Vision of a candy future

[Gianluca Drago]

I went to see the Carnival celebrations that take place every year in a large city square. I took a few photos, without having a clear idea of what I was trying to capture.
When I looked through the pictures again at home, I came across this one, which I don’t remember taking. It may have been an accidental shot, taken while I was walking with the camera in my hand and my arm hanging down by my side.

It is certainly tilted, but in its own way I like it. Above all because of the expressions on these people’s faces: while the adults seem to be enjoying the show, the children appear, to varying degrees, worried or even terrified (especially the youngest girl).
I liked the contrast between this consumerist, dream-like candy world and the anxious looks of the children that seem to be witnessing, almost hallucinated, a dystopian vision of their own future.

And besides, it isn’t completely crooked: the horse-shaped balloon is perfectly vertical

 

[Gary R. Smith]

worried or even terrified (especially the youngest girl).

You'd have that same look if you just licked cotton candy off your right hand

 

[Gianluca Drago]

You'd have that same look if you just licked cotton candy off your right hand

No, I wouldn't

 

[Beth Anthony]

looks like one of our food vendors at the state fair, though i dare say our typical state fair attendees would struggle when it comes to pronouncing some of the offerings.

i like the tilt and the kids look festive, and perhaps a little bewildered at getting their photo taken by a tilted camera... the amount of confetti on the street is somewhat frightening.

 

[Gianluca Drago]

i like the tilt and the kids look festive

It’s not the first time I’ve posted a wildly tilted photo, though this time I can’t claim artistic intent

Festive kids, really? That’s fascinating — I read their expressions quite differently. It’s amazing how the same faces can tell completely different stories depending on who’s looking.

And no, they had no idea I was taking the photo. Thanks, @Beth Anthony , for your comment!

I’ve always found it odd that what we call “coriandoli” in Italy are referred to as “confetti” in English. In Italian, confetti are something quite different: typically sugar-coated almonds given to guests at weddings and christenings.
Apparently, the confusion between the two terms dates back to the Renaissance, when in Italy it was customary at weddings and during Carnival to throw real confetti, sometimes made from coriander seeds.