A Belated Happy Birthday, for Harry (goodoleboy) by anahata.c
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Description
4 postworked sunrises, Lake Michigan. In the year since my last Harry-dedi (gallery here), Harry's reaffirmed, day after day, that the photograph is in front of our eyes, that photography isn't just about the one-of-a-kind shot we all seek---which Harry's given us many times---but of the sights right beneath our noses. A teacher once said that the true photographer recognizes poetry where we stand: Weston did it with green peppers, Feininger with mere El shadows, Walker Evans with his astonishing studies of Depression-Era faces, all unknown yet trenchantly human. Because while they sought the Grand---yes---their Yosemites & Eiffel Towers were often in their very homes, that it was their eye that made the photo, not just the sight. "There's a Yosemite in your backyard," said out teacher: "Do you want to find it?" We all know Harry's sumptuous flowers or sweeping waterscapes, or those one-of-a-kind car shoots or those glowering cloud-covers in LA...but we also see his celebration of light-play on fences, shadows cast on sidewalks (what a delightful series that was!) or those I-Dare-You glares of a neighborhood cat for whom photographers are a big fat yawn...Again, Edward Weston found the Shot in a green pepper: Why any less in a leaf's shadow? If you look closely at his event-montages (the Memorial Day Parades, Renaissance fairs, etc), you'll see friends, lovers or spouses looking-away like they'd rather be anywhere else; or a wildly involved onlooker whose dog is delightfully distracted; or those deeply touching moments when an old veteran drags himself into a parade---though he can barely walk---to pay homage to his fallen comrades. These are Harry-moments, little snapshots of the human condition that he picks up with the ease of a photojournalist...they're throughout his gallery, right alongside everything else. If I were voting, you'd be in Gallery of the Month Harry, because you've taught me a world about what it means to carry a camera, and about respect for seeing. Why, then, did I post 4 sunrises---after all this talk of "day to day"? Well one, I'm not very good at day-to-day, lol; and two, because sunrises are my neighborhood, and what better offering could I make? You just passed 1600 shots (!), so I wish you thousands more for one of our truly honest, ever exploratory and always inspired & joyous galleries. Happy Birthday Harry & tons of inspiration to you now & always, it's been a genuine joy to be a witness to your world...
Comments (22)
odie
That is the most beautiful dedication I have ever seen. Each stunning photo is presented in an array of vibrant, moody colors. You're showing us the beauty in your neighborhood the same way that Harry would capture his "docile dwelling"! (I favor the pier and seagulls!!) This is set up in true Harry fashion. I would vote our Harry for GOM, too. I think he will love it! Excellent work, Mark.
magnus073
Mark, let me just say you are the true master of dedications around here my friend. This birthday dedi to Harry is outstanding, and it's one of the most colorful and beautiful one's I've ever seen. Sorry to say I don't know Harry, but after viewing this moving dedi his gallery is a must to check out. WHa struck me most was the little Harry moments you described above, and that is what I'm going to look for.
goodoleboy
Oh no, or is it WOWWEE, in response to this utterly overwhelming and dazzling dedication in re my birthday, Mark! It was well worth the wait. I can't get over the stunning photos of the Lake Michigan sunrises, the postwork, and the magenta, red, blue, and other colors so beautifully displayed, abstract style, throughout this amazing collage! Much effort went into this tour de force, and is appreciated far beyond any inadequate or inept words I can conjure up. And, not to be overlooked is your eloquent, poignant and highly researched commentary, that touches my very soul, which, being that I'm basically unsentimental, is a rare occurrence. Thanks figurative tons for this terrific BD dedication, my friend. Incidentally, I still have thousands of other photos depicting the subject matter you mentioned, sitting and vegetating in my files.
MrsRatbag
A wonderfully spot-on snapshot in a paragraph of Harry's work...perfect dedication! And beautiful representation of YOUR work too, with all your signature embroideries on reality. Well done!
auntietk
What a glorious progression! I love the way you've been taking one piece, putting it with another, then adding a third and finally a fourth, showing us each step along the way. It's like going to art school, viewing one of these long pieces of yours, my friend. Stunning work, and a beautiful dedication.
lyron
Fantastic composition. Excellent work and dedication!!!
beachzz
What a wonderful dedi for Harry--you put into words so well exactly how he sees the world. Simple and plain and always full of wonderful things. And the way you've shown your lake, your cold icy world--wow---what a GREAT gift!!
helanker
Mark, I shouldnt have read all the wonderful comments to this fantastic dedication, because I fully agree with every one of them, but now it is so hard to say something original by myself LOL ! Lets see. My first thought was "OHH WOW" !!! Then "OUUCH" and then "AWWWW" and "HUUUUH!" the longer I rolled down to the misty clouds and mix of colors. "GOSH" and then.... I began to speak more Danish. HOLD DA HELT OP, hvor er det smukt. Han er da helt utrolig, den mand. Mark I agree with Dave. Nobody can make dedications like you can.
