Every great once in a while, I know why I've taken up photography as a hobby. I took this photo a few months ago (in late May) and have wanted to post it ever since but couldn't do so because I also wanted to keep it my own.
My wife once asked whether Tchaikovsky was saddened by connecting his "Pas de Deux" with the Nutcracker Suite. Her point, which I used to tease her about, was something like this: he can present it only once to the world, and once written it stands as a standard by which his other works are compared. To borrow my father-in-law's vernacular, I think Juli wondered whether old Petey T. feared he had "peaked too early."
I don't want to take this too far (too late), but I do quite like this photo. I knew as soon as I took it (before I took it, actually) that it somehow fit me. Fundamentally. It captures some of what I strive to capture in my photography--and that is to express how I view the world. I didn't dare alter it--so it's presented here in its original form, imperfections and all.
My buddy Stephen took the photo below of me below on his iPhone when I was taking the photo above. He did so to show me how silly I look taking photos of weird stuff. I quite like this photo, too. Ironically, it nicely reveals how "seeing" is a kind of skill. Because there's not an obvious translation from the little face in the photo below--as seen from Stephen's perspective--to the face above. And it's kind of nice being that translator. I'm very happy doing that translation. It's where I'm most lost in the best sense of the word.
And here is another photo of the scene, much closer. Untouched photo.
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14 comments:
Dear reader, let me explain. My wondering was if Tchaikovsky felt regretful putting that gorgeous movement (one that brings me to near tears because it is so beautiful)in a Christmas piece that I think I read he was not so proud of. Did he wish he had saved it for something with more gravitas?
So Professor Mikey did not understand my point from so many years ago. And now that he does...he is once again disappointed by my lack of depth. I was not anxious for Ts mortality and fleeting time on this earth. I was anxious for his playlist selection.
So sue me. That's how I roll. One of us has to keep the mood in the house out of the bee-riddled, eyeball piercing grave.
Maybe. But who's grumpy now, I wonder?
Not I. (ahem)
First Rwanda, now this...it's been a mood dampening evening. Not that your blog is tragic in the sense of genocide...oh, never mind. Forget I said anything.
Consider it done.
You were saying?
Honestly, I think I like the untouched photo at the bottom best.
Would it be a good compromise if I suggested piping some dear old Petey T into our bee-riddled, eyeball piercing grave?
That is a good compromise. And, you know, it's not like Petey T was free from all dark and maudlin thoughts hisownself.
MB:
Perhaps it would be better to look at the entire enterprise as a constant quest for that next great shot rather than angstily worrying that the most recent best photo is your last?\
Indeed, part of what appeals to me about photography is the quest aspect of it all.
One thing I am sure of: no one called Tchaikovsky "Petey T" to his face.
S
And, BTW, the blog is a testament to the fact that you've got more that 1 in the bag, yes?
But what I really want to know, what would Petey T do about Rwanda?
ST: How would Petey T respond to your several points? Hard to know, hard to know.
But my response is, yes, you're right. It's a quest. And a fun one.
And BTW--my initial comment was supposed to be on the philosophical side and instead I think it read as preachy (sorry about that!).
Oh, and: sinner, repent!
S.T.: 1. i got it; 2. You could have preached if you wanted to; 3. consider me repented.
I think Rwanda might have inspired a symphony out of Petey T. Or maybe just a concerto.
And I think I will be calling him Petey T. forever now.
S-S: Perhaps. But the Overture (as in the Overture of 1812) would likely have a QUITE different feel to it.
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