Saturday, March 28, 2009

Hands Christian Andersen

Yes, Time Really Does Stand Still Here

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


It’s always interesting to present this weekly pictorial theme with a slight interpretative twist. As this week’s subject is Hands, I thought about several options, including shooting a few frames aboard a crowded train, with several sets of hands holding one of the horizontal stability bars.

Then as I was walking through the Southbank area I remembered that there is a strategically-located store where you can get just about anything, from a pair of shoelaces to getting your name engraved on a trophy or even having a spare key cut.

It’s one of those places where a single person behind the counter has a variety of skills and can solve a problem for you while you wait. Lost the heel on your shoe? He’ll fix it. Your watch battery has bitten the dust? He’ll open up the timepiece and not only replace the battery but clean the interior mechanism as well.

And there is a four-frame frieze painted on the exterior window, as you come up the stairs from the Langham Hotel. This is the first of the frames. Like they say: many hands make light work.


Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Hands''.


29 comments:

Shadow said...

i like this, the photo as much as your words behind it.

Hilary said...

Clever interpretation.. but then again yours always are.

There just aren't enough shops like the one you described.. or rather not enough shopkeepers as this. That kind of personal care is what's missing from most businesses these days.

Zip n Tizzy said...

Those are some great hands!

Interesting isn't it that shops like that used to be the norm. For all of our convenience, we sure have made things more complicated for ourselves.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Love it!

Anonymous said...

what a great idea...some young entrepenuer[why do I pick difficult words] would make a decent living giving that type of service today.

Who's a clever boy then?

Jinksy said...

I have to hand it to you - you sure found an unusual interpretation!

ArtistUnplugged said...

I agree, very clever. Sounds like an awesome business to have around!

imac said...

A pro Photographer with Time on his hands David?. lol.

introspection said...

beautiful concept. Did the hands of watch also signify just hands.
As for this multipurpose little shop, I find them most useful. Better than all the malls put together. (may be not all)

Lori ann said...

You are so clever.I wish we had a shop like that...
here's my hand waving to you!

Tiffany Norris said...

Reminds me of a Swatch Watch!

Mojo said...

Brilliant spin on the theme! And I can picture the train shot too... it would have been stunning. But this? This required imagination as well as talent. Well played sir!

Jazz said...

I wish I knew a shop like that.

Maggie May said...

They are very unusual hands!

What About The Girl? said...

Is it 3:40 yet!?

I can't wait to get out of work...it is so nice out today :-)
TGIF!

said...

Unfortunately the hands are forever stuck on 4:40, which means 5:00 never arrives. So even if it is Friday, the workday will never end. What a cruel joke. No wonder your little handiman is so good at everything; he's always on the job.

A.Bananna said...

hello stranger. I know its been a while. Life is busy.

very nice approach on this. Only you would have thought of this one!! Thumbs up!! Have a great weekend!

Nessa said...

Very handy take on the subject.

SandyCarlson said...

Cool. It's something to be sure of in this crazy world!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Max Bygraves used to sing a song, "You need hands!"

Anonymous said...

I really like the composition of your second picture and the simplicity of your subject.

Shellie said...

How do I get one of those stores here? Nice hands. What will we do when there aren't any hand clocks left?

Katney said...

When I had a quick look but didn't read this morning I was confused. I often use your photohunt post as a reminder of the theme. I was thinking I needed to find another yellow photo--but didn't I post a yellow photohunt last week? I kenw I had posted yellow for something.

I have my hands up already, even though it is not yet Saturday here.

girasoli said...

Cool photos! That must be a pretty bright painted window to see close up in person. I did a similar post.

gengen said...

Always have an interesting post for the theme. Happy weekend. TC mine is up.

MaR said...

Lovely interpretation and shots!
Mine is up!

SnoopyTheGoon said...

I was trying to get on tnchick's good side, expecting that no one else will get onto the clock hands idea.

Shows how naive I have been. Cool shots anyhow.

Have a great weekend!

Rebecca Mecomber said...

Ha! Great post! Very unique take for this week. I didn't know rabbits got their nails clipped! My cat won't allow me. My Photo Hunt is up! I hope you get a chance to visit me, too.

http://ilovenewyorktravel.net/photo-hunters-hands/

Happy weekend!

Janet said...

I wish we had a shop like that too. Although now I think of, the Mountain Man can do pretty much anything. Very clever take on the theme.