PhotoGrunt

Snow...what a long, strange week it's been

2012-01-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

This past week we got dumped on by an unrelenting snow that just got more intense as the week progressed. I went out Wednesday night to get these shots before it started melting the next day.

Then it didn't.

Instead, we got more snow, a bit of sleet, some freezing rain (and the obligatory ice storm that goes with it), followed by more snow. It warmed up yesterday, and the wholesale melting commenced.

I like snow; I like the way it looks, the way it covers everything up and the way it spreads a muted hush over the world. Everything slows down and people seem nicer. For a while at least it seems like there really is magic in the world.

Then it melts, exposing everything it had covered and bringing with it a bit of melancholy to go with the dirty, wet, slushy, flooding mess it leaves behind.

But at least you can get around again without the fear of getting stuck somewhere.

Project 52 - Week 52

2011-12-26T23:45:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

December 25

Well, here we are. Week 52 of my 52 week project, a commitment to produce at least one photograph each week for a year. With the following images that commitment will be fulfilled. My intention is to not repeat the 52 week commitment, but to instead branch out and pursue some other, as yet unspecified projects. Stay tuned!

Christmas day brought us a wind storm which knocked out our power. We tired of waiting for it to come back on so we went for a drive and ended up in Seattle. The city was very quiet in an eerie sort of way. We didn't really expect to find much of anything open, and we weren't disappointed. We went to the Pike Place Market and nothing, save the Mee Sum Chinese pastry shop, was open. We each had a Humbow and split a Coke. From there we drove down 1st Avenue to the SoDo District and through Pioneer Square. By the time we got home the power was back on. Not exactly a Christmas miracle, but we'll take it.

Rotary Grocery

Market Grill

Lower Floor

Pig Alley

Western Avenue

Beecher's Cheese

Pike Place

King Street Station

Storefront on South Jackson

Project 52 - Week 51

2011-12-26T22:59:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

December 24

South Downtown Seattle was fairly quiet, but then the Seahawks were playing and everybody was in Century Link Stadium. I made sure I was out of there before the game let out.

Razor Wire and Cranes

Loft Apartments

Barney's Loans

Smith and Columbia Towers

Mount Rainier

Project 52 - Week 50

2011-12-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

December 17

Edison Slough in Washington's Skagit Valley, looking west.

Edison Slough

Project 52 - Week 49

2011-12-10T00:08:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This time of year, as autumn wanes and winter is waiting in the wings, our days are dominated by the night. It gets dark earlier and the sun rises later. As such, there is more opportunity for low-light photography, and I have been embracing that of late...I love the tonal qualities one can achieve when low-light images are rendered in black and white. Look for more to come.

December 8

I often pass by this concrete plant on my way home from work, and the interplay of light and dark, illumination and shadow across the plant's superstructure proves irresistible. I anticipate more visits to this site.

Concrete Plant

Concrete Plant 2

December 9

On my way home from work one day this week I'm visually assaulted by an enormous sign and a massive tent, a canvass pavilion really, one of colossal proportions. Both sign and pavilion are bathed in an illumination so bright that they seem to leap from the night making the darkness insignificant. It certainly catches my attention, and I'm sure that's the intent, for this is the advance setup for Cavalia. But for me there's something else...an implied invitation, a calling if you will, to capture these images photographically. I return the following night and do just that.

Cavalia

Cavalia Pavilion

Cavalia Pavilion 2

Project 52 - Week 48

2011-12-03T23:47:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

November 29

The Brothers

December 2

Half Moon

Project 52 - Week 47

2011-11-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

November 23

Otay Mesa

November 24

Talk to the Hand

Project 52 - Week 46

2011-11-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

November 19

Aikido Dojo

The "Sunset Cliffs Aikido" dojo, located in the alley behind "Hodad's" in Ocean Beach, California.

Project 52 - Week 45

2011-11-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

November 10

The Full Luna

Project 52 - Week 44

2011-11-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

November 5

Smith Tower From Up Yesler Way

Old Office Building on Yesler

Who Cares?

Only...

Luna

Project 52 - Week 43

2011-11-01T23:03:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

October 29

For whatever reason, I seem to be reverting to B&W imagery lately. This weekend I found myself in Seattle at the north end of Lake Union, both in the Fremont District and at Gas Works Park. I was fortunate to have such a beautiful day in which to capture some photographs. Here is a sampling.

