I.J. Khanewala challenges me to see the ordinary into the most extraordinary thing that you have seen. I am up for this challenge. When I come to a well traveled place I have a pre conceived idea of the typical image. I usually take a couple of these, but then I look around. I want to look deeper and find “my” image.
A simple squash displays color, texture, and design.
The colors of Autumn found on this grape vine.
A Sunflower at season’s end.
Nature’s beauty
Shadows form on the fluorescent green that floats on the pond
I freeze the motion for this water fountain.
Ordinary water creates wonderful images.
I love looking for images created by reflections.
Looking deeply at parts. All these images were taken without cropping. I once had a teacher who frowned upon the process of cropping to improve an image.
I remember a magazine that my son read as a boy that had a page of photographs. The idea was that you were supposed to figure out what the image was a part of. Always fascinated me. Do you have an idea of what these are parts of?
I hope you enjoy looking at how the ordinary can make an extraordinary image.
This week Tina invited me to share images of places and things that have, “seen better days”. Evidence of our past is easily found here in Northern California. When I go out with my camera in hand, I am on the lookout for these abandoned items, settings, and buildings.
I came across this abandoned bee hive in our local nature preserve, Effie Yeaw.
These passengers have seen better days! This Thunderbird set the stage for Halloween parked in Old Fair Oaks
Greeting travelers in Strawberry, California
What’s the story behind this Buick? Could this be a subject for a crime novel?
Some cars make it into an auto museum and some cars are just abandoned.
The base for what kind of vehicle?
I wonder what was the price of gas when this gas station closed?
The innards before pumps went digital.
How many times have you misplaced an article of clothing? I’m surprised at where these lonely ones were found.
Is the owner a right handed person?
Out worn its usefulness
Did this companion hop away?
One hand will be cold today!
A scarecrow could still make use of this straw hat!
Flip flops flop after a grueling hike in Kauai
Gold and silver mining had much to do with the creation and downfall of many towns in Northern California. Bodie is one such example. In 1962 Bodie became Bodie State Historic Park, and an official gold rush ghost town. It is an example of “arrested decay”.
From barns to sugar mills, from government buildings to stores these places have a story to tell.
Berkeley store
Fireman’s Theatre in Tuolumne Ca.
Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg Ca
Barn
Outhouse
Another barn
Angel Island Immigration Government Building
Two boats cast aside. One found near Martinez Ca. and one found in Esparto Ca.
This pier off of Berkeley Marina needs a little work! But some wildlife finds it useful.
This may have worked for Superman, but forget about making a call.
When my friend Anne and I went out with a fellow photographer Greg we often ended up exploring forgotten place such as Knight’s Landing.
Knight’s Landing railroad trestle crossing the Sacramento River.
Knight’s Landing water tower along the Sacramento River.
Found in Marysville, Ca. this safe is no longer secure.
I took this photo the day after Valentine’s Day in New York City. I hope the flowers were appreciated.
Taking photographs of items with history behind them makes me think about the back story.
A Photo's Worth 