For Harry (goodoleboy) by anahata.c
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Description
I want to say: Harry's one of our site's masters of flower-photography; one of the masters of opulent car-shots and the many parks, gardens, ponds, etc, that grace his gallery each day: I'm not implying, by my image, that Harry's all about concrete, bridges or roadways. But...he doesn't stop at orchids: He studies everything. He studies form, texture, the sheer vocabulary of light...he studies shadow and its play across surfaces, or the giddy dance of padlocks---yes, padlocks: I've often said his padlock-shots are like street fairs for hunks of metal---or riotous waterworks or the mystery of abandoned lots, or that early morning light which, in his hands, can be so subtle and beautiful: His early-morning ambers run the gamut from reds to golds to violets; and, with them, he finds their tapestries, mini-hills and valleys all wrapped up in a patch of sidewalk, and all punctuated by a simple leaf or crumpled wrapper. Do you see why I call this "courage"? It takes courage to tackle these things day after day, and to know that there's as much poetry in them as in an orchid: That takes resolve, a confidence that the true picture is everywhere...which is why I chose concrete for my image: To say that even a clunky abutment can throw a party for the eye. But mine, you see, is manufactured: Harry's is in the concrete itself. His images are about reverence for seeing, about the dance that's present everywhere: Which is why I regard him as one of our genuinely honest and devoted photographers: Because he's out there every morning, before most of us awake, looking beyond the 'touristy' shots and penetrating what stands before him. He's a photographer's photographer, and I've learned to see so much more, from walking in his gallery, to look beyond 'sunrises' and realize that their pageant is in the piece of ground before me... And don't think I forget his old soldiers walking with their brothers, while barely able to stand---some of his most touching shots---or so many other subjects I've celebrated here before. But when I see what he does with a shack, decrepit and brimming with its ornery poetry; or with a series of neglected garage-doors (minimalists, take note!), or a bench on a corner casting the most wonderful silken shadows, I'm reminded of the old Mies van der Rohe saying, "God is in the details": But let me say it better: Beauty is everywhere---it's just up to us to find it. Harry's photography graces the world with equanimity and love, and teaches that if you commune with what's before you, and teach your eye to see, there won't be a place on earth that won't reveal its dance for you. Well Harry, you've been doing this for several years, and everyday---2300 plus photos worth---you've done it with huge back problems while you shot lying down or backwards or bent over (I wouldn't get up for a week), you've had the courage to tackle subjects that say "go away" to many of us, and coax-out their very poetry the way a musician coaxes poetry from a piece by Bach. In my book, you're one of this site's exemplary photographers, a "Gallery of the Year" artist, to whom I wish a wonderful birthday and many more in the greatest health and inspiration. Thank you for all you do here: You remind us what it is to see. Happy New Year, friend, and lots, lots more! Mark
Comments (19)
lyron
Very cool transformation. Excellent work!!!
durleybeachbum
What a great series!
magnus073
This is a simply outstanding dedication you put together for Harry, and one I'm certain he will enjoy Mark. This cool collage of captures will make his birthday a special one as you put so much thought into each one. I really liked the idea behind it, as well as you're choice of concrete for the theme. It was a clever way to make a point that Harry would be proud of.
morningglory
Did I hear Harry is running for President???? He certainly is a respected member here, and I too admire his passion for photography. His gallery is quite amazing. The third shot here is my fave. I think Harry will be impressed.
flavia49
fantastic works
MrsRatbag
Hear hear! Mark, you have the most wonderful way of seeing through to the heart of things and an awe-inspiring way with words. A wonderful dedication for Harry, a heartfelt homage full of beauty and creativity.
helanker
Mark, this is a really stunning piece of art, you have created here. I love the geometric shapes and how you made the two fences meet exactly at the pole. That is so well seen and gives such a great effect. Beautifully captured and then you have added an orb on the meeting point which gives a special idea of something coming from the distance. It must be the good wishes for the coming year. The next you have split in two and flipped one of them. That gives a fabulous effect too, with the white "road" across them both. Could be another good symbol for no bad rocks on the road ahead. And then comes all the happy stuff with many wonderful colors and more orbs and it all ends with a lovely light and good wishes for Harry. Couldnt be more beautiful than this. Yes, your words for Harry are just as beautiful.
