Wives and Husbands - Holga Effect

by Frank J Casella

Title

Wives and Husbands - Holga Effect

Artist

Frank J Casella

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This photograph Wives and Husbands really needs no explanation. We see it often at youth sporting activities.

Yet there is a religious element to moments in time like this: The commitment of marriage as instituted by God - how Mom and Dad together support their children, and marriage, while juggling their independence as individuals.

Some have called this diversity of view: How man and woman pull from their uniqueness and experiences in their contribution to the family unit, thus to be a gift to each other.

Yet, some others may view this instead as conflict, that is, if you are looking to have your own way. Never mind when you look for the best interest of others, and walk through the door of conflicts to find discovery, you seek to build on what brings you together (and) not what divides / pushes you away.

The only way to get to the other side is through it, with God's help.

With the Catholic apostolate (ministry) that I co-founded, I have observed two keys to a long marriage: The first is forgiveness. The second is to not only be married to someone you can live with, but also to someone whom you can not live without.

Instead, you may find in our culture today, when unmet expectations, and unresolved needs are not met, it can lead to breakdown and divorce, in place of the realization that there are two different people who change over time, and each becomes a different person.

Which brings us back to this picture, Wives and Husbands, how it asks questions. Like why are the two people not talking to each other, or not together focused on their child and the event they are attending. Answer: They were talking until the phone rang, and they were in-between games so nothing to watch.

This can bring us to a deeper element to ask what are the distractions in our lives and to the family? What are the elements in our present culture that draw a wedge in the marriage covenant if we let it? I'm sure this picture may cause you to ask other questions as well.

But the reason I clicked the shutter of the camera is because you see a mom and a dad ... together ... for their child(ren). Their body language hints how they understand each other, while being understanding of each other. They are not on their own agenda, tolerating each other, or at odds?

Because the covenant of marriage begs, through the wedding vows, to bear each others burdens until death.

It is also very unusual to have that fence in front of the bleachers. And I used this element to stop the viewer to focus on the subject of the people, and body language, otherwise it would not be as powerful of a photograph. There is just enough information to let the viewer know the location or setting to tell the story.

At the same time, the fence might illustrate how some of us feel that marriage is like living in a box, or being stopped by a wall reminding us to what we regretfully committed to. While another may view this wall as to focus on the relationship at hand, because usually if you do not get this one right you bring those behaviors into future relationships even with best intentions.

The great religious paintings and windows in (Catholic) churches illustrate many stories and lessons about life and the Saints. Yet, this picture to me speaks about how husband and wife - man and woman - work towards the virtues of being saints through their shortcomings in such a time as this - to get their family to Heaven.


Black and White Art Street Photography Copyright 2012 Frank J Casella

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Uploaded

March 8th, 2022

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