The tomato.
The order of development in which this plant grew is well known to most and yet, I think there’s more to the story than any of us could possibly imagine. While examining at the photo, I envision the process Celeste went through to cultivate such a beautiful fruit and am thankful she dug out her camera before picking it off the vine. That plump red, against the green, leaves a girl inspired to plant her own crop if only to have such a thing closer to her, tangible, able to taste.
And I don’t even like tomatoes.
I can’t help but notice how pleased my eyes are with the curves of the shot. They explore the roundness of the fruit once, twice, three times. And that red. It’s so captivating! The sunlight creates shadows that aren’t very contrasting, still they add interest. Even the arc of the plant stand draws my attention to other areas, other colors. Now I’m almost salivating.
And I don’t even like tomatoes.
The leaf in focus also has some curvature to it, but rigid enough I don’t spend much time here. Out of focus, the background is intriguing and I wonder about that little green guy. His vine-mate looks to be fairly large, almost as if he sucked up all the nutrients, leaving this one green. Realizing the somewhat ridiculousness of creating a personality for a fruit, my eyes find the vine right in the center. Peering closer, you can see the little “hairs” and this excites me. I feel like I could reach out and graze that fuzz. My fingers move to the closest tomato and before I know it, I’m right there with Celeste, enjoying the Floridian sun, picking one myself.
And I don’t even like tomatoes.
I like your whimsical narrative of The Tomato. You also used Epizeuxis, nice job, Whit. I grow tomatoes. Thousands of them. They are beautiful. Even if you don't like them, you got that right. Your attention to detail makes me interested, and I know everything about tomatoes. Not sure who Celeste is though, the grower? Photographer? I'd like to know, makes me curious...
ReplyDeleteI like how you matched a light-hearted style of writing to describe a very "sunny" photograph. Loved the repetition; it almost gave a certain rhythm to your piece that makes it very easy and enjoyable to read. Was easy to write in this style or did you have deliberately think about the mechanics to achieve the right tone?
ReplyDeleteI think the most important element in this photograph is the color. The brightness of the red springs out against the green's gentleness. Then there's the shape. Everything sets the tomatoes apart and everything makes them appealing.
ReplyDeleteThis entry I enjoy the most. It was very creative in the way it was written and entertaining. For me, at least, a small red fruit can only keep my attention for so long. You described it in a way that interested me. I wonder if this Celeste person felt the same way when she took the picture or grew them. Also. Who is Celeste? Both the gardener and the photographer? A friend of yours?
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record, I don't like tomatoes either.
Ok, so for some reason, I cannot reply to your comments individually!! (Probably an operator error...)
ReplyDeleteCeleste is a friend of mine, more specifically, my roommate's great-aunt. She grew these plants--as I'm sure others--and also took the photo. I asked her permission before borrowing this and hope that she is as pleased with my work as I am with hers!!
This style comes naturally to me and in fact, it's not unlike Rahlay's "stream of conscientiousness" style. Mine just happens to have paragraphs.
I'm a big fan of color, especially those contrasting. Perhaps that's why this photo stood out above the others. :D