chrome98 Loc: Hannibal, MO

Wesley Knapp
Hannibal, MO
Long time photographer, short time to this forum.


“We drove 22 miles into the country around Farmington. There were meadows and apple orchards. White fences trailed through the rolling fields. Soon the sign started appearing. THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED BARN IN AMERICA. We counted five signs before we reached the site. There were 40 cars and a tour bus in the makeshift lot. We walked along a cowpath to the slightly elevated spot set aside for viewing and photographing. All the people had cameras; some had tripods, telephoto lenses, filter kits. A man in a booth sold postcards and slides -- pictures of the barn taken from the elevated spot. We stood near a grove of trees and watched the photographers. Murray maintained a prolonged silence, occasionally scrawling some notes in a little book.

"No one sees the barn," he said finally.

A long silence followed.

"Once you've seen the signs about the barn, it becomes impossible to see the barn."

He fell silent once more. People with cameras left the elevated site, replaced by others.

We're not here to capture an image, we're here to maintain one. Every photograph reinforces the aura. Can you feel it, Jack? An accumulation of nameless energies."

There was an extended silence. The man in the booth sold postcards and slides.

"Being here is a kind of spiritual surrender. We see only what the others see. The thousands who were here in the past, those who will come in the future. We've agreed to be part of a collective perception. It literally colors our vision. A religious experience in a way, like all tourism."

Another silence ensued.

"They are taking pictures of taking pictures," he said.”

― Don DeLillo, White Noise

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Welcome to UHH

photonphysicist Loc: Texas

Welcome to UHH and howdy from Houston! :thumbup:

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Interesting but you missed the point.

chrome98 Loc: Hannibal, MO

Moved here from Galveston after Ike. Can't say as I miss the heat and humidity. We rebuilt and still have our historic house on the island and visit a few times a year.

Cheers!

chrome98 Loc: Hannibal, MO

Did I? Or did you:?:

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

My response to your original post was based on the fact that here at the Hogg one will find mostly actual photographs more so than quotes from books that happen to have some mention anbout photography in them.
One other thing perhaps you can clear up for me:

As Murray was obsessive with Elvis then I must think this conversation of the trip to the barn took place before Jack shot Willie Mink for providing the Dylar to Babette. Is that correct.

chrome98 Loc: Hannibal, MO

Actually, the quote correlates to my general feelings of concern for the sincerity and artistry of many a "photographer."

Might you be J. A. K. Gladney?

Check.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

No, I have no interest in studying Hitler in any way.

NOTLguy Loc: Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

Welcome Chrome98

They weren't taking pictures of the barn, or pictures of people taking pictures of people taking pictures of the barn.

He could see through to the inner depths of the scene. The impact of the first nail that was driven when building the barn.

Not the nail. - The impact when the nail was driven.

This was the scene.

To capture this is an art. An art that we all strive to achieve.

We are all who we are.

chrome98 Loc: Hannibal, MO

Exactly

Bunny-Jean Loc: Wisconsin

Welcome!