out the blue

This image is derived from the one taken below. Our family went to the Booth Museum of Western Art a month or so ago. They hold a "no photos" policy that's consistent with the policy of art museums everywhere, especially for exhibits (as opposed to permanent holdings) and new acquisitions. I intended to honor the policy because I generally think it best to respect people's requests, especially when one is in their own home, so to speak. I also know, however, that the purpose of the policy is to maintain the integrity of the art and to control how images of the art are managed to make the art-going experience as unique and attractive as possible. (And obviously to make sure no one else profits from their unique exhibit.) Got it. Sensible and perfectly fair. So I stuffed my camera in my front jeans pocket (creating a look that may well have startled other patrons). I wandered about the museum looking at some perfectly marvelous art, untempted (or minimally tempted) to bust out my camera. But then I saw this shadow of a statue of a cowboy on the wooden floor, and a conversation ensued between an angel and a devil on my shoulders.

And really is it my fault if the angel was a poor rhetorician and lost hands down?

Plus did I mention that there was a shadow involved? How am I supposed to resist that? Really. How?

So I pulled out the camera, kept it waist high and to my side, pointed it in the area of the shadow, and clicked. Then off I went to the restroom to see whether the photo turned out. It did. I was pleased.

And while inside the bathroom, liberated from the law and flush with sin, as it were, I took a few more photos. I'll show you at least one of them another time.

Sounds like all the trappings of a problem, doesn't it? A real problem. An intervention-worthy problem.

But save yourself the trouble. Instead, buy me a new high-octane camera. Preferably one that can be stuffed inside the front pocket of my jeans.

This is the original photo, untouched.


The thing that drives me to madness about this photo is that awful electrical outlet, so I cropped the photo closer it to get rid of that. Below.


This is better, but I was still curious about what the shadow would look like without contextualing or orienting markers. Boom. And you get this below.


I liked this ok, but it wasn't as haunting or as disorienting as what I saw implicit in this shot. I played around with the image some more until I settled on the photo at the top.

Three more things.

1. I imagine, reader, that you won't like the top image most. That's okay. I still love you.

2. The Booth Museum is truly wonderful--and quite remarkable for a small town like Cartersville, GA. Go to it, pay admission, and enjoy the wonderful exhibits and holdings. Refrain from outside-the-bathroom picture taking. Even more importantly, refrain from inside-the-bathroom picture taking.

Okay, a third thing.

3. Fistful of Love by Antony & The Johnsons (with Lou Reed) is an amazing song. Just thought you'd like to know. Currently it's my favorite photo/blogging song.

Oh, and let's throw a fourth in there.

4. The Beatles continue to blow my mind. More on which later. A lot more. Also just thought you'd want to know.

And fifth.

5. Out the Blue is a title of a John Lennon song. Oh, the things you learn on this blog.

Or not.