A Seat in the Middle of the Road

Here is an image taken back in December that I didn't like much at the time. I've decided to give it a second chance.

Back from a Break

I am finally getting back into the swing of things after taking a long break. This image was taken yesterday.

Columns and Shadow

These columns adorn the front entrance of Longfellow Elementary School on Stevens Avenue. I think the photograph makes a fitting bookend to my year-long project.

Having said that much, I think I will leave further thoughts about the significance of the past year's work for another post. I achieved my goal, but am far from finished. Stay tuned.

Shoe Repair, Shoe Repair

While I frequently photograph facades of buildings, I rarely do complete elevations. Instead, I allow the facade to fill the entire frame. Just before taking this photo, however, I had been looking at some Walker Evans photographs. I really don't think I would have taken this picture had I not been looking at Walker Evans that morning.

It's easy to see the connection when the sequence of events (first the looking, then the seeing) happens on the same day. But even when other photographers' images aren't as fresh in my mind, they are still there (in the back of my mind) influencing the decisions I make when out with my camera.

Another interesting note about this image. I looked at it as a black and white (in the manner of Walker Evans), but it just didn't work. The blue sky would need to be a lighter gray for that to work. I'll take that picture another day.

The shoe repair shop on Stevens has been the subject of a post before.

Buick GS 400

A more complete view of yesterday's Buick GS 400, along with a snow-capped reflection.

By Buick

Here is a detail of a Buick GS 400. I'll share one or two more photographs of the car tomorrow.

Geodesic Dome: Two Views

Here are two more shots of the geodesic dome at Lincoln Middle School. You can see the school fuzzily reflected in the bottom image.

Spider and Ice

Here is a hairy detail of the geodesic dome at Lincoln Middle School.

Christmas Reflection

It's hard to believe that, with this post, I'll be finished my year-long blog project in a week. I promise to finish strong. For inspiration, I received books of Walker Evans and William Eggleston photographs this morning, two mentor-masters who continually challenge me. And, of course, I won't stop posting on January 1. But I look forward to a change of course, whatever that may be. Happy Holidays to all!

Mannequin: Two More Views

Realizing that yesterday's photograph left a lot to the imagination, here are two more views of Jet's festively costumed mannequin.

Lost in Thought

Probably one of my favorite photos of late, this was taken just this morning. Neighbors might recognize the oddly clothed mannequin from a Jet Video window. What I especially like is the way the light sticks to the stray pieces of tape.

Window with Windows

I've been on the fence about this image for quite some time. If I were to point to one thing I like about it, it would simply be the relationship between the lines of the siding and the skewed shape of the window itself.

Frames: Twice

These photographs were taken on Commercial Street a few weeks back.

Figure, Shadow, Reflection

Here is what is most likely the last photograph from my recent walk down Congress Street. It exemplifies what I've been exploring recently, which is the interplay of figure, shadow and reflection. Here the three aspects are distinct. A less straightforward example would be the second photo, part of a series posted back in June.

Composition with Painter's Tape

This window on Vannah Avenue caught my eye while out snapping pictures last weekend. It was one of two pictures I ended up with that has a narrow band of green down the left side.

Handbag and Shadows

The window display at Material Objects on Congress Street. Notice how the white line of the street is threaded through the shadow of the handbag's handle.

Looking into MECA

There is a lot going in in this photograph, which is probably why I am a little on the fence about it. Is it too much? I think the color works nicely. I also like the placement of the three reflected windows, a nice place to rest the eye after taking in so much action. Most of all, I like that the smaller figure appears to be carrying something (an unfinished assemblage?), which can't be possible, of course. (Although I sometimes feel as if a second self is following along behind me, reminding me of unfinished artwork.)

Congress Street Diptych

A white wall on the other side of this window produces an interesting division of space. It's almost as if there are two separate pictures entirely.

Frank: The Man with Three Shadows

As I've said before, I find it challenging to include people in my photographs. They add a layer of complexity that is difficult to manage. My natural inclination is to be deliberate, taking the time required to carefully arrange all the elements in my composition. Passersby on the street have little sympathy for my needs. In this case, through luck and patience, all the elements have come together--so much so that I feel this man's name must be Frank!

Blinds with Frosting

The more I look at this photograph, the more I feel the need to return to the scene in order to figure out what is going on. I want to understand why the blinds stop where they do (looking from bottom to top). It appears to be an effect of the frosted windows, but I'm not entirely certain.