I’ve always understood the impulse to throw a pair of sneakers tied together over a utility wire, but never felt it enough to actually want to do it myself. The task is ungainly enough that it seems like it would be an accomplishment: throwing a pair of sneakers tied together does not exactly lend itself to a graceful arc, and you have to not only get your height and direction right, but also get a little lucky in having the laces catch the wire. But when it’s done, you have no sneakers.
Nevertheless, sneakers on a wire have been a staple of the urban landscape for decades (and probably some rural landscapes as well).
This is again from the Jersey City edition of the 2010 World Wide Photo Walk. Unlike the images from the previous two days, this one was created in post from a plain Raw file. After trying a couple of adjustments in color, I decided the image would be best in black and white so I fired up Nik’s SIlver Efex Pro and started moving the sliders until I ended up with this.
by Mark
Chris Nitz - I have never quite understood this. You throw your shoes onto the wires and then walk home barefoot, and what do the utility companies do with all these shoes? On the other hand, they sure do make for a great series of photos, and this one is no different!
Hector Garza - This one is a classic!
We used to have a lot of scenes like this one over here when I was young… I even asked my Dad if could throw my old pair to a wire; he said no and I was very sad.
Chris Frailey - Nice choice with the b&w. Love shots that take us back to our childhood.
Jim Denham - Wow, great image. Classic city scene!
Dave DiCello - Cool shot Mark, awesome choice for the B&W as well.
Mike Criswell - Nice scene Mark, perfect for B&W
Chrisdmrf - We have this in parts of London as well, although I’m told it is related to gang activity.
Great capture, love the B & W
Jason Hines - Perfect backdrop for this scene and the b&w really adds to it! Well done!
Jan Winther - I like this one. B/W suits it very well.
James Howe - Black and white was a good choice for this shot.
Toad Hollow Photography - An utterly profound masterpiece Mark! I LOVE your blog writing today, too, you made me laugh out loud. I love the composition here in this shot and the backdrop of the building with the crazy missing windows is just top drawer. You know I gotta say it… here it comes… fan-flippin-tastic my friend!
Ryan Sexton - Wow Mark youve had so many great posts in the last 2 weeks. I love the shoes in this one, my bother did this to my shoes once. lol
Mark - Thanks so much, everyone. This image seems to have engendered a larger than usual response both here and on Twitter. I am glad it resonated with so many people and appreciate the time it takes you all to come by and comment..
Len Saltiel - Excellent shot.Really like how the sneakers stand out against the building.
Friday Photo Spots Weekly Roundup & a Photo From Tempe Town Lake - [...] Mark Garbowski starts us off this week with his shot “Kicks on a Wire”. Never really thought of throwing shoes on a power line as a good time but to each their own . [...]