Secrets of the Garden

[Pete Askew]

Another long term project realised (although I missed one!).

Leica M9 + 35mm Leica Summilux M f1:1.4. ISO 160, various f1:2.8. PP in LR / Nik SilverFX Pro 2.

 

[Tom Dunne]

A lovely set. I just love the formality and intimacy of the figures in the first shot. A wrong angle and her hand around his back could easily have been missed as i think it is crucial to the image. The eye to eye connection is wonderful and I hear "and I love you too". Seeing all the feet would have been nice but the overall survives splendidly well without them.

Walking through the gardens and meeting these "people" must have been good fun and the nude ladies must have seemed very casual as they approached you (especially in the first lady shot). It is very easy to imagine them all to be real. There is obviously a shiny finish to the material used and sometimes this can be a bugger to photograph without damage to highlights; there is no sign of any here.
I would imagine there are loads of variations of angles to be had on each statue with the potential of loads more great results.
Were they taken in the same place where you took the other Boy seated shot?

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Tom. These were taken in the Karl Foerster designed gardens on the Freundschaftsinsel in Potsdam (a short walk from the main railway station). We go there often and I have photographer the statues before. However, I have wanted to make a more consistent study for a long time and the images from Rome gave me the idea (especially the young boy). Yes, you could create many images from these statues but this time I had time (as Ina was walking elsewhere in the garden with the two ladies she did her original gardening apprenticeship with 30 years ago - an hadn't seen since, until this weekend) to give each some thought. And in the end I felt there was only one angle for each (maybe my mood at the time / light etc). I avoided the feet in general (although in most cases they are beautifully done (especially the seated lady) as the bases intruded and they do have plaques on them. Overall though, the subjects were quite cooperative and I was careful not to intrude on their thoughts!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Wonderful series, Pete. What an interesting place. I'd love to visit it...but now I don't have to

You missed one? How maddening Go back!

 

[Aldous Lau]

What a lovely set Pete. The tone is really match with these images

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Aldous. I used a consistent recipe.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

A fine set indeed. Love these gardens with good sculptures, you have done them proud Pete. e have Barbara Hepworth garden full of beautiful sculptures, but sadly a while ago the stopped photography within the garden.

 

[Pete Askew]

That's a shame. These gardens are free and open every day (in fact it is never closed - I don't think there are even gates).

 

[Dave Farnes]

Beautiful set of pictures. Love the tones, gives them an ageless, etherial feel.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Dave.

 

[Beth Carter]

i like how the processing brought out some of the more subtle textures in the statues.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Beth.

 

[Brian Moore]

I find it very difficult to get good images of statues and the like. The lighting has to be right. In these it seems that the lighting was right and you've brought out the best of these statues with it Pete.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Brian. Taking photos of statues always seems to me a bit like taking pictures of paintings and I'm not sure why one would except to proved you'd been there. However, these are placed within the garden and seem to have a different relationship with the viewer. They feel rather intimate and alive and it is as if you have been given a glimpse of some parallel world. One you can observe but not properly interact with. (although the lady in number 3 clearly knows I'm there).

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Wonderfully done Pete, but oh so revealing.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thank you so much Ivar.