A picture in need of a title.

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Dennis S

Dennis S

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
1,595
Location
Northern New Mexico
I recently had the chance to spend part of a day in Monument Valley. We were with friends, and though they were patient, the photographer in me wants to go back and spend more a lot more time. The Navajo boy in this picture is as remarkable as the incredible topography. Thinking about his life, and the differences between us fascinates me. This is where he lives, works, and plays. Perhaps he is bused to a boarding school during the week. How strange our educational system must seem to him. And I wonder how this incredible landscape appears to young Navajo eyes? Surely he sees things I cannot imagine. I would love to spend time with this boy and his family. Their lives and culture are a map to treasures of this remarkable place. I have posted other pictures, including pictures from a place called Rio De Chelly on my Flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_and_barb/

I may be able to do something with this photograph that requires a title. I would welcome any suggestions.
 
I was instantly wondering what he was seeing. Then the word "ancestors" came to mind. Was he seeing his ancestors? Hmmm, a title something like "A Visit with the Ancestors" ??
 
"Making Memories in Monument Valley"

Although I really do like Cooker's suggestion.
 
Hadn't seen you here for awhile, Dennis. Hoped it was because you were out and about taking pictures!! :D

Almost 15 years ago, we packed up the kids and did a month long journey through the western states. My husband is very fond (and knowledgeable) of Native American art, so we stopped at several dozen Trading Posts (and have beautiful Navajo weavings hanging in our house as proof!). We too, loved Monument Valley. (the Mittens). For some reason (we put the trip together rather unexpectedly and in a hurry) we missed Canyon de Chelly. It is photographed dramatically by many who venture in. I'm sorry we missed it. I'll go now, and enjoy your photographs!!

Thanks, as always for you introspection and enlightening curiosity!

Marguerite
 
Calendar! Great idea. Sure would be nice to have my 2008 Calendar be a Dennis creation.
 
Keep them coming please.

Keep them coming please.

First, I am wondering Tom (Cooker)-between seeing your avatar, and being familiar with your quick wit-did you perhaps spend some time in the principal's office in your younger years?

Secondly, I appreciate all of the suggestions. Karlynn's is closest to the feeling I have but can't quite name. After reading her suggestion, I realized that I feel ?transient? when compared to the boy in this picture. So ?ancestors? to me is close to perfect, perhaps as close as we will get. But I would love to see other suggestions.

Gina: ?Making memories in Monument Valley? sounds like a good title for the pictures as a whole. It is interesting that you would suggest that term. I will turn 60 in August, and it seems that, each day, I am getting a better perspective on the value of memories, and the importance of taking affirmative steps to make them.

Rob: That would be an ?ultimate challenge?. After 26 miles these ?monuments? wouldn?t appear any closer than when you started.

Pam: That is the big mystery to me-what does lay before this child?

Karlynn-If there is sufficient interest, I would be happy to create a calendar at cost. I have some ideas that I have not seen done before that I would like to try. I guess we just stay tuned to see if an interest turns up. If so, I am ready to go.
 
Home.
or
My heritage, my home.



great pic dennis, words like breathtaking, majestic, awesome, beautiful, wow ... fill the mind with this pic, but one thought that keeps resurfacing with me is "home" ... while this place is an amazing glimpse of God's Country to some of us, it's Home to this boy, simple, but rich in history & heritage.
 
Sign me up, if a calendar is a possibility. I always spend some time choosing my calendar for each year. It hangs on the wall of my kitchen and I intentionally pick calendars with images that "take me away". Your photos also do that for me. In fact, I have a few of your photos on my refrigerator. One is the shot out your kitchen window in winter.
 
I would love a calender and since it hasn't been started yet, may I request big enough squares to be able to read what i write on them? I love your pics and can reallly relax and let my mind wonder and feel peaceful
 
Very Good

Very Good

Andrew'sMom said:
Home.
or
My heritage, my home.


"Home" I like that a lot. I think that title gets to the essence of why I feel somewhat transient when I look at the picture. I (most all of us) couldn't possibly live very long in that beautiful but stark environment. But this boy is home. The suburbia which was home for most of my life consisited of streets, sidewalks, homes and yards. All of these are going to be torn up and replaced. That will not happen here. I think that is why words like ancestors and home come to our minds.

I will start keeping a list and thinking about a calender project. If there is no profit, but merely recovery of out of pocket cost, could this be done within the rules of the forum? If it could, it would be my pleasure to donate the pictures & time to create. And I would try to make it at least a little different from the calenders we see all over the place. I will await a ruling from the powers that be.
Click to expand...
 
Dennis,

Thanks for posting these pictures - they bring back many memories for me. I actually lived in Chinle - the town next to Canyon de Chelly for a little over a year, and made occasional trips to Monument Valley.

The whole area, and the land is such a spiritual place, almost vibrating with energy. When there was a full moon, I would go out at night to Spider Rock (the 2nd picture on your Flckr site) just to sit and listen to the silence. There were problems - of course there were problems (I worked at the local substance abuse counseling center) - but there was also a way of life, and the tribal connection between the Navajos that remained strong.

This little boy standing in front of his land reminds me how the position the doors of their hogans to the East so they can greet the morning. It is like this boy is saying "Yá'át'ééh shicheii" (Navajo greeting) to his land, as he might do in the morning.

My title suggestion: "Yá'át'ééh shicheii"

"Lo, and Behold!" also came to mind.

Thanks for stirring the memories!

Melissa
 
Beautiful picture! The boy looks as though he is sort of leaning into the landscape, so my suggestion is "longing" although I also really like the Navajo greeting!

We drove through that part of the country several years ago while on vacation and also visited Canyon de Chelly. The whole area is awesome and breathtaking. I especially liked Canyon de Chelly as it doesn't have quite as many visitors as many of the other spots and you had to go in with a Navajo guide etc. (They have a tour service, by truck, horseback or hiking)

It is a credit to the Indian Nations that they have managed to retain their identies and cultures over the years. I remember being appalled when I first learned about the "Trail of Tears" and many other cruel acts perpetrated upon the Indian Nations by our Government. Wasn't taught (at least then) in school, but by vacation trips to areas where these things happened!
 
Thank you Melissa:

Thank you Melissa:

That is a wonderful suggestion. Naturally enough, most of my American Indian friends are Jemez. They speak Towa, which is unwritten, and not intended to be taught outside the tribe. Maybe that is part of the reason it didn't occur to me to think about a Navajo title. I love your suggestion. And I feel fortunate to know someone who has some level of familiarity with the language.

These language issues lead to some funny stories that the Jemez Indians will share as you become friends. A white men in the community many years ago was proud to be one of a very few Anglos with an Indian name, or nickname. To put this in context, to this day you practically never see Indian or Hispanic men wear shorts in public, at least around here. This particular Anglo loved wearing shorts. It was years before he discovered that the Indian name he was so proud of would have been translated "baby pants".
 
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