Store window in Bryson City ... the signs are for concealed handgun classes, a gospel group, a turkey shoot to support troops in Iraq, etc....

Bill, this is a terrific image and a great subject. I think you may be overdoing the red in some of the shots in this folder. I would prefer a more straight-forward documnetary style for some of these. Just one subjective view, and I only mention it because I think that what you are doing is really worth it. Thanks. GB

Thanks for your kind words, Graham. You may be right about the red. I'll have to think about it for awhile. I didn't really set out to do this. I noticed I had some pictures that kind of went together because I am attractd to photographing these things so I made the red state collage. Then, I looked to see what else I had that would fit. Plus, several of these are actually bad, blurry shots (like the Annapolis one) and this was my attempt to save them and find a creative way to use a technically flawed shot. Now, however, I will be going out specifically to look for some more!

Bill, please do get more. The subject is very interesting and you have a sharp eye for it.

A window of a country store just south of the Smoky Mountains park

This is a great idea but the photo itself is too busy. It would have worked much better at a different angle, highlighting the "united we stand" sticker, and eliminating the right hand portion of the window, which doesn't really provide much. Straight ahead doesn't do much for me.

You're probably right and maybe I will try again one day, but it wasn't a place I felt too comfortable in! I shot one pic with the camera at waist level and moved the hell on!

Frankly, Bill, IMHO, you have it just right as is.

Hi Bill. Thanks for commenting on my photo.

I chose this one because is one of your recent ones.

This is a great document of the "duality" of contemporary american thinking. You have the corporations, the goverment propaganda, the religious, the sports, the violence and the real estate... poor turkeys always get the short end of the stick dough...Its cluttery and so it is good.

Tonality is very good, lots of grays, blacks and whites and the touch of the red and yellow makes it very interesting. Somehow there is a graphic balance in all of this.

 

 

peace

Thanks David ... That's exactly what attracted me about it. A "turkey shoot" to support the troops? What's next? Don't miss the NASCAR number (Dale jr. of course) and the bluegrass music. I don't think it's a great picture, but it does excapsulate a whole culture in one window. Now, I'd like to go back and shoot it once every two months or so and see if something interesting comes of it ...

Also, you can't get it from this picture, but the concealed handgun class will be held at a restaraunt with the ten commandments posted in front of it ... irony is not big around here.

Bill, that would be a great project, to go back there regularly and document the sentiments.

 

 

peace

Bill, this is a powerful and scary image. I don't think it's too cluttered; that's part of the impact. I like the apparent layering of the notices and their varying degrees of prominence within the "collage". There's lots I'd like to say but will stay out of the minefield. I can imagine your culture shock.

I'm bothered by the fact that people require training on concealing handguns.

You have a great idea going here, I'll keep watching.

I'm bothered by the fact that people feel the need for it. I see a lot of ID's where I work and many of them are concealed carry licenses from people you'd never suspect were armed. Are people that afraid? BTW, I beleive the class is a mandatory requirement in order to receive a concealed carry license.