Kenneth: An interesting view of disheveled things catching your eye and image-ination here. I also focus on what I would call local disparities in cities including graffiti in what I think of as being in odd places or somehow dressed up trash. Though I have never thought about the reasons for my fixation or felt a need to justify it because I figured it was just me. Your photo of the bicycle and other broken things piled up against a pole had me thinking Oh Dada! before I read the rest of your essay. Maybe if that connection resonates with you it will give you something else to think about as you prowl the city. It certainly does for me.
I see DaDa now that you mentioned it 🤭 I enjoy off-beat stuff. Things that throw people off kilter. I guess it can be some from of anti-conformity of a sort. If most go left I either go right or backwards. These un-beautiful are actually quite beautiful. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Totally agree about off-beat Kenneth. For me probably some from a lifelong lean toward nonconformity as a "child" of the 60s which satisfies wanting to think at least somewhat independently and wanting to go my own way. Now wondering how much a result of family upbringing and grade-to-high school teachers when I was really young reinforced by various college influences and experiences of teachers and friends and no doubt the political and social events of that era when older. And grateful for those influences especially now when so many attempts are made to control peoples' thinking for doctrinaire and/or political reasons.
I am enthralled with the gritty details of the reality of daily life as much as a pretty picture. Why we second guess sharing - maybe because social media seems to be a contest for the beautiful - I do it too. Thanks for sharing, it empowers others with a documentary eye.
The doubts come from life's early days when friends and family didn't understand how I thought and the concerns I had about the things that were around us. I had come to understand that I didn't need their validation about creativity. They just lacked the level of curiosity I had. Yes, empowered with the curiosity of the human condition.
I appreciate that. The memories of high school lockers and bicycle chain locks are what made me further think about the creative mind that pieced them together.
Yes! Now I don’t feel so weird about all my photos of trash bins. Thanks for writing about how I feel when it comes to “travel photography”. Sure, there are the landmarks. But the real interest lies where the local residents live. The good, bad, and ugly of it all.
Thanks for adding your thoughts to this conversation. That squeaky wheel might get all the attention, but it's that purring engine that makes it all move forward through time.
Good post! (Sorry I don't have anything to add, just wanted to say that)
No worries Kevin,
Just leaving your message of acknowledgment is so worth it.
Cheers!
Kenneth: An interesting view of disheveled things catching your eye and image-ination here. I also focus on what I would call local disparities in cities including graffiti in what I think of as being in odd places or somehow dressed up trash. Though I have never thought about the reasons for my fixation or felt a need to justify it because I figured it was just me. Your photo of the bicycle and other broken things piled up against a pole had me thinking Oh Dada! before I read the rest of your essay. Maybe if that connection resonates with you it will give you something else to think about as you prowl the city. It certainly does for me.
Thanks Marian,
I see DaDa now that you mentioned it 🤭 I enjoy off-beat stuff. Things that throw people off kilter. I guess it can be some from of anti-conformity of a sort. If most go left I either go right or backwards. These un-beautiful are actually quite beautiful. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Cheers!
Totally agree about off-beat Kenneth. For me probably some from a lifelong lean toward nonconformity as a "child" of the 60s which satisfies wanting to think at least somewhat independently and wanting to go my own way. Now wondering how much a result of family upbringing and grade-to-high school teachers when I was really young reinforced by various college influences and experiences of teachers and friends and no doubt the political and social events of that era when older. And grateful for those influences especially now when so many attempts are made to control peoples' thinking for doctrinaire and/or political reasons.
I am enthralled with the gritty details of the reality of daily life as much as a pretty picture. Why we second guess sharing - maybe because social media seems to be a contest for the beautiful - I do it too. Thanks for sharing, it empowers others with a documentary eye.
HI Paul,
The doubts come from life's early days when friends and family didn't understand how I thought and the concerns I had about the things that were around us. I had come to understand that I didn't need their validation about creativity. They just lacked the level of curiosity I had. Yes, empowered with the curiosity of the human condition.
Cheers!
Understood - I still get that lol, the lack of understanding. I usually tell them not to try so hard!
Kenneth, that last picture is sweet!
Hi Darin,
I appreciate that. The memories of high school lockers and bicycle chain locks are what made me further think about the creative mind that pieced them together.
Cheers!
Yes! Now I don’t feel so weird about all my photos of trash bins. Thanks for writing about how I feel when it comes to “travel photography”. Sure, there are the landmarks. But the real interest lies where the local residents live. The good, bad, and ugly of it all.
And remember trash provides lots of important information for anthropologists about many aspects of ancient humana and their societies..
HI Eric,
Thanks for adding your thoughts to this conversation. That squeaky wheel might get all the attention, but it's that purring engine that makes it all move forward through time.
Cheers to having kindred spirits!