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October 16, 2009
Friday Fotos: The Seraphic A B C Book
I like to take snapshots of doorways, interesting geometric patterns and textures and, of course, my girlses footwear.
But my favorite subjects are signs.
Signs announce commerce, civic commands, information, and geography. The best signage is finely crafted art. Most often signs are, um, signs of the times indicating trends in fashion and the changing face of advertising.
Signs are also, as Proust would say, a remembrance of things past, precious time capsules that document a business that may no longer exist, famous advertising slogans that have sunk into obscurity and evolving company logos. Further, signs remind us of popular type fonts—remember the ubiquitous Helvetica?—that appear and disappear with alarming speed.
A few years ago, Offsprings #2, and #3 suggested that we create an alphabet book by using the first letters of the various signs I photographed. It became a family activity. Some letters are easy to locate: A, B, C, D and S are a dime a dozen. Q and Z are pretty darn rare. Precious as gold is X, and when I find a nice sign that features an X I snap away like David Hemmings shooting Verushka in Blow Up.
You'll notice that several photos are taken from the car. Usually I try and park or wait for a red light. But sometimes I just shoot from the hip and hope for the best.
Legal Disclaimer: Seraphic Secret does not endorse nor encourage this somewhat questionable method of photography.
My rules for shooting are pretty simple: No billboards, street or highway signs, movie ads, t shirts, ads on the side of vans, trucks or cars.
Okay kidees, time to learn your A B C's.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives a lovely and spiritually nourishing Shabbat.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at October 16, 2009 08:27 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
My favorite is "H"
Posted by: DrCarol at October 16, 2009 08:53 AM
great project! some really interesting signage there.
(reminds me of an assignment i had to do at university. for a typography class.)
shabbat shalom.
Posted by: ~ Sarah ~ at October 16, 2009 09:18 AM
Excellent! It's like the game we play in the car of spotting the ABC in sequence on signs, license plates etc. There too, Q is a rare find.
Posted by: kishke at October 16, 2009 09:42 AM
Do compile your ABC's,
Then branch out to 123's,
To produce a photographic book for Ma'ayan ...
if you please!
Good Shabbos.
Posted by: Pearl at October 16, 2009 10:26 AM
Very nice. The observatory makes a great location for photos.
On a side note in a different life I worked for a manufacturer of diamond tools that were used for working with concrete.
Every year we used to go to the World Of Concrete trade show. Putzmeister always had a large booth there. It always took some restraint not to go ask them why they had such an "interesting" company name.
Posted by: Jack at October 16, 2009 11:16 AM
"Putzmeister always had a large booth there" By Jack, 11:16AM.
Of course they had a large booth!!!
Posted by: Simon at October 16, 2009 11:22 AM
Dougie's! Dougie's! Dougie's! I love Dougie's! Have you tried their Onbelievable Onion?
Posted by: Solomon2 at October 16, 2009 12:22 PM
Dr. Carol:
H is my favorite too:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 16, 2009 04:16 PM
Sarah:
Thanks so much. I really like the O-pen. Found it on La Cienaga Blvd. Pulled over, parked, and snapped about 20 shots from various angles.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 16, 2009 04:19 PM
Pearl:
A book of 123 for Ma'ayan. Great idea. I'm on it.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 16, 2009 04:20 PM
Kishke:
We played that game in the car when I was a child. We also compiled lists of plates from different states—excluding N.J.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 16, 2009 04:22 PM
Jack:
Putzmeister has a web site. But no explanation of the name. I think it might be a family name.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 16, 2009 04:24 PM
Solomon:
Have not tried the Onbelievable Onion. Next trip. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 16, 2009 04:26 PM
Dear Jack & Robert: I believe that "putzen," in German, means "to clean."
Posted by: Miranda Rose Smith at October 18, 2009 02:07 AM
Brilliant idea. How long did it take to collect all those photos?
Posted by: Batya from Shiloh at October 18, 2009 01:07 PM
Robert,
For those who realllllly want to know about the history of the Putzmeister, here's a link to how its name came about....
http://www.putzmeister.com/about/company_milestones/1950.cfm
Posted by: Rachel at October 18, 2009 02:14 PM
Batya:
Weeks and weeks. There are many uninteresting and ugly signs. I shoot a great deal and then edit it down.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 18, 2009 08:34 PM
I like the way the Boffi sign looks like it's being cut off by the lamp post.
If we ever convince you to make a detour through Cincinnati, we'll have to take you to the American Sign Museum (www.signmuseum.net).
Posted by: alterbentzion at October 19, 2009 06:24 AM
Alter:
A museum of signs.
Heaven.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 19, 2009 09:20 AM
ThisThis remains my favourite sign. (Includes some possibly unintentionally rude language).
Posted by: Michael Jennings at October 19, 2009 09:43 AM
Hi Miranda,
You sparked my interest so I looked up putzen and saw that you are absolutely correct, not that I doubted it.
Anyway, I looked up meister and found that it can be used to mean the "most" or "master."
Always fun to learn new things. Thank you for the tip.
Posted by: Jack at October 19, 2009 10:41 AM
I recognize two Teaneck locations from you last visit to your granddaughter - may she continue to bring good luck :)
Posted by: Aharon Fischman at October 19, 2009 06:18 PM
Putzmeister? Really? And no one has thought to suggest, perhaps, a change in their branding strategy?
Posted by: rick mcginnis at October 22, 2009 05:42 AM