Tag: thursday

Throwback Thursday – 31

We look back to an older photograph that still evokes nostalgia and a sense timelessness.

As I was looking for this week’s touch of the old, whether image or content, I came across an image that I still enjoy looking at, despite its age. This discovery led me to reflect on the importance of nostalgia and how certain images can evoke a sense of timelessness. I have often waxed about how I view older images in my photographic portfolio with a more critical eye; this is for lots of valid reasons, which makes it even more satisfying to have some images that withstand this level of scrutiny with grace and poise.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the enduring appeal of this particular photo. The color palette is pleasing, integrating warm hues that create an inviting atmosphere. The composition brings a level of interest that captures the viewer’s attention, drawing them into the scene. While I acknowledge the importance of following established rules in photography, I find that breaking them can sometimes lead to truly unique and compelling images. In this case, the slight deviations from convention seem to enhance the photograph’s character rather than detract from it.

Moreover, I can’t help but mention that glorious hood ornament! It stands out as a focal point of the image, a detail that not only reflects the craftsmanship of its time but also adds a layer of storytelling to the photo. It invites speculation—what stories could it tell of the journeys it has experienced? The combination of these elements—the pleasing color palette, the intentional composition, and the iconic hood ornament—create a harmonious experience that makes this image not just a relic of the past, but a piece of art that continues to resonate with me today. Each time I revisit it, I appreciate the nuances that I may have overlooked previously, reminding me of the beauty that can emerge from careful observation and reflection.

High Flyin’ 55

All this from a walk in the park where a classic, and more recent vintage, car show was the feature; of course, the magnificent weather made this all the more enjoyable. Not a bad result!

Throwback Thursday – 26

A memorable experience involved a sunrise shoot that was obscured by fog, prompting a creative approach that resulted in unique images.

Photography workshops are a lot of fun! I’ve attended a fair share of them for a blend of reasons. It’s part exploring an area with someone who knows where all the great spots are. Part finding inspiration through learning new techniques and seeing how someone else approaches their photography. And also a lot of fun, as there are always moments of levity.

Today’s throwback is from one of those moments…

Abominable Merman

During a workshop in the Chincoteague area with John Slonina we were slated to do a sunrise shoot at the beach. A great idea, as in November one doesn’t have to get up too early for that opportunity. When we got to the beach, it was fogged in to such a level that the sun was nowhere to be seen!

As we were waiting to see if the fog would burn off (it never did), I decided to use this scene to do something a little different. I set up my camera, aimed it at the sea and dialed in a 10 second exposure. Remote shutter release in hand, I walked into the foggy ocean and released the shutter as I slowly trodded back toward the camera. It took about a dozen shots to dial things in, but it did create something a little different!

Moral of the story: sometimes the foggiest idea is worth trying!

Thursday Throwback – 23

Join me for a Thursday Throwback as we explore the peaceful shopping experience on Kerkstraat in Berkel en Rodenrijs.

This week I’m keeping us in my original home country of the Netherlands. After moving to the United States most of my visits were more packed with family visits than time to relax and enjoy the simple aspects of daily life. In today’s post there’s one of those moments, where I did get that time.

Here’s a simple walk down Kerkstraat…

Winkelen op de Kerkstraat

‘Shopping on Kerkstraat (Church street)’ is a relaxed pace view of life in the town of Berkel en Rodenrijs. Doing our shopping for groceries, figuring out today’s dinner and maybe stopping at the café for a cup of coffee. It’s a pace that is bit more relaxing than rushing through a supermarket!

I hope your day brings you some relaxing moments!

Thursday Throwback – 20

A view from a past commute using the byways, allowing me to appreciate scenic views like the somber beauty of Fruitlands Museum on a rainy day.

We’re staying out in Nature this week, even though it is a rather rainy day. There are those times when you’re happy to have a camera with you, so you can capture the mood that the landscape is presenting. A lot of my more local commutes have provided me with those opportunities, as they tended to allow for staying off the highways and partaking of the byways. For me a lot of my commute time was about making that switch from home to work and vice versa.

Here’s an image from one of those commutes in 2016…

Fruitlands’ Rainy Day

On my commute from Westford to home, one of the options was to take a road that goes past the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts. At one point, a wonderful vista presents itself to look across the hills into the distance. On a clear day, mountains are visible. On this warm, rainy day low-hanging clouds presented themselves in many of the valleys, creating a somber, autumnal landscape.