Fremont Power

Fremont Power 2

Fremont Power 3

Walking By

Old Gasification Plant

Grassy Hill

Float Plane Takes Off From Lake Union

Project 52 - Week 42

2011-10-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

October 17

Monday morning I was out walking my dog before heading off to work and I spied the moon hanging in the pre-dawn sky. Anticipating an opportunity, I grabbed my tripod and hot-footed it to work. Once there I was pleased to see that the moon had not been hidden by clouds, so I mounted my camera and long lens onto my tripod and set about capturing this image. While this low-res version doesn't do it justice, I am very pleased with the way it came out.

Fat Half Moon

October 22

This afternoon we went out to visit a Pub in a nearby town for a burger and a beer. Afterward I captured this image of the town hall. On our way back I took a back road and a ramshackle old structure caught my eye.

City of Carnation

Gravity At Work

Still Standing

Project 52 - Week 41

2011-10-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

October 12

The Commons

If you've been following this blog you'll know that the school where I work underwent a major addition this past summer. Now the addition has been dedicated and tours have been conducted, but still there are those who haven't seen it in person. The school's Annual Report will be coming out soon and I was asked to provide some shots for a "virtual tour" of the new construction. This image is part of that collection and shows the main entrance to the new area..."The Commons".

Project 52 - Week 40

2011-10-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

October 8

Old Barn Overgrown

This old barn sits alongside Hwy 203 just south of Duvall, WA. It's been there for quite some time, hence the "Old" designation. It's no longer in use and has any number of holes, of varying sizes, in the roof. A few years ago it was going to be torn down, but from what I heard, a group of people got together with enough in donations to buy the barn with plans to turn it into some sort of performing arts center. It has yet to host any performances, but it is still standing, and for that I'm glad.

Project 52 - Week 39

2011-10-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

September 30

Sunrise Over Foggy Bottom

Sunrise Over Foggy Bottom (B&W)

...To The Place I Belong

There are several different ways for me to get to work in the morning. This has its advantages if there be traffic issues, or should I wish to avoid the freeways...which is always the case.

One of the routes I frequently take is the West Lake Sammamish Parkway, which, oddly enough, skirts the west shore of Lake Sammamish. The top photo was taken looking east from the side of West Lake Sam Pkwy, just south of Marymoor Park. I've had my eye on this location for some time, and this morning presented me with a most auspicious opportunity...so I took it! Oh, color and black & white, why both? While each of them evoke different emotions and present different qualities, I find that I like them both equally well and I felt it would be unfair of me to offer you one in favor of the other.

The bottom photo was taken on my way home from work. Turning left or right as I leave each offer their own opportunities and challenges, depending on time of day, day of the week, weather conditions, etc, but this day I turned right. I had previously noticed the way this short stretch of road appeared to present itself as a length of unfurled ribbon, and today found me with just the right combination of favorable light, weather conditions, preparation and time so that I was able to stop in the road for a few moments and capture this image. It may not be an award winner, but it pleases me in a very basic and elemental way. (The title...can you place the reference?)

Project 52 - Week 38

2011-09-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

September 23

Sunlight on Stairs

I'm inspired by angles and the interplay of light and dark. This shot really caught my eye.

Project 52 - Week 37

2011-09-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

September 11

Lamp and Morning Light

I've got a lamp, a wall and the sun coming through the blinds; what else can I say?

September 17

Wilted

More dead roses? What's the deal with me and dead roses? I like roses, especially the "live" kind. When I buy my wife flowers, chances are they'll be roses; most likely red roses. And while I have no problem shooting them while they're blooming, from a photographic standpoint I find them more interesting once they're a bit past their prime.

Project 52 - Week 36

2011-09-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

September 10

Almost Full

The full moon was the next day, but the next day was also in the next week, so I got a shot of the "almost full" moon. Mox nix. I used my Canon 40D and 100mm-400m zoom on the Manfrotto tripod; exposure: ISO 100, f-8 at 1/100 sec.

Project 52 - Week 35

2011-09-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

September 3

Fire Lane

Having just parked my truck, I was leaving the underground parking area and moving toward the Redmond Town Center central plaza when I came upon this portion of the sidewalk and fire lane illuminated by sunlight from an opening above. I share this with you.

Project 52 - Week 34

2011-08-28T01:34:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

August 24

It's been placed on the side of the road, set free and released into the wild. With luck, it will be accepted into a new domestic setting, hopefully before it turns feral; no one wants to see a good chair go bad.

Free Chair

Project 52 - Week 33

2011-08-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

August 15

Something to Climb

Unfinished Upstairs

Stairs to New Field

Project 52 - Week 32

2011-08-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

August 12

Work Continues

August 13

My wife has numerous vintage items; I used this antique doll for a still life session.

