Thug Life

Julie, your mention of the cross is interesting especially as it relates to so-called subjective readings of photos where

anything and everything is allowed. This also relates to what Michael Linder brought up last week.

 

A burning cross in other contexts represents reprehensible things. Here, the cross, while it can be seen either as a cross

or as part of a wooden structure dislodged from a bigger picture, does not carry that reprehensible KKK association.

Someone might be emotionally moved, making the association upon seeing this photo, to the KKK's burning of crosses.

But here's where some objectivity has to sneak into the picture.

 

While I wouldn't minimize someone's genuine reaction based on their association to the KKK's burning crosses, I would

differentiate that reaction from a reading of this photo. There seems very little ground for a case to be made to see the

emotions of KKK crosses depicted or referenced in this picture. At the same time, I would acknowledge that someone

would be entitled to react emotionally based on their own gut association. But I think it's important to distinguish between

these things, a reaction based on personal association and one based on a fair reading of the photo itself.

It's funny you mention KKK: I wasn't thinking of that at all until (before my previous post) I was Google Image searching burning cross in hopes of turning up the final scene from Bresson's Joan of Arc (film). Up came all kinds of KKK pictures (but no Bresson).

What I get from these bits and pieces I pull out of the details is the kind of germinal nudge that poets love to play with — why they choose one word and not another is because the one includes a slant toward some other flavor or way of thinking. They don't actually go there, but they inject it into your thoughts, whether you fully notice it or not. That particular word is pregnant with other bacteria. Just so, for me, is the (accidental) cross or the bestial shapes of the stuff left and right. It's not there but it is there. And you do see it.

You are right, Julie, the cross is there. I think I need to broaden my cropping in order to include it.
I like very much your reference to poetry and and words with slants. Chinese poetry is almost only made by words with slants because of the calligraphic images. Good image, if I my say so.

Just to clarify a few things. Firstly the boy is my son and secondly the title was therefore a joke as I know that my son is not a thug but could be perceived as one by someone else, especially as Halloween is a night which some people use as an excuse to carry out antisocial behaviour. No wonder the fire brigade pray for rain this time every year.
For anyone interested in seeing the colour version - http://skramshots.com/blog.html
Mark S.

Mark, the color version is very powerful. Monochrome is nice but not as evocative of the moment. And is a good example of silhouette in an action pose. The youth against the raging plasma of a bonfire. which also gives reminiscences of camp fires at night. I like it. It tells a story that is almost primal. And I am not at all put off by a title as others may be. I flick by the title just as if it were ORF 345001 or some numerals like that. This is one that has the sharp contrast I am drawn to and is no more or less than what it depicts. Which, though lacking in obscurity or, if you will, mystery, it strikes a chord. A magic in a simple statement that I can still relate to. I do not at first glance see menace, but illumination.Good job.

Excellent light and silhouette.

Very impressive photo

excellent work