Every once in a while we need a challenge to open our eyes wider and look more closely at our environment and culture. On a recent drive to North Carolina, I got off the interstate and drove for a while on the alternate route that took me through a few towns and what remained of the commerce on the roads that were no longer heavily used. These old main “drags” can tell us a lot about who we are as a society. Signs are heavily used to announce the presence of antique stores, diners, motels, lumber yards, etc. These signs can be so numerous that it can actually be hard to find a particular spot. There is no uniformity to their size, style, color, neon or not lights, etc. That is part of their charm.

Regulations are strict about the signage on interstates, and the big box stores, chain hotels, and franchise restaurants clump together at prominent intersections. The rest of the land is left to the few businesses and specialty shops, stores and restaurants that have survived the “packaging” of America. If you have tried to find a good local camera store lately you will know what I mean. For the most part they have disappeared.

I would like to challenge you to photograph signs. Old signs. Broken signs. New signs. Lighted signs ( try to photograph them at night). Funny signs. Lets document this time in America. It is certainly a time of change. Perhaps you can get great clumpings of signs together. Maybe interesting street signs with crazy street names. Maybe state highway signs that are unique. Maybe a hand-lettered sign for a kid’s lemonade stand.

If you live in a city, try photographing the temporary paper broadside signs that come and go on a daily basis. If you live in an ethnically diverse area, perhaps photograph signs at foreign restaurants and markets.

Signs say much about us as a people. Signs, of course, are meant to inform us and direct us. I think they are great hunting grounds for the curious photographer. Get them fast before they appear as the decor on the walls of that faux home-cooking country-style restaurant. Are you up to the sign challenge?

I leave tomorrow for Amsterdam. I’m leading a photo tour through Holland and Belgium, on a boat, for almost two weeks. You can bet there will be a blog entry, on my return, about photographing flowers. I intend to immerse myself in a bit of tulipmania. Until then, keep photographing your world.

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