Faded Elegance

Marie

Project 52 - Week 31

2011-08-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This week found me a bit busier than usual, photographically speaking. We had some nice weather, which provided some nice light and a chance to get some shots I'd been contemplating for a while.

August 3 - We're in the middle of a construction project at the school where I work, and today I was inspired to take some progress shots. If some of these look a bit surreal, it's because I played around with them a bit in post processing.

Loader and Bucket

Science Lab Door

Bob the Building

Stairs

Vista Entrance

From the Field

Overview

Your Friend and Mine

August 4 - I pass by this old barn on my drive to and from work, and I've been waiting for just the right light. I know it looks like a bucolic setting, but this sits just off of a very busy 4 lane arterial. I can't help but wonder how long it will be before this property is developed.

Old Barn, Red Roof

August 6 - This Saturday finds me at the Seattle Center. Usually one would expect the International Fountain to be crowded with people trying to cool off on a Saturday in August...not today!

International Fountain

Project 52 - Week 30

2011-08-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

My wife and I went down to Seattle's Pike Place Market on Saturday, July 30th. We had breakfast at Le Pichet, one of our favorite places. My wife checked out her favorite antique shop and I went about capturing some images. The Market is, after all, one of my favorite places to shoot. With all those "favorites" going on, how could we have anything but a good day!

Stools, Red and Chrome

Sunflower Morning

A Place In The Sun

Seattle's Gum Wall

Project 52 - Weeks 28 and 29

2011-07-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

July 16, 2011

Coy

July 21, 2011

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore...

Project 52 - Weeks 26 & 27

2011-07-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

June 30, 2011

Lookin' for luggage in all the wrong places...

July 9, 2011

One Red Poppy

Project 52 - Week 25

2011-06-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This past Friday was a beautiful day, and I just happened to have the day off, so I...well, you can probably figure out what I did.

Red Barn, Blue Sky

Open Door Policy

One Red Pane

West Valley Barn

Red Barn, White Clouds and Blue Sky

Pastoral Reflection

Project 52 - Week 24

2011-06-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

I don't know why, but I find a certain beauty in dead and wilted flowers. Is that weird?

Still Dead...Roses

Project 52 - Week 23

2011-06-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

We haven't had very many days like this so far this spring. In fact, you could count them on one hand and still have fingers left over! That being the case, everybody had to go out and partake; I partook of a iced vanilla soy latte as well...

Coffee Alfresco

Project 52 - Week 22

2011-06-03T16:18:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

Red Pepper

Project 52 - Week 21

2011-05-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

Sammamish Slough

The Sammamish Slough (known as the Sammamish River before the US Army Corps of Engineers shortened it from 20 miles and straightened it to improve navigation) flows for about 13 miles through Redmond, Woodinville, Bothell, and Kenmore in north King County, Washington, draining Lake Sammamish into Lake Washington. The river, now slough, is named for the native people who once inhabited the area along its entire length.

This view is looking upstream; Lake Sammamish is not too far beyond the far tree line.

Project 52 - Week 20

2011-05-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

...by any other name...

Project 52 - Week 19

2011-05-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This past week was a good one; I was able to get out and shoot on two different occasions. I'll leave it to you to decide whether it was worth it or not.

Sunday, May 1

Broad Side

The broad side of a weathered barn, just outside of Carnation, WA.

Garden Door

A weathered door on the side of a vintage building in Carnation, WA leads to the overgrown garden area.

Saturday, May 7

Bread of Life

Douglas

I was in Seattle's Pioneer Square area, and turned down a back alley to see what "gritty" images I could find. I was about half-way down the alley when I heard a loud voice behind me. Turning, I saw what I took to be a "street person" approaching me. I said, "What was that?" He said, "Take my picture!" Well sure, I thought, why not? His name was Douglas and he was up from Mississippi, having fled that area after the recent tornadoes had gone through. I gave him a few dollars.

Emergency Exit

Rebirth of the Cold

Merchants Cafe

Project 52 - Week 18

2011-05-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This little girl was very enthralled with something out that window...she had the hardest time keeping still!

Curious

Project 52 - Week 17

2011-04-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This past week, it was Monday, we had snow...about an inch. It didn't last long, but it's April for crying out loud! This isn't supposed to happen around here! It did, however, give me something to shoot...

April Snow

Project 52 - Week 16

2011-04-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

One of my earliest memories is of rolling among crisp clean sheets, piled on the bed, fresh from the line and warmed by the sun. This week's shot is reminiscent of that time and feeling.

