Connected Zombies (Photo Project)

in photography •  7 years ago  (edited)

A while ago I was looking for a theme for a long-term street photography project. It had to be something I could photograph during my daily commute to and from work on public transportation. I live in Holland and travel to and from the city of Rotterdam daily.

For a couple of days, I couldn’t think of anything, then all a sudden on a train ride it hit me!
I started noticing allot of people engaged with their smart devices. Once I started observing this behavior, it was like everywhere I looked there were these people almost like slaves captured to their light emitting device in the palm of their hands.

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People were in such close proximity to each other, yet so separated in consciousness.
Furthermore, people seemed engaged in about all kinds of activities like riding a bike or walking their dog, yet this didn’t hinder their ability to stay focused on these devices.
This seemed in a sense that their smart devices where like a carrot leading the way.

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The term “Connected Zombies” for this project came to mind.
I really am not judging these people as I myself once in a while engaged with my smartphone walk a fair distance. Only wondering how I got to the end of a street without any recollection of how I got there. Pretty scary once I think about it, sounds familiar?

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Well who knows how the next couple of generations will evolve.
Maybe our necks will grow at an optimum angle for viewing these devices and 360 degree eye view would be helpful.

All the major automotive companies like Tesla and even the likes of Google are experimenting with self-driving car software. I’m sure they could learn a thing or two while studying at how amazing people are at object avoidance while using our autopilot brain.

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Just look at this guy! While delivering Pizza, texting and listening to music all the while driving his scooter with his elbows. And people say men can't multitask! :)

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That "zombie" project really reflect nowadays usage of all those so called smartphones! Hope to teach my kid more valuable stuff than looking at a tiny screen all day long!

She will be more adapted to it than we are. I hope that by talking about these things can help!

We'll just keep talking then!

Like it or not, future generations will be using and be dependent on their smartphones more than we have or are. But I need to say I'm not sure it's a bad thing necessarily as long as they are OK with moving their gaze off of their smart device to talk to a real person when needed.

@apprenticeoflife The photo with the guy walking his dog on his phone got me. The zombies are real!

Ha! Yes the question becomes is he walking the dog or the dog walking him! :)

The dog is walking him. The dog is the one actually thing about the surroundings more anyway. I need to confess I'm one of those zombies while walking the dog too. I always have my earbuds in with a podcast on, but I try not to be looking at the screen. But I do pay attention to what I'm listening to and my dog is choosing the way (it's his walk after all, right). Of course, I try to be aware of what is going on and make sure we don't get run over or something.

True story! Everybody is just a slave of his own mobile device and it's the next excuse to social-out-when-awkward instead of social communication.

That's true, people tend also to hide behind these devices!

Really great work! These photos really get you thinking about the way we live today. And what it means for the future.

Most of the time you can find the exact same behaviour a lot closer to home. Almost everyone with a smartphone does this the whole day long!

Thank's Natashahall, even though I have seen lots of people like this, I still find it a weird thing! When people were chaising those Pokemons with their smartphones was the height of it.

Lol yes agreed!

Nice job expressing it through images! I really like the message here...

Thanks creutzy!

Great project 👌🏼

Thanks vladikras, glad you like it. I see you're into photography yourself!

Yes I'm. If you want you can participate in my new contest #yourcityvibez it's all about street photography 😉

Congratulations @apprenticeoflife!
Your post was mentioned in my hit parade in the following category:

  • Pending payout - Ranked 3 with $ 181,97

Thanks for noticing arcange. Great that you have a hit parade for new users!

LIFE THESE DAYS !!!!!!!!!:)

You said it! :)

no worry THEY will text about it :)))

My most recent post, please tell me what you tinkh. thanks (: https://steemit.com/news/@sixteen4narchist/or-today-i-learned-or-til-or-staged-news-or-1-or .

Thanks for sharing, interesting!

zombie cell people!!
Very good post congratulations !!
If you like beautiful photos do not think twice about watching this post https://steemit.com/photography/@franqueff/some-spectacular-photos

Appreciate it carlagonz! Nice trip you had, beautiful country!

Beautiful! Makes me laugh but silently worried about the truth in it's title.

Glad you like it n4talie!

beautiful photo's great project

Thank you jackson182, sometimes the greatest subjects are the ordinary daily things we see and experience!

Haha oh man, good shots! We love our phones, don't we? I try to keep my tucked away or at home when i'm on a walk. This is really interesting though, I love the term "connected zombies"! I may go out and try to capture some zombies myself next time I'm out shooting!

Thanks you chrissymchavez, you should give it a try indeed. It becomes fun when you try looking out for them.

I'll tag you in the post if I do!

I like the flow & message of the photos. Something I can't help but notice whenever I catch public transport.

Hi viazenar, when you become aware of this you seem them everywhere, in all situations. Glad you like the photo's!

Great Project! Good luck with your photography work! It's nice to see more and more good street photography moving to Steemit.

Such a nice platform for otherwise photos who no one would ever enjoy except us photographers!

great photos love it! following you you might like some of my photos too :)

Thanks for noticing redtravels!

Hi. that's a good idea for street photograpgy project!
I like your photos.

Tnx ygern! I will try to post daily, drop by anytime! Do you do some street photography yourself?

Yes, and I like it. But still a lot to learn. Street photography gives me a new perspective to my city. Hope I can share some of my pictures here in the future.

It's so much fun indeed! One kind of looks with different eyes when wondering about and photographing. What city are you from? I wish you lots of fun and I hope you can pick up a thing or two.

I live in Taipei, Taiwan. Wish you a lot of fun, too. :)

Really awesome work, my friend.

Thanks rocking-dave, hope to bring you more in the coming days.