“The taradiddle reveals the world as constructed by the camera. And in being manufactured by the camera it is inevitably a kind of white lie. There’s no history, there’s no context, no truth in the actual picture. Rather a semblance of such— there is an e
Charles H. Traub sees the world with a particular sense of humor and irony that reminds us of our messy humanity. His photographs are tonic for a world that has gotten way too serious. Fortunately for the last 20 years, he has his camera ready when odd juxtapositions present themselves, moments too surreal to be real, but based in the truths of the street. This collection of “photographic wanderings” from around the globe, with a particular eye toward serendipity, is now a book, Taradiddle, published by Damiani Editore. In viewing this collection of photographs, I am reminded of the importance of examining the absurd split second moments that can only be captured if one is looking. And Charles has a legacy of looking–in fact, this is his sixteenth publication, but he also a significant legacy of supporting photographic education, well evidenced in his bio. Each time I visit his website, which is often, I am inspired by someone has lead a spectacular photographic life and manages to continue to see the world with curiosity, humor, compassion, and joy.
