Photoforum Photography Challenge 2011-9

[Grandpa]

Often an image can be enhanced by the addition of creative prose. This can be a quotation selected to accompany the theme of the photo, poetry, or a simple phrase, or title.

If you select a quotation, be sure to credit the author.



This is a methodology that our own Sue Henry (Suesue) has used extensively and effectively in her work. I encourage you to visit her blog.

Another effective use is greeting cards. I've been doing this for awhile now for special occasions. Believe me, they're received way better than the ones from the drugstore.

Here's one I did after a Florida visit a few years back:

Outside:



Inside:



And upon presenting the card, I get to say, "did you know that Sand Hill Cranes mate for life?"


So - here's your challenge: We're still looking for NEW images, so find a scene to evokes some emotion, or that can be enhanced by the addition of prose. Add it to a frame. Make a greeting card. Add a Haiku under the image. (We've had a fun thread doing just that here.

Then show us your results.

The rules:

1. Only photos taken during the challenge period should be posted.
2. Limit of 2 pictures per post for this topic.
3. Discussion of technique and/or inspiration is encouraged!
4. Remember - this is NOT a contest - no voting, no prizes - other than better photos!

Have fun - take pictures - add some prose!

[Sponsors]

PhotoForum.com is a leading Photography Forum, Registered users do not see these ads. Register, it's free!

[lesifer]

Ok, seeing as how I was a late comer on the last challenge, I'll jump in early on this one..
This is a shot I caught at a recent wedding I did.

[yorkshireman]

Dane what a great challenge - just hope I can get the opportunity to take something for this. I'll get my thinking cap on.

[ChicagoJohn]

I like this idea, Grandpa. Perhaps you could say a little more about what is and is not Haiku (ó句)

While it's your thread, of course, Grandpa, and while I very much like the idea of combining language and images to the mutual advantage of both (almost to the extent that I thought of it independently ,

the question of what Haiku is arises for folks, like me, who may be contemplating participation here.

My advice would be as follows as to what constitutes a haiku: While in the original Japanese, the constraint of syllable number to 5, 7, and 5 was rigorous, each being a prime number, divisible only by itself and 1, and the sum, 17 also being a prime number, I personally believe that for non-Japanese speakers this can be dispensed with, just as sometimes one can end a proposition with a preposition... as I just almost did; and it will still make sense to English speaker, I hope. (I have imagined the origin of this process in which a number of zen monks were sitting around drinking saki and one monk proposes 3 5 3, again three prime numbers adding up to another prime number, 11, but none ofther monks could think of a haiku with that structure. Maybe that group ended it there and then another group gave us the 5 7 5 morphology. )

So the main requirements I personally would impose on verse that is described as Haiku would be first that it has to do with nature and preferably with the four seasons and changes therein. Secondly, as you alluded to, it should involve emotional response, and I would judge it based upon the depth of that emotion and appropriateness to the context set by the lines. Then, in keeping with tradition, it should be three lines. These should be in the form of an introduction, a statment, and then a conclusion, but that isn't absolute. Ideally, in the Japanese language, these three lines would be five, seven, and five syllables, respectively, but, as noted, that isn't all that important as translations of Haiku demonstrate.

But I do think that some form of retraint and stricture is important to Haiku. That will force the mind to search for an answer to a linguistic problem which it would perhaps otherwise merely blurt out in wild prose. To see examples of the results of unbridled verbage, just look at any of the many posts I've made in these threads and especially in the souvenir spoon one. That's what can happen when the gates of heck open and the mind is allowed to run wild like a bull in a china closet.

Realizing you didn't ask me to, Grandpa, that would be my crack at answering my own question.

[ChicagoJohn]

here is my image and greeting card. my haiku follows that.


unidentified closonee spoon by ChicagoJohn, on Flickr

"I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Traveling, traveling, traveling
Looking for something, what can it be

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Looking for the key to set me free

I want to have fun, I want to shine like the sun
I want to be the one that you want to see
I want to knit you a sweater
Want to write you a love letter
I want to make you feel better
I want to make you feel free
I want to make you feel free"

A few too many syllables, perhaps, here and there, but this Joni Mitchell song pretty much says it for me insofar as Haiku is concerned.

[suesue]

Today's blog post:



"Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend." — Albert Camus

[suesue]

A sneak peek of tomorrow's blog post:



"The dew of compassion is a tear."
Lord Byron

[yorkshireman]

Sue those are amazing , the sunflower has amazing colour and definitely Hallmark quality.

[Grandpa]

That's what can happen when the gates of heck open and the mind is allowed to run wild like a bull in a china closet.

Realizing you didn't ask me to, Grandpa, that would be my crack at answering my own question.

Thanks for the thought, CJ. Plenty to ponder.

Nice effort, Les. A poignant moment.

Sue - thanks for the contributions. I knew you'd have some shining examples!

[kbColorado]

can't we all just get along