REAR ENDS I

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I am not fond of making image of the back side of the subject. However in this case it works very well. Nicely done!

Thank you. I do not expect this to garner many raves. Sometimes you just have to buck the tide.

does this mean they will help kids get into the cemetery? And dude, that's a mighty big fax machine. You live in a weird place. I'm telling you, Dave, it's time for you to visit Canada to become normal again. Cheers, Micheal

It is indeed a bigassed fax machine. I'll be up that way one of these days. But I'm not too sure on that part about making me normal.

Nice work (both sides of the alley)...

 

"Its all because of those Gangs"...:) Has anybody ever asked why do we have them... the only logical explanation would be that some people are inherently proned to violence (?!)... Personally... I Disagree...So the questione remains.. WHY ?

 

Sorry, but I react with shiver being subjected to propaganda... and so I shiver most of the time...

 

With pictures like this it does not take long to realize about the "need" for Big Brother.... some things never change... this "sophistication" goes back to 15th cent... Hobbes - Leviathan... "Homo Homini Lupus Est".

Regards to you and to Michael from Canada :)

 

 

(Just in case, I put my helmet on) :)

 

 

Thanks, amigo. These days, we all would do well to keep our helmets on. It is difficult to not have a rather dim view of humanity when we are constantly bombarded with the evidence that we (as a species) are not all that capable of acting in our own self interest. But that is for another forum. Here at Pnet we are doing our best to create our own happier reality. Peace to you my friend.

I don't think this photo captures or fosters a happy reality of any sort and I think it's totally appropriate on photo.net to submit photos that stimulate social and politically challenging thought and engender such discussions. I wish, as a matter of fact, more photos here did that and more people commented substantively as Janusz has. David, your photos are among those that do stimulate us in such ways and the controversiality and unhappy messages that some of them carry are far more relevant than many of the happier and sweeter images.

 

This is an effective photograph, one that also fits in well with your own style. It has that geometric and graphic composition along with a colorful and ironic nature as well as a powerful message that

should . . . should . . . should make all of us think.

 

Yesterday, in Oakland, a young mother with her baby in her arms was killed when bullets came flying through her front door from a gang-related drive-by shooting. Two others were killed. Miraculously, the baby was not injured. While her family mourned, the rest of us watched the Super Bowl.

 

We are spending billions of dollars each month in a war our government chose to start in our name, a government re-elected even after starting this war. Meanwhile, that same government chooses to ignore the fact that our inner cities are overcome by poverty, desperation, failing schools, and inept institutions. Of course, the gangs are to blame for the deaths and violence they cause. But we the people and the government which speaks for us are the greater criminals for feeding the root causes of discontent and violence and for squandering our resources and allowing the situation to grow worse and worse.

 

This, to me, is what a photo like this should be and is about. Otherwise we miss the point.

David, this photo may not garner many 7/7s, but I totally agree with Fred - there should be more photos on PN which stimulate social and political thought and discussion. You are one of the few photographers on this site, whose work might not be 'pretty', but is always challenging and interesting. As for the above, I do hope the 888 number is not a recruitement office. :)

 

I think you know enough about my political and philosophical inclinations to know that I completely agree with you and welcome your comments. I'll admit that when taking this (driving behind the bus and stopped at the light) I did not give it the thought that arises later. But in serious reflection, it does represent a lot more than what we see on the surface. I like to think that I knew that intuitively. If I didn't laugh, I'd have to cry. I do a lot of both.

 

Social commentary has been something I've always liked in photography. While E. Weston was critical in forming my aesthetic sensibilities, I've always been riveted by the likes of Lange, Arbus, Evans, Christenberry, Capa (both) and all of those who not only made (or make) great images, but have something to say about the human condition. If I come even into the same universe as any of those, I'm going to consider myself a raging success.

Thanks. I guess I should have called the number to find out if they answer, "Armed services recruiting center, how may we kill, er, ah I mean 'help' you?"

 

As for ratings, I guess I'm one of those who still think it's fun. I just wish we could know who's doing it because that might result in more fun yet. Probably not.... As for this one, I am amazed that it has not garnered the prized 3/3 the ass end of a bus sitting at a stop light so richly deserves.

The ad is indeed an ironic commentary on the crossing currents in the Land Of The Free. But this picture doeas not rest on a social statement as tempting as it may be to see it as such. It is a fact of life that in today's society social implications can be read into a lot of photos but I don't think this is central to the picture which is primarily compositional with a a kicker. So there's my two cents.

Interesting take. I think it boils down to what the viewer brings to the table combined with what is being served up. One can cover the entire spectrum from, "Oh such pretty colors," to, "I see the eyes of God in the taillights," to finding the meaning of life in the exhaust gas. I guess that's being a bit facetious, but you see what I mean. Then again, I've seen people who could look at a piece of toast and see the Virgin Mary depicted... And I think there is validity in all of those . Fred's portraits are another good example. It is so interesting to see what people read into them based on shadows and eyes and tight facial muscles. So your approach to and reaction from this image is just as valid as anyone else's. Thanks for your thoughts.

David, I find it an interesting picture . Is that a regular city bus line as the Fresno Area Express sticker suggests?

Yes, this is a regular city bus. Actually a bit cleaner than the average. Take care.

Anyone can link gangs and death. It takes an artistic genius to link gangs, modern architecture and space aliens.

Now that pisses me off! I like yours better than mine.

strong message and the story it tells about our society where you have to advertise to convince parents that Gangs are not good for the kids...but scandal are also incredible at the top of society (manager frauding the tax, etc....)....

looked a bit around your portfolio, and stopped here, you are like a prophet at the city gate.

The juxtaposition of the cemetery and the upper barred window...have a strong social presentations. Both are a dead end, especially what the photo represent with its title, The rear end of society.It is a very strong composition that I have already learned to know they are thought provoking,looking at your work.

Thank you both so much. What I really enjoy here is that you folks are from such a different culture, and you still "get" and like the image. That pleases me immensely. And thanks to both of you for digging deeper than the last three images. I'm very appreciative.

Ha ha! The folder title sucked me in. Waiting to see more.

Long time no see. The folder title was made deliberately provocative, in the venal hope that I could draw in that portion of the population that likes their images titillating. And look what I got! LOL But you are more than welcome, and I forsee a bunch more images that will fall into this folder.

I'm looking forward to it. This image I think sends an important message. Is it propaganda? A cynic once said propaganda is anything you don't agree with. The message there is clear: Everything that tries to influence is propaganda of a sort.

 

I've been crazy busy and haven't been able to spend the time on PN looking at images that I absolutely crave to peruse. I'm taking a photography class on top of everything else. The upside is that at least I get to shoot!

well seen! and each bus tells a different story to us.

Maybe because in this very productive period of my life i "sleep" close to my camera... an so driving the car in the traffic of rome i take pictures! I don't know if it is the first step of madness..(and i would like to taken more.. it is impressive on how many photoideas you can catch around) Ciao and thanks of viewing my pictures.! Elena

Yes, I too, keep the camera right next to me as I travel. It has resulted in some good pictures. And thank you for looking.