Pic of the Week

In keeping with our monthly theme of Pattern and Texture, a rusty old retaining wall from Imperial Beach is our focus this week. I actually took the photo for a contest last year. The theme was "decay" and though I didn't win I gathered many interesting photos in the pursuit of my entry. I wanted an image to create wonder; not only what is this thing and why is it so decrepit, but to emphasize the texture deterioration of metal and paint creates. Not only are these textures interesting, but they create a story of their own. Rust patterns follow water from rain and runoff as they have moved over metal. Water sloughing off rust particles forms stains on many types of surfaces, often in quite elaborate fashion. Paint peelings leave intricate patterns as the elements feverishly attempt to remove them. But really, I like this photo because it is boring. The rust trails are not all that interesting. The peeling paint is relatively benign in it complexity. The appreciation here of its simple and blatant "ordinaryness" is where the true beauty lies. What are your thoughts?