Friday, May 25, 2012

What’s In A Name?


I know that a lot of people name their creative work such as photographs and paintings.  And if you ask them they may or may not have a reason behind why they decide to give every piece they create a title. 
To give you a little insight into why I name my photos I will tell share this little story:

Nine or ten years ago I was having lunch with a friend at a Chinese Restaurant located in a strip mall in a suburb outside Chicago.  After lunch while walking through the parking lot to her car I noticed a bunch of geese, all looking around as if confused, on an island of grass with a sign that said “No Outlet”.  I thought the whole scene was funny so I snapped a picture of it.  When I had the photos developed (yes this was pre digital) I showed them to my dad who asked me, “Do you know what you should call this?, Take a gander.” I liked it and the name stuck.  I blew up the photo and framed it for him and it was the last birthday gift I gave him before he passed away.  

So why do I name all my photos? I do it to honor my dad and to keep him with me.

Below is the photo that started it all.  The scan isn’t great but that doesn’t matter to me.  The thought behind it is what counts. 


 

Where do I come up with the names you ask? Well that depends on what I am feeling when I look at it.  Of course the titles don’t always make sense to other people.  However that isn’t the point.  Sometimes they are obvious but they always make you think. 

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