Something a Bit Different

[Charlotte Thompson]

Photography with Poetry- something out of the ordinary-

woman by the gold
gypsy inside the sepia
pray that I might be

crackles of wet grass and dew
black lace without a truth
​

Photography William Blackford/ sepia work Charlotte Thompson/GoldenIllusions111- my portrait and Poetry with the Shot-

 

[Asher Kelman]

woman by the gold
gypsy inside the sepia
pray that I might be

crackles of wet grass and dew
black lace without a truth​

Photography William Blackford/ sepia work Charlotte Thompson/GoldenIllusions111- my portrait and Poetry with the Shot-

Hi Charlotte,

I have some pain when I look at the picture. So should I say I like it?

The poem does not follow the picture where the face is so bright there's no detail. I could say that's brilliant to describe the opposite from what's there. After all we try to do that with make up and clothes. Black lace without a truth may be something of a reference to lace worn to church for a confession.

Or I hate it! It's still troubling me to spend time with a technically rather awful picture. However, I decided to dally so it's me to blame only!

Why am I reluctant to accept this work? Perhaps it's my wish for some measure of technical mastery of a medium. Here the deviations of the picture from what I want may be entirely your doing and not the original photographers!

Asher

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Asher

the photo and poetry I feel blend-
for me there is no real 'truth" the point of the shot being a example of what is or is not a truth
I think nothing is true only a complete evolution of mankind and its ridiculous standards of what should be-

black lace
without a truth

is indeed my very own nature of becoming more

thanks for your thoughts I have enjoyed them

Charlotte-

 

[Maris Rusis]

I wonder if it is polite to put up such a picture and such canted poesy.

Is Charlotte R. Thompson trafficking in postmodern irony where trash is really treasure and vaporising the deepest wisdom? Or is it an exercise in solipsist relativism where all truth, all value, all awareness resides in the self and other beings are mere foils for personal amusement? Perhaps the game is simpler.

The combination of an execrable picture, high-blown verbage, and a self referenced defensive commentary, is a familiar thing. I have seen many examples; often from art students facing an end of year deadline. How does a critic reply to the eternal artistic assertion "Be fair guv'ner. You can't mark me down. Art's all a matter of opinion, innit"? Boundaries can be challenged but most art-works fail. And forgive me. I have lapsed into the cynicism that some artists are not immune to taking a lend of their audience's forbearance.

If it is polite to offer "Something a Bit Different" in Riskit, and I think it is, then it should be polite to reply "Baloney". But baloney only in those aspects that are not a matter of opinion.

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Maris

and so nice to see you again too

I did take the risk didn't I-
I'm glad you stopped in with your opinion
always a pleasure to read what you have to say
been a while- execrable is a tad harsh- but then again this is Maris

isn't it- I really have missed your crits-

Charlotte-

 

[Asher Kelman]

The photograph followed by a poem.

Photography with Poetry- something out of the ordinary-

woman by the gold
gypsy inside the sepia
pray that I might be

crackles of wet grass and dew
black lace without a truth
​

Charlotte, I'm still troubled by the so processed image and the poem that follows. I'd value you to visit that again if you might to consider if all the diversion from reality was needed. For now, however, let's put aside that; we can just think about the poem.

Since this is a photography forum, the poetry must be looked at from the point of view of the picture that precedes it, (unless the picture is done to illustrate the poem, but that must be disclosed so we are orientated as to purpose).

Why wouldn't a title "Gypsy inside the sepia" be sufficent? Wouldnt that be an apt description. What does the rest add?

"Woman by the gold" is that meant to define "Gypsy"; golden Gypsy or is this a separate thought?

Crackles of wet grass and dew" What does that refer to?

The title seems to be "Gypsy inside the sepia" and the total poem is then reduced to Black lace without a truth!! That would be succinct. Wouldn't it also be powerfully sufficient?

Are you really disciplined in the editing of the picture and poem? I ask myself, "What's the least change to the original that works" and then for verse, "What are the minimum words that need to express cascades of thoughts I envisage.

To me, "Gypsy inside the sepia" is plenty well defined! It's also so nicely unspecified in particulars to allow all the associated feelings you might want to incur.

Asher

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Asher

Gypsy inside the sepia is a wonderful title- the original title is A lunatic in Color"
the write itself "if it must be explained' is how one can become troubled with the idea of a single truth- I thought making the shot highlighted and blown out gives it sort of a troubled in thought look- merely an expression- the poem was written for the shot-

Don't do this. Don't shackle poetry with your definitions. Poetry is not a frail and cerebral old woman, you know. Poetry is stronger than you think. Poetry is imagination and will break those chains faster than you can say "Harlem Renaissance."

To borrow a phrase, poetry is a riddle wrapped in an enigma swathed in a cardigan sweater… or something like that. It doesn't like your definitions and will shirk them at every turn. If you really want to know what poetry is, read it. Read it carefully. Pay attention. Read it out loud. Now read it again.

There's your definition of poetry. Because defining poetry is like grasping at the wind - once you catch it, it's no longer wind.


Charlotte-