Coincidence, a photo from Venice, Veneto

Photographer's Note

I offer this little diptych in the full knowledge that neither photograph is particularly interesting on its own, not particularly well composed, and in the case of the second shot, not even quite sharp.

But I couldn't resist putting them together. The story is rather similar to my experience in Burano here. The first shot of a total stranger and his dog was taken on my first visit to Venice in 2009 in Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio, Santa Croce. Then a couple of months ago I revisited Venice on a sailing trip, and of course did a walkabout again. And what did I see? The same bloke sitting in a cafe (Bar Rosa) in Campo Nazario Sauro, only a couple of hundred metres away from our first encounter. I can't decide if it's the same dog, but I'm inclined to think it is: the first was shot in February, while the later June shot may have been after he'd had his Summer haircut. I love coincidences like that.

The gentleman didn't notice me on either occasion; the second shot in particular was a very quick grab, he was sitting in deep shade, and I think I was a little in shock at recognising a stranger after six years. So apologies for the dodgy quality.

Click here for the larger Beta TrekEarth version.

tyro, holmertz, snunney, jhm, pajaran, Silvio1953, ikeharel, delpeoples, jean113, Royaldevon, CLODO, GyurMaster has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (0) 2015-08-05 2:53

Hello Will, my neighbour today,
Very nice picturepack with those two elderly gentleman and theirwhite dogs.
Both are seemimgly enjoying their four legged friends.
Perfect technique and many interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

holmertz (102636) 2015-08-05 3:21

Hello Will,
Two photos that become interesting together. The man looks a bit more wrinkled and his hair seems to be a shade whiter than six years ago. Whether the dog is the same, or just similar, is hard to tell. The coincidence of meeting the same man so many years later add is quite amazing.
See you on Sunday, I believe.
Gert

tyro (30513) 2015-08-05 3:23

Hello Will,

Yes, a coincidence indeed!

Like yourself, I'm not entirely sure if this is the same dog or not but the dog's lead certainly looks the same. Regarding the man, there's no question there - the pattern of those deep wrinkles and his sizeable proboscis confirm that this is indeed the same person.

Two wonderful captures, six years apart and yet only a couple of hundred yards separated in distance. O.K., there's a bit of movement artefact in the later image but the poses are similar and his dress on each occasion is in keeping with the time of year.

Absolutely Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

snunney (130967) 2015-08-05 3:57

Hello Will,
Life is full of coincidences as you prove here! Difficult to say whether it is the same dog, it has certainly put on weight but dogs do as they get older just like humans:-) There is no doubt as regards the man, just a bit less hair and a few more wrinkles. Fun presentation, thanks for sharing.

jhm (211736) 2015-08-05 3:57

Hello Will,

What a chance, six year between the two pictures, the same man but an other dog.
You was very alert fro after six year the man to recognize.
A lovely compilation.
An excellent depth and perspective picture.
Wonderful composition, lovely presentation too
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Sergiom (117241) 2015-08-05 6:12

Bonjour Will,

J'aime vraiment beaucoup ce diptyque. On croirait vraiment voir le mкme homme et le mкme chien dans deux circonstances diffйrentes. J'aime comment les italiens utilisent leurs bancs publics.

Amicalement

Serge

Silvio1953 (221493) 2015-08-05 9:20

Ciao Will, very curios double portrait, lovely composition with nice on bench and seat, in each photo wonderful colors, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

delpeoples (60342) 2015-08-05 13:32

Ciao Will

What a fascinating dyptique! If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're stalking this poor old fella - and his doggy. Whilst the similarities (same man, same dog, same stance) are fascinating, what really floats my boat are the differences. Obviously one is taken in summer, the other winter, but also how the man - and his dog - have aged over the years. I love this shot, well done and great observation.

Cheers
Lisa

jean113 (27819) 2015-08-05 13:44

Hello Will, it just shows how observant you are, that, and a very good memory!
It certainly looks like the same man, not too sure about the dog!The man seems to be quite content watching the world go by.
It makes an interesting pair of shots, and has made everyone study them very carefully.
Regards Jean.

emka (158058) 2015-08-05 14:12

Hello Will, What an amazing story! He is the same guy and how you recognized him! Probably he goes there everyday with his white dog. It can be the same dog, anyway is very similar and the line is the same. He changed a bit but not much in six years. Very interesting note and photo.

WArm regard s MAlgo

dekanski (9361) 2015-08-06 10:20

Hi,

You're absolutely right!

Regards,
Saљa

Tigerlily (3381) 2015-08-07 9:25

Hello Will,
How amazing. What a wonderful story. I'm also amazed that you recognized him immediately and took the shot, made the story complete. It is really remarkable.. he looked a bit older.. as we all do:-D..When people say a picture tells story.. This is the real one! See you soon, Will.
Regards,
Jasmine

abmdsudi (95869) 2015-08-07 20:27

Hi Will
Intriguing approach and what a strange coincidence portraying the same person but taken at a diff time united in reality as one upload!!

It gives us the opportunity to see both your perspective of the area as well as his images and individually the pictures are not earth shattering but they work very well together. Superb detail and the colours give a nice Mediterranean feel to this. Great story telling.... Congrats
Best wishes

Royaldevon (85862) 2015-08-08 2:00

Hello Will,

A fascinating encounter, the sort of thing that happens in story books and we wonder whether it could really happen. Obviously, it does!

You are right, as individual photographs they have not a lot of interest but together, and with the notes, they take a whole new and more interesting meaning.
He certainly looks more relaxed on the r/h photograph, as does his dog!
TE can give comfortable experiences of 'people watching' an activity I really enjoy!

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

CLODO (45116) 2015-08-10 1:24

Hi Will

You are the TE specialist of dyptiches! Amazing memory and encounter, contast of colors warm at left and cod at right. I agree that the right image is blurred, but the presentation was worth
Cheers
CLODO

GyurMaster (24818) 2015-08-11 12:04

Dear Will,

What a coincidence! Two see the same man with the same dog two times in almost the same pose. This makes me forget the 'dodgy' quality of the second picture.
I hope it was not your last encounter: according to a Hungarian idiom: 'The Hungarian justice is three' :)

Best Regards,
Gy.

batalay (41261) 2015-08-16 6:08

Hello Will,

There a remarkable synergy in the diptych with the whole far outweighing the parts. What luck to run across the same man... and his dog. And what a memory you have to remember the composition from six years earlier. In addition, there are the social and physiological aspects that are on display — although the man still looks healthy, time has taken its relentless toll, deepening his already chiseled features. He has switched his crossed legs, and I agree with you, I think the dog is the same dog. I will ask a friend who knows much more about dogs than I do.

Warm regards,

Bulent