Alcatraz Ferry, San Francisco Bay

Sam uh, Fred - Somehow the American flag being used in this image to frame Alcatraz is a bit ironic, since prisoners in Alcatraz were given anything but humane treatment. Since the flag is a symbol of those attributes the USA cherishes, such as humane treatment of inmates who are either citizens or residents, you provided a sense of stark irony. [Actually, when I started viewing the image, my very first thought was about the current occupant of the White House, whose name I cannot utter without puking. If it otherwise is suitable to represent the current state of the USA by means of a color association, then grayscale is totally appropriate. Hopefully, one day, DJT will take a tour of Alcatraz, including going into a solitary cell. When I had that experience in the mid 1980's, with my consent, the tour guide, closed the door behind me. When a tour guide, does this demonstration for DJT, hopefully the lock will freeze permanently. Hope you didn't mind me venting my spleen, but it had to come out.] In summary, I find the image quite powerful in its message as well as its appearance.. My best always, michael

Thanks, Michael. I thought the juxtaposition of the two icons in such a perspective was worth capturing and liked the way the lighting on the flag looked in black and white. I think two strong symbols like this together elicit interesting thoughts, reactions, and interpretations. Yours certainly seem apt and I appreciate hearing them. Your kind of response adds some texture to the photo for me. Last time I went over to Alcatraz was for a newly-added night tour. It sure changes at night, when the fog rolls in and the wind picks up. The sounds alone, of creaking in the dark, are enough to haunt you. There’s a lot of story to Alcatraz, mostly already told. The U.S. flag, on the other hand, is a story constantly unfolding, and a scarier and scarier one as the days go by.

One more reason I don't wave the flag: flags can mean anything, or nothing.

 

Fine photo, Fred.

 

Lannie