Rich, Mass culture tends to be aesthetically unpleasant in all places and all times - economic efficiencies can be ugly. If you have a better plan for the world that doesn’t involve serious social engineering (tyrannical dictatorship), I’d like to hear about it. Haters of the present tend to romanticize what they see as a more “natural” past and are relatively harmless I guess. As a subject for photography a strip mall holds more interest for me than a clump of turf. What matters is the effect a picture has. It should arouse in some way beyond its aesthetics. AZ Build a Lookaround! The Lookaround Book, 2nd ed. NOW SHIPPING http://www.panoramacamera.us > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: Photographing strip malls > From: "Rich Mason" <cameratraveler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Wed, March 17, 2004 3:30 pm > To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" > <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > > Bob, > > A strip mall is a blight on the landscape of the United States. They > are a cheap way for developers to construct stores for the endless > consumerism and convenience of materialistic people. > > The word "strip" is apt in several ways: > > These constructions strip the landscape of beauty and charm. > They are a strip of stores which are basically accessible only by > polluting vehicles. > They are intended to strip consumers of their money. > A strip of land is denuded so stores and parking lots might be built. > Generally they are poorly constructed, yet flexible, so that when a > failing business is stripped of its lease, it can easily be replaced by > > the next-in-line for failure business. The new business can quickly > move in once the name of the past business has been stripped from the > sign. > Aging strip malls are often home to businesses advertising "Any Check > Cashed," and "Pawn It Here." Depending on which jurisdiction the strip > > is in there might also be a liquor store and a convenience mart which > are both susceptible to frequent robberies (more people trying to strip > > others of their money) and unsavory hangers-about. > > I despise strip malls--could you tell? > > Rich > > On Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at 06:38 AM, wildimages@xxxxxxxxxxx > wrote: > > > What exacly is a "strip" mall? > > > > i.e. how is it different from just a mall (UK: shopping centre)
