Peter Elliston
October 2025 - The Waiting Room
About the Image(s)
This was a chance shot taken on my iPhone 11. I was actually at a local concert in a church hall and during the tea break we gathered in another room where chairs were set out. I noticed this child engrossed in reading and a small bear on the next chair and an older lady sitting next to them - they or may not have been related. But it somehow appealed to me as a kind of waiting room situation and I quickly took the shot and later processed in Photoshop. It seemed to work OK in colour, but a friend suggested that mono might also work well as it might draw the attention to the three main characters more, so this is it. I suppose the story is what you take it.
4 comments posted
I love the image with the teddy bear between a child relaxed and engrossed in her reading and a woman lost in thought. Posted: 10/05/2025 22:13:09
Peter, this is brilliant. You couldn't set it up better. I love the fact that each of the characters (this is like a story book illustration) is doing her own thing . Even the teddy bear seems to be meditating. I like the way you have cropped the shot symmetrically and as a finishing touch you have teacups on the top of the bookcase. There is so much to read into this shot, so much for the imagination. I rarely say this - but I wish I had shot this. It would do well in international exhibitions and I bet the London Salon would like it. The smartphone is becoming a great tool for street and candid photography. Fabulous. Posted: 10/13/2025 08:52:22
Love this story. The child reading her book, the teddy bear, and the lady in deep thought seem to be unrelated to one another. The teddy bear is the star in this image. He is so cute patiently waiting. You composed it well and captured sharp details. Nice light and shadows. Great job, especially with your phone. Posted: 10/13/2025 14:29:47
Peter--This made me smile. The girl in leopard shorts, absorbed in her book, and the bear whose posture suggests contemplation begin the story. But the star for me is the lady who's face looks like she's known hardship. She seems unaware of the girl and the bear; in her own world. I love the teacups on the top shelf; I'm glad you included them. A wonderful narrative. Posted: 10/19/2025 16:13:09