This is the place where I would put the explanation about what ties these photos all together – if I had such an explanation, which I don’t. But they are all photos that I like for really different reasons. Hey, maybe that’s their unifying characteristic! Full circle, baby!
Well, here we go…
1. I start out with a portrait of my own little boy, Will. Man, he’s cute. I think he takes after his dad 
“Cutest Kid in the World” / J. Shane Mercer
2. You know a few weeks ago when I kept posting images from that foggy morning (like here and here), and then I posted another photo and wrote: “Here’s a final photo from my little photo excursion Saturday morning in rural Clay County, Minn. (I say, “final,” but, you know, if I find another that I like enough, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll post it.).) Well, I did find another from that foggy morning, and here it is. The fog just made every single thing beautiful. It was like shooting fish in a barrel … just close your eyes, point the camera and it turns out pretty.
No title, J. Shane Mercer (you know … me).
3. I took more liberties with this image than I typically do with a photo. Generally, I like for my photos to have a documentary aspect to them. But on this one, I just kind of cut loose with the post-process settings and went for an effect. I almost view it as an photo illustration or piece of graphic art. I mean, it’s sort of a caricature of the sign. Maybe not something I’d use in the newspaper, but might make a nice poster.
Fargo Theatre Sign / J. Shane Mercer
4. This is a scene form the back door stoop of an “adult” store that’s just south of The Forum. I pass it on my way to or from my car sometimes. It can get pretty grody back there.
“Back Door of a Porn Shop” / J. Shane Mercer
Let me know what you think. If you like these images, feel free to check out more of my photographs here.