durleybeachbum
Eloquent and accurate! What struck most about this lovely progression of pics is the terrier tree trying to be scary! Vey funny!
bmac62
Mark, I wish I really knew more of the technical side of music and more musical history...I sense a parallel here between each of your eight gorgeous, scenic views above for Harry and the hipster phrase of the 1940s, "I love your hat, it is so eight-to-the-bar". Or, for this artistic display, I am saying, "I love your presentation, it is so eight-to-the-bar". (first literally, then secondly, metaphorically) Now, if you are saying, "Whaaat...?" ...today lots of folks on RR would say, "This rocks!" But with your eight panelled triptych (btw, aren't there usually a mere three panels in a classical triptych?), you've said enough for a guy alive as long as Harry to comment, while viewing, "Wow, Let's boogie. This dedi is so eight-to-the-bar". I know you've spent hours on this visual masterpiece. I am sure you spent a long time crafting the wonderful written dedi...I just want you to know how much I and everybody else who knows your gallery, appreciate your labors of love. Today, you've done this for goodoleboy, not long ago you have done dedi's for Helle, Corey Black, Sandra, Ana, your father, Martin, Carin, Dave, Andrea, Mina, Koosie, Sumavali, Carl and Gia and in general, all of your friends on RR...(and this is just in the last year). You are playing a symphony without end in your gallery...we all love the light you bring to each of us...keep up the fine work...but HEY, remember to REST too:-))) And that's an order!
morningglory
Stunning collage, beautifully said.
flavia49
fantastic work! fascinating colors and manipulation!
jmb007
superbe travail!
sandra46
SPECTACULAR, GORGEOUS WORK
npauling
This is a wonderful collage of amazing work for Harry. It is a symphony of glorious colour and great photography. I love how you have manipulated the captures to culmanate in the wonderful last image which looks fabulous with its sparkling finish and superb view. Excellent work. I was amused to see in the third image that it looks to me as if the tree has sneezed,lol.
marybelgium
wonderful collage and dedi !
romanceworks
I always enjoy how you combine your vivid colors with the contours and contrasts of the city and nature. I like going to the hustle and bustle of the big city and especially returning to the natural surroundings of where I live. It makes me appreciate both. And as is your way, your dedication to Harry and his Harry-Moments photos was delightful. CC
Chipka
I love the way your works always have this sense of poetic evolution going on in them...there's always the "base shot" that serves as an anchor, and then you show us--step by step--the way it shifts and grows into something that is still essentially itself, but more complex, more interpretive, more jiggly and fun. It's that jiggly-fun thing that really gets me. Things get like that when they're alive and breathing and doing whatever living things to...following the light, or maybe sticking to the shade, changing color or not...it's always so dynamic and your works are always like that. I love that your images seem to always come in multiples...as if you're peeling back layers of an onion, or even flipping pages in a book: one of those illuminated manuscripts of which there is only ever ONE copy. This is brilliant and I particularly like the colors in this little series. I love the fact that they're the sorts of moments that are always right in front of us, regardless of willingness or unwillingness to see them. What a dedication! This is super!
amota99517
This is such a wonderful dedication and in the style that you do so well. Fantastic work!
three_grrr
Sigh .. I love these progressions .. I don't know which is better, your images or your writings. You paint in so beautifully in so many ways, with words, with photos, digitally, and with actual paints!
Marinette
Excellent work and dedication. Andrò a curiosare nella galleria di Harry. :)
myrrhluz
As Dave said, no one masters dedications like you do. This is beautiful. I love your progressions too. When I scroll down (and back up), they interact on a visceral level. Thoughts come into my head. When I scrolled from the first to the second, I thought of the difference between them. The first, a busy world where people lived and worked, communicated and interacted. The second, an empty world, one lone figure with only the gulls for company, walking a solitary path, his mind able to merge with the stillness around him. Looking at the third image, I saw these worlds merge, the busy world interrupting the peace, but the peace entering into the busy world too. When I came to the forth image, I found a comforting truth. However busy and chaotic our lives become, there is a place of light and beauty within, where we can find strength and peace. Thank you for your work. It really works its way in and enriches my thoughts. Beautiful images all, and a wonderful progression. Harry...One of my favorite artists on RR. Your descriptions of him and his work are spot on. I look at the world in new ways because of his work. I take time to notice shadows, look for beauty in the everyday world around me, keep my eye peeled for patterns. His comments are a delight as are his references to his abode (haughty habitat, anachronistic abode, hackneyed haven to mention a few of his most recent.) Renderosity is rich with the flavors of the many and various artists here. What Harry adds to the mix is distinctive and wonderful indeed.