world too...but I'm araid I'm right there with ya on the color scheme, I can't decide, however I'm leaning a little more toward the color, simple because I've been deprived of it all winter...ha!

Have a great weekend!

s

A Cuban In London said...

Many thanks for those enchanting images. Especially the first one.

Greetings from London.

Cassie said...

Puddles!! What an original Shadow Shot essay! Have a great day.

Lynda Howells said...

Love all these images..great shots.xlynda
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com

Gemma Wiseman said...

Beautiful and fascinating cameo glimpses of the urban landscape! Fascinating seeing these cityscapes fragmented in a puddle! My favourite is the one with the tall building frgament with the hint of blue sky!

Wendy said...

I Like the 4th photo best. It looks as though you could step into it and another world. I like the composition as well--it's well framed.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

And yet, another satisfying series of shadow shots for your fans! Thanks!

Hey Harriet said...

These are wonderful reflections. I like the soft sepia tone but think I prefer them in their natural colour.

I loved your comment about the vegemite mix-up. Ewwwwww! That poor guy! Have a super week ahead :)

Rinkly Rimes said...

The lamps make particularly lovely shadows.

EG CameraGirl said...

I am amazed how you captured so much of the skyscraper into the puddle!

These photos appeal to me very much in their abstractness.

Thank you for this as I (who lives in the country) always think the countryside is much cleaner than cities. Ha! I bet there's tons more garbage in the parking lot of my local grocery store than I see in your photos.

Margaret Gosden said...

I love puddle shots and have done them myself! Do you have a date yet for visiting?

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Peering in puddles,
what do I see? City streets
looking back at me.

Wisdom stone

sunnymama said...

These are fantastic puddle shots! My favourites are the 2nd and 4th pictures but they're all great. :)

Dimple said...

I think I like the first one best, and I like color much more than sepia...
Thanks for the visit!

Clytie said...

Your pictures are indeed magical!

Happy SSS!

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Those are wonderful shots! I love all those shadowy reflections:D

Anonymous said...

wonderful shadow shot captures!

paz

Catherine said...

what a great selection of comments this week - thanks so much!!

Johnny Nutcase said...

ohh! that second shot is extra cool looking, nice one(s!)