Well put, Bob.
-- Walt
On 6/13/2012 12:44 PM, Bob W wrote:
it's because they show some sort of conflict or struggle, and that's the
stuff of drama. Whether it ends as the hero triumphs over adversity, or ends
as tragedy, or comedy, or just noir, well that's what keeps us hooked, but
you sure don't get blockbuster stories, myths, theatre, movies, whatever out
of Polly Anna skipping uneventfully through the tulips to Dingly Dell to
kiss her grandmother. There has to be a forest with a wolf.
B
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
Walt Gilbert
Thanks, Bob -- and I understand exactly what you mean. In a sense, I
guess it was that same question that made me reluctant to post the
photos at the time I took them. I suppose one of the reasons we're
drawn to them is the fact that they're harder to shoot on an emotional
level.
Also, there's an inherent story in images of that type -- man vs.
himself.
Life-affirming images are often dismissed as schlock -- perhaps too
often. I'm not sure if that's just human nature, or if it has something
to do with post-modernism, nihilism, deconstructionism, or what-have-
you. But, for whatever reason, images that depict suffering, decay,
etc. seem more compelling. Maybe it's because of the man vs. man, man
vs. nature, man vs. himself storylines contained within those images.
-- Walt
On 6/13/2012 8:42 AM, Bob Sullivan wrote:
Walt,
A sad comment on the human condition.
I wonder why we are drawn to such images.
I wish I could find as intense interest in more life affriming
images,
something more than 'Life sucks and then you die.'
(And this is not a criticism of you Walt or the photo.) Regards, Bob
S.
On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 7:53 AM, Walt Gilbert<[email protected]>
wrote:
Thanks for the input, Peter.
The only real clue in the first photo was the fact that he was
lighting a cigarette that was already lit -- something that wouldn't
stand out unless you'd been there at the time. I actually made that
cigarette for him, as he had tobacco and cigarette tubes and one of
those hand-held stuffers, but was too drunk to do it himself.
I think that's part of the carefree sense you picked up on -- the
fact that he was glad to finally have a cigarette to smoke.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. And you're right -- Tommy
was right where he wanted to be at the moment: At home with a
half-gallon of cheap whiskey, a couple of friends, and a small pile
of smokes to get him through the night.
-- Walt
On 6/13/2012 7:31 AM, Peter Loveday wrote:
Brilliant photo.
I know others have said that it shows how he is drinking himself to
death, but to me.. well, I don't see that. Maybe the second one
you
posted makes that point more so (for me).
Anyway, this, aside from the beautiful rendering, shows a character
- larrikin, one of the boys, yob, whatever you want to call it.
I feel a sense of carefree, happy go lucky, freedom to the image.
And I guess that's where drinking takes us.
In any case, beautiful photo, of an interesting subject - for me,
not so much sad, but representative of someone who's where he wants
to be.
YMMV.
- Peter
Once again, I captured the last image ever someone I knew -- in
this case, a guy named Tommy Pool. He used to frequent the club
where I tend bar, but a little over a year ago, he applied for a
re-enrollment and he was declined by the membership due to his
inability to control his drinking.
Well, that didn't stop him from drinking himself to death, which
he
a couple of weeks ago. I'd dropped by his place with a friend a
few
weeks prior and he was in his usual condition. I happened to be
carrying my camera that night and decided to pop off a few shots.
This was the last one of the bunch:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/walt_gilbert/7181169897/
K-x, A50/1.7, f/2.2, ISO 3200, 1/125
Comments are, as always, welcome.
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