Upset Duluth
By Paul Lundgren on Sep 10, 2010 in Media Watch, Photos
Every month or so there is a story in the Duluth News Tribune about a community member or group of people upset about something. The story usually features a photo like the one above, shot by Bob King. (I think the previous one would probably be the guy who had his property mistakenly bulldozed by the school district.)
I don’t mean to make light of any of the issues these people are upset about, or be critical at all of the photography. Just the opposite. What I’m saying is, for some reason I love these photos. Seriously.
Could Andrew Krueger, caretaker of the News Tribune Attic, put together a collection or slide show called “Upset Duluth,” showing all the concerned/outraged/irritated citizens over the years? It’s a potentially large project, but he could start small and grow the collection over time. I also think it might make a delightful coffee table book.
(Obviously this should not include photos of people in mourning, etc. — just the folks who are honked off about vandalism or skateboarders or whatever.)
Please don’t read sarcasm into this. I’m serious, and I make this request with all due respect.
Yes, good pics indeed. Personally, I think it gives the story a bit of levity, given that these photos (especially todays) makes it seem like the state just came and took their first born sons.
Mr. Kruegger, I would buy said book especially if you entitled it “Emotional Scandinavians: Crossed Arms and Grimaces in Duluth”
Emotional Scandinavians? No such animal!
I love the photo of the Denfield neighbors! Arms crossed in defiance, yet, in Duluthian fashion, nice smiles on their faces. In the article, they sounded very polite, articulate, and sensible.
That pic makes me think there’s a knitting strike happening.
That photo was taken seconds before the dance-battle began.
I took many of these types of photographs while employed at the News Tribune. Here is one of my personal favorites…
Derek Montgomery: Photographer
For portraits, about the only time we can instruct people on how to act, you usually have to give them some guidance so they look good in front of the camera and ultimately, in the picture.
In this photo, Joan Tabelle needed no such instruction as her frustration bubbled to the surface and came out in the photo.
Classic!
Great shots Derek!
Actually, upon taking a look back at the photo of the bulldozer victim from June I’m not sure it fits the motif. The story line made me think the photo might naturally meet the criteria, but maybe folded arms are required and the Heisman stiff arm doesn’t measure up.
I don’t know. Don’t cut it from the list yet. Lay it out on the table with the rest and determine later if it should be included.
To me the extended arm says “Get back! You’re not welcome!”
Funny as hell! If Andrew Krueger and Derek Montgomery need any advice re publishing and/or promoting a book of photos of pissed off Duluthians, Tony D and I would be happy to talk to them, right, Tony D?
That is a great idea Paul. It shouldn’t take long to compile the first book. You could probably do one each year.
Hysterical. Pure and simple. Can I pre-buy a copy?
My daughter and son-in-law were just here from Nevada and had more fun watching our locals in action. Had to introduce son-in-law to the beauty of the movie Fargo before he really got it!
When the Transistor goes full color, it will feature a photograph of skateboarders every week that are concerned/outraged/irritated about old Duluth nancys.
I have two words: Fundraiser. Calendar.
For the charity of your choice, of course, Paul, since it was your idea.
OMG, Jessige, that is BRILLIANT. I’d buy one!
I don’t know about books, calendars, etc., but I certainly can start a recurring feature on the Attic site. I’m glad people like those kinds of photos.
I’ll have something up in the next few days.
Property tax time is approaching and some great photo opp’s around the court house. And certainly there are some great photos of people driving around and around trying to find a place to park on the UMD campus. Some photos of the bikers who try to negotiate an entrance onto Woodland from St. Marie street with those huge trucks and racing SUVs a mere inches from their feet. I think they have the bravest faces.
see, funny shit like this has got me convinced that Mr. Lundgren is right up there on the list of my favorite humorists.
Derek: Your photos are inspirational, thanks for posting the link.
I know we’re only eight months into 2010, but I’d like to nominate this for post of the year.
I second Barrett POST OF THE YEAR. I really want a book out of this too.
I even have a calendar title: Disgruntled Duluth.
NorShor fundraiser, perhaps? I’d be willing to help out with setting that up.
One other thing… Lost in the conversation so far has been credit to the person who took the Denfeld parking photo that spurred the post. The photographer is Bob King of the News Tribune.
Andrew, nice clarification. I thought it was your photo. And I love those photos on the Attic site too.
I want to see a photo of a group of people who’re angry at the Duluth Laughing Club.
I realize it doesn’t quite fit into upset duluth, but my all-time favorite portrait-type photo is Hole-Boy.
One of my favorite DNT photos — again, not related to this context — is the old guy who beat the snot out of an intruder in his home, stripping him naked and sending him scurrying away. The story was awesome enough, but the photo of the guy was classic. I think he was trying to show some bruises, but appeared to be flexing as if he were a body builder.
I often wonder if the thief, who was a younger guy, is given a lot of grief in prison because he got his ass handed to him by a guy who was well into retirement.
Most people tend to forget which photographer shot what, but the DNT has had some great ones over the years. Unfortunately, many have had to pack their bags, but hats off to the dean of them all, “Astro” Bob King, who is also an excellent blogger.
I would also like to share some love for this post but am nominating “Chicken Spur” as Post of the Year.
My fav is the lady with all the little doggies on her shirt…this pic is my background on my work laptop. I too would buy a book of angry Duluthians…you could have a whole chapter of Park Point residents.
Just don’t include the one with the baby in the kettle or the baby in the pot hole!
The child in the pothole was an awesome photo. And the baby in the kettle was the only time I’ve ever enjoyed looking at Grandma’s Brag Book.
Can’t forget this classic: Racist T-shirts
That racist T-shirt picture clearly fits the motif in terms of the visual composition, but I think the subject matter might be a little too serious. It’s better if the person is upset because utility rates are going up or someone is stealing political yard signs.
OR they have to shell out $5 for parking permits!
Ok I rescind my nomination and second Barrett nominating this as Post of the Year. This is PDD at it’s best. Paul, I don’t care what everyone says about you; you are one sharp cookie.
Northland Faces
Now we’re getting somewhere! Thanks Andrew!
Actually, that Indian Name article didn’t strike me as particularly serious. What if it said ‘Chinese Name’ or ‘Swahili Name’? The words specifically refer to the wearer of the shirt, not to an ethnic group. If there is some association with American Indians being known for excessive drinking, that is a separate issue and it appears to be a prejudice held by the viewers of the shirt.
I put together a very small gallery of some other photographs that might fit the criteria as well as a few that were talked about above.
Here is one that I think fits the criteria of upset people in front of their problems:
The Zontellis vs. Allstate Transmission
And here is the gallery:
Upset Duluth
Derek’s photo of the three people at a healing conference at Washington Center would be the prize winner in the “Melancholy Duluth” category.
Looking at that photo actually sent me into a temporary state of depression … until I got to the picture of Wayne Boniface. That image fills me with such joy I can barely contain myself.
Why is the gal with the two white dogs angry/upset? Must have missed the reasoning on that one.
Piglet,
It doesn’t quite fit the classic scenario because her problem was solved. The story with this lady is that her dogs were in her husband’s car while he was spending his lunch break at a local hockey rink and left the keys in the car with it running. Some kids stole the car and ditched it a few miles away with the dogs still in it. It was one of those stories where the dogs took centerstage and in this photo, the problem has been resolved, but she was still upset for obvious reasons.
“I feel sorry for local news photographers. They are hugely skilled and poorly paid, and sent out to photograph miserable people pointing at dog turds. Here, we celebrate their work.”
— Angry People in Local Newspapers
It’s always sad when kids are upset.
(Photo by Bob King for “Lester Park students play game of improvisation.”)