I wondered what you'd think of me if I'd documented and showed to you my day in just photographs. You, perhaps a distant acquaintance, trying to piece together my existence from a stack of off-colored polaroids. The imagery from Sia's music video comes to mind, but it wouldn't be anything like that; I have only a budget for maybe ten or so.1
The first one would probably be of me and Ryan waking up. I'd have set the timer and jumped back into bed with him. Just our messy heads would poke out from under the fluffy, white comforter of our bed. Indistinguishable lumps under it would form our bodies, and the walls would be painted grayish green. Maybe we'd be kissing, but maybe not. We'd look in love, though, because we are.2
The next one would definitely show Ryan drinking his tea. The red mug he'd hold, he'd rinsed out from the morning before, and the morning before that. The blue tag of his English breakfast would be grasped tightly between the thumb and middle finger of his very articulate hand. His gray-blue eyes would look at me through the lens of the camera, and he'd be smiling appreciatively. You wouldn't know this from the picture, but he's an amazing artist. Even just his hands have taught me so much.3
The photo after that would probably be one of me at my workstation. I'd be in profile, sitting at my Mac with the mobile pressed to my ear. The desk I was sitting at would be pretty messy with toys, papers, and art supplies. To you it'd probably look like I was surfing the net in a tshirt and boxers, but really I am hard at work. That is the beauty of graphic design, and what affords Ryan and I some frivolous pleasures. I'd have taken this one with the timer again because Ryan's usually gone to work after tea.4
Next you would see me in transit and I'd have headphones and my book bag on. I'd most likely have a carrot or an apple because I enjoy the crunch as I'm walking along. This one would be over-exposed, probably at an awkward angle, with my head fuzzy, and the spikey palm trees in the background in focus. The days here are beautiful so I get out from behind my computer as often as I can.5
After that you'd see me with someone who you thought was me, but he'd be wearing different clothes. He'd probably be silly and lean against me awkwardly, with his tongue stuck out at the lens. You'd probably guess by this point we were twins. It'd be indistinguishable from the shot, but I was born first, and he's a little bit shorter than me.6
Moving on to what would surely look like midday, Ty and I would be sitting outside. You'd see his hands motion blurred in midair as I took a bite of the pita and hummus on the table. I'd have a glass of tea, and Ty would have a mug of coffee. There'd inevitably be someone in the background gawking towards us like they'd never seen two people communicate in sign.7
The next one would show Ryan and me walking the beach; maybe with our arms around each other. The sea-foam from waves would be at our bare feet from the ocean and our pants would be rolled up knee high. The sun would be setting and it would look to you maybe like an advertisement except for, of course, we're both guys. My hair would probably be all over my face, and he'd look out over the water. We'd look amused and content because the beach is where we go to feel most alive.8
Next would be Ryan, Ty, Shelby, and me around the table for dinner. There would be lots of sushi before us, and we'd probably each have a glass of wine too. We'd smile from the image happily because none of us can eat enough sushi. The Japanese waiter would be in the shot too. We'd have convinced him to give us a smile.9
The last one you'd probably be confused because you could only make out a blue couch against darkness. The movie we'd just put in would be casting eerie shadows, and it'd be just enough to realize we were back home. In this one you'd see two people on the couch at a distance, and if you squint you could tell it was Ryan and me. We'd be laying together on the couch in the blue glow; arms around each other sleepily.
Author notes
A contest entry inspired by trackingtransience.net's concept of photo-journalistic documentation.
- I Didnt Sew The Stitches group list • next in list
A contest entry
- 2 Options: Checkout this website OR give me your public figure infatuations (Thank you, Blurith!) by Miss Anona.
100 points, ended March 27, 2008, 1 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
-
DUDE
THATS COOL............... ALLL I CAN SAY IS RAHHHHHHHHHH
beginning: 1, language: 1, plot: 1, ending: 1, dialog: 1, characters: 1.
-
You descriptions are so vivid, just as if you are describing fleeting and ordinary moments in time (just like a photo). I like your casual yet idealised tone you have incorporated into your narration. Everything supports the notion of flicking through a series of photos. This is a beautiful piece of work and I am glad you got the gold for it, anything less would have been unjust.
-
-
Thanks for the encouraging words! I may have been the only one that entered, but hey, it was worth it.
-
-
This is just AMAZING mate. I'm afraid that any thing else I say will just do no justice to this - I can't find a proper adjective!!
The series of photos relate your life, shows us your friends and lover and family and your life - and how you feel about it.
Fricking amazing and a heartfelt read.
Well done, boyo.
RJ
-
-
Hey thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it.
-
-
I agree, this type of writing definitely suits you. It has a very abstract feel to it, yet the imagery is so clearly defined. Wow. Just wow. =]
-
The third paragraph was amazing. I loved the way you described him holding the tea.
I don't know if this was just a one time thing you tried but this type of writing really suits you. The views and snapshots were very interesting and insightful. I don't think you could write anything lengthy in this style, but short is almost always better anyway. Hope you post more, and welcome to the group.
-
Wow, I liked it alot its a very interesting view of your life. Great job.
-
Very nice writing style you've used here. I love how you approached each photograph and provided just enough information; just what someone flicking through a few pictures would notice.
There was the trap of including too much detail in this but you avoided it successfully.
I also enjoyed how each photo not only moved the story along chronologically but also brought the reader more and more into the world you presented. You've held back on over burdening the reader with unrequired information yet still got everything across nicely.
Wonderful story, I just want to read it again.
-
-
Thanks. I was afraid of the frivolous here as well, so I tried to just focus on only what one might notice first about a picture they were looking at. I'm glad it's working. Thank you for all the kind words!
-
-
You clearly have no trouble getting your thoughts across. I really enjoyed this piece, and that means alot coming from a dialogue junkie like me....
Maybe it's the story you tell with each picture that can catch and hold me.
-
-
Thanks! I like dialogue as well...so I'm glad to have pulled this off with such encouraging reviews.
-
-
Wow!
This is amazing. Everything about it, every word, is just perfect. It feels so polished, you know?
The only thing I could say about it that wouldn't be straight praise is just how it ends. It feels unfinished, I think. It's not one of those endings where it feels like it totally cuts the story short and you're left just wondering. It's more like it's inconclusive and, like I said, unfinished; like it needs one last paragraph. But maybe it's just me.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 3, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
-
-
I know what you mean. I lost momentum, but I'm so glad you think it's working!
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 14 of 14
