Peace

Home Sweet Home

I was so excited today to get out in some fresh air. I set out with coffee, tissues, cough syrup and great hope! I hoped to find something fun to photograph today. After scanning my 'ideas-notebook' I remembered this location that I have always wanted to explore.

This house is really cool inside! Of course I came home and watched "The Shining" on TV, and last night I watched "The Ghost Whisperer" so I am in the SPOOKY mood! I don't think any spirits were home today. They must have been enjoying the warmer weather too!

I had a lot of fun today, using a variety of lenses, settings and techniques. I took some sixty pictures here. Obviously, not all worked; however, I can't wait to revisit!

Treasures Left Behind

The house had some surprising fixtures that were fun to photograph. I converted most to black and white. I will return to this spot and shoot in color, as I already have some ideas for next time
The home could not have been abandoned too long ago as some items are fairly modern. The shower hooks above and light fixture below are still used today. The house, equipped with electricity and modern plumbing did have signs of a fire in the kitchen. Whether it was purposely set by partying teenagers after the residents left or if it was the cause of the evacuation, one may use his imagination.

Based upon the fixtures and remaining items in the house I would estimate that this house was once home to middle class folk. A modest home in size, location and material, I wonder why it was deserted.

This mousetrap caught my attention because I could suspect that it was placed by the front door when the home was first 'closed up'. Many years later, there is no need for the trap, as the doors and window frames now serve as useless barriers to critters and people.

"Sick"

I'm out of commission today because I'm sick; however what I shot today is actually modeled after a NYC young photographer. She (and I can't remember her name) has made a name for herself by taking self-portraits and dividing up the images as best as she can. Of course, she does a much more interesting job of setting up the scene. She dresses in costume and uses her apartment like a theater set. She has to match the light also so that each photo has a similar look to it. Anyway, these are boring, but give me credit for the research and the fact that I'm clinging to life. I came home today from work and did just what you see in the photos. I gave myself medicine, took naps, and blew my nose a hundred times!

"Signs"

Today's assignment suggestion was 'signs'. Well....ok...but I was invited to this photography show at a local community college, and didn't have any time or daylight after, so I had to stretch the assignment to its broadest meaning. Here, this gallery of pinhole images, was a 'sign' that I need to keep experimenting with my images. Creativity is the key to make interesting pictures. Though I didn't care for many of the photographs on display in this gallery, it did inspire me to continue to look at art from different perspectives.

The painting above, which I found in a storage area is full of 'signs'. Clearly this work serves as a 'sign' that the artist is deeply troubled! ha. Below, the art work also serves as a 'sign' that interest can be generated with less color and with simple shapes. It also is a 'sign' that I too could paint! Ok, I'm being mean. I'm sure these talented students are as dedicated to their art as I try to be and I really do find both pieces to be interesting.

Thank you Trish for organizing this field trip. The show and the dinner which followed were fun!

Having Fun

My posts lately have been serious with images of angels, talk of religion and, of course horror movies. Today, I just wanted to have fun. A friend (can you guess who it is?) helped me fulfill my goal. Below, I used my new lens to shoot this magazine. You can't buy a magazine without Obama being on the cover! I wanted the President's face to be in focus and the headline to be less pronounced, yet readable. By golly, I think I did it. A big thanks to my mystery friend! It is 8pm and it is the latest I've stayed awake all week as I fight off some illness...so goodnight everyone. Remember, leave comments! I love to read them.

Is It Christine?

My love for horror movies and Stephen King is what allowed me to see this gem! This old car is covered with branches and stuck in a snow bank, yet I see its potential as the star in a remake of King's Christine. Because of the subject matter and the quickly fading light, turning the image to black and white really worked for me.

Blue Light Special!

Kmart has, in its most recent commercials, used a blue light bulb as its spokesperson. This animated blue light bulb tells the public of Kmart's latest sales. As a kid I remember the blue light specials that Kmart used in both its advertisements and its stores. The other day I wrote, in my ideas notebook, to photograph the 'blue light special'. When I saw a Kmart commercial a few days ago I remembered that I have a blue light bulb. Not knowing what the outcome would be, I photographed this light bulb sharing the best of the images here. I found the darker the room, the deeper the blue color. Also, the image below displays 'rings' of light as multiple images were taken. In fact there are 5 altogether. Can you see them?

Cross..A Controversy

Maybe it is a bit too dramatic to suggest that the cross, in any form, is undergoing mass criticism; however in some religious and historical circles the cross is under attack. I've been doing a lot of reading and watching videos on different religious matters within historical context. When I saw this crucifix, beyond the doors of this vault, I was reminded about all that I have explored on the issue. To some, the cross has been a symbol of comfort and peace while many others have been literally killed by those wearing the cross. This, of course, goes back to the early Greeks and Romans. It has always fascinated me how religion and historical happenings have influenced one another to determine an outcome that is sometimes favorable to the average citizen and sometimes not.