I spent all day yesterday bowling and playing pool and just generally pouring as much beer in my mouth as I could, and today I was off and wanted to scare up a few decent Polaroids. Nothing turned out good, but I always love driving around and Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio was on the XM and that’s good enough for me.
Part of it, I must admit, is the fact that I love the idea of having something new to post.
I’ve wanted some photos of the stadium forever, but I’d botched sunset and it was really dark outside, meaning both cameras wouldn’t do too well. Figured I’d drive around by the Farmer’s Market (ret.) and see if there was anything of note, when I spotted a decently-lit tractor trailer and thought it had a pretty nice angle and so
No. No, that is terrible. If I hadn’t told you it was an 18-wheeler you might not have even known. I’ve got a method when I’m out taking photos, though: I use a recently-opened film package as a little holder and take a shot or two and then throw them in the bucket and keep driving, no fair peeking (although sometimes I do). That way I won’t even know if I’m on a jinx run and nothing’s turning out.
Down the way a bit, hang a right, and wallah! I never catch Walker’s at night with the right camera (Blurrr) and their neon on. I hop out and promise myself I can only take two, since there’s only 3 exposures left and what if I see something cool and I’m out OMG OMG &tc.
Too blurry; horrifically bright streetlight sneaking in upper-left; meh.
Better, but the angle is still harsh, partly necessitated by the need to carefully position the sign out of the overpowering light of State Street and the neighboring buildings. And I’ve taken what seems like endless blurry night-time Polaroids of stuff in Jackson and it just feels lazy tonight.
Hop back in the car and take I-55 South and get off at Pearl and go to the extraordinarily beautiful, crumbling art deco monument that is the Naval Reserve Center.
Why did I even take this picture? Did I suddenly think that doors were awesome? I do like the color.
A little bit more interesting, showing the cresting arches and intricate grillwork, but this looks like it was taken in a black hole. It is super-dark out tonight.
Still thinking that my every button-press is creating sheer genius, I get all excited driving past the fairgrounds, because the gate’s open, and I’ve been wanting to get the stunning art deco “LIVESTOCK” sign on film and . . .
ARGH. This one really hurts. I made a huge mistake at this point in looking at all the other photos from the night, and seeing that they all sucked, and that these didn’t turn out at all. I burn my last blurry exposure inside the forum:
The only thing I like here is the way the gate is framed. Why did I think I needed a photo of a giant stable? I’m scared of horses, for God’s sake. I should just stick to weird little things, like that cool free-standing bathroom with the . . .
OH COME ON. You’ve got to be kidding me. I cannot believe that I just made myself nine brand-new coasters. Bah!!
I’ve made Polaroids my dominant method of expression for roughly a year now, and I really do love the way it makes me think, contemplating angles, light, timing—and when something turns out well, it’s almost never how I wanted it to be—it’s like I guess at what might look cool and the camera gives me something wonderful.
Wah keeps pushing me to work with the physical output—to alter or interact with the Polaroids in some way, and my favorite things have been a product of that pursuit. One of my favorite things in forever was She Gives Me Her Cheek When I Want Her Lips—and that was a throwaway photo of my door, done to check light levels as much as anything. But coupling that blank, locked door with heartbreak and thread made something new.
Which is why I never throw away any of these things, no matter how terrible—I’ve even just chopped some up before and Frankensteined them together in frustration, like Living with War. So even on days that seem jinxed I’m hopeful that a few months from now I’ll see that fading blue arch and think it looks just like an ear for this giant lady with a . . .
As always, if you want any of these, drop me a line: maybe it will just take stamping your name on it or slapping a stamp on it to make it good.
If you didn’t say they were bad, people would leave comments that said “these are amazing.” However, I do think that the Walker’s ones aren’t bad at all! And the shot of the doors is cool—it’s just that you know what the rest of the building looks like.
I can’t tell if Sally is praising those photos or accusing us of sycophancy. (I suspect the former).
I do like the 181 in the doors shot—makes the whole thing a little mysterious.
What’s interesting is that the doors shot from the Naval Reserve Center still has a military feel to me, even if you wouldn’t have mentioned the context. They remind me of sailors lined up on the dock, listening to a rousing speech from the submarine captain, all the while waiting to say “Hoo! Rah!” or whatever it is that sailors say.
I like the photos a lot. I’ve always admired the livestock lettering at the fairgrounds. The old Armory there is a really neat building, too. I once went inside and poked around.
I’m also a XM - Bob Dyaln theme time radio fan. A few months ago they were giving away CDs at Borders of an episode of baseball songs – a big hit (!) in our family.
Oh, and where’s the justice? Where’s the sense?
Yes! A Richard and Linda fan! I love that song, and it was playing in the background as I typed this up . . .
I think the last one is phenomenal and would love to add it to my refrigerator’s ‘Gorjus Gallery’.
doorways ARE awesome!
i found one of your polaroids in the back of the van yesterday, evidently from our saturday thrifty expedition. it’s of the Kyoto sign. i didn’t even realize you had taken any. it’s going on the wall in my bathroom.
Is the “Yes We’re Open” “Sorry We’re Closed” at the defunct gas station still available to one who would greatly appreciate?
Jaysus, I totally left that so the Giant could toss it . . . it’s all white-d out . . . Reg, I may have to go make a couple more of that particular shot. I love it too much!