Nothing like travel to evoke feelings and provoke thought... driving a quarter of the way across the country and seeing the countless towns and cities, each with thousands or even millions of people, each with their own stories and problems and triumphs, multiplied by the countless routes we did NOT take and the rest of the country and world that we did not traverse. Then to end up in New York, with its millions of people and endless streets and buildings and spaces. It's daunting and humbling. (On the plus side, seeing the millions upon millions of trees along the Pennsylvania highways does provide a certain hope that maybe the world isn't going to shrivel up and die in the next few months.)
There's a certain arrogance in expecting oneself to be anything but insignificant in a world so large. In a way, it's horribly depressing, but in other ways, it feels like it could be terribly liberating, knowing that what one person does, with a very few exceptions, has no meaning beyond ones own self. So, do anything, do nothing -- chances are nobody will notice. And I guess you might as well do what you damn well feel like, as nobody will go out of their way to make sure you're getting what you want.
I'm not sure if this is a great attitude to take to a day of photoshoots, or a lousy attitude, but it's just what's crossed my mind the last few days and I thought I'd leave it here rather than carry it around with me all day.
The photo is Chase from her apartment...
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Insignificance
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Ah, that sweet moment of universal enlightenment! It's either a blessing or a curse, depending on your point of view.
Good post, Gary :-)
Agreed, it's either terribly depressing or wonderfully freeing. I don't much care for NYC, as big cities go, but it was great to meet up with you and get to shoot, and to wander around for a few hours, and enjoy some good food and company. :) Hope your homeward travels are relatively painless! (and full of trees!)
I get an instantly reminded sense of that "insignificance" you speak of every time I am in a public setting with lots of people - football or baseball stadiums, airports, concerts or in large busy cities.
All these people, all with their own lives, only cross-connecting in the very VERY merest of ways.
What's it all about, Alfie?
You are not allowed to ever feel insignificant, Gary. In a city of so many people, you are the only one who stuck your head under the sheets with a camera and gave Tia and me the giggles. You are one of a kind and irreplaceable to the people in your life.
Yeah NYC gets me down. For the same reason.
Heard about the accident, hope you are well.
Post a Comment