Self-portrait, ad infinitum...

[trusty elf]

taken in Moscow the other day.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. you are a fast-moving blonde

woman? who knew?

[trusty elf]

6. If the shutter speed of that guy's camera had been any slower

I would have escaped detection.

;-)

[Callalily]

2. I'm speechless - (yeah a rare thing).

Oh gosh, I just keep shaking my head . . . I REALLY like this photo.

[trusty elf]

8. Thanks Callalily...

I'll be posting some more Russia photos in the coming days.

:hi:

[Mira]

3. Now, for sure, I'd recognize you anywhere! Even in your Russian disguise.

An A W E S O M E picture all the way around, and I don't know how you did that?
Selbstausloeser? the English word escapes me at the moment...
Please tell about the place and the photo.

[Celebration]

4. I'd like to know as well

I am fascinated by the whole concept of infinite images in mirrors, fun house mirrors, mirrors in general, and almost anything mirror related. Generally it is very unsettling to a person to look at infinite images of self in the mirror. What does it symbolize? What does it represent? Is the word mirror, and the concept "mirror" related to anything deeper? What is it we are really seeing? There is something beyond science that borders on mystery.

Oh, can anyone tell that I was fascinated by the Narcissus myth, and also by all the other mirror stories-- mirror, mirror, on the wall, seven years of bad luck, etc. etc., the crystal ball acting as a mirror into the future and all that?

There is a whole lot more to mirrors than meets the eye. Before the mirror, there were reflections in lakes, but reflections in lakes were not infinite.

Does anyone know any mirror twins? These are identical twins but that have characteristics on opposite sides of the body--

Definition: Mirror image twins are monozygotic, twins that form from a single fertilized egg. When the split occurs late - more than a week after conception - the twins can develop reverse asymmetric features. This term is not really a type of twin, just a way to describe their physical features. For example, they may be right- and left-handed, have birthmarks on opposite sides of their body, or have hair whorls that swirl in opposite directions. In theory, if the twins faced each other, they would appear to be exact reflections of each other. About 25% of identical twins are mirror image twins

http://multiples.about.com/od/glossary/g/mirrorimagetwin.htm

[trusty elf]

7. It's one of those weird paradoxes that the eye can see, but cannot see itself.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

It's rather late here now, and I shall sleep on it and answer you tomorrow on the plane back to Paris.

[trusty elf]

5. Well, I blew my cover, but I thought the picture was fun and worth posting!

I took it at the entrance to a rather remarkable market not far from the hotel in Moscow. There are mirrors on the left and right sides as one enters which create the wild, infinite series of reflections. No timer was necessary, I simply held the camera and pushed the button.

I'm not happy with this photo, but it gives you an idea of the place.



I'm in Saint Petersburg now. I hope I can take a few decent pictures of this beautiful city. The weather wasn't cooperating today. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll have better luck. Alas, very little time for exploring and picture taking.

[Mira]

10. What a world we live in, looking at your picture, and there is

so little time to see it.
You, though, make up for a lot of it for all of us if you keep sharing!!!!!
St. Petersburg they call it now.
To me you are in Leningrad, where I lost an uncle in WWII.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad
I lost another one on the Russian front, and a third one in a concentration camp.

I sigh.
I would have loved to meet them and know them.

BTW - I finally see you holding the camera. And I think the photo rocks and am glad you explained it to the degree it's explainable (see Concentration's fascinating musings) I think the image of the other person makes it even more fascinating.

A friend of mine had a Russian roommate in college. One day he came to their dorm room and found about 15 containers of orange juice sitting around.
Why, he asked, did you buy so many?

With big eyes the roommate answered: Well, of course, because they HAD it.

The photo of your store and it's wealth of offerings belies that story. Yet there is an older couple in Kirov I know who is so poor, that often times all they have to eat is whatever is available and it could be ONE head of cabbage for the week.
That's what I understand is the norm, other than the vodka, of course.

Well, I got carried away...
Sorry.

[Solly Mack]

9. That's awesome.

Just simply awesome.