SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was to pick a national day from this calendar and create repetition. Some of the group members did great stuff. I sort of flubbed because, well, reasons (excuses).
It’s Wednesday! A great day for me to share some water art and photography.
Sailboats Reflected
This image is one of the first images I put up for sale on Fine Art America. It’s a favorite of mine and many other people love it as well. It was early morning and the fog was rolling out across the calm water.
Sailboats reflected on water.
Seán Heuston Bridge
This is from Dublin, Ireland. A sunny day with calm water on the River Liffey. The Seán Heuston Bridge like many of the bridges in Dublin, has had several different names, including King’s Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge. The bridge is now for tram and foot traffic only.
Seán Heuston Bridge is reflected on the River Liffey below.
Serenity on the Water
The sun was setting and the water was calm. A single boat sat just past the lone tree on the bank.
Serenity on the water
Prague Skyline at Sunset
We took a sunset cruise and as we went by the historic city, I fell in love.
Prague Skyline at Sunset
Winter on the Lake
I was visiting my parents in December. The sun shining through the trees created the most amazing shadows. The wind blew the water just enough to create a very slight ripple. Definitely a favorite of mine.
Winter on the Lake
Water Goddess
A composite created from photos and some experimental Photoshop work. I love the colors and mood of this image.
I don’t know why people are so fascinated by signs. But most people I know seem drawn to them. Especially if they are old or vintage. When I travel, I find myself drawn to them. Whether it’s a shop sign, a large sign, a small sign, or a road sign. I will take a photo of it. Some signs tell a story, a history of its location. Even if its just a one word sign, the color and shape can say a great deal about the shop or restaurant or even the area in general.
Maybe people are drawn to a certain sign because it’s got a place in their memory. Maybe they drove by that sign on the way to school every day. Or maybe it represents a happy memory of weekend trips to town.
Americana Signs
The still hanging sign on the very closed Tallassee Store in Tennessee.
I love this Puckett’s sign. A guitar at the top and a fork at the bottom. Food and music, the best combination.
Drugstore sign in Williamsburg, KY.
The sign for the Noshville Delicatessen in Midtown Nashville, TN.
There has been a funeral home at this location in Loudon since 1916. It is currently owned and run by the McGill family
Glyndon Hotel Sign is a cool old sign on a hotel with a rich history in Richmond, KY
The JFG Building in Old City section of Knoxville, TN. I’ve aged and toned it to give it a true vintage feel.
An old cafe sign I found in an alley in Nicholasville, KY.
Bijou Sign vintage style Grungy has a Topaz filter, texture, and some toning work
A simple sign in downtown Murfreesboro, TN. But eye catching with the dark blue against the light metal. A very vintage feel.
The sign is still visible from the C.W. Harvey Grocery store in downtown Lenoir City. The ghosts of yesteryear.
City Glass & Mirror is located in downtown Clinton, TN. Faded and chipped but still readable the sign drew my eye.
Hoskins restaurant sign
Comic Life
Lays sign
Laughing Jackalope
Keeton’s Jewelers sign. I have a thing for clocks on signs. This is a favorite of mine.
Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House
Oliver Hotel Sign
Jellico Motel and Restaurant sign. Memories of Americana and road travel in its hay day.
What does that mean? Resilient means “able to withstand or quickly recover from a difficult situations”. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If you fall, get back on the horse.” I’m not sure that’s always the best idea. Sometimes, it’s better to find another horse or better yet, stay off the horse altogether. When I say resilient, I mean get up, dust yourself off, and find a better way to do it.
Starting Over
I have recently lost my job of 6 years. I loved my work. I loved the people I worked with. But I knew that I would not have stayed, even if my job had not been eliminated. They were making a lot of changes. And I while I often enjoy change and a challenge, I knew that these changes were not for me. Sure, I am sad and scared of what the future holds. But I also know that I have gotten up and dusted myself off before. At that time, I got back on the horse. This time, I’m going to find a better way to get there.
Inspiration
Several years ago, I traveled to Cuba on an education tour. I recently started looking at some of my photos. Some of these you have seen before. But some are new. I enjoyed the country. I keep reminding myself of the wonderful, optimistic, resilient people. If these people who face such hardship and difficulty can be so compassionate and optimistic, why can’t I?
People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba
Cuba is known for the vintage cars.
People are getting their day started in Havana
Yellow and green dominate the buildings on this side street in Havana
Cuban Market with fresh produce
Downtown Havana Evening Sales
Havana Bay is home to many historic sites, this guy might be one of them
Plaza de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba, is home to the Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis
Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis in Havana, Cuba
Those classic cars you see? Many of those are pieced together by handmade parts. Parts the drivers made themselves because they had little access to outside supplies.
