OK, one more post to mark the end of Bowie week (see last post) before I get back on track with the walking posts.
But I think I can also probably be forgiven for the digression from my Camino preparations given that we are currently enjoying a very British summertime spate of hail and flash-flooding which makes the prospect of long-distance walking just a little unappealing right now.
Anyway, this shot was taken at sunset in Vietnam in January with a great little waterproof sports camera that Tiff gave me as a Christmas present and which I spent about an hour with waist-deep in the sea one evening trying to capture the contrast between the colours underwater and over the waves as the fading sun reflected on the sea’s surface.
And thinking of the Bowie theme, it bought to mind a bit of an obscure one – The Drowned Girl – which featured on the 1982 EP Baal, comprised of songs written for Bertolt Brecht’s play of the same name. A little macabre perhaps, but I don’t think Brecht was particularly renowned for his jollity…
Once she had drowned and started her slow descent
Down the streams to where the great rivers broaden
Oh, the opal sky shone most magnificent
As if it was acting as her body’s guardian
Wreck and duck weed slowly increased her weight
By clasping her in their slimy grip
Through her limbs, the cold blooded fishes played
Creatures and plant life kept on, thus obstructing her last trip
And the sky that same evening grew dark as smoke
And its stars through the night kept the brightness still soaring
But it quickly grew clear when dawn now broke
To see that she got one further morning
Once her pallid trunk had rotted beyond repair
It happened quite slowly that she gently slipped from God’s thoughts
First with her face, then her hands, right at the last with her hair
Leaving those corpse-choked rivers just one more corpse
What a wonderful photograph! If I dared get my not-water-proof camera that close to water, I would be down at the beach trying to replicate this image.
Posted by ehpem | June 29, 2012, 4:12 pmThat is an exceptionally fine photograph. Spectacular. Once again, I really love the way you used the picture to illustrate the lyrics, blending the mood of both into a cohesive whole. But I can’t stop looking at the picture, honestly it’s captivating…if I saw that in a gallery I wouldn’t be leaving without it.
Posted by koco | June 30, 2012, 6:38 amWhat a lovely comment – thank you. I think it’s highly unlikely that my photos will ever appear in a gallery – but more than happy to send you a jpeg if you like?
Posted by David | June 30, 2012, 8:48 amOh Yes please!!!!!! I think you might be wrong about the gallery though!
Posted by koco | June 30, 2012, 9:12 amStunning image! Were you waist-high in the water? Love the connection to the lyrics. Great post.
Posted by Richard Guest | June 30, 2012, 8:21 amCheers Richard – only knee deep actually, but thought waist-high sounded marginally more manly!
Posted by David | June 30, 2012, 8:46 amThe Brecht piece is kind of a short, wet version of Jim Crace’s “Being Dead.” As for the photograph, what can I say? It is a treat.
Posted by StephenBrassawe | June 30, 2012, 2:39 pmYour photo is mesmerising! It captures the lovely oiliness that appears at sunset. Unfortunately it’s shark time (i’m faint-hearted) so I hardly venture in then. Thanks for sharing this and for visiting me lately. Philippa
Posted by seascapesaus | July 2, 2012, 11:17 amThanks Philippa. The worst that’s likely to happen in these waters is a bit of a nibble from the numerous anchovies called ca com that populate the sea, from which the locals make the island’s famous fish sauce. Not exactly Jaws…
Posted by David | July 2, 2012, 2:18 pmsounds ok! where ru?
Posted by seascapesaus | July 2, 2012, 11:20 pmWow! I’ve got to agree that a gallery showing could definitely be in your future. Based on this one photograph alone. Excuse me but I’m going to check out the rest of your posts!
Posted by 8teen39 | July 9, 2012, 7:32 pmThat’s very kind of you – thank you – think I just got a lucky shot though! Glad you like the blog.
Posted by David | July 9, 2012, 8:06 pmThanks for the follow David, love this post, blog, and your cause. *admiration* When is your walk? Look forward to hearing more. x
Posted by Chevaune | July 10, 2012, 9:50 amThanks Chevaune – your last post made me laugh; I’ve spent a fair bit of time in your world and heard about the baboon bandits! I’m off on the walk next Friday so am stocking up with blister cream! Thanks for the follow.
Posted by David | July 10, 2012, 9:57 amHa, well yes you will need that. And don’t forget to stretch! I’m sure it will be amazing. Thanks for reading my rubbish. Good luck with the final preparations, not long to go. x
Posted by Chevaune | July 10, 2012, 10:07 am