Category Archives: Ruckenfigur – Rear View

Literally ‘back figure’, the term rückenfigur is usually associated with German romantic painters to describe a viewpoint that includes another person seen from behind – rear view – viewing a scene spread out before the viewer. It is both view and viewer. Rear view, the side that does not prepare itself for the camera, the revealing side we forget In Japan bakku-shan is a woman who looks attractive from the rear but not from the front. What about the reverse?

U3AC Photo Forum 25 – Members’ Street Photography

Posted on June 9, 2018 by brianhuman

Members of the Forum were asked to submit their photographs for this session, which followed naturally on the previous two classes.  I provided the following brief.  ‘Street photography can be interpreted in a number of ways. Pictures: of people and … Continue reading →

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U3AC Photo Forum 24 – Points of View Day Photographs

Posted on June 1, 2018 by brianhuman

Last week members of the Forum used two hours in the morning to take photographs, see blog 26th May.   Helen Cherry set the brief given below.           Please meet at the normal time at our … Continue reading →

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Skin Deep

Posted on August 28, 2017 by brianhuman

Sir Thomas Overbury included the line, ‘All the carnall beauty of my wife is but skin-deep’ in his poem ‘A Wife’, written in 1613.  From it we have the proverb ‘Beauty is only skin deep’.  Bark is the layer covering … Continue reading →

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College Farm, Haddenam

Posted on May 29, 2017 by brianhuman

On Sunday 28th May Primavera’s owners, Jeremy and Sheila Waller (figures in sculpture, right) hosted an Open Garden in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme at College Farm, their Haddenham home.   It was an opportunity to roam around the … Continue reading →

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Alexandra Palace

Posted on August 25, 2015 by brianhuman

Glimpsed from the train heading north out of London Alexandra Palace looks well-named – a grand honey coloured neo-classical palace looking down regally on London. Close up it’s showing its 140 years; worn and tired it exudes the air of … Continue reading →

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Ruckenfigur Reawakened

Posted on July 17, 2015 by brianhuman

Although my ruckenfigur project reached a fairly satisfactory conclusion (see post 29th October 2013) I’ve not forgotten it entirely. My interest was recently reawakened by the following: ‘They are not, of course, abstract; they are pictures [by Vuillard] of (mostly) … Continue reading →

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Larger

Posted on June 23, 2014 by brianhuman

Mid morning larger against the wall at St John’s College.  What’s the story? Photo: St John’s College, Bridge Street, Cambridge, June 2014

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Ruckenfigure Revisited

Posted on October 29, 2013 by brianhuman

The planned photo book on the ruckenfigur is complete (see post 22nd July 2013) and I’m awaiting delivery of copies.  Brought together in the book, Ruckenfigur Revisited might look like a coherent project, albeit a much extended one.   The truth … Continue reading →

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Ruckenfigur Photo Book

Posted on July 22, 2013 by brianhuman

Working on putting my ruckenfigur pictures into a book.  Includes: reviewing old files for pictures, see opposite; and writing some text, see below (comments welcome). Photo: Paris 1988   Ruckenfigur – Rear View The essence of an individual’s identity is … Continue reading →

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First and Last

Posted on June 9, 2013 by brianhuman

Not sure what the relationship is between these two.  Presumably they are friends, but each seems to be absorbed in her own world.  Planning and contemplating the Friday night ahead? Photo: Cambridge, June 2013

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Relationships

Posted on June 5, 2013 by brianhuman

Sometimes the Ruckenfigur poses questions about the relationships between the people in the picture.  An elderly man with his carer?  A grandmother and grand daughter?  And why are the latter giving the former such a wide birth? Photo: Bury St Edmunds, … Continue reading →

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Bison in London

Posted on June 2, 2013 by brianhuman

The ruckenfigur often reveals something about people and their appearance that they are not aware of themselves and we double take in surprise, admiration or disbelief.  This man is well aware of what’s on his back, or at least we must … Continue reading →

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Cycling

Posted on May 24, 2013 by brianhuman

Cycling, a great sport, a great way to get around.  Pity that the gear can be so unflattering. Photo: Hove, April 2013

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Seven Sisters

Posted on May 3, 2013 by brianhuman

This is closer to a true ruckenfigur than some recent views of the backs of people. Photo: Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, April 2013

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Avignon

Posted on February 8, 2013 by brianhuman

These figures are neither in nor of the landscape.  They are detached from it and view it in detachment from on high.  They engage with it both visually and through the mediation of illustrated guides.  Tourists, they become temporarily ‘halted … Continue reading →

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