Little sailors, guns, and a BIG HAPPY SMILE

What more could a little boy ask for? A sailor suit, a stuffed animal, and a gun. Which is bringing this little lad the most pleasure? Let us hope the gun was a toy and that his smile wasn't from the glee of taking out the neighbor.

WARY BOY with a gun

Kids with guns are definitely a vernacular photography category. Seeing a few that were posted at Dull Tool Dim Bulb this week made me think of one I recently purchased.


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This shot makes me think of the famous photograph of the boy with the toy hand grenade taken by Diane Arbus in 1962. I still remember standing in a bookstore looking at a book of work by Arbus when I was in college in the late '60s. I was with a friend and we were both enthralled by the shot. It stirred all sorts of emotions and I longed to know the story behind the image. Years ago the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article about the boy in the photo which you can read here. Make sure you click on the image at the top, the contact sheet, to see an image of the man, Colin Wood, today with his own children.

My image has nothing to do with the Arbus shot other than the boy in this shot is a complete opposite of the Arbus boy. This boy is in control, wary, but in control. At attention, but relaxed. He'll never be famous like the Arbus boy and he'll never tell his story of the moment this shot was taken.

Don't mess with MELVIN'S BOYS

You've heard of the James Gang, the Younger's, and the Daltons's. I give you the Melvin Gang, more often known as Melvin's Boys: Duane, Craig, and the meanest of them all who has no name. You best not interrupt these boys when they be eatin' or you might be eatin' lead real fast.

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Another image from the Ten Buck Box.

REACH FOR THE SKY...

and throw down your money! And it better be more than last week's allowance!

A stickup in the backyard.

YOU LOOKIN' AT ME?

I really don't know what to say about this one. I think the front and back say it all. Okay, I do have one thing to say...is it wise to give a two year old a gun that's bigger than him? Especially when he seems to be channeling Travis Bickel? I'm just sayin'. The gloves aren't the first thing my attention is drawn to.

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