Having a sense of humor can make life a little easier—and people often find it makes you more approachable.
My mother had a wonderful laugh and an even better sense of humor. From her, I learned how powerful it can be to find light in difficult moments. She had a gift for taking situations that might seem bleak or unfortunate and finding something to laugh about, helping us all move through those first moments of uncertainty.
My friends often know me as a bit of a goof. I love to smile and laugh, just like Mom. So, it’s no surprise that humor finds its way into my writing—and occasionally into my photography—when the moment feels right.
I’m in the middle of writing two technical articles—one on calibrating new glass on the Fotoman 6×17 and another about using the AGO film processor—but before the weekend rolls in, I thought I’d post something on the lighter side.
Here are three images that I find humorous in their own way.
The Gulf
Camera: Sony NEX-7 Lens: Sony 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Digital: 24.3 MP [24x16] CMOS Software: Adobe Lightroom
Location: North Florida Date: November 2013 Lighting: Daylight Genre: Humor
The first one, The Gulf, is meant to be lighthearted—and politically neutral, I promise! I live not far from “The Gulf,” as we locals call it, and I spend a lot of time there. So, having photographed an old Gulf Station sign placed against “The Gulf,” I couldn’t help but laugh. Sometimes, you get lucky—with where you live and how things line up. I still smile about it, and I hope you find a bit of humor in it, too.
Fun fact: we were just on the news for the SpaceX Dragon splashdown—right here in the Wakulla County area, which is better known for old Tarzan movies and The Creature from the Black Lagoon!
Next up is Tire Chick. She used to hang out on Highway 98, which runs along the shores of Apalachicola Bay—an inlet of “The Gulf.”
Tire Chick
Camera: Mamiya 6 Lens: Mamiya G 75/3.5 L Film: Kodak Portra 160 (100) Dev: C-41
Location: FL Highway 98 Date: 2019 Lighting: Daylight Genre: Humor
For years, Tire Chick struck her pose in front of a gas station and tire shop—clearly the work of some imaginative, artistic hands. Sadly, like many places along that stretch, the business is now long gone. Tire Chick disappeared too, but she lives on in the memory of those who passed by—and in my Lightroom catalog, where she’s still very much a star. No collecting digital dust for you, Tire Chick!
Meeting of the Minds
Camera: Nikon D200 Lens: Nikkor 18-200/3.5-5.6 Digital: 10.2 MP [24x16] CCD Software: Adobe Lightroom
Location: Leon County, FL Date: Fall 2009 Lighting: Daylight Genre: Humor
And lastly, there’s Meeting of the Minds. Two fine-looking bulls—well, at least their bodies—since their heads are hidden perfectly behind a tree. The moment was too good to pass up, and it inspired this haiku:
two bulls, one tree
meeting of the minds
two heads are better than one
or a lot of bull
5–7–5 haiku by darr
Author’s Note: I hope you've enjoyed this light-hearted look at some photo funnies—or whatever you'd like to call them. Sometimes, a little humor goes a long way, especially between the more serious technical stuff. If something quirky or amusing catches your eye, don't hesitate—snap it! You never know when a good laugh might come in handy, and it's always fun to share the joy.