Urban Landscape

Urban Landscape © Steven Willard

To those who have followed this site for a while it will be obvious that I have been off my game for several months. Now I’ve been practicing photography for more than sixty years and am no stranger of the occasional dry spell. You know what I mean; I never leave home without a camera and keep my eyes open for possible images, but I just haven’t been able to press the shutter button. In the past this might have lasted for a few weeks, maybe even a month, but this spell has gone on way too long, something had to be done.

In the past I might have picked a up a new piece of gear or looked for some new locations to get the juices flowing again. This time I’m trying a new approach; instead of spending money on new hardware I bought a beautiful print at a local gallery.

I have spent way less for a new camera and lens, but this time I’m hoping for inspiration through the work of another photographer, to sit down and talk about photography, to compare experiences.

Olympus Pen F and Olympus 25mm f1.8 Processed in Snapseed.

There has to be a story

Vicksburg, MS © Steven Willard

I have long wished to be in a position to travel around the country, and be able to stop and take as long as I wanted to explore whenever I came across something interesting.

I think I first started to think about this when I first read “Travels With Charlie-In Search of America” by John Steinbeck. It is a wonderful travelogue about Steinbeck turning his pickup truck into a very basic camper and taking off with his dog, a poodle named Charlie, with no clear plan about where he was going.

The other model is the book by Willian Least Moon “Blue Highways”. Moon decides to get away from a breakup by converting his van into a camper and just go, following the less travel roads indicated on his maps in blue.

I highly recommend both books as they are both wonderful writers.

Olympus E-M1 MarkII with the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 Pro zoom, processed in Snapseed.

Only in Texas

Texas is different © Steven Willard

Back in Texas visiting my oldest and best friend Ray who I first met when I joined the high school band. I was a freshman and Ray was a sophomore although we’re only a month apart in age. I had a moderate interest in playing and was forced to choose between being in the band or working on the yearbook staff. Guess which won.

Ray put music first and still does. He has continued to play in a variety of bands, often doubling in the reed section. He plays all the saxophones, clarinets and flutes. He has more instruments than I have cameras!

I have no idea what goes on in the church but it eventually draws a pretty large audience, the place is big enough for a rodeo.

Olympus E-1MarkII with Olympus 12-40 F2.8 Pro zoom, processed in Snapseed

Bellamy-Ferriday House and Gardens

Bethlehem, Connecticut © Steven Willard

Located in the center of Bethlehem, CT the gardens and buildings of Bellamy-Ferriday offer a variety of architectural shapes and patterns.

Olympus Pen F with Laowa 6mm f2. lens processed in PS Express and Snapseed.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus © Steven Willard

We have been enjoying a new plant on our front porch.

Olympus OMD EM1 Mk II with Olympus Pro 12-40mm f2.8 zoom, processed in Snapseed.

Restoration Destination Woodbury

Woodbury, Connecticut © Steven Willard

Woodbury is old. Not the oldest town in Connecticut, but it attracts no small collection of people interested in antiques and old houses. The oldest house in town is the Glebe House, which dates from 1740. The Glebe House was the site of the first Episcopal election in the United States. It has been properly restored and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Needless to say, not all old houses are special only because of their age, and consequently not all of them are saved; this is one of those.

Pentax K-5IIs with FA 50mm f1.4 processed in Snapseed and Stackables.

On the Road Again

Somewhere north of Houston © Steven Willard

According to Cubit’s Blog there are 683,533 miles of roads in Texas, more than any other state in the United States. Naturally there are a lot of signs.

Olympus Pen F with 15mm f1.7 lens processed in Snapseed and Stackables.

Optimistic in Texas

Texas Optimism © Steven Willard

I’m not sure if it is heat or the humidity that might explain the confidence the owner of this property must possess, or perhaps just Texas pride. It’s possible there is more here than meets the eye. When I showed this image to my nephew he suggested it might be a deer lease for hunting privileges, but this was taken just off four lane highway 59, a bit north of Houston and doesn’t seem the most likely place to bag a deer unless one hunts with a pickup.

Olympus Pen F with Summilux f1.7/15mm lens, processed in PS Express and Snapseed.

Needs Work

Needs Work © Steven Willard

The US Department of Labor released statistics for August that show there are two jobs for every unemployed. Of course that is just the simple numbers and I don’t pretend to know enough to understand let alone explain it to others. But, I can’t help notice that there are lots of help wanted signs every where I look. Maybe it‘s part of the reason this place is in such a state.

Pentax K5IIs with Pentax FA 50mm f1.4 processed in Snapseed.

Contrasts

Spring snow © Steven Willard

I stepped out of the house when I noticed it had started to snow. Now, I know that snow in New England is not uncommon, even in Spring. Still, snow can add an element of contrast of textures and symbolism. What is more different than the weight of snow than stone? What about the transitory difference between snow and stone? Can this be used to illustrate the contrast between the garden at the end of Winter and the coming Summer?

Photographed with the Richoh GRIII processed in PS Express and Snapseed.