168 - Iconic

Theme 113.

I wasn't sure what theme to post this photo under. "Apple" was taken. So was "Geek". I could have reposted it as a duplicate for one of those themes.

But then I considered "Iconic". Why? Because of the little Apple logo on the front of the left hand motorbike! I discussed this with my friend Christin, and came to the conclusion that iconic doesn't have to mean big, obvious and loud. I could do Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower, and they are good examples of iconic images. But size isn't everything, and little things can be iconic too - the whole idea of an iconic image or symbol to me, is one which tells people immediately what it is, without words. The Eiffel Tower, the McDonald's golden arches, the Nike tick, Stonehenge or the BMW logo. Instantly recognisable.

Now if you'd barely been able to see it as it was so small, or the light reflected off it so that you couldn't have seen it/known what it was without being told... then yes, I'd have scrapped it. But this I felt was more a case of subtlety.

And I just really like it as a slice of Paris life. I'd probably have posted it as a loose image if I'd not done this theme (I think I'll have to post some Paris photos loosely, as they don't fit themes but I'd like to show them). This was taken at a crossing by the Place de la Concorde, at the bottom of the Jardin Des Tuileries. I had just crossed one leg of the road and spotted this guy's motorbike with the Apple logo, so quickly grabbed a shot. I think the guy next to him wondered what I was doing...!

Oh yes - as the weather and lighting were not friendly, I adjusted the contrast level in Elements to deepen the blacks. Nothing else.