Daniel Greene

Tag: photos

  • You’ve Been Served



    You’ve Been Served
    Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene.

    For some, this is an eviction notice.

    One thing I’m beginning to realize I need to work on is taking photos with iconicity, photos that are clearly pictures of something. I think if people can’t tell what a photo is of from a one-inch-square thumbnail (as shown on Flickr in a person’s photostream ribbon or in the “Photos from your Contacts” and/or “Everyone’s Photos” strips on the Flickr home page), then they won’t click and view the image.

    And yet there are photos worth looking at that don’t look like anything in a 72×72 pixel thumbnail. Or are there? Perhaps the test of a good photo is its iconicity, or its ability to convey a compelling message even in a one-inch-square icon. If that is true, then my challenge is to tell stories like this one is a more photogenic way. Perhaps if I had squatted down and taken the photo from an angle looking across the Official Notice from the bottom-right corner to the Tickle Me Elmo doll in the upper-left corner? Maybe that would have been a more visually compelling and easy-to-read ironic juxtaposition. To borrow a stage term, this image just doesn’t “read” from the “back of the house.” Just as one wants a “stage picture” to be dramatic even when seen from the last row of the audience, a photo should be compelling even when viewed in a one-inch-square thumbnail.

    Am I wrong? What do you think?

  • Introducing Lady



    Introducing Lady
    Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene.

    We have a new family member: Lady. We’ve already known her for more than a year now. She’s our neighbor lady’s dog, and our neighbor decided she just can’t keep up with her anymore. Buxley already fell in love with her when they first met. Adopting her feels like the most natural thing to do since J.J. died and our neighbor wants to put Lady in a new home!

  • Remembering J.J.



    Remembering J.J.
    Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene.

    Andy lit candles and laid J.J.’s collar and leash on the table. I wrapped the collar and leash around the candle and took this photo to complete the artistic expression of our loss.

    J.J. suffered several seizures in early December but rallied after taking medications for a couple of weeks. After a few weeks of seemingly good health, he suddenly took a turn for the worse. His hind legs gave out and he became incontinent. He started trembling and chattering his teeth. After a week of this, we made the decision to put him down.

    I’ve never loved a dog so much, or felt so loved by a dog. He took to me right away when I started dating his daddy (my partner, Andy), and we had many great times together for almost five years. He had a good life, was loved, and will be missed. Thank you, J.J.!

  • Typography, Typography Everywhere

    I noticed an interesting use of underlining at the gas pump today. I learned, when studying typography, that underlining is mostly a relic of the typewriter, which was incapable of emphasizing text with italic or bold typefaces, and that other means of emphasis are more aesthetically pleasing.

    One problem with underlining words as a way of underscoring their importance is that the underlines interfere with the descenders– those “tails” of letters that descend below the baseline as in the lowercase letters g, j, p, q, and y. I once read that a proper underline breaks at the descenders to allow them to descend without interference.

    I am happy to report that the typesetter of this sign knew well enough to underscore only the “round” of the word “ground” and let the descender of the lowercase g hang down without the interference of the underline.

    You just never know where you’ll see an example of proficient typography! Er… typography! Yeah, that’s better.

  • Thank you, Veterans!



    Thank you, Veterans!
    Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene.

    Regardless of whether or not I approve of the current Administration or the current war, I still respect and thank our troops, both past and present, for their service to our country. The same goes to our allies.

    I actually went to my college interpreting job this morning and didn’t realize until I saw the empty parking lot that there was no school today. I had forgotten it was Veterans Day. On the way home, I decided I had to do something to honor veterans. Taking and posting a photograph, writing and posting this short note– these are little things, but these little remembrances are better than nothing.

    I would like to see a world without war, but in the meantime, I accept the reality of war and I take this moment to remember those who fight in wars– heck, even our enemies (especially the innocent bystanders who lose both lives and loved ones). May we all forgive and be forgiven, and may we please find a way to lasting peace!

    Tech note: I used a Speedlight 430 EX to make the flag in the foreground (which was in the shade) stand out against the flag in the background (which was mostly in the sun).