Clean Sheets

Project 52 - Week 15

2011-04-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This week I came upon an exotic car show in the parking lot of a local mall. One of the first, let's say the second, car I encountered was this vintage Mercedes Benz Sedan. Below you will find two versions of the same image. The first has received minimal post production manipulation, mainly to make adjustments to exposure, contrast, brightness, those sorts of things. The second has received post production manipulation to give it some HDR pop. What I'd like for you to do, dear viewer, is to tell me which version you prefer. How hard can that be?

#1 - Mercedes Benz Sedan - Minimal Manipulation

#2 - Mercedes Benz Sedan - HDR pop

Worth a Look (The View From The "Big End") - Vol II Edition 4

2011-04-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Not only am I a visual person, but a photographer as well. As such, I enjoy looking at photographs, and every now and then I'll go wandering through the listings for the Photographers Of Etsy to do just that...look at photographs. I usually frequent the "Big End" because I want to catch them before they expire, give them another chance at discovery if you will. Here are just a few of the images that recently caught my eye.

Enjoy!

And artists, please don't forget to renew your listings before they expire! We'd hate to lose them.

(Note: The "Big End" is what I call the the oldest of the POE listings. To get there, conduct a search on Etsy under "All Items" for "POE team". You will get a list of probably somewhere around 400 to 500 listings; the "Big End" is the end of the list with the highest numbers, and these are the ones about to drop off and expire.)

(Note 2: It should be noted that the only search criteria I use to find the images for this feature is "poe team". You'd be surprised how many times I go into a member's shop to link to the listing I found in my search, only to find another image I like better! Sadly, because of my self-imposed rules, I can't use the other "better" image because, and only because, "poe team" was not included in the list of 14 tag words. So, if you're not including "poe team" in your tag words, you're missing the boat.

Hey, I'm just sayin'...)

Mouse - DavidLangley

Kotlarska 4 - shashamane

Walk the Line - erinaasland

Steam Engine - SolsticePhoto

Homage To Georgia O'Keefe - jesspeterson

Flying High - HolgaJen

To be touched - DeLaCruz

Chess Players - GalerieNoire

Vintage Harvest - buckscountyframes

Arcane Allure - everydayeros

Project 52 - Week 14

2011-04-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

Evacuation

I work at a school (K-8), and right now we have some construction going on. This past week we had a bit of excitement when a piece of excavation equipment dug up and ruptured a gas line that was not where it was supposed to be. All the children were calmly, and safely evacuated to the gym to wait for their parents to collect them. This image shows one of the teachers surrounded by the students.

Project 52 - Week 13

2011-03-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

Aloft 1

Aloft 2

Aloft 3

Aloft 4

Aloft 5

Aloft 6

Aloft 7

March 25 - Clouds. Who doesn't like clouds? I love their "texture", the way they reflect and absorb light, creating highlights and shadows and the way they're always moving, always changing; I love 'em!

Tagline Roulette - Volume II, Edition 3 - "San Francisco"

2011-03-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

It should be noted that the "tag word" in no way dictates a theme, it is merely part of the search criteria used to create the image pool. This time out the random word turned out to be "San Francisco" which didn't produce an exceedingly long list of images, but I think you'll agree it did produce some interesting ones. And if this outing seems to be heavily weighted toward bridges, well, it is San Francisco after all!

Please take a look; I hope you enjoy them as much as I have, and as always, please feel free to send me your word suggestions!

Zoom Goes the Judah - mattallen

record store - moonaskingtostay

bay bridge love - 4blankwalls

wear some flowers in your hair - moonaskingtostay

The Golden Golden Gate - RandomAbstracts

I Left My Heart - eringarrisondesign

Romolo Alley - mattallen

San Francisco Fountain - rrobertsphoto

Dreamy - DESIGNbyHELEN

golden gate bridge 3 - sharpobjects

Chinatown Building - dhunting

Crashing Waves at Baker Beach - mk111333

More San Fran Sea Lions - PhotosByChipperfield

San Francisco City View - thartzo

Pink House Collage - MarissaObscura

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge - Baker Beach - mk111333

Alcatraz - rrobertsphoto

Bay Bridge in Fog - SeaLilyStudio

Sky - poofny

Rising Column - HOLLIHO

Move Fast - anaramirezphoto

Abstraction - elephantdreams

Buena Vista Cafe - JBWPhoto

Golden Gate Bridge - SeaLilyStudio

Project 52 - Week 12

2011-03-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

The Olympics

March 16 - The Olympic Mountains, peeking through the clouds, taken from Cougar Mountain with Bellevue, Mercer Island and Seattle in the foreground.

The Stylish Blogger

2011-03-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd be accused of being stylish!

This just in:

There's a frost warning in Hades!