dragonmuse
What a wonderful and in depth dedi. Happy birthday Harry.
alanwilliams
so much going on, beautifully put together
LivingPixels
Lovely dedi mark and a splendid pieceof manipulated imagery!! Excellent!!
alida
great pov and amazing dedi
sandra46
WONDERFUL CREATION!
goodoleboy
I've sat in awe marveling and studying the several variations you applied on this stunning array that you have inspirationally and tediously incorporated into this one image, Mark, just trying to figure out how you did it. Because of the strarkly different colors, lighting and texture, I think you must have worked on each image piecemeal in order to achieve the needed effect from each section. Just fantastic and fabulous work in this birthday dedication, plus the nonpareil narration below in honor of my humble work. Saying thank you for this and your continued support doesn't do justice to what you accomplished in this regard. It is appreciated beyond my limited vocabulary to adequately express it. Hence, thanks again, and hope you're health has improved!
npauling
This is such a beautiful birthday present for Harry, you have really brought this concrete to life with all your work and colour and light. A wonderful collage and a really lovely compliment to him too. I am so glad you are back posting again.
jocko500
you did a good job on a mater artist and his work
bmac62
Fabulous. A work of prodigious proportions. I am sure you've made Harry the best birthday present he's received in years. Happy Birthday Harry!!!
auntietk
Wow! I love the progression, the way you go from one thing to the next to the next. When you do something like this I generally look at it as a whole thing and enjoy the movement. Indeed, I did look at this in that way, and loved every minute of it! However, in this particular sequence I was SO struck by the center panel as a work that stands on its own. That is just fabulous, and deserves special mention. A glorious birthday dedication, beautifully done.
romanceworks
A beautiful dedi to a wonderful photographer. I really like the transitions in this photo series and how diverse and yet connected each is. It's like looking at something to shoot and seeing it in different ways the longer you look at it. Very creative work, Mark.
myrrhluz
This is a terrific dedication, both in words and images to a wonderful photographer. I love the image that you started with. The wonderful lines, textures, and light. I love the geometric shapes, the rough texture of the wood, the patches of light on the walls and pavement, and the dark space at the bottom left. I look at this angular world of concrete and man-made structures, that you have captured, full of empty spaces, and I think of time, of solitude, of mankind's journey across the globe. When I look at the second image, years of reading science fiction come to play, for my first thought was of an empty world after some cataclysmic disaster and a the solitary light of a lone survivor cutting across a vacant land. Not a very cheerful thought, but powerful with the same kind of wondrous weight that I felt reading Stephen Vincent Benet's story 'By the Waters of Babylon.' The third image made me think of worlds of mirrors. Alice peering through the looking glass, my sister and I walking through our house looking at hand mirrors pointing at the ceiling and pretending the ceiling was the floor (you had to be there). Ceilings become floors and everything this e same, but different. In this mirror world, the different realities have mixed. The word 'only' has been fenced in in one reality and thrown carelessly against the railing in the other. The fourth image is glorious! I see a tall prison on the left with ghostly faces haunting its walls. On the lower right is a world of shadows and wet pavement. I like the way the vertical lines of the windows and railings seem reflected in the wet road and separate from the railings in the inner circle. I like the way the different sections both differentiate and merge with each other. I also like the soft watercolor effects in the top right section and inside the circle. The last image is a celebration. There is a joy of motion and an exuberance of color and light. The top right corner looks like a sky dancing with the sheer joy of being. I like the pastel layering of colors, the vivid reds and yellows, and the deep black and blazing white. It is a wonderful image of variety, which is a prefect place to place the greeting for Harry, the master of seeing the beauty and variety in our world. Fantastic series! Like always, it was a joy to linger awhile.