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By johnwindbell

A Photo Essay


Crescent Back


For better, or for worse, photographs have always told better stories than the stories themselves. Pictures have thousands of more words to tell. It has always been the case of the pen and paper trying to catch-up to the printed image, at least since the invention on January 7th, 1839. Before that time it was up to our heads to produce the visual description, and paint brushes and books ruled the territory. The same can be said today with the advent of the computer in the household, that's taking the place of the TV, that took the place of the fireplace. One can get a better idea whats going on from the photograph, than what somebody writes about it. But when you put them together it’s the best of both worlds. And in this case, with this hubpage, it is the best of the three worlds - photographs, the written word, and yes, of course the Internet.

This is what I’ve tried to do with this photo essay, this ‘coffee table’ hub.

Remember those picture books that were laying on that table between you and the TV? You know, the ones you eventually put your feet on top of when the glow of your entertainment started to appear before you? Well, I just wanted to get my picture book out from under your feet and on your screen, whatever screen has been lighting your face lately.

The first impression....

.... front to front, face to face, eye ball to eye ball, forward to forward; introduces us to the person that is assuredly doing the same thing to us. A ‘measuring up’ of the other person. All walks of life do this. Humans do this to make sure, yes, to judge whether they want to continue the visit or just move on. Animals do it, more likely from afar, yes, to judge again, to determine whether the other animal is just passing by or wants to eat them; or visa-verse. First impressions can mean everything to both of us, or they can mean nothing. And whether we judge them correctly can mean little, or it can mean life and death.

But after this, after the initial view, is to what I’m getting at. After we had our brief encounter, our interlude, our chat, or even just a glance, or a minor brush with someone, in any case and any situation, it is when the backs are turned that caught my attention. What one would see after turning around and giving the other person a second glance, or a second chance. One would see - the Backs Forward.

Photographer

Photo Back
Photo Back

Window Dresser

Window Dresser Back
Window Dresser Back

Billboard Painter

Billboard Back
Billboard Back

Asian Market

Asian Back
Asian Back

Secretary

Secretary Back
Secretary Back

Bus Driver

Bus Driver Back
Bus Driver Back

Street Vendor

Vendor Back
Vendor Back

Street Cleaner

Street Cleaner Back
Street Cleaner Back

Farmer

Farmer Back
Farmer Back

Amish Grocer

Amish Back
Amish Back

Street Musician

Street Musician Back
Street Musician Back

Harp Musician

Harp Musician Back
Harp Musician Back

Country Band

Country Back
Country Back

Drummer

Drummer Back
Drummer Back

Sand Sculpture

Sculpture Back
Sculpture Back

High Wire Artist

High Wire Artist Back
High Wire Artist Back

Chess Players

Chess Players Back
Chess Players Back

Bermuda

Bermuda Back
Bermuda Back

Scottish Stroller

A Scot Back
A Scot Back

Cell Phone user

Cell Back
Cell Back

Mailer

Mailer Babe Back
Mailer Babe Back

Running Girl

Rain Girl Back
Rain Girl Back

Beach Babe

Beach Babe Back
Beach Babe Back

Punk Head

Punk Back
Punk Back

Tattoo Back

Tattoo Back
Tattoo Back

Artist and Loafer

Artist and Loafer Back
Artist and Loafer Back

Angler Couple

Angler Back
Angler Back

Lovers

Lovers Back
Lovers Back

Lovers Walk

Lovers Walk Back
Lovers Walk Back

Umbrella Couple

Umbrella Back
Umbrella Back

Boardwalk

Boardwalk Back
Boardwalk Back

Surfers by the sea

Surfers Back
Surfers Back

Strolling Mom

Mother Back
Mother Back

Dad and Daughter

Daddy Back
Daddy Back

Asian Mother

Asian Mother Back
Asian Mother Back

Daughter and Daddy

Daddy Back 2
Daddy Back 2

Water Kids

Beach Kids Back
Beach Kids Back
Splash Backs
Splash Backs
Pool Back
Pool Back

Amish Boy

Amish Boy Back
Amish Boy Back

Amish Family

Amish Family Back
Amish Family Back

Street Kids

Street Kids Back
Street Kids Back

Ball Player

Baseball Back
Baseball Back

Baseball Fan

A Fan's Back
A Fan's Back

Empire State Building

Onlookers Back
Onlookers Back

Retirees

Retirees Back
Retirees Back

Old Walkers

Old Walkers Back
Old Walkers Back

Old Couple

Old Couple Back
Old Couple Back

Old Sisters

Old Sisters Back
Old Sisters Back

Trolley Turners

Turning the Trolley
Turning the Trolley

Riot Police

Riot Backs
Riot Backs

Liberty Bell

Authors Back (17 yrs. of age)
Authors Back (17 yrs. of age)

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