Blue Oyster Cult

Posted on by Stacy P. Fischer

Updated September 2, 2016: AND THE WINNER IS …

Okay, everyone. Votes have been cast and the choice made. While my three choices ended in a three-way tie with two votes each, I ended up choosing from the list of “other” titles: Hustle and Bustle, Around the Oyster Bar Restaurant, Blue Oyster Cult, Ah Sweet Mysteries of Life, Stop and Savor the Oysters, The Incentive to Continue, and Rush Hour. I loved the reasoning behind each of your choices, but one just made me laugh out loud. For those of you who know Emilio, you guessed it, it was his title that not only referenced “blue” and “oyster” but gave a wonderful twist as only he can to the title!

So, Emilio, perhaps I owe you a happy hour at the Oyster Bar??

Thanks, everyone, for participating. I had a blast reading your comments! (And FYI, I chose a different title for the black and white image, so if you’re interested in learning about that, pop on over via the Monochromia link below.)

Posted in B&W on Monochromia.

Oyster Bar Entrance Grand Central StationOyster Bar Restaurant, Grand Central Station, New York City

I’ve never had too much of a problem coming up with a title for a post. For some reason, this one has baffled me. I’ve always believed that if I can’t title an image, then my vision for it wasn’t clear, and therefore, neither will it be for the viewer. So I hesitated posting this one. Trouble is, I really like it. The reason for shooting was to capture the famous Oyster Bar Restaurant in the basement of Grand Central. It was a challenge as tripods aren’t allowed and the light is very low. Handholding with high ISO was the only way to go.

I loved the hustle and bustle of the area, but what caught my attention was the lone woman, head down, pulling her suitcase, making her way to the restaurant. That was the focus of my attention. As fate would have it, when I pushed the shutter, the young man entered the right of the frame – I love his motion and especially love that he is wearing a blue shirt, which works together with the woman’s blue sweater.

With that backstory, I then began to think about titles for this post. “Blue” was the first idea I had, but when I asked my husband to look at the photo, he didn’t see that; he saw, instead, the woman, who was in fact the reason behind the photo.  So “To the Bar?”  “Travel Weary?” “By One’s Lonesome?” After pondering this for far too long, I finally decided, hey, why don’t I ask all of you.

What makes this even more interesting is that I chose to post this photo for my weekly contribution to Monochromia. If you’re up for it, head on over there and see it in black and white. I’ve posted a poll there as well (though, clearly, “blue” is no longer an option!).

So, chime in and let me know if any of my titles appeal to you. Or perhaps you have a better idea. I’ll hold the poll open for one week and whatever title comes out on top is the one I’ll change the title to (unless I like someone’s “other” idea the best). It will be interesting to see if the top choices for both end up being the same or different. So have some fun and I thank you in advance for your input!

43 thoughts on “Blue Oyster Cult”

  1. Okay, everyone. Votes have been cast and the choice made. While my three choices ended in a three-way tie with two votes each, I ended up choosing from the list of “other” titles: Hustle and Bustle, Around the Oyster Bar Restaurant, Blue Oyster Cult, Ah Sweet Mysteries of Life, Stop and Savor the Oysters, The Incentive to Continue, and Rush Hour. I loved the reasoning behind each of your choices, but one just made me laugh out loud. For those of you who know Emilio, you guessed it, it was his title that not only referenced “blue” and “oyster” but gave a wonderful twist as only he can to the title!

    So, Emilio, perhaps I owe you a happy hour at the Oyster Bar??

    Thanks, everyone, for participating. I had a blast reading your comments! (And FYI, I chose a different title for the black and white image, so if you’re interested in learning about that, pop on over via the Monochromia link at the beginning of the post.)

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  9. I got nothing Stacy! 🙂 But what caught my eye is the centre void, which looks as if there is a certain kind of ‘dosie-doh’ going on or as if the sea of people parted momentarily allowing the weary traveller a space to pass through unimpeded….. Whatever you call it, it’s a great shot of a moment in time!

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  13. Oh mt goodness, I’ve just begun a book where the siblings have all convened at this very place for a family pow-wow which had me wondering if it was fact or fiction.

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      • The book is titled “The Nest” by first timer, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney. I’m only a quarter of the way through it but it’s revolves a lot around the complexities of relationships with siblings (something which ALWAYS intrigues me). Finishing it will be my reward next week for getting the children safely back to school after the long summer break, lol!😆

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  15. hey Stacey – I thought of “rush hour” when I immediately saw the image on my phone in the reader-
    and seeing a little bit larger version on my phone – not quite desktop large – just a size up from the smaller reader version –
    well I never saw the lady with suitcase until I read the post!
    I enjoyed your words too – and then going back to the image with the words helps me feel the photographer stance with you.

    anyhow – the guy in blue did pull my eye in – and I seemed to bounce to the blurry arm and package on the left, which I first thought was a white pant leg….
    side note – I just read the daily post wpc of frame and came from cheri’s 2014 post about frames – and so I might have been skewed to start at the perimeter and those arches stood out more because of the posts I just soaked up-
    anyhow – then the three girls drew my eye – and then the striped shirt to back right – but the lady still fails to grab my eye – not sure why – even with her central spot –
    however – the fourth looking ((and this is what making blogging fun – the times we get to pour over an image and explore – ahhh – the small things in life))
    well the tile line leading up to the suitcase of the center lady is artsy – and that seemed to lead to other legs caught in motion – and made the ceiling tiles stand out – such a cool shot and the “to the bar” would be my second choice – but “rush hour” still comes to mind !
    😎

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    • Wow, Yvette, you really did delve into this photo! Thanks so much for that. I’m truly honored you spent so much time and put so much thought into this 😊I definitely enjoyed “seeing” the photo through your eyes!

      Rush Hour is a great title. In fact, if it ends up being the choice, I may have to title it “Rush Hour 2” as I did use “Rush Hour” to name another photo quite a while back of crowds outside of Macy’s in New York City 🙂 Funny how I never thought of it again!

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      • well thanks Stacy (and autocorrect makes your name with the e) but I really did not put too much time into it – I just sometimes have a chance to write comments – like in this case we wee were driving back from someplace – and as a front seat passenger I had some time to to peruse posts – and I hope to never overdo it as wel / think there is a line st some point – ha!
        tha me for the nice reply

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