Hope you get to stay dry and enjoy your day!

Thursday Throwback – 19

In 2010, I participated in a memorable walk with Denahee, which included a special moment of connection.

This week I am taking us back to 2010, when I had the marvelous opportunity to walk with a wolf. Yes, you are reading this correctly! At that time, I was part of a very active photography group in Worcester, MA, where there were always great opportunities for collaboration and shared exploration. One of the outings that we had was to a wolf conservancy organization named Wolf Talk.

Here’s a photo from that experience…

Denahee

Meet Denahee, one of the wolves at Wolf Talk. With our guide, we went for a walk through the woods with Denahee, which was an amazing experience. Denahee clearly knew those woods really well and would roam with us, staying in contact with the group.

At one point, as we were listening to the guide, Denahee walked up next to me and leaned into my knee to connect with me. That was a special moment. Our guide looked and explained that Denahee had accepted me as part of her pack.

Yes, wolves are wild animals, and they are misunderstood. They are a critical part of the ecosystem and need to be cherished as such. They also are our friends!

Thursday Throwback – 17

In September 2009, I explored the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts, capturing its vibrant colors.

For this week’s edition I’m going back almost 16 years to September of 2009. During a day of exploring the colors of New England and finding interesting spots to photograph, I traversed part of the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts.

Let’s take a look at what I captured there…

Harvard Forest Pond

This forest is an ecological research area of about 4000 acres that is managed by Harvard University. There are two major programs that are run on this property. The first is the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation to sturdy New England’s natural ecosystem. The second is the National Institute of Global Environmental Change program funded by the United States Department of Energy, which emphasizes the study of physical and biological processes in relation to climate change.

These are key programs to further our understanding of the impact that we’re having on our environment. We can hope that they are not affected by the current set of changes, but I do have concern about that.

Thursday Throwback – 16

A moment that shows the importance of observation in photography. Everyday objects take on a different view to the world around us.

As I’m looking for some older images that I still enjoy, there are always some interesting moments that I come across. Today’s offering is one of those instances from 2016.

Here’s what I noticed…

Fence Tunnel

I often get questions from people about where they can find something interesting to photograph. Typically, my answer is along the lines of everywhere you go, as that is the truth. A lot of photography is about paying attention to the world around us and framing part of what we see.

This image is a great example of this principle. As I was sauntering around a herding event, I noticed the shapes of the split-rail fence. Seeing the arch of the space and the lines of the rails gave me the idea for this photo. It’s a simple shot, which has leading lines, texture and something that is not our everyday view of a fence.

I hope you enjoy this photo, as I do.

Thursday Throwback – 4

Photography often involves identifying interesting subjects beyond the obvious beauty. A moment in a Chester, CT, fairground bathroom, with striking lines and light.

A lot of photography is about recognizing what might make an interesting image, which is not always the most obvious, beautiful subject matter. Sometimes it’s seeing some lines, a splash of light that works in a certain manner, or just that situation where you think you might be able to elevate what you’re seeing a little bit by framing it just right. There really are a lot of different elements that can make a photo one that our eyes want to come back to.

Today’s image came from a rather interesting moment when I walked into the bathroom at the Chester, Connecticut, fairground, bright and early, before most agility competitors had arrived. Something just struck me…

The Bathroom

Granted, fairground bathrooms are not the prettiest architecture or interior scenery that make us want to pick up our camera and photograph it to our heart’s desire. When I turned my head and noticed the lines and the light striking the side of the barrel and the floor, it caught something in my mind to cause me to go get my tripod and camera to capture this scene. I did get some odd looks when someone else walked into the bathroom, as photographing in a bathroom is not what one might expect (it was rather early).

This wound up making a fantastic print, which hangs in our bathroom at home, so I get to see it pretty frequently and still havent’ tired of it yet.

Throwback Thursday?

Going back through the ages!

Looking back across the years, I thought about those days before COVID… aka before the missing years!

And I remember our trip to Italy, so here are some images from a walk across the forum…

  • Looking across the Forum
  • Temple of Antonino and Faustina
  • Looking through and over the Basilica of Maxentius
  • Flowers and the Basilica of Maxentius
  • Next to the Capitol
  • Looking over the expanse of the Forum
  • By the temple of Augustus

It’s good to think back across the years, in this case we were there in May of 2017. It was wonderful to be in Italy and enjoy both antiquity and food!