they made a living here, years ago
by jmritz

Comment:
Very deserted. I like the bag in the tree. My top pick.

shyness
by Tiberius

Comment:
One of my favorites.

Dispersion
by RKT

Comment:
Images from your "Dispersion" pop into my head on a regular basis. This is a very special essay.

_1--
by 2mccs

Comment:

Originally posted by mariuca: Marla, I do not understand your reaction to your own essay. Are you unhappy because you made an excellent documentary about a depressing place? Do photo essays need to be only happy and uplifting? Is not what you showed is a part of life? Looking forward to your next essay.

Thank you Mariuca for the comment. I am not unhappy with my essay. I think I captured what I saw accurately. Both your and Paul's essays crystallized my feelings towards my own essay as depicting a very empty depressing part of the world.

1.edge of night.DSCF9522
by mariuca

Comment:
This is my favorite of your essays. It seems that you are invisible - no hint of a photographer outside of the frame. Perfect little glimpses into the night life. Thank you for all of the essays on this most fascinating part of the world.

1.reina de mexico.DSCF9796
by mariuca

Comment:
Another wonderful addition to your series. Again, the colors are wonderful. My favorite is your last photograph of the dog collecting scraps.

_1--
by 2mccs

Comment:

Originally posted by ubique: Yours is the more ambitious - the more profound - of the two essays for that reason. ETA: yours is better also because it works as well, perhaps better, without words. Mine does not. So I bow before you a second time.

I'm flattered but I couldn't agree less. Any comparisons would leave me with the short straw. Your comments are very kind.

Paul, It is interesting that we had similar appearing essays and in a style neither of us usually tries. After seeing yours and Mauriuca's I had a stronger sense of how really depressing mine is. I couldn't even stand to stop the car to get out and take the pictures. California is one of the richest states in one of the richest countries and the scenes in my essay are more empty and depressing than the similar scenes in Africa and Mexico. Sadly, I could have taken 100's of similar photographs within a 50 mile radius. The whole area looks like this.

Message edited by author 2015-05-05 11:49:30.

Dispersion
by RKT

Comment:
Wow! I keep thinking these essays can't get any better and then I see this. Nothing between me and reality. You have pretty much put me right in the thick of it with no pretty scenes, nothing photoshopped to give me a buffer. Raw and touching and rarely seen in a photograph. I recognize all of the items (except my beloved Mother-in-law had gefilte fish - many jars of gefilte fish instead of jello). The blank walls, the comfortable rocker, and the hated old vacuum cleaner. You have captured something very valuable. Very rare and valuable.

Black Dogs Are Difficult To Photograph
by posthumous

Comment:
I love the idea that you took all of the photographs on one walk (just the day before you posted it). So did you write the poem in one day? Did you just look at the photographs and the poem happened? I don't get it. What an amazing thing. I wonder, if I had studied more literature and poetry would I be able to do that? I don't think so. It is a talent I don't understand but I am in awe of. The photographs are perfect. The words made them perfect.

oh dear
by jmritz

Comment:
There have been times when I have read something that Paul ubique (or Don posthumous) has (have) written and my first instinct is to comment by agreeing with his (their) brilliant comment instead of thinking of an original comment of my own. I have always resisted that impulse. But, to heck with that. Everything Paul said. 1+ to Paul's comment. 100+++ to Paul's comment.

John, you are an amazing artist. DPC is so lucky to have you.