What are the chances that anyone who buys and sets up cafe chairs that are red, blue and yellow will choose a centre-piece for each table that isn't green? Very slim I'd say because those four colours (sometimes its three of them) are presented to us as a group so often they seem to be a natural combination. I've done no research on this matter, but it seems to me that this wasn't the case until the revolution in art, printing and design of the early twentieth century. Before that time colours were often more subdued, or where bright were used sparingly as highlights, or were more subtle. Today the colours are almost mandatory in children's toys and are frequently seen in graphic design, architecture, packaging, even beach huts - and much else.
Consequently it came as no surprise to find a cafe in Old Spitalfields Market in London where the owner had chosen red, blue and yellow chairs, or that the table decoration was a pot of green leaves. Nor was it surprising that the designer of the chairs had taken little account of the human form in his choice of shape and materials. However, none of that dissuaded me from thinking that the scene might produce an interesting photograph.
photograph and text © Tony Boughen
Photo Title: Market Cafe Chairs, London
Camera: Olympus E-M10
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 47mm (94mm - 35mm equiv.)
F No: f5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
ISO:1250
Exposure Compensation: -0.3 EV
Image Stabilisation: On
