Lime Cafe Photo Revelations.
When I travel, I tend to spend a lot of time inside my head, reflecting on the many themes that stitch together my life's panorama. Lately, the word "multiplicity" keeps coming to mind. It started last week when after a long day at work, I rushed home to change clothes, only to turn around to head back into the city with Natasha for a concert. At the time, I was half complaining/half joking about having to rush home to 'change uniforms'. Like going from my day job to my night job. Like going from one world to another.
When I was comparing these photos, I found that they represented the duality of my life experience quite well. In the upper photo, I was determined to capture the observation of a cafe across the street through indirect reflection. In the lower photo, the observation seems almost clinical, safe, and general. Both angles where born in my inner eye. Right brain versus left brain. Artist versus Working Man. Outside-the-lines versus inside-the-lines. I own up to both. I am frustrated by both. I am deeply hooked by both. Like keeping two lovers, I feel forever lucky, tired, and on thin ice.
Perhaps my photography is becoming more about a man telling the truth about himself.
Comments
I think the trick is learning to live with your duality and not letting one or the other make you feel inadequate. In my opinion it’s healthy for there to be a bit of both the rock star and the responsible man in khaki’s (figuratively speaking that is because khaki’s are just wrong!). Our parents were raised in a box with not a lot of options presented to them. Women were housewives and if they were lucky, secretaries or teachers. The men were the managers, the engineers and ALWAYS the bread winners. You were considered a radical if you were anything that was outside of the “norm”. Nowadays with options coming out of our arses we SHOULD be demanding more than work, home and church. Believe me. I live in such a sterile, do what is safe, drive that minivan, have a sensible haircut and even more sensible shoes environment and I am sure that people think less of me because I have not assimilated to what society has deemed normal. You HAVE to be who you are rather than who you want to be or you will be miserable. It's hard though finding that middle ground and I know you know that I struggle with this very thing. But look at it this way, doesnt feeling lucky, tired and on thin ice make you feel alive rather than feeling like a dejected shell of a man?
Oh yeah, Devo was just announced for Sunday night at Music Midtown.
Posted by: Douleur Divine | April 8, 2005 12:13 PM
Whatever it takes. Right, brother? Regardless, I love your photography. I find myself falling into it and most of the time wishing where the pictures were taken. Keeping snapping. . . j
Posted by: jill | April 8, 2005 12:48 PM