Thanks, Lemmingstone,

I used to provide photographs for the Dallas United Way campaign as pro bono work. After this sweet boy was finished with the photo shoot, which took place on Halloween, he quickly changed into his Halloween costume...as a cowboy. I asked him to come back to the set, where we shot this masked cowboy. The art director had a notion to use this shot with the caption, "Reach for the Sky!" It was a good idea, but the United Way folks thought that it could be taken the wrong way...like, "Hand over your wallets and purses!"

Very Billy the Kid, in fact....

Thanks, guys. kadenajack...this looks just right on my monitor, but it is intentionally presented low key because his hat and crutches are so bright.

Trivia: Using my friend's Nikon D-70, this image was copied from a backlit 8"x10" color transparency of an 11"x14" b/w print made from a 4"x5" b/w negative...that is, this is a color photograph of a color photograph of a b/w print made from a b/w negative.

Congrats King, this really was your theme ;)

No one told him to take the guns out of the holster before firing (that is meant in jest by the way)

It definitely conveys a story. One that, as an observer is pleasing to write. Perfect exposure and great texture.

Thanks, mooch!

Nice shot. Like that backcloth.

I think "Reach for the Sky" is a great caption.

Um, King. Why don't you vote on any of the themes? Avid participant that you are?

mooch,

Look closer. Until about 14 days ago, I either voted yes, no or abstained from every Theme suggested. Many times, when I'm ambivalent about a theme, I simply don't vote one way or the other. The further back you go, the more often you will find my name. I don't know why I haven't voted much in the past two weeks...no reason.

I even suggested another theme right after the first two images in this theme were featured. It's called "Naked Men." I voted against it.

My silence said it all on the naked men theme. Still, pushed the envelope.

I did scan through and couldn't find a vote anywhere except on your own submission. You cannot vote never mind unless you have already voted.

You cannot claim indifference to every theme as you participate in all of them. So, why not allow your vote to count.

n b i had a look right down to about yello, not one King vote?

mooch...I didn't know you cared so much about what I think. :>)

Why should I defend my record of votes for the theme to you? My time and choices are my own. Can't you read K-i-n-g?

Start with "Self-Portrait 3" theme, about two weeks ago, then "Phallic," the theme suggested by Blizzard, then most of the themes prior to that.

I've offended you haven't I.

There have been 18 themes since "SP3". I suppose that is what provoked the question really, more out of curiousity than anything.

mooch...no, you certainly have not offended me, although my feathers have been ruffled a bit--and why not, since I haven't added my vote in the past two weeks. I'll go straightaway to vote on the recently suggested themes. You go hide and watch.

Did you find my name in the 54 themes posted prior to "SP3". :>)

@mooch...now I get it! Why didn't you just tell me that you want my vote on all the themes you have posted in the past three weeks? You have been prolific, my friend.

Machines: yes
Haves & Have Nots: yes
Sepia: yes...*love* sepia
Cats: no...don't *like* cats--and I live with one
Power: yes
Dinosaurs: no. May I be excused?
Icon: yes
Travel: yes

No, not at all, I'm doing fine, don't patronise.

@mooch...what are you talking about? Your last remark made no sense to me at all.

Congrats King, I just realized that all of three of your images for this theme have been featured. Is there such a thing as a WS hat trick?

Hey King,
Firstly, congrats on the WS hat trick!
Secondly, thanks for the awesome theme and for pushing things around here a bit. Really one of the most interesting in a while. I think it would be great to continue with the stories behind the shot (if so requested) with future images, even if the theme of 'what's the story' has passed.

Hummingbird, Brant

Thanks for the kind words. I've over-extended my welcome at W.S. this week (perhaps), with all my comments, but they were in the spirit of the theme and part of my efforts to make sure that many contributors were asked, "What's the Story?"

I'll have to admit being stumped for the first time (in a long time) at this shot being yours. I had no idea. It very much reminded me of someone else's work, so it knocked me off the track when I saw it was yours.

@Ana...thanks for the comment. Wasn't trying to fool anyone with this one. I think this looks a lot like my work.

ref: "Why didn't you just tell me that you want my vote on all the themes you have posted in the past three weeks?"

To which I said: "No, not at all, I'm doing fine, don't patronise.!

mooch, I meant that you seemed to be asking me to vote...not to vote for or against your themes. Besides, if I were to post a theme that I thought was pretty neat, I wouldn't see anything wrong with lobbying for support.

I admire you for posting all those ideas.

However, I still don't understand the words you used, ""No, not at all, I'm doing fine, don't patronise." Could you say using other words? I'm not trying to irritate you--I'm trying to understand you. What does "No, not at all" refer to?

What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?