Fire Hydrant by the Bay

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 4 June 2008 in Miscellaneous.

Seadrift Image 2

A few weeks ago I was looking through a photo book that I got from the library. I don't remember the name of the photographer but he was active in the Ansel Adams days. One of the supposed "avant garde" criticisms of the period went something like: "next, he will be taking photos of fire hydrants." So, we are all meant to understand that photos of fire hydrants are déclassé. Assuming this prejudice persists to this day, by posting this photo, I clearly identify myself as outside the avant garde.

I guess I'm such an ornery iconoclastic old cuss that hearing such a critical pronouncement of what fails to be de rigueur would have me taking photos of fire hydrants everywhere. I find a good deal of irony in the pontifications of those who consider themselves to have critical authority, especially when they claim positions as guardians of the experimental; as it seems to me that the act of definition and the determination of what is permissible is inherently bourgeois.

I am not suggesting that this image is not also inherently bourgeois. I am merely pointing out that once a style or class or type of imagery is appropriated under the banner of exclusionary dogma, it ceases to be an object of the avant garde and becomes an object of the bourgeoisie. In the end I'm inclined to think that all such terms as "avant garde" and "original" are merely attempts of varying sophistication to justify personal taste as evidence of social and intellectual superiority --which isn't to say that "taste" cannot be developed and educated, or that there is no legitimate claim to higher taste.

I seek to present something interesting, or informative, or shocking, or merely pleasing to look at. Though we all, perhaps, aspire to be artists of one kind or another, I am content to be a craftsman. Here, I hope, is an interesting, if not pleasing, image of a fire hydrant, presented for your amusement.

I appreciate all comments, critical or complimentary. If you leave a compliment, I thank you in advance; and I will endeavor to reply to all those comments that seem to need a response other than "thank you."

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Comments (14)

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

"Next, you will be taking photos of rusty nails!"

First, this is a pleasing photo of a fire hydrant. Colours and its signs of wear and tear add character to this device. I would say: without the accompanying text it's handcraft. But since you've added your text you created some form of context, thus abstracting (if not dissociating) from the mere depiction of a hydrant. Here you're leaving 'pure' handcraft for the benefit of an abstract principle. (Btw, a nice text to which I fully agree.)

4 Jun 2008 9:41am

@MadScientist: Thanks. As a movie buff, I think where I encounter the principle of "taste" the most is in movie criticism. Most movie reviews are little more than someone liking something and then attempting to justify a largely emotional response on an intellectual basis --and I don't exclude myself from this tendency, though recognizing it, I consciously work to overcome it.

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia

A wonderful composition. Your textures and colors make the ordinary very attractive. Well done.

4 Jun 2008 10:47am

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

A bold step and declaration, are you finally going to unleash your collection of hydrants?

4 Jun 2008 1:03pm

@JoeB: Well, can't say I have a collection yet. So far, I've only got two I'm really satisfied with.

Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom

very good image, very rich

4 Jun 2008 1:04pm

Zoinks from Toronto, Canada

I took a similar picture of a fire hydrant recently while walking my dog. I wasn't particulary interested with it, but the sight of my dog taking a leak on it made me notice the notice the textures or peeling paint and rust. To me, the photo was not for what it is (a hydrant) but more for what it was (a doggie pit-stop).

Good shot, btw, and even more great text to go with it.

4 Jun 2008 2:12pm

@Zoinks: Thanks. And a very nice shot yours is, too. Like I said in my comment about your photo --that's one I couldn't have passed up. My dog prefers to pee on signs for politicians rather than fire hydrants.

Anthony Lambert from Germany

I´m pleased !! to say That I realy like this shot.Good colours and great composition.I wish we had hydrants like this over here(just a iron plate in the floor in Germany)

4 Jun 2008 2:41pm

@Anthony Lambert: Thanks. Like I said to Ronnie, I've traveled all around the UK, and Germany, and never even noticed if there were fire hydrants or where they were. So much for my powers of observation.

Observing from Chester, United Kingdom

The presentation of this piece of apparatus is admirable. Together with your text (which I enjoyed) one can associate the necessary skill required to photograph such a mundane object and present it as an Art form, even though it may or may not be recognised by more critical viewers as such, it remains ' the work ' of the artist photographer.

4 Jun 2008 6:41pm

@Observing: When I saw this one I knew I had to take a photo. So far, I've only managed two fire hydrant shots that I'm really satisfied with. One of the things that make a shot like this satisfactory for me is the background --and though I see plenty of hydrants that are possible subjects, the backgrounds are rarely interesting.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

Cool 'end of time' setting for this hydrant like everything is abandoned. In the UK, hydrants are under plates flush with the sidewalk so not much chance of a cult developing here.

4 Jun 2008 11:39pm

@Ronnie 2¢: It's funny you mention that because when I think about it, after all the time I've spent in the UK, I never noticed whether there were any fire hydrants or thought to consider where they might be. They're all over the place here. I think you put your finger on the mood, though it didn't occur to me until you mentioned it.

danthro from Suburbia, United States

nice shot. this probably sounds like a strange comment but there's something about the colors and lighting that makes me imagine this place as really humid.

5 Jun 2008 12:22am

danthro from Suburbia, United States

Hey, just saw you are on vfxy now. let the control begin ;)

5 Jun 2008 2:11am

@danthro: Thanks for telling me. It never would have occurred to me to look otherwise, as I didn't expect to see anything at this point.

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

I really love the detail on the hydrant, weathered and rusted. The lighting is superb, shows the faded paint, dents and scratches. It wears it's battle scars proudly!

5 Jun 2008 3:33am

@bluechameleon: Thank you.