CHEAP CAMERA/10 SECOND TIMER SELF-PORTRAITURE

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I Saw the Light


(All pics. snapped on 10/02/12)

I know what you're probably thinking, "Jesus Christ, Lauralyn...really? Another set of selfpics. taken in some dingy, old, crudded-up, tear-down?!"...and although I could throw out excuses for running this theme into the ground the way that I do - like: "But it was pouring down rain outside, and I wanted to work indoors where my camera would keep safe and dry"...and then make flimsy statements - like: "Ok...I promise after this entry, I'll give abandoned houses a rest for awhile, and try to find more original locations in which to shoot."...










…but I won't do that...not this time, nor maybe ever again. Because what I've come to realize (admit?) is that I'm kidding myself and my readers, every time that I apologize for recycling this idea, while also pledging to switch things up indefinitely.

I've been enamored of abandoned buildings for most of my adult life - but have become even more so, since finding I had a passion for photography...to the point where I'm practically as addicted as one can be to making any single, specific subject their primary (not sole, mind - I'm talking primary) focus. And, (much as I hate to be the bearer of potentially disappointing news) I doubt that my obsession with searching for, discovering, and documenting such fascinating structures - will do anything but become more pronounced, over time.

 I suppose if I'm to apologize for anything, it should probably be for that then (and that I'm wearing clothes in every pic. in this post, HA!)...I seriously am sorry though, if my pictures are starting to bore you guys - but I gotta follow my heart, and keep doin' this shit for myself, first and foremost.

13 comments:

  1. There is never any need to apologise for any of your art. Keep up the fantastic work. It's all great and very very entertaining.

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    1. @Seijin - THANK You - I really appreciate your remarks!

      The Internet is a beautiful thing in that - it enables artists like myself to reach a much wider audience of viewers, than would've been possible even - what...just 15 - 20 years ago? And because I know that folks show up to my blog fairly regularly, to see if I've posted new pics. - I feel a certain amount of pressure to stage weekly (at the very least) shoots, in order to keep The Big Ugly updated - and that motivation is definitely a GOOD thing! But what I need to steer clear of, is taking self-portraits with my readers in mind...tailoring my shoots in order to try to and please them - when I should actually be doing what feels natural, and inherently right to me...and if I'm lucky - people will like the pics. well enough to keep coming back. ANd I know this might sound kind of selfish, but I think my art loses authenticity, whenever I slack off on keeping myself/my creative whims/my obsessions with certain themes - the biggest, or most important part of the equation. I guess what I'm trying to say is - you're right. I should never feel the need to apologize for anything that I do with regards to my art. Thank you :)

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    2. Just a note to echo the "no apology" policy. If you love these sites, take your pictures. If they bore you, move on. It strikes me that this is all part of your own journey and we are just voyeurs.

      But do you know what the voyeur did to the exibitionist? He watched.

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  2. Clothes or naked, I enjoy seeing your growth as an artist displayed in your photo's. I also see your courage growing along with your confidence. I love the way your use your stunning body on display no matter where its staged. Keep it up, maybe some more b&W's?- Keep it up please. Will be heading down your way this weekend, passing through Front Royal area. Love the upper Shenandoah Valley.I have yet to grow tired of looking at your work ! Patrick

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    1. @Patrick - Oh, WOW! What brings you down to my neck of the woods? I've actually been looking at riverfront property to (hopefully) buy and build a house on - in Front Royal. The town itself is a bit backwards, but the land there, and that part of the Shenandoah River - is stellar! Have FUN!!!

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  3. no apologies necessary. if you want to take a pic wearing nothing but a pot on your head, that's cool. more than cool, actually. thank you for being so generous as to share your obsession with us.

    i'm mainly amazed that you can *find* so many of these places to obsess over. :)

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    1. @Anonymous - It amazes me TOO - that there really does seem to be an endless supply of these incredible, crumbling structures in my area. The weekly motorcycle rides that I've been taking with my good friend, have been invaluable in helping me to discover what's there for the taking, in surrounding counties and towns.

      Thank YOU for being so supportive of me, my art, and my blog!

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  4. PLEASE- don't you ever stop with the cruddy ol' places.....you give them that last little bit of love they're ever gonna get..(well, of course i can love them from afar with my eyes and i have plenty of 'em down here in the northern neck to explore)....the addition of your "light" was a stroke of genius.....now...continue down that path- some objects just don't belong where they are seen....do they? or...is it that you have crossed over to one of the many other dimensions????

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    1. @laughingpaintbrush - I don't think I CAN stop, cuz I really do love these old places so much. I had a strange thing happen yesterday, though...I went into a house that had burned, and immediately I wanted to leave - like FAST. I didn't even stay long enough to take a single picture inside. Nothing like that has happened to me in ages...*shudder*

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  5. #3 and #6 strike me as shots of homeless people. They strike me as almost depression-era in subject and composition. I find them troubling and bleak.

    Of course, it is fun and interesting to see you in your pics. Yet as an "audience member", it would be intersting to see more "little pretties" from these places, too.

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    1. @Ted - My son and youngest daughter and I were sharing our opinions about art, the other day - and I explained to them what it is that draws me to certain works of art (the same thing applies to the music I prefer to listen to, as well). Basically what I told them, is that in general, I "like" art that causes some sort of physical or emotional response...like if I get teary-eyed, or a feel a pain in my stomach while listening to a particular song, or looking at a photo or painting - then that's a pretty good indication that I love it! (I ain't quite right, I know) So, for you to say that you find those two pics. "troubling and bleak" is to me, a compliment of the highest order - Thank You!

      Also, I did post pictures of this place on Little Pretties (see the, "It Never Gets Old..." entry) And actually, my intention is to try and do better about posting the phone snaps that I take of these places, as a complement to the Big Ugly entries that I publish about them...stay tuned!

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  6. Going down to VA to visit an old beau of mine. He lives east of Front Royal down Rt 66 a bit. I spent many great weekends backpacking/camping with Jessie over in the George Washington Nat'l Forest near Mathias few years back, lovely country. I hale from up in Eastern PA, New Hope.I await your work each week anxiously.One sexy, talented lady ! Patrick

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  7. Oh my goodness I am wearing a pink wig in my post today too....your images are better than mine though.

    Mollyxxx

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