Multitasking

This frame is one of those candid catches where the absurd quietly sits inside the ordinary. Two men, mid-meal, are absorbed in their respective worlds: the one in the centre toggling between a phone call and a glass of wine, the other leaning forward in conversation. The table is cluttered with the civilised chaos of lunch — sparkling water, empty glasses awaiting purpose, a scattering of breadsticks.

The composition is built almost like a play: the seated figures as protagonists, the window behind them acting as both set and light source. That window, however, is a double-edged sword. The strong backlight pushed the dynamic range to its limit, forcing me to protect the shadows in the foreground and risk losing some detail in the highlights. The warm side-light from the wall lamp does help balance things, giving skin tones a gentler warmth.

And yet, it’s the chair in the foreground — dark, sharp, and insistently present — that steals some of the narrative. It intrudes, bisects, frames. It is both obstacle and anchor, holding the viewer in the scene while reminding them they’re intruding. I could have shifted slightly to avoid it, but then the voyeuristic quality of the image might have been softened — and that, to me, is the point here.

Technically, it’s not a flawless capture. The lighting is mixed and challenging, the scene busy with elements competing for attention. But the imperfections echo the nature of the moment: layered, cluttered, and entirely human. And yes, if anyone is the most “involved” here, it’s the chair — keeping its silent vigil at the edge of the conversation.