Respect

Our next photo to be profiled is Respect. 

We both are in love with this tiny little pioneer cemetery, which is located on the outskirts of Niagara Falls.  It is right off the side of the road, surrounded by farmer's fields and hydro lines.  It seems like every year, the old headstones fall (or are pushed) over, but someone maintains it, and rights them soon enough.  They cut the grass and trim the trees.  They keep the place looking respectful.

We knew we wanted to shoot there, so when we got the idea for this shot, this is where we headed first.  It was a little gross, laying on the ground, since everywhere we looked, there were snails.  Hundreds of snails.  I am not normally disturbed by snails, but the idea of them crawling all over me...no thanks.

We have had mixed opinions on the hydro lines in the background.  Some people say the photo would be great without them, others like them just fine.  To be honest, they are there, because we like them.  They are a "tip of the hat" to the TV show Durham County, starring Hugh Dillon (I am a huge Hugh Dillon fan!) 

The inspiration of this photo is the mindset behind a killer, who decides to dump a body.  Regardless of how he caught her, whether by force, or by charm, and regardless of what he did, on purpose or by accident, there is always the day after. 

The day of clean up.  Of reckoning.

So, does he know?  Does he know where to go, what to do?  Is it planned out meticulously, down to the last detail?    Are his Saturdays spent, cruising the back roads, looking for the perfect spot?  Does he work with a stop watch, timing his steps down to the second? 

Or, is it random? Sloppy?  Desperate?

Regardless, he ended up here, probably early in the morning.  He is sweaty and bone weary, tired after a long night.  These are the last check marks on a lengthy to-do list, and after this, he can sleep. 

So, he lays her down gently (or is it a careless drop?)  He positions her limbs, her head, her hair, just so (or does he kick her arm off his shoe, and not notice where it lands?)  He says his good byes, maybe even an apology, maybe affection, bordering on love (or does he laugh?  Spit?  Or worse, nothing at all?)

As the sun rises, and the sky turns warm with a brand new day, he returns to his life, to his hunt and his games.  As the snails crawl out, seeking the heat, our lady lays, the sole object of his respect (or lack thereof)...

Respect
8x10 or 5x7
$5.00

Anita and Geoff

anita@crackedlensphoto.com

Like a noose around your neck

Through a Cracked Lens has moved into jewelry.  You can wear some of your favourite prints, like a noose around your neck.

We currently have 4 different prints available as necklaces. 

As a blog special, any purchase of a necklace would come with the print as well, in your choice of 8x10 or 5x7.

All for $25.

You can't beat a deal like that. 

Not even with hammer, when it just won't stop moving.

Abandoned
$25

  

Workshop
$25

Rage
$25

 

Scream
$25

 Anita & Geoff

anita@crackedlensphoto.com

Homemade

One of our most popular and enduring prints from our 2009 run is Homemade.

The idea for this shot came from my mom.  The bottle of Diazinon came from my dad's mother's garage.  After she passed away, I had gone over to her house, with my dad, to clean out some stuff.  While we were in the garage, I found the empty bottle, all dusty and wonderful, and asked my dad if I could keep it.  I am pretty sure he thought I was crazy for wanting an empty bottle of bug poison, but since he had bigger fish to fry at that point, he agreed.

The next day, when my mom saw the bottle on the counter in my kitchen, she was thrilled, since she knew that we were going to start shooting her idea.  She has the very first print hanging proudly in her kitchen.

When I look at this print, it conjures images of June Cleaver (pun intended- thanks to Tracey S for the joke!), and gingham aprons.  I always imagine a warm, breezy summer day, one just perfect for cooling pies on windowsills (if anyone actually does that anymore!)

A mom, dusty with flour, sticky, chocolaty hand prints dotting her apron, humming as she works.  The air smells like cinnamon, and apples.  Through the window, we can hear children laughing as they are playing in the dirt and the sunshine and the dog barks as it chases squirrels and balls with equal fervour. 

She measures her ingredients carefully, following her recipe.  She knows what her husband likes.  She's made this so many times, she could do it in her sleep.  But she's careful.  Oh, so very careful.

She scoops the batter, sticky and warm, and forms his favourite cookies.  The heat from the oven, as she opens the door, washes over her face and pulls the swollen and sensitive skin even tighter.  She slides the cookies in and sets the timer.  Nothing to do now, but wait.  Wait for the cookies to bake, wait for the bruises to heal, wait for her husband to come home.  Because home is where new beginnings are made....

Homemade
5x7 or 8x10
$5.00

Anita & Geoff

anita@crackedlensphoto.com

Found

This photo is the very first photo that we shot, that we actually used.  The foot belongs to a family member (who also has a starring role in our photo Escape!) and the Chuck Taylor half-way down the stairs is actually hers. 

This photo was inspired by intense morbidity and total conviction that everytime I walk into a quiet house, I fully expect to find a body.

I can imagine the silence that is like a weight on my shoulders.  The stillness in the air, except for the faint hum of the appliances quietly running in the kitchen.  I would want to call out, to say hello, but I'm nervous that my voice won't be as strong as I need it to be, that my voice will break.  And if I hear that break, that will confirm my fears.  It will acknowledge the panic that is building and creeping up my spine in a slow walk of gooseflesh.

I keep my footsteps soft.  Maybe I will clear my throat.  Even that noise, soft and singular, is too loud, much too loud.  My eyes, open wide and all around white, are darting and moving, checking the corners of every room.  I am looking for what I know I will find, but hoping oh so hard that I won't. 

The hairs on the back of my neck are pulling straight, as I walk around the corner.  My muscles are tight, ready to run.  I trail light fingers along the wall, for balance, for courage, to keep me grounded in the world.  I make it to the base of the stairs and it feels like my head is on a swivel. 

I mount the first step, with heavy feet.  I lift my head and my eyes train upwards, just as the tip of my shoe contacts with something on the 2nd stair.  It take me a minute to connect what I am seeing, to what I knew I was going to find.....

Found
Available in 5x7 and 8x10
$5.00

Anita and Geoff

anita@crackedlensphoto.com

Cracked T-Shirts

So, here's what's up with us right now. 

BUY OUR SHIT!!!

We have tons of stuff available, and we want to sell it to you, for really, really cheap.

What have we got?

T-shirts- $20
Medium, Large and X-Large

White shirt

Front- Bad boys love stupid girls.
Back- Stupid Girl photo image

Black shirt
Front- We want you for your body.
Back- Workshop photo image

SPECIAL- If you mention this blog when you order, you will not only get the t-shirt of your choice, but also a print of the associated photo.  You pick- 5x7 or 8x10.

So come on, and order one.  You know you want to.  Just email below, or comment on this post.  Thanks a mill!

Anita
anita@crackedlensphoto.com

Welcome to the blog.

So, it took me long enough, right?

Finally got a Cracked Lens blog together.  It's a work in progress, so bear with me as I tweak and change it as we go.  I assure you, just as you get used to it one way, I will try and change it into something completely different and horrible.

Just like Facebook.

Anita
anita@crackedlensphoto.com