This post ran on April 16, 2018. When it ran, Dan Antion was a participant in the Thursday Doors feature. He is now the lead and has just finished a major story prompt with the doors as inspiration. This post is in recognition of the outstanding job he and all the participants did on this creative effort.
* * *
This list is inspired by the Thursday Door prompt as interpreted by Dan Antion. I have often wondered what would happen if certain things went wrong when looking at his photos. So here they are, and I’m glad to report that Dan has done none of these things.
10 If you are taking door photos, do not ignore that no trespassing sign. If you do, at best, you’ll get a warning shot. At worst, the owner will have a pack of wild dogs trained to discourage trespassing. (You finally found out how quickly you can run, Donahue. Too bad those dogs are faster.)
9 If you are taking door photos, do not keep shooting pictures while Tiny, the WWF Champ, is waving at you. If you do, at best, he is friendly. At worst, he just entered the witness protection program and thinks you are on the opposite team. (This would be a good time to try out those new Nike running shoes, Donato. Oh dear, you forgot to wear them? Try not to scream then.)
8 If you are taking door photos, do not try to shoot and drive. If you do, at best, you’ll get many photos of your reflection. At worst, you are so occupied you miss that curve. (Looks like you are in someone’s bedroom, Donny. I think I would make up a story and fast.)
7 If you are taking door photos, do not continue to back up without looking behind you. If you do, at best, you’ll fall into a flower bed. At worst, you now know the meaning of free fall, Dontell. I don’t think flapping your arms is going to help. You can try it, though.)
6 If you are taking door photos, do not forget to keep your thumb out of the field of vision. If you do, at best, one or two will turn out. At worst, your door photos will all have a significant close-up of your thumb. (No matter how you try to sell the shot as artistic, Duante, everyone knows what really happened.)
5 If you are taking door photos, do not become distracted by the obscure. If you do, at best, some of your fans might enjoy the “door to the alley” shot. At worst, that close-up of a ham sandwich looks to be anything but a ham sandwich. (Looks like those comments are not going in your favor, huh Dorion?)
4 If you are taking door photos, do not focus on only those doors you like. If you do, at best, your audience will fade. At worst, after the one-hundredth shot of the Burger King entrance, someone will mercifully take your camera away from you. (You’ll be able to get it back, Doughall, after a hundred hours of community service.)
3 If you are taking door photos, do not try to include exciting people. If you do, at best, they’ll only cover up the door. At worst, you’ll have someone in your shot who has a thing about obscene gestures. (Okay I would take that one over, Draven. This is a family post, after all.)
2 If you are taking door photos, do not think the weather will cooperate. If you do, at best, some will think that door photo with snowflakes is artistic. At worst, your light setting will be thrown off by the repeated lightning strikes. (You need to find cover, Driscol. You also need to get some rubber shoes for grounding. My goodness, the last bolt did some funny things to your hair.)
1 If you are taking door photos, do not think you need to have each one be perfect. If you do, at best, you will shoot so many that you run out of memory. At worst, you will photoshop the photo until it no longer looks like the door you shot. (What makes you think folks want to see a business building door look like the entrance to the Vatican, Duff?)
Fiction Favorites 
Thanks John! It is my pleasure to carry on the good work Norm Frampton started. The participants are the best.
I have violated No. 6 so many times, I could publish “Phalanges Photos – The Definitive Collection” My lead subject is a forefinger nearly covering the lens of my phone’s camera. No. 2 is also true. I have posted Rainy Day Doors more than once.
No. 10 is important. Norm established and I maintain a No Bail policy for participants.
Thanks again, and I hope you have a great week.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Is a fun program, Dan and it is getting better every year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d buy Phalanges Photos – The Definitive Collection.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLiked by 2 people
Number ten requires a loooong zoom lens for sure! 😉 Wonderful list, and great inspiration from Dan. Thanks for sharing the fun, John 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the lovely comment, Harmony. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t realize door photos was a genre. Makes some sense considering how decorative some can be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think Dan’s feature is placing attention on it.
LikeLike
haha, I do follow Dan and he has taught me to appreciate doors – who knew, eh?
Thanks to both of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes who knew? Thanks, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see a lot of door photos around the web and they’re intriguing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list of things not to do, John. I’m sure Jim Morrison would appreciate them too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha ha. Love that, Tim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoever knew taking photos of doors and then writing about them would be a thing we all look forward to? Fun rules, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, who knew, Lois. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Duly noted should I ever decide to participate 😉
Happy Monday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dale. Happy Monday to you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merci mon ami!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are good ones, John.. I almost bought sign, ‘Trespassers Will Be Shot, Survivors Will Be Shot Again”… and then I thought better of it.. lol But there are those times. I’m like …HELLO?🤔🙀💓😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this one. Also I like the one that said, “With the rising cost of ammunition I will no longer fire a warning shot at trespassers.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahahah that’s even better! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great door pics advice, John:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denise 😊
LikeLike
These are good ones, John.. I almost bought sign, to a sigh that said Trespassers with be shot, survivors will be shot again..🙀 I thought better of it.. lol. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yours is funny. I like the one that says,”With the rising cost of ammunition I will no longer be providing trespassers with a warning shot “
LikeLike
These are awesome. I confess, I’ve stepped off a sidewalk or pathway to my detriment more than once (#7). Talk about embarrassing. 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been there myself, Monika. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi John, haha, these are very funny. I was taking pictures of a door at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. I stepped backwards to get a better shot and onto the pristine green grass. The gardener had a complete fit on the spot. It was most embarrassing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most people in the UK have an unusual protectiveness about their gardens. I also took a photo of Holyrood Palace. I didn’t step on the grass though.
LikeLike
Haha, yes, they are protective about the lawns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Oh, to have a camera that could capture each door’s uniqueness. Great list, John, for a great program. Bravo to Dan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. Yes Dan has done a great job with the prompt.
LikeLike
I like door pictures, too, so I’ll have to stop and visit Dan. But you know, it’s kind of hard to get good shots when you’re as worried as I am over somebody demanding to know why I’m taking pictures of their door!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That does happen for sure. Good luck. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
A super fun post and great nod to Dan! Thanks, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the comment, Tom. 😁
LikeLike
For those unfamiliar with Dan’s world of doors, this post serves as an “entrance” into what that genre is all about. I started paying more attention to doors when I started reading him, and have learned to appreciate how they add to the overall charm of the structures they front.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bruce. I think you have made an excellent point about doors. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did not know there were so many things to consider when photographing doors. I’ll take heed 🙂 Thanks, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just be careful. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welp, this explains where I went wrong! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
#6. “do not forget to keep your thumb out of the field of vision…” ain’t that a bummer that I’ve done a hundred times while photographing dogs, family, and beautiful scenery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m guessing a lot of these are from personal experience? Hmm???
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the great tipps. I hope i will remember when it’s useful to do. Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
I could have used your list before taking dozens of European door photos. Guess I need to go back! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gee. Would that be a hardship?
LikeLiked by 1 person
😩😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
So funny, John. One of Tiny’s best here (laughed my head off.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad, Jennie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never realized photographing doors was such a popular pastime in America…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a worldwide thing. (believe it or not)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never thought there was so much to doors. I usually just open and close ’em. Who knew there was an entire subtext (maybe religion?) to the damn things. Thank you for the education. But I have to say, I’ll never look at a door again without thinking of this post. Thanks a lot, John. You just ruined doors for me. And I was so happy in my ignorance. Might I say, I reveled in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Saloon doors take on a special meaning.
LikeLike
thank you
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person