The Nose Knows

I know something. And I know what it is because I was there when I thought of it. And you know that I know something because I am telling you that I do. But what you do not know is what it is. And it is in fact what it is. But I have not told you that yet. If I had, you would know. You know? The word "yet" at the end of the fifth sentence here gives you hope that you will soon know what I know. I know this: Introductions are everything! If you do not draw a reader or fan's attention within the first few seconds you have most likely lost him/her. Art that is out of the ordinary or extraordinarily beautiful is becoming commonplace as abstraction in media becomes increasingly popular. Speaking of abstraction, if you have not visited The Modern in Fort Worth, you simply must.

There was a particular exhibit in the museum which caught my attention this past year. It was comprised of various films showing severally and simultaneously together artistically and indirectly to tell the story of Dmitri Shostakovich's satirical opera, "The Nose." The story begins with a barber who discovers a nose in his bread. Shocked by this strange happenstance, he disposes of the nose by casting in to the river and is arrested for doing so. One of the barber's loyal customers soon discovers that it is his nose which has gone missing. As is turns out, the nose had joined the police force and outranked the man whose face it had belonged to and refused to return to its place there. The nose and its patron have a heated debate about what the nose will do next and the nose runs away. The story continues on in this ridiculously entertaining fashion with twists of romance, action, revenge, and identity theft until the nose is reacquainted with it's rightful owner and all is good and right in the world. It helps to think of the man who misplaced his nose to be an elephant who has lost his trunk, so that the detached nose could travel as a snake would. (makes much more sense that way)

Now the plot of "The Nose" has no bearing the purpose of this blog besides the fact that it is entertaining and gives the post a clever title. It's presentation at The Modern, however, was most impressive and perfectly exemplifies a captivating introduction. (a first impression if you will) Just like an interesting story or intentionally disclosed information draws and keeps one's attention, a photo that is visually pleasing beckons a second or third look. I like to do this with a skewed perspective, selective focusing, or an interesting depth of field.

Heres an example of a slightly different perspective in a picture.

By shooting with a relatively wide angled lens with a wide open aperture,

Anna Marie's eyes are in focus, while the rest of her face and body appear smaller.

"A good image can tell an interesting story with the detail it does not give you."

-Josh Haygood, 2010

Dreaming in Third Person

What is the point of a second opinion?-Now I am not really asking that question or even assuming that anyone reading these words would be so unlearned as to ask it themselves. BUT I do know how to answer that question and tell you the origin of pop-tarts all in the same couple sentences:) Here it goes: You see, a processed foods company by the name of Post introduced a new product that would keep fresh in its packaging for quite some time while at the same time taste as good as any other sugary pastry. The only problem was that in some board room in whatever building that Post rented out as HQ, some man in a shiny suit decided that people would find it irresistible to put something in their mouth called a "Country Square." (no thank you) He obviously did not get a good second opinion because Kellogg borrowed (stole) Post's failing product and turned it into the ambrosial rectangle of love and sugar with which we stock our pantries today.

In a market where everyone is striving to be different, sometimes you go a little too far with your work and people just ignore it. That is why a second and third opinion are as handy as a manual polaroid camera in a EMP blast. (I do not expect anyone to understand that example.) I for one know that my ideas can be as ugly as a 127 y/o Norwegian body builder in a short purple kilt. I conclude from this that for business and sanity's sake, a second and third person's opinion is always best. Sometimes we all need a friend who will pat you on the back and tell you that your brainchild sucks. Then put that project on the top of your "to don't list." Do not lose hope creatives; Mr. Einstein says that "if at first the idea is not absurd, it is hopeless."

There are many other uses for a third person. You can have a more involved game of Go Fish, you can more easily finish off a extra large double stuffed pizza, or use said person as a temporary light stand. (I've done two of the three. Guess which one is out) When a second opinion just won't cut it, (whatever "it" is) "third person" is there for you. Lets take it a bit further then shall we; would it be too hard for the first person to be the third person?

Last week I was sitting/sleeping in 2nd hour English when I was handed back my essay and told to critique myself and honestly determine the grade I deserve. After weeks of not thinking about it, the paper might as well have been written by someone else. It is a lot easier to find mistakes in other people's work than in your own, but if you concentrate hard and eat your veggies, you can look at your own work as if it were someone else's. I had a third person perspective without even having a third person.

Perspective is one of my favorite literary devices because its good for more than just writing. Its a pretty neat trick to climb out of your face and see yourself in third person. Much easier to make plans and change plans on the go. (I always like third person view in racing games, otherwise I crash and burn far too often.) Its the same with dreams. If I view my dream in first person mode (thats non-turret-wielding-halo-spartan for you gamers) I only see whats in my crosshairs at that moment but when I kick it into Legend of Zelda mode, I have a battle plan and the perspective needed to critique myself and make changes.

Don't just shoot from a different angle, Live with a different angle.

-Josh Haygood, 2010