Neighborhood Documentary

I've been doing a documentary on the backyards of the neighborhood. It's interesting to me how much some people put up barricades while others have this overgrown path that leads to the back door. I like the lone orange towel just hanging on the line; it struck me as a quintessential vision of summer. But my favorite is the gorgeous rug draped on the fence for a good airing out.

Some thoughts on a few of my pictures: I am interested in the fate of things. We are mere bystanders; the things we love do not love us. Our troubles and pleasures are of no consequence to them. They have a life of their own - some will outlast us. Books, letters, furniture, rugs, our grandmothers' ironstone ware. Some will be of interest to others after we are gone - others not. The fence and the sidewalk will crumble, to be replaced, or not. A house will stand empty, be torn down and replaced by another with modern fixtures. And the cycle goes on ...

Vampire Weekend - Horchata

I've been listening to Vampire Weekend all week long. Anyone out there know what Horchata is? What have you been listening to?

Wandering

Every day after work, I step down from my heels, put on jeans and go for a walk. (Okay, not every day, but nearly.) I've joked with my husband that we need to move to Grandview because I've exhausted the 'material' in this neighborhood. But I do manage to see new things all the time; how people try to bring a little beauty in their lives; the textures and lines most people ignore; the stray cats with their territorial politics.

What do you see?

Orange is Sweet

This little house with a chair is hanging on my neighbor's fence. It won't fit a bird inside, so I'm not sure of its purpose. I think it exists to be sweet.

Electric Orange

I like a color that makes a statement, that isn't shy about what it is. I think these shades of orange are quirky and comfortable with who they are, don't you?

Off topic: I went to a birthday party the other night and met an elderly gentleman from Brooklyn Heights. He had the most charming conversation style, and was utterly engaging to speak with. He told stories about about his early days in New York and his occasional brush with famous writers and celebrities. He would say things like, "I have another anecdote I think you would enjoy, if you permit me ..." I found myself slowing down to listen. It was delightful.

Have you ever met such a person?

Saturation/Desaturation

Let me start with a disclaimer that I do not, generally speaking, endorse this kind of photography. In certain instances, I find it veers recklessly towards sentimentalism. But, if done right, it has definite merits and can be pleasantly startling. (The little girl holding the red balloon at the end of the movie Schindler's List uses it without being gratuitous, I think.)

So, for the current contest at Midwest Photo Exchange, I tried my hand at it. Go see the entries here and tell me what you think! What are the most successful examples you can see?

Pink Orange Red - Cocteau Twins

A special video to celebrate Orange August month. Enjoy, and have a delightful weekend!

Gentle Orange

My friend Leann (whom I never tire of talking about because she is so inspired and inspiring) brought me this guy last night. In spite of the fact that I seem to buy cashmere for the sole purpose of feeding moths, I should like to have seen him alive. (Really, I should just hang a cashmere sweater in the back yard the way some people hang bird feeders. I digress.)

I'm no pro at moth identification, but he appears to belong to the Polyphemus family (Antheraea polyphemus). Would you agree?

If you want to see more of him, go here. Flickr has just upgraded photostreams with bigger images, and improved geotags to make sharing images a richer experience.

More Orange for August

You know those Sprint commercials (or is it Verizon?) in which people walk through their days surrounded by metaphors in the landscape of the number of bars they have with their cellular service? I love those images, any images with things lined up nicely. Throw orange in, and it's even better.

What do you have that is orange?