Photography and Truth

To Hizbullah With Love!
Originally uploaded by khawaja.

Another stunning photo from Flickr. At first glance, it appears that the children are writing taunting messages to Hezbollah on the missles. But at least one Flickr member has disputed this, saying that this photograph was actually taken at an anti-war rally. The writing on the missles appears to contradict this interpretation, but it makes me think about how slippery the meaning of photographs can be, and how easily people can use photographs to push their own agendas, sometimes contrary to the intent of the artist.

Wheel Tree

Wheel Tree - 2
Originally uploaded by menlo.

Now that I've uploaded most of my photos to Flickr, I've found some time to settle down and explore the site. There's so many talented photographers - it's both inspiring and humbling. Occasionally, I will come across a photo of something local, like this wheel tree, and when that happens, I'm always surprised - especially given how many millions of photographs are posted on Flickr. It's like finding a long lost friend. There's something amazing about finding someone else who found something in your corner of the world and thought it worthwhile not only to photograph, but share with the world.

This photo is tagged "Durand, Illinois", but there's a nearly identical sculpture outside of the Don Q Inn in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. This picture transforms something that's merely unusual into something beautiful and mysterious.

The funniest photo I've ever seen

lol cat XD
Originally uploaded by miles-away.

Yeah, it's probably Photoshopped. But still. I could NOT stop laughing when I saw this on Flickr! And I still laugh every time I see it!

Deep Thoughts continued

A Scanner Darkly, the latest film adaptation of a Philip K. Dick book, is about to hit the screens. The New York Times reports that before he died, Dick described himself as an "'acosmic panenthiest,' which means that I don't believe that the universe exists. I believe that the only thing that exists is God and he is more than the universe. The universe is an extension of God into space and time."