Pigs are in a holding pattern over Chicago's O'Hare!

Chickens are at the Lancome counter stocking up on lipstick, and...

My blog has been given the "Stylish Blogger Award". Who'd a thunk it?

I was very pleased today to receive an Etsy convo message from Rachel over at Raeolight, advising me that I had been so honored. Thank you so very much, Rachel!

Requirements of the award are:

a.) Thank the person that honored you with the award. √
b.) Present seven facts about yourself. √
c.) Pass the award on to other bloggers. √

Seven facts about me:

1.) I've been to 23 of the 50 states.
2.) My favorite color is green.
3.) I smoked my last cigarette over 26 years ago.
4.) I knew the mayor of Seattle before he was the mayor of Seattle.
5.) I'm a big Jack London fan.
6.) My least favorite question is, "Why...?"
7.) Following the "Six Degrees of Separation" theory, there are 3 degrees of separation between me and JFK, and 2 degrees between me and Bill Gates.

My nominees for the Stylish Blogger are:

Jessica Rogers at Jessica Rogers Photography
Andrea Despot at The Lighthouse Keeper
Anika Toro at Pasado

Project 52 - Week 11

2011-03-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

Dry Aged

March 12 - Old, dead, dried and definitely past their prime; I found these flowers to still possess a certain beauty.

Project 52 - Weeks 8, 9 and 10

2011-03-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

Week 8

Gelateria Lorenzo

February 18 - Captured after dark on the streets of Firenze, Italy, Gelateria Lorenzo is at the confluence of Via Del Belle Donne, Via Del Sole and Via Della Spada.

Week 9

20 Via della Zecca

February 21 - 20 Via della Zecca is located within the walled portion of the Italian city of Lucca.

Week 10

Time and a Bottle

March 3 - I'm back home now and no longer in photographically "target rich" Italy...this is a still life of some of my wife's vintage collectibles; two clocks and a perfume bottle.

Our Firenze Holiday

2011-03-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

Ponte alle Grazie

OK, we're back. (Read through to the bottom for a link to a slide show of images of our trip.)

We were on vacation and I just couldn't tear myself away from that to keep this blog up to date. I thought I could pull it off, but I was wrong...sorry.

When last we visited we had received our globe trotting baggage followed by a drive to Lucca and back in the rain. Good times!

The next day the weather started out much better, so we decided to drive to Siena. We ended up driving south into a northbound storm, so when we got to Siena it was wet and windy and cold. We did not know that Siena was at an altitude capable of putting a certain accent on inclement weather. We will keep that factoid tucked away for future reference.

Friday, the weather being "postcard worthy", found us southbound yet again, but not to Siena. We visited the medieval (and still populated) castle, Castello di Monteriggioni. I took photos and my wife shopped. From there we went to San Gimignano, a Tuscan hill town known for its 13 or 14 (depending on which travel guide you have) towers. Travel guru, Rick Steves, refers to San Gimignano as a "tourist trap", and I can see what he's talking about, but it is quite picturesque and photogenic, and even Rick Steves is enamored of the sunsets from the town. I was glad we went. As in Castello di Monteriggioni, I photographed and my wife shopped. Do you see a trend developing here?

I got up early Saturday to find yet another picture postcard day. I walked down to the Arno river and, taking advantage of the "dawn's early light", got some shots of the Ponte Vecchio and other sights. We still had the car, but decided to stay in Florence. We walked around the old part of the city, taking in the sights, photographing and shopping; you know the drill.

While we still had the car we drove up to Pisa; it was a cloudy day that turned into some light rain late in the day. With all the clouds, I was more than a bit disappointed with the ambient light in such an historic and famous place, but even if the light had been perfect, I wouldn't have been able to get the images I wanted; there are people EVERYWHERE! And if that weren't enough, they're all getting photos of themselves holding up the tower; except for that one guy that's trying to push it over. Instead of being frustrated at not getting the images I wanted, I shifted my focus and turned my lens on the people.

The next day we went back to Lucca; the weather was very pleasant, and I got some decent images, but we got there during the middle of the day and everyplace seemed to be shutting down for a couple of hours. We walked around for a bit, then packed it in and went back to Firenze. We really liked Lucca and would like to spend some more time there; perhaps even staying there.

We turned in our car a day early; there was really no place else we wanted to go, and we were quite satisfied with staying in Firenze and "becoming one" with our new, if temporary, home.

