We Want…IN-for-MA-tion!
In the dim recesses of my mind there’s the memory of a Joan Collins made-for-TV movie that was every bit as bad as the proper noun promises. I’m judging the whole thing by the one scene I saw: it began with a classic establishing shot of the Eiffel Tower and then, helpfully, a caption faded in.
“PARIS.”
Yeah. I know.
Still — and here I’m gamely searching for something nice to say — it leaves absolutely no doubt as to where we are. In travel and tourist photography, that’s often pretty important.
Mind you, I’m not saying that Ansel Adams’ classic photos of Half Dome would have been better if he’d managed to frame it so that a “Welcome To Yellowstone…Please Dispose Of Litter Thoughtfully” trash barrel had been in the foreground somewhere. Heaven forfend.
But sometimes, it’s completely appropriate. It’s information that the viewer wants to have, whether it’s conveyed as explicitly as a street sign or as subtly as the type of bus in the background. Choose a slightly more thoughtful angle, and it’s no longer “a photo of two women having coffee at any coffeeshop anywhere in the world” but “…in London, somewhere in Soho.”
This delectable cut of beef had already been well-documented by the time I finally picked up my knife and prepared to dig in (like Ted Nugent, I believe that there’s a moral imperative to shooting everything you eat). When I spotted the name of the restaurant on the heel of the blade, I knew I’d be putting down the knife and picking up the camera again. It’s more information!
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As the person sitting next to Andy while he was photographing this knife, I was very impressed at his ability to postpone the good part – eating it. I on the other hand was halfway finished before Andy had the first bite – but then again, I have no pictures of my plate either :)
As the person sitting next to Andy while he was photographing this knife, I was very impressed at his ability to postpone the good part – eating it. I on the other hand was halfway finished before Andy had the first bite – but then again, I have no pictures of my plate either :)
Half Dome…. Yellowstone???
Half Dome…. Yellowstone???
At least that’s better than a shot of the Eiffel Tower, and a super that says: “Paris, France”.
At least that’s better than a shot of the Eiffel Tower, and a super that says: “Paris, France”.
Yeah, right, but you get the point I guess ;)
Google:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm
OK, I read this article a few times.
Is the article trying to say that pictures of ordinary objects are improved by including information that provides context?
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm
I agree with Dan’s comment. It would look bad it if had said Paris or France. It would have been real cheesy.
http://www.anthonybaileyphotography.com
I agree with Dan’s comment. It would look bad it if had said Paris or France. It would have been real cheesy.
http://www.anthonybaileyphotography.com
I liked your writing before Andy, after seeing the giant slab of meat on your plate and the fully loaded baked potato in the background I like ya even more!
All I see is a Damn fine looking baked potato…
Is that a whole layer of bacon bits ?
Ummm.
All I see is a Damn fine looking baked potato…
Is that a whole layer of bacon bits ?
Ummm.
Was that prepared rare or medium-rare?
Was that prepared rare or medium-rare?
I agree totally but I would take this one step forward. I have done a lot of traveling with my new camera in 2008 and have a total of over 10,000 for that year. I include a picture of a sign, garbage can, or map, etc… where ever I go so that later when I review a series of photographs I can answer the question “Was that Paris France or Paris Texas?”
I cannot wait until I have a decent GPS set up to do away with this need. I have discovered a side benefit. I do end up photographing a lot of signs with information on them or scientific name of a tree or aboriginal name or just information I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. So that I can read them later. It keeps me from having to write things down and correlate them later with the photo
… and not a vegetable in sight. How apologetically American.
… and not a vegetable in sight. How apologetically American.
Never mind rare – that slab looks raw to me! I like mine shot AND cooked :-)
Oh man, they must have cooked that by only showing it a photo of an oven. :eek:
:D
That could pass as a factor 15 sun tan! ;-)
When I was traveling across country I would take a photo of a license plate in each new state to identify the following series of photos. Not particularly clever but very effective. Thank God for GPS. When they come down in price I plan to get one. Great blog, Andy. Keep them coming!
When I was traveling across country I would take a photo of a license plate in each new state to identify the following series of photos. Not particularly clever but very effective. Thank God for GPS. When they come down in price I plan to get one. Great blog, Andy. Keep them coming!
I don’t mind if my steak if rare, I like it that way, but I was in Yellowstone last summer, and I must have totally missed Half Dome. When did they move it?
Anyone have the GPS coordinates of the House of Prime Rib in San Francisco?
I’m so hungry! ;)
They probably placed their name on the knife was due to increase of theft. My cousin in the Azores has an espresso dish which reads right on the outer part of the cup plate “Stolen from restuarant xxx”. Can’t stop the thefts so why not at least advertise them.
They probably placed their name on the knife was due to increase of theft. My cousin in the Azores has an espresso dish which reads right on the outer part of the cup plate “Stolen from restuarant xxx”. Can’t stop the thefts so why not at least advertise them.
A Yellowstone sign would have been especially bad because Half Dome is NOT in Yellowstone.