Weekly Photo Challenge: Future Tense

This week’s challenge is just that- a challenge. How could I capture the future in a photograph NOW?

I’m going with this portion of the challenge….. “Anything that involves the present and a hint of the future all in one frame.”

Freedom Tower, New York City. Under construction. 1 World Trade Center. We walked farther downtown and the gusts of wind went up to 35 mph according to the weather. Sunshine and chill.

Daytime view and nighttime view of Freedom Tower.

And when I looked at the shot I took from my sister’s apartment window, I saw a stream of light come down from the clouds.

Other bloggers interpretations to check out here

Francine in Retirement from Pittsburgh with O Death Where is thy Sting? and a photograph of a Pittsburgh cemetery

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Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere- 7:02 AM

Spring!

We are eager for it to begin. In earnest.

Monday there was a two hour delay due to ice, snow and sleet. It was unexpected and I heard it on the radio as I was already driving to school.

Can we trust the groundhog? Phil said it would be an early Spring. Well Phil, it’s Spring tomorrow on the clock and calendar but it feels like WINTER today. Chilly and gray. We are ready for blossoms, muddy earth, warm breezes. Saturday I saw my first robin in the back on the porch post.

Now I know, no one reads the blog for the weather report but the change of seasons is significant. We just want to be reassured that a true Spring is coming and will warm us up. SOON. (Florida readers- I saw those photographs of you in short sleeved shirts!!)

Before school I stopped in at the Giant Eagle and bought this bouquet. I took the daffodils to school for the students to photograph. They were buds in the morning and by the afternoon they had opened.

You can see the set up with the background of folded white paper to eliminate clutter. When I was ready to go home and the lights were off, this is what I saw.

Just received from a Florida friend who is visiting friends in Boston-First Day of Spring.Thanks Kristin — Just received from a Florida friend who is visiting friends in Boston-First Day of Spring.
Thanks Kristin

Found Shopping List

Sunday afternoon I drove across the Monongahela River to the Waterfront at Homestead, PA and did a little grocery shopping.

When I wheeled my cart to load the car, I saw this little list on the pavement of the parking lot.

I used to photograph found lists, little wrinkled slips of paper, write poems about them. Some lists abandoned in a cart- seemed like poems when I found them.

I’d think about the people who wrote them. Sometimes they’d written the oddest mix of items.

I have a friend who keeps a magnetized shopping list pad on her fridge and when she uses something up, she writes it down immediately so she can replenish the larder. I’m not that disciplined. I’ve written a list and then left it at home but it can help when trying to remember what I’d written down.

There are even tablets of preprinted lists and you just check the boxes of what you need to get at the store. That’s not my style of list, either. When I entertain I’m more likely to write a menu AND a shopping list. Cross things off as I put them in the cart.

What is your “list style”?

What's Cooking Tonight? — What’s Cooking Tonight?

St. Michael in a Sunny Window

The Weekly Challenge is My Neighborhood. But I am not in my neighborhood today.

The only available photo of my neighborhood is a snow filled park with the benches piled high with snow. I figure I’ll wait until I get back home.

I saw the sun streaming into the window over the door and the backlit St. Michael the Archangel statue along with the deep blue sky and fluffy clouds. Continue reading “St. Michael in a Sunny Window” →

Black Dog, White Kitchen Cupboard, Remote Cable and Presto-

Meet Charlotte- 1/2 Husky, 1/2 Shepherd. The runt of the litter four years ago at James’ sister Kim’s farm Red Rooster Acres. She was visiting her cousin Penny.

It was Sunday night visiting Laura and James before the Tony Monaco Show at the Rumba Cafe. I tried to photograph her in the living room, sans flash of course, and it was too dark. So I asked if I could photograph her in the kitchen. I had read that photographing a dog with black fur can be a challenge.

Using the white of the kitchen was the key and my new cable release. And the cooperation and attention of Charlotte. I swear she smiled. Thanks Shawn (James’ cousin) for allowing me to post her portrait today. When you look at her you can see she is not looking at me, but Shawn!

(My mother’s mother’s name,too)

Urban Madonna, Ninth Street, South Philly

Jim, the Baker at Slippery Rock

Field trip today with high school students, exploring Slippery Rock Univeresity. The weather was almost like early Spring if you can believe it.

At lunch the kids were thrilled with the fare in the Boozel Dining Hall. Especially the desserts. Jim the baker was gracious and allowed me to photograph him and his cupcakes but I was shooting into the window light so he allowed me to take another. His coworker said he is already famous. He told me he comes from England, or at least his forbears did. It was crowded and loud and we had to catch the bus back to school. I wish I had gotten more info, how he became a baker and how long he has worked at the university. Thanks Jim!

What a great day the students had, touring and visiting the library and a dorm room and trying out the climbing rock wall and pool, eating in the dining hall.

First photo taken with the iPhone.

And the middle portrait shot with Canon 5D with a 24-70mm L lens, available light,no flash ISO 400 f /4 shutter 100

Final cupcakes photo with the Canon 5D as well. When you compare the first and third cupcakes you know you need your camera at all times.

Night Game Christmas Tree at Heinz Field

On the way back home, after a weekend with the family, I drove by the night game.

We’re not talking about who won. It’s been a rough season. Not looking so good.

I didn’t post it on the Monday after due to the disappointing outcome for the Steelers. But I like the scene. And it was exciting to hear the roar of the crowd.

Shot with a 50mm lens, ISO 200, f/1.8 and a slow shutter 40- propped on the rolled down driver’s window- without a remote cable release but managed without camera shake. Canon 5D Mark ll

Red Pears by Candlelight

This winter will be the winter of photography by candlelight. I mean you have to have a plan. Try something new. Challenge yourself. The early darkness seems a good opportunity to light candles and experiment with low light. Bought some red pears. They don’t look red in this photo but my goal is to not manipulate the images. Find the right white balance. Not going to poach these orbs in wine or make a pear tart. I’ll pack them in my lunch bag for school and slurp their refreshing juice at the end of my lunchtime – hurriedly before period 8 starts.
Will be doing some more candlelight images and dm looking for some human volunteers for portraits by candlelight, right in my dining room.

What I Saw When I Got to School