What's left to say? We left Florence on Friday, February 25th and now we're home...making plans for our return. If you're interested, here's a link to a good number of the images from this trip I found to be "share worthy" (the "Vatican" images were taken a couple of years ago):

http://www.eyepiphany.com/italy.htm

Our Firenze Holiday

2011-02-19T14:56:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 16

Our bags have returned to us from their own mini-holiday! There were moments when I seriously doubted we would ever see them again. Now, we have clean socks...and other important things.

Today, it is raining. Today, we collect our rental car. Today, we drive to Lucca...in the rain, and turn around and return to Firenze. We take the wrong exit and get quite lost, which is really kinda cool because it gives us a chance to see parts of Firenze we would normally not see, and, it gives us a chance to get the feel of our new, if temporary, home.

We are staying in the Hotel Santa Maria Novella with a room that overlooks the Piazza Santa Maria Novella; I set up my tripod and get a time exposure of the piazza and the Grand Hotel Minerva. The benches in the piazza are pretty cool; a number of them have lights that shine from under the edges.

Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Our Firenze Holiday

2011-02-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, February 15

I got up this morning and called the "Lost & Found Baggage" people and got some good news, and some not so good news. Our bags have been found and have been dispatched to Firenze; the "not so good" news is that the Firenze airport was fogged in and the flight with our bags was diverted to Bologna. Compounding the "not so good" news is the news that the only flight from Bologna to Firenze gets in at 11:30 pm, an hour and a half after the "Lost & Found Baggage" counter closes. So, the glass is half empty, but at the same time, it's half full.

We take breakfast in the hotel (it's included!) and head out to do some self-guided walking around the old part of town. I capture some images; the wife finds a yarn shop (I'm shocked!); we find an out of the way Cafe' (it somehow seems they're all "out of the way"!) and had a couple Lemon Sodas...delicious!

Il Duomo

Il Duomo2

Il Duomo Window

Hogre Non Esiste

La Bicicletta Blu

Light In The Balance

Scooters

Our Firenze Holiday

2011-02-17T00:02:00.000-08:00

Later that same day...

We went out for a bit of a walk around town, not the whole town, mind you, but just some of the central portion, some of the older part, that we could get to on foot without too much effort. We were searching for some personal items, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc, to get us over the hump until, and if, our luggage arrived from whatever far-flung clime it was taking its own holiday.

After we got our personal items taken care of, we wanted some soda (for the aforementioned "Duty Free" liquid libation...hey, we'd earned it!) and some snacks. We encountered a lovely young woman who gave us her personal recommendation on some local potato chips. Erin, the lovely young woman, turned out to be from Spokane, WA, just 300 miles or so from our home, and she is in Florence studying "Art Conservation", "Art Restoration" or something along those lines. And, it turned out she is about 10 years older than the early twenties we pegged her at. Huh!

We returned to our room to cache our newly acquired booty, and went in search of something to eat. We ended up at an out of the way trattoria where we encountered a good bottle of wine, an OK bistecca and an interesting Englishman, "Mike", who regaled us with stories of his travels and experiences. It seems his favorite place to holiday is Gabon (Or was it Gambia? Now I've got myself questioning myself.) where he likes to go fishing. Interesting fellow.

More to follow...

Our Firenze Holiday

2011-02-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

We were collected by the airport shuttle at 5:00 am on Sunday, after having been up for most of the preceding 24 hours. We boarded our 8:10 am flight right on time, then spent the better part of the next 2 hours waiting to commence our flight while some maintenance folks did whatever it was they needed to do to clear a code in the cockpit that the pilot had deemed important enough to keep us out of the sky. That's my kind of pilot; if you're going to err, err on the side of caution. While the natural inclination for an airplane may be to fly, gravity is a powerful and tenacious opponent, and it always wins.

We arrived at Toronto, our intermediate destination, about an hour and a half late, which instead of a leisurely stop-over, left us with a mad dash, via immigration control, to our connecting flight; we made it with little time to spare. Our transatlantic journey was comprised of 10+ hours of reading, cat napping, working word puzzle books, movies, cat napping, a meal, some beverages, cat napping, movies, reading, cat napping...well, you get the picture.

Upon arrival at Frankfurt, and after standing in two frustratingly long security check-point lines, we finally got that the liquid spirits we had acquired at the Air Canada in-flight "Duty Free" shop while over the Atlantic would have to be stowed as checked baggage during our next and final flight. So, we put our libation in a duffel, checked it with Lufthansa and made another mad dash toward our next flight; but, strategically placed between us and our gate was yet another security check-point, which slowed our forward progress to the point that by the time we arrived at our assigned gate, the bus to our aircraft was already two minutes gone.

