I took this picture during my last foggy outing. Disappointed when I downloaded it, I gave it
a pass, wishing I’d captured the still boats without the restaurant in the background.
On second glance, I liked the deep red hull, (the boat is
called “Prime Ribs,” by the way), juxtaposed against the gray of the building and
the toothpaste green of the boat beside it.
I gazed at it a while before understanding my photo displays more than
one kind of contrast.
About fifty yards down the street from the building you see above, there's a two story shed of a place where lobstermen offload their catch. I have no idea what the men who
climbed into those boats at dawn and hauled traps out on the churning sea
receive as their per-pound price. But
the last time I drove by, a sign out front announced the retail price of Lobsters
as $4.99 a pound. So if I had a
hankering to buy a couple to take home and steam, that’s what I’d pay if I
walked in off the street.
The restaurant, a lovely, white table cloth, fine dining
establishment lists a 1 ½ pounder on its menu for $26. No villains
here. I get the cost of running a
business. A successful eating
establishment needs to charge something like three times the cost of food to
make money. I just happened to capture two different ends of that spectrum,
overlooking each other in our harbor.
Sometimes a picture is something pretty to look at. Other times, it tells a story.
14 comments:
Glad you were able to see more in that image. It's very cool!
Interesting observation of the economics of the industry. I grew up on a farm, and I know the huge difference between what a farmer is paid for his beef and what consumers pay in a store.
Such a beautiful/cool pic. Just as I think there's beauty in everything, there's also a little tarnish as well. And usually, as you said, it's that juxtaposition that creates whole.
That's a beautiful setting for a restaurant! But the setting also tells a different reality. How true!
Take care
x
You're right, the contrasts work! Love how the fog's rolling in. Maine's got the most amazing scenery. We stopped on a point where the lobster catch was being off-loaded with the same $4.99 pound. Agree about the restaurant as one has to pay the freight for a different kind of memory.
I love the photo. The red/green contrast. The way the boats are clear and close enough to you to not be foggy, while the restaurant is still bathed in the mist. That also matches well with the reality of $4.99/lb. Great post. Reminds me to dig deeper each time I write a scene. I've been writing all day, so that's where my brain is heading automatically today. Unlike the other day with my own blog post- LOL.
Beautiful photo! And that price for the lobster is cheap! Yum, the thought is making my mouth water.
I love the water, and glossy paint on the boats. Love it!
WOW. My favorite picture so far.
LOVE the contrast.
I like the picture, too but I'll disagree with the price the restaurants are charging since it hasn't changed even tho the price of lobster has dropped dramatically. Which means the restaurants still make $ but the lobsterman don't - at least that's how the lobstermen up here (in Maine) look at it; there's been some grumbling. However, I will add that it is very hard to make a go of a restaurant.
just my 2 cents.
A picture almost always tells a story(I think). Just curious, what state are you in? Here lobster sells for between $7 & $15/lb.
fascinating too about the choices we make when we decide to pay.
I love this photo for rich colour contrasts, the story was an unexpected insight, thanks:)
Are you kidding. This is an absolutely breathtaking photo. I'm there. I'm living it. You have a great gift. I also get the self-criticism. Beautiful shot, really.
I think it's gorgeous. For some reason, when I first glanced at the picture, I thought of Asia. Isn't that odd?
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