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 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.
Mr. Krueger, I would buy said book especially if you entitled it “Emotional Scandinavians: Crossed Arms and Grimaces in Duluth”
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.
I love the photo of the Denfeld neighbors! Arms crossed in defiance, yet, in Duluthian fashion, nice smiles on their faces. In the article, they sounded very polite, articulate and sensible.
Emotional Scandinavians? No such animal!
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!
Here’s one of the guy who had his property mistakenly bulldozed by the school district. I’m not totally sure it fits the motif. The guy is indeed upset, 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.
Great shots Derek!
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
Or they have to shell out $5 for parking permits!
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.
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.”)
I saw this picture in the paper this morning and immediately knew it must be added here for posterity:
Large Stump
Mary, you beat me to it.
First thing I thought of when I saw this picture was this thread.
Caption:
Larry Kraemer and Sharon Mosiniak of Duluth Heights oppose plans to rezone property south of their homes on Maple Grove Road. A hotel had been proposed for the site by ZMC Hotels, but the plans were shelved. A change in zoning could open the way for other development. (Bob King / rking@duluthnews.com)
Damn you, Derek.
I need to take a picture of myself posing next to my computer right now to show how angry I am that you got here with the photo first.
The link to the story that goes with the photo above: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/242368/
Add another one to the long list of Upset Duluthians…
Dead wood on Glenwood: Lakeside residents unhappy about dying saplings after road reconstruction
Is anyone ever going to do a calendar???
This Upset Duluth guy looks rather pleased with himself.
I agree with Ramos. That guy belongs in the Smug Duluth calendar, not the Upset Duluth one.
Maybe the PDD guys can do the calendar and use the proceeds to replace the AdSense revenue.
I don’t think it would go over so well if we made a calendar out of DNT-copyrighted photos.
You could ask them nicely first.
We also feel that compiling a calendar and making it available for purchase would: a) be a bunch of work, b) cost us money to produce and c) result in 20 sales.
Listen, you put Large Stump Guy on the cover, and Upset Lester Park Kid on the back cover, and you will have a Money Goldmine. enough to open the PDD--Cayman Island branch office, guaranteed.
I think today’s photo fits. It even has the word “upset” in the caption.
Romesh Lakhan, Kim Lakhan, Maureen Tobin Stanley and Dan Glisczinski, who all have children attending Holy Rosary School in Duluth, are upset that the school has placed signs encouraging a yes vote on the marriage definition amendment on school grounds. (Bob King / rking @ duluthnews.com)
Something about it just doesn’t quite make it as good as the rest. I think it’s the fact that a lot of people are angry about politics and religion and education. It’s more fun people are angry about tree stumps or parking.
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Ross sure seems upset.
(Another Bob King/DNT photo.)
If my thumbs were that bendy, I’d be upset too.
I’m thinking we need to add an official “Upset” tag for posts.
Mr. Ross is saying, “EEEEeeeeeaaaahhhheeeeeennnnhhhh!” He’s upset that his batteries are running out.
I think the original recognizing of the “Upset Duluth” motif of photos goes back to Oct. 19, 1997, when I was standing under where Grand Avenue passes over Miller Creek at Lincoln Park and Barrett Chase gave me direction on how to pose for this photo. He said something like, “Point at that graffiti like you’re one of those upset community members in the newspaper.”
We just didn’t realize at the time that having arms folded is a better pose. And I should have been up closer in the frame, but that would have required stepping into the creek.
A Duluthian (mostly) upset on Sanibel Island. I don’t know how to make it my Gravatar.
c-freak, you win the internet!
Read the Gravatar Help Topic. It’s easy, but you’ll probably need to remember your log in information from back when you set your current Gravatar.
Here ya go.
Duluth lifesaver’s gold medal disappears in theft
Portland Manor residents struggle with no elevator
Did you notice that the YWCA Camp Miller ad running on PDD is, essentially, the Anti-Upset Duluth?
As a matter of fact, I did notice that. Obviously they are not upset, but the folded arms of the woman in front does fit the Upset Duluth style.