The nice Lufthansa lady booked us on the next flight to Florence, which was two and a half hours later, and it was at this point that we found out that there was every likelihood we would be continuing our journey without our luggage. No, not our "Duty Free" liquid libation that was safely ensconced in a nylon duffel and checked with Lufthansa, but our "real" luggage that we had checked in Seattle. So it was that we arrived in Florence two and a half hours late without so much as a change of socks.

We took a cab to our hotel, checked in, went to our room where I took off my shoes to give my tired and blistered feet a well deserved rest.

To be continued...

Project 52 - Week 7

2011-02-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

I didn't have much opportunity to get out and shoot this week. I did get a few images, but mostly of the "ho-hum" variety.

One of my co-workers approached me a couple of weeks ago about doing some portraiture work. We haven't been able to set up a session yet, but one day this week she was in my office and I saw something... While we were talking I pulled my camera out of my bag and took a few frames. This is my favorite.

Sheri

Worth a Look (The View From The "Big End") - Vol II Edition 3

2011-02-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!

And artists, please don't forget to renew your listings before they expire! We'd hate to lose them.

Hey, I'm just sayin'...)

Snow Gauge - rrobertsphoto

Chucks - lilacpopphotography

The Rustic Wooden Door - RaeoLight

Winter Canoes - KhoKreative

Niagara Gull - HolgaJen

Taking Off - mariterecr

Rusted Gear - HouseofSixCats

Brooklyn bridge - Lazyfish

Field at dusk - posidonia

Electric Shadow - PhotoGrunt

Tagline Roulette - Volume II, Edition 2 - "Teal"

2011-02-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

I have a list of words, currently numbered at 161, and periodically I go to an online random number generator to get...(Wait for it!)...a randomly generated number! I use this number to point me to the tag word that I'll use to create a pool of images by Etsy POE Team members. As words get used, I cross them off the list, give the other words a chance, you know?

It should be noted that the "tag word" in no way dictates a theme, it is merely part of the search criteria used to create the image pool. This time out the random word turned out to be "Teal" which produced a collection of 6 pages, 234 listings and a collection of 26 images.

Please take a look; I hope you enjoy them as much as I have, and as always, please feel free to send me your word suggestions!

Nuance - greenislandstudios

bix - zuppaartista

Glacial Waters - jenndphotography

seagull 3 - enchantedpond

All Shut Up - reflectionsoflight

Pecos River No. 2 - rrobertsphoto

Miss Violet at the Starting Line - kellywarrenphotoart

Spring Cactus Blossoms - CreateLoveLaugh

Ode to Aspara-guys - joystclaire

Roots Of Exposure - CatamountDigital

Vintage Chevrolet Bel Air - EyeShutterToThink

Wasser Mit Gas - buckscountyframes

Country Breeze - bbrunophotography

Teal Door - RaeoLight

Copper Lion Fountain - intrinsicvalue

The Lone Horseman - Briole

Troy Bay Door - PhotoGrunt

all things european - levansphotography

Preservation - bbrunophotography

Red Shadow - studiocvh

Annie's Town Hotel - SouthernHippie

Solar Powered - dsbrennan

Abstract Two - CoyPhoto

Old chair with telephone - seabelly

Fermenting Department - jalinde

Dive - ellemoss

Worth a Look (The View From The "Big End") - Vol II Edition 2

2011-02-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!

And artists, please don't forget to renew your listings before they expire! We'd hate to lose them.

Hey, I'm just sayin'...)

Sunset Over Hartland Point - Lhosphotography

Freedom - bluemoonstudio

Brant Point Sunset - Knight27

Flower 1 - heatherkingdesigns

Abandoned Farmhouse in Canola Field - rrobertsphoto

Detroit Alley - lilacpopphotography

Had You Gone You Knew In Time We'd Meet Again - CBMLphoto

Black and White Tulips - PhotoGrunt

Simply Country - SouthernHippie

The Test of Time - FotogirlCreations

Eastern State Penitentiary - JohnSturgisPhotos

Misunderstood - siriusimagery

Project 52 - Weeks 5 and 6

2011-02-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This past weekend my wife and I took a 4 day weekend and went to San Diego to visit family. With all the interesting subjects available there, I had visions of taking any number of interesting photos. But, somehow it didn't work out that way. I was able to get a few images and here is a sample. I hope you find them interesting.

January 29, 2011

Oceanside Gulls

Smoking Lounge

CV-41

January 30, 2011

Palm Fronds

Tagline Roulette - Volume II, Edition 1 - "Paris"

2011-01-23T15:15:00.000-08:00

I have a list of words, currently numbered at 161, and each week I go to an online random number generator to get...(Wait for it!)...a randomly generated number! I use this number to point me to the tag word that I'll use to create a pool of images by Etsy POE Team members. As words get used, I cross them off the list, give the other words a chance, you know? Well, it's a new year and we're starting over. I've added a few new words and un-crossed the crossed out words.

