THE BARBER SHOP

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Based on the health of the potted flowers, I'd have to guess that this place is still open for business. I wonder if they charge less than the $16 I have to pay to get the few hairs on my bald head trimmed. I really love that old wooden barber pole, great shot David.

The barber pole is what attracted me in the first place. I had intended to get a real tight close up, but the barber was sitting just inside the window and eyeing me rather suspiciously. I'm a real coward when it comes to approaching strangers, so I didn't do what I should have, and gone inside and asked if he minded my photographing. I always regret that long after it is too late to remedy it, and, yet, I never seem to change my ways. Anyway, I settled for a shot from further away. My guess is that you or I would not have to pay much to get our bald pates manicured.

well, i vote yes.... great capture. i know what you mean when you talk about being timid in taking photos. at times i overcome it...at times i don't. people's attitudes about photographers has changed in recent years...i think especially since 9/11. some people remain curious when they see a camera move to your eye...some couldn't care less...too many seem suspicious, paranoid, and even scared. i recently had a guy yell at me from the second story window of his business (his living quarters) and asked me "what the hell i was doing" as i was taking photos of his building from a public sidewalk.after a smile and a brief explanation he was o.k...but it was uncomfortable. always is for me. while in asheville, n.c. recently i had a bunch of "Goth" kids all dressed in black leather, tatoos, a zillion body piercings, and a lot of bad attitude...surround me and my wife and announced their expectation that I pay them for taking their photo. irony of it was, that i hadn't even taken their picture. after i told their spokesperson to "bite me"...it kind of escalated a bit,i.e., some mouthing from both sides...but as i hoped,prayed, and expected it went no further. funny thing...later as we were walking on the other side of the street, one of them came running toward me...and thinking i was in for a fight i handed my wife my camera and got in a defensive posture. gladly, the young man began to wave his arms frantically and began a profuse apology for his friend's behavior. THAT was quite refreshing... anyway, didn't mean to write a book...

Dave, To me, this is a real classic.......Jim

John, I admire your willingness to stand up, but I fear it may cause you great bodily injury if you are not careful. These days, there is not a lot of respect for life. Thanks for the comment and sharing your experiences and feelings when taking images.

 

Jim, thanks for looking and leaving a comment. It is much appreciated. Take care.

I hope your road trip is going well and you're getting to see some amazing sights and country. The first thing that drew my eye to this is the perfect harmony of the colors in the brick wall and clay flower pot and the flowers therein. I love the grubby look to the door and window in need of a fresh coat of paint and the unique barber pole. This is one of those situations, if I was there and wanting a picture, where I wish I'd have the courage to go ask the Barber to come pose in front of his business, but alas I too am a coward when it comes to approaching folks, never the less this is a great shot of a slice of Americana that will be all too soon gone. Safe journeys friend.

My informants tell me that you are far from the shrinking wallflower that I am. So, I think you might well have gone in, invited that barber to tea, and shot to your heart's content. Maybe not....

 

Anyway, thanks for the nice comments and good wishes. I'm having a wee of a time. Have been in Des Moines a few days, and will be here until at least the 9th of July. Then, who knows?

actually David...I should have pointed out that my reaction was part anger, part fear. it was a kind of snap reaction to the fact that they got in my face w/ my wife present. it was kind of like we're taught to "make ourselves big" if we ever have a face to face encounter with a bear. you're right...the world is becoming a dangerous place...and you don't have to be on "the wrong side of town"...it can come at Walmart, or a school, or the peaceful streets of a small Southern art community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

is this one of those places where they still use a machete and vaseline for shaving?

Wanna have your hair really short, right down to your neck? Yeah, the pretty flowers in front of the weathered store-front offer a good contrast. Cheers, Micheal

You can bet that the shop is a bit primitive, but I'll bet the down home old boys love to come in, sit around and converse. Maybe there should be more places like this. I don't know.

Very nice. I love the way the flower pot compliments the brick color.