There Isn't A Right Way

Made this photo more than ten years ago along Funkhouser Alley.

Thought the human-made structures and the encroachment of nature made for an interesting study in contrasts. The morning glory spilled over a chain-link fence, partially obscuring it and reaching toward the stark white backdrop of a shed. The shed's simple form and color contrast with the growth patterns of the greenery.

I knew it would never look the same as it did that day. No guarantee that the growth pattern and shape would be similar the next year or any year after. This would be my only opportunity.

Made it on my iPhone 4.

At the time I was exploring the possibilities of iPhone apps and what they could create from ordinary photos. I’d earlier started a Tumblr page called iPhone Variations using apps to create multiple versions of a photo.

The variations were nothing more than sketches. Playing to see the possibilities. The possibilities of the iPhone apps and the different ways to look at the same subject. Three color. Three black and white. One sepia. One high key black and white. And the original.

All were possible future photos if not at this location, then another with similar lines and shapes, tones and colors, and textures. Early sketches for later works.

(Note: I was right. It’s never looked anywhere near the same.)