It should be noted that the "tag word" in no way dictates a theme, it is merely part of the search criteria used to create the image pool. This week our random word turned out to be "Paris" which produced a collection of 6 pages and 203 listings.

Originally, my target in this feature was to put together a collection of 10 images or so, but holding the line here at only "10 images" proved difficult, so I decided to just go with what I feel. Ten images is now my minimum, and my maximum depends on the number of images in the pool and how I feel about things. I don't want to feature so many images that folks might get bored looking at them, and once I start approaching 20 images, posting them starts to get to be a drag, so now my limit falls somewhere between "10" and "folks might get bored / this is getting to be a drag".

This week we ended up with a collection of 26 images. Please take a look; I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Oh, and as always, please feel free to send me your word suggestions!

paris rooftops 3 - enchantedpond

Sidewalk Cafe - TheLeftBank

lights of paris - mkendall

Somewhere in Paris a man and a dog go for a walk... - dragonflyphotography

Eiffel Tower on the Seine - jerseymaids

French Gold - henatayeb

On River Seine - SolsticePhoto

Lantern - jrzygirlphotography

Paris Rooftops - emelephotography

Paris Street--Walk - Ketzelphotography

Yellow Chairs - buckscountyframes

Vintage Perfume Bottle (Still Life in Sepia) - PhotoGrunt

Postcard of Eiffel Tower - lesleypayne

Sparkling Eiffel Tower - TweelingPhotography

Birds of a Feather - FlashForward

Paris Promenade - TooArtfulForYou

Black Coffee - galleryoncentral

Peek a Boo - reflectionsoflight

Le Grand Palais - MarcoLaGrenouille

Candles at the Notre Dame - RandomAbstracts

from atop the hill ... - levansphotography

cafe - pinkiestyle

Studio Move Parisian Cafe - starrybluesky

Ze Eiffel Tower - tinyturk

Paris Musee d'Orsay - mesmanimages

Eiffel Tower - magalerie

Project 52 - Week 4

2011-01-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

A photo a week...for a year. Fifty-two weeks; 52 images, minimum.

This week we had some rain, some flooding, a national holiday and a little bit of sun. Out of that I was able to cobble together a few images.

On Monday, Martin Luther King Day, I went out with some specific ideas in mind, but was thwarted by flood waters and road closures. I could've gone around, but didn't really feel like driving 20 miles to go 5, so I made do with the subject matter at hand: flood waters, a road closure and an old barn that was handy.

Wednesday, my schedule dictated that I go to work late, so I took a road I rarely travel and spied an interesting fencepost.

I hope you find these interesting.

January 17, 2011

January Flood

Flooded Poplars

Dairyland

January 19, 2011

Fence Steams

Project 365 (???)

2011-01-16T19:16:00.000-08:00

A photo a day...for a year. Three hundred and sixty-five days; 365 images.

I'd been toying with the idea for several weeks before the ball dropped; then, all of a sudden there I was on January 1st, 2011 and I had yet to commit to the project. It was time to fish or cut bait, but which did I want to do? And what, if anything, was the point of the excercise? I'm one of those who are inspired by the subject and not at all by the excercise of tripping a shutter release. I had no idea what I was going to shoot!

My normal day involves driving to work, working, and driving home; this time of the year the driving to and from parts are done in the dark...and that can be a problem. Another potential, or rather eventual problem would be the carrying of a camera around with me everywhere I go at work. Every now and then, OK, but all the time? No.

I kept on track for the first four days of the new year before derailing on the fifth. I wasn't surprised; I hadn't really bought in to the idea. I was going through the motions, but in the deepest reaches of my head and my heart, I knew it was just a matter of time. I'm glad it happened when it did; now I can get on with something I can, in good conscience, sign onto. Project 52, a photo a week for a year. Now, don't be thinking I'm only going to be shooting one image each week in order to put a check in the box. When has anyone shot only one image? I mean, really?

So, watch this space for my weekly "Project 52" submission; I hope to make it interesting.

Now, would you like to see what I've been up to so far this year? Nevertheless, here it is:

Week One

January 1st, 2011

Frosted Leaves

Frozen Balloons

Shadowman

Week Two

January 2nd, 2011

Old Stump (Sepia)

Short Stop

January 3rd, 2011

Long Shadows

January 4th, 2011

Mike Jackson

Week Three

January 10, 2011

Winter Sky