That Elusive Signature Photograph

In Victoria BC I have a photographer friend called Gerry Schallié.  He uses a few words every once in a while that make me smile. When he comes to Vancouver he might call me up and say (as he always says), “Why don’t we go somewhere to have a bite to eat?”

Another choice expression of his is the signature photograph. This is the photograph that every photographer takes that might define him (her) and especially when dead. For a while a photograph I had taken of a hosta leaf in the fall next to a longhorn cattle skull which I called Hosta ‘La Muerte’ he considered to be my signature photograph.

Werner Herzog

 I don’t agree with him.

In our old Athlone home in Kerrisdale I had around 85 mostly old and English Roses. On any given day I might have been asked, “Which is your favourite rose?” My answer was always, “It depends.” My answer also depended on the day of the week and the time of the month.

Now here I have placed two photographs. I like both of them but I would be unable to tell you which is my favourite. It really depends, doesn’t it?