…I have still been thinking about the difference between a photography which “shows” something versus which “suggestions” something. I know that my series Bad Trip – Sad Trip started with me wanting to show something. Thus the images were more documenatry or journalist; here is what I saw. So were the titles.
Over the last year, the series has become much more interputative and I am now trying to suggestion something. Okay, maybe this last part is not always clear to me as to what I am suggesting, but in titling them, describing my emotional reaction to them and why I choose one image over another, I am learning. The series image titles have been an odd collection and inconsistent: show, suggest, describe, suggest, etc. So now I am re-examing my title choices to complement the image, not work against it.
As an example, the image of Brian & Nate made a couple of days ago is going to be renamed Schlechte Reise, which is Deutsch (German) for “Bad Trip”. As I have studied my photographs for this roadside memorial, I am struck by the unique use of the Deutsch iron cross. I realize that there may be many reasons for these symbols, but one of those who were died here has a very German name. So I am going to work with that connection.
These change in naming may work, may not, but at the moment, I think that it is an improvement.
Best regards, Doug
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