Hey, is it Punch?
Susan says, “Portland has some great street art. Here is one example of a whimsically ugly head perched atop a fence post on a busy downtown street. I hope it’s Punch, but it might be a generic jester with his funny nose and hat. How can this photograph be put to work? Humor is often missing from presentations. Here is the universal symbol of humor: the prankster. Jesters, or fools, were employees of noble households, hired to entertain. Jesters could even get away with making fun of the boss or the status quo which could be very risky for anyone else. The best humor, if you think about it, often has this very intent. Think about two of the very best comedies: “Tootsie” and “Dr. Strangelove”. One is a comedy about sexism and sexual harassment and the other anti-war and government. Humor can provide a painless route to discussions on tough subjects. I wonder what tricks this jester has under his hat.”
Lucia says, “It’s early evening, Everything has a subdued tone. The jester, although comical as Susan as described, is a strong anchor to the scene. For me, it’s the blurry background that I find compelling. I like the way the ‘bokeh’ effect (the way the lens renders out-of-focus lights) of the traffic lights and the blurry bike rider offset the crisp in-focus jester.”