It’s Friday! That means it’s time for me to post my favorites. I’ve been digging through some old work and decided to share some of my favorite fantasy images.
Goddesses
Several years ago, a friend allowed me to use his studio for a couple of days. I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to do something cool. I rounded up some willing ladies and we went to work. These were so much fun. Shooting in the studio was awesome and experimenting in Photoshop was pretty fun too. I might have to do some more of these. You can read all about the making of these images here.
Wind Goddess or Goddess of AirEarth Goddess or Mother NatureWater GoddessGoddess of FireGaia’s Gift
Dublin, Ireland is one of my favorite cities. It was everything I thought it would be and more! The people were kind and gracious, always willing to help and show us a great time. I took many photos in Ireland. But these are a few of my favorites from the land of Éire.
Dublin and the River Liffey
The River Liffey runs through the city. There are 21 bridges crossing the River. Each one is unique and has its own history. I took photos of almost all of them. However, these are a few of my favorites.
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Ha’penny Bridge
Seán Heuston Bridge
Storm clouds roll in over the city, just as the sun is setting.
A detail from the Grattan Bridge.
We went to a few bars. We drank some Guinness (okay, a lot of Guinness).
Temple Bar
The Quay’s Bar
A lit Guinness sign at dusk.
Castles
Ruins everywhere. Some are castles, some are just old buildings. But they all look cool.
Castle Vignette
Castle Window
An Irish castle ruin rises up into a cloudy sky.
The Castle Gate was once surrounded by a stone fence
But Wait!
There’s more! These are some more of my favorites.
The library at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
A single swan in a Dublin waterway.
Bar & Beer Sign
Graffiti in Dublin, Ireland
To see more photos from Ireland, visit my website.
What is it I love about summer? Long summer days and warm nights with a cool breeze blowing. The lightning bugs lighting up the night like fairy lights leading the way. Going to festivals and fairs where the food is bad but perfect. The sounds of people laughing, having a good time. The feel of warm grass on my bare feet. Open windows and the sound of frogs and crickets singing. Fresh vegetables and grilled anything. Yes, I love summer.
Summer brings the fair and late nights and early days. The fair at dusk as the sun is setting and the lights are starting to glow.
SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was Water and Glass. We got some great entries. Some did not have water, but adult liquids instead. We were fine with that.
I wanted to share five of my favorite travel photos on this hot July Friday. Looking back, some of them are easy to see why I like them so much.
Buskin’ on the Danube
We had spent the day in Budapest walking, walking, walking and needed a break and a drink. We found a spot on the edge of the Danube. As we sipped our drinks, the busker started playing. The setting sun touches the edge of his shoulder and the Hungarian flag in front of him, giving the whole scene a soft glow. See more travel photos from Hungary here.
Buskin’ on the Danube. A busker plays the saxophone at sunset in Budapest, Hungary
Enter for Enlightenment
Another image from Budapest with that soft glow that I love so much. This was taken in Matthias Church, a gothic cathedral complete with restored frescos and painted walls. But this simple unadorned stairwell glows from the soft window light, silhouetting the outline of the door. It’s inviting and peaceful. See more travel photos from Hungary here.
Enter for Enlightenment
Kraków Nights
The Main Square in Kraków, Poland just after sunset. The sky is that early evening blue that contrasts beautifully with warm tones of the city lights. People are sitting down for dinner or cocktails as bicyclists whiz past, creating a bit of a blur. Find more travel photos of Poland here.
The Main Square in Kraków, Poland just after sunset.
Aire Acondicionado
Taken in Havana, Cuba, this photo is a little busy. But I love that about it. I love the old worn signs hanging above the many people milling about in the streets. And there’s that glow again, only this time it’s a cool glow from the cobblestone street below. I can almost hear the sounds of Havana. Find out more about my trip to Cuba here.
Street scene in Havana, Cuba
Kutná Hora Alley
This one is a little more subtle than the others. At first glance it’s just an nice photo of an alley. But the open arches and speckles of sunlight lead the eye directly to the back of the alley, where two people stand deep in conversation. I love small details like that. More images from Czechia can be found here.
An alley in Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic.
I hope you like these as much as I do! Prints of all images are available here or click on the individual images and it will go directly to the shop page.
I’d love to hear your feedback and comments. Also, feel free to share a link to your own favorites!
The weekly photo challenge for June 24 – July 1 was Crowds. We got some great entries for this one. Joe managed to get a crowd and a selfie reflection – a two for one if you will.
by Sharon Popek
by Sydney Osborne
by Joe Rentz
by Sydney Osborne
by Ann Barber
by Ann Allison-Coté
Want to participate? Join the Facebook group, ping back, or share your link in the comments!
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