not driving for aesthetics

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not driving quite so much for aesthetics but more for impact...(although composition was somewhat a consideration)
the idea was to make it obvious that this was photographed while driving past this roadside shrine that marks someone's demise. An attempt to put a highway and a memorial in context.
What do you think?

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Too many elements are distracting my focus (i.e. the out-of-focus portions). I "see" the statement you're making and at that level, it works. Most of your images make a statement rather than simply "be pretty". Mine seldom make statements probably due to the fact that my mind does not work in that direction whereas yours does. I always have to look several times at your images in order to "see" what you are "saying". In addition at another level... I'm not a fan of these roadside shrines. Whereas I sympathize with those who have lost loved ones the erection of shrines at that spot of demise just doesn't do anything for me personally. I guess we all work out our grief differently.

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Dec 7, 2013 2:54:48 GMT @jamesd said:

Too many elements are distracting my focus (i.e. the out-of-focus portions). I "see" the statement you're making and at that level, it works. Most of your images make a statement rather than simply "be pretty". Mine seldom make statements probably due to the fact that my mind does not work in that direction whereas yours does. I always have to look several times at your images in order to "see" what you are "saying". In addition at another level... I'm not a fan of these roadside shrines. Whereas I sympathize with those who have lost loved ones the erection of shrines at that spot of demise just doesn't do anything for me personally. I guess we all work out our grief differently.

I "see" the statement you're making and at that level,

You know what? To me, one of the worst things to b asked is, "what are you saying?" Often, when telling a joke or just a funny story my foreign born friend(s) will say, "I don't get it." So not being able to get a nuance or even a larger point across is frustrating and somehow prevents that meeting of the minds so to speak that connects us to our fellow man.

As for the roadside shrines, a camera chum collects them. So I try to snag a pic of them when I can. (for him) And now I've accidentally become a collector of them.

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I understand. I wasn't trying to make a value judgment; it's just my particular dislike for these "shrines". I can appreciate that people are memorializing (at least in their minds) their loved one's demise but I'd prefer to do that at the cemetery or in my own quiet way. Making a statement at the side of a road with crosses and bunnies and so forth, just seems a bit odd to me. I suppose they might also feel this acts as a sort of deterrent for other drivers but I think that's a stretch.

Funny (and true story). Years ago I was watching my three year old grandson. I decided to take him to the cemetery that day while I lit a candle at my mother's grave. Alex asked me, "Grandpa, is everyone dead here?"

"Uh... yes, Alex."

Then he looked around and asked, "Are their bodies in the ground?"

Uncomfortable pause and then I answered, "Well... yes, but the people are with God in Heaven."

I watched him carefully and then saw his eyes grow huge as he literally shouted at me, "Do you mean, God only wants their heads!"

Kids are literalists, eh?! LOL

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except you become as little children....etc etc

[skutterbug]

I resist taking shots of these roadside memorials...for some reason, around here they far too abundant