"StreetScapes" Stills/Found Objects

Hello there, Your intrepid photographer here. Lots of folks are asking the question as to why the title includes "found objects." It's very simple. I hit the streets every chance I get.

Sometimes there is a plan. Sometimes, there is no plan! Deciding on a plan may include shooting in a specific aspect ratio, like portrait or horizontal. Sometimes the intention is to do profiles. Sometimes the method calls for being completely random or going on a deliberate hunt, creating abstracts

from discerning patterns or searching for objects or stills.

Either way, the love for photography, sharing, and solitary walks have elevated my life in many ways. Finding objects or things and creating stills from those subjects is very cool.

It all falls under the umbrella of "street photos," The creative aspect is how you choose to represent those objects or subjects. Within this theme, you will encounter simplicity and minimalism.

The basic elements, like lines, color, shape, forms, texture, size, and depth, exist within this photographic theme. However, two things are missing from this collection. Of course, as you read or delve further into this little tome, you may discover more, but that is a different story.

Photography is a continuous learning process, and whenever you venture out, the feeling is that you are attending a university class. One of the classes I played hooky in was "lighting." The use of a flash or fill light is not found in my photos.

Your intrepid photographer only uses natural light. The inquiring mind may also ask about cropping. Very little is done. I take those suckers out of the camera, transfer them to my desktop, and get on! And finally, sometimes, saturation may be employed for good measure, but generally, what you see is what you get!

So inside the people, as subjects, are missing. Just know that the passion for creating portraits is a top priority and a subject for another StreetScapes book. Maybe?

So what do you do when the people aren't there? What can you do? Hit the streets!

Go on an adventurous walk. Make a point of looking for mundane objects. Look for shadows and natural light touching those objects and create masterpieces.

Turn those seemingly ordinary found objects into "stills." You will be happy you did.

Enjoy the rest of the book.

Eric

E.J.Kelly could be the greatest street photographer ever!!!

by E.J.Kelly

TheHappyHombrePress

Chapter 1

Cover Photo/Old Gear

Nikon D3300 F/5 Sec 1/800 ISO 200 82mm

Kicking off this photo book for "stills and found objects" with this wonderful photo.

Gear for photographers means everything. Your equipment is your tool. That is not correct. "Your eyes are your beacons, and your mind combines!" Whoa, I am a poet and don't know it! So the "beacons" found this set of antique cameras in the streets of Madrid. This street fair or flea market was for odd and old tools. Strolling past, the light from an unknown object hit me directly in the eye. After nearly burning my corona, pausing, and refocusing, I discovered the light source was a reflection bouncing off these beautiful cameras.

When a "GearHead" encounters antique gear, the sentimental neurons kick in, and the camera's technical data appear. In some cases, if they owned the same model, photographs taken with the same camera will bubble up in the mind's eye!

Fantastic! That one in the front is a Pentax Spotmatic circa 1972. The irony with this find is that recently, my daughter found one among moving boxes and asked if I wanted it sent to me. I can't believe I used to own one. On the right is a vintage Russian Zenit 3M. I can't tell what lens is on it, but it usually came with a 50mm lens. You can still find it for less than $100. The Pentax was a great little film camera with advanced innovations like an automated light meter.

Go ahead and call me a "gearhead." Although I did not use the camera much, it brings back memories; however, I can not recall a single photo.

I chose this photo for the cover as photographers inherently fall in love with their gear, and it represents this book's idea for "Stills and Found Objects."

Besides, look at the light falling off that purple cloth in the background. Notice the film reel directly in front of the fabric and our "stars" of the composition, the cameras.

"Your eyes are your beacons; your mind combines!"

Enjoy

Chapter 2

"Street Apple"

Nikon D3300 F/4.8 sec 1/320 ISO 200 116mm

Someone had been following me, or I had been unwittingly following them . It seemed weird to come across a spotless, crisp golden apple amid the streets of Madrid. Not only was it the treasure, but it was also perfectly set on top of a 4-foot-high cement buttress with a grainy, textured surface. As I stepped back, I noticed I was alone in this abandoned location.

Who did it? Did they realize I was hungry? I'd been walking throughout Madrid for what felt like an eternity. I was starving. To acquire this shot, I had to stand on tiptoes and focus as if it were a macro shot.

I took numerous photographs, not knowing if they would be in focus. The light and distance required to make this look like an acceptable still image were at the core of the problem. If you're curious, I lifted it from its resting place and enjoyed a semblance of a healthy lunch—finally, a shout-out and thanks to the kind Samaritan who dropped it off.

Please stop following me!

Chapter 3

"Let's Face it

Fujifilm xt20 F/8 1/60 sec ISO 640 22mm

I mentioned I always try heading out on the street with a plan somewhere at the opening of this book. This strategy may involve shooting in various aspects, discovering unusual items, shooting in black and white, or doing something different each time. It is also better to encourage the old noggin to focus on the task instead of thinking about what's for dinner, whether I am looking well, etc.

This morning, the goal was to find anything amusing to record. When people are in the frame, this juxtaposition style of photography becomes much easier. The greats appear to accomplish this with ease. I'm so jealous. People, the appropriate location, skill, patience, anticipation, and a good eye are required to make it work. All of those requirements were unnecessary for this image.

If you go early, the chairs and tables are stowed away and occasionally stacked or positioned in a preopening configuration, like this table and stool. The subject's upward stare and eyes attracted me, and I took this photo from an angle. You know it's amusing, especially when you have to consider sitting on it.

Chapter 4

"Mucho Bokeh"

Sony 6300 F/3.2 1/400 sec ISO 100 85mm

This is classic and cliche-like, but when done well, it's beautiful! I'm not a skeptic. No way. Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. The goal is to do things unconventionally.

Most people stand in front of the floral and use bokeh to blur the background, which is not to be confused with a bouquet. More variations on this theme would be better. For example, backing up more from the bloom. Maybe photographing from the ground up or from the top down. Or, like with this image, shoot from a distance to get the complete subject. Maybe adding another feature, such as the leaf on the right, changes the theme. And utilizing an odd background for the bokeh would complete the difference.

In this case, the strange and out-of-focus background is street pavement and a fence leading into a bay.

The challenge is to present the conventional bloom in a novel way, and rinsing and irrigating our creative juices is critical. Otherwise, "Mucho Bokeh" becomes a cliche.

Chapter 5

"Outdoor Seating"

FujiFilm XT3 F/6.4 1/56 sec ISO 160 28mm

"Ladies and gentlemen outdoor seating is now available."

This announcement would be appropriate if a host, head waiter, or owner of an outside restaurant or cafe made the statement. Instead, it is a solitary upside-down discarded sofa chair discreetly positioned outside someone's home. That's a lot of words to say, "I found an upside-down chair."

I'm not sure if it's for trash pickup, but it seemed inviting enough for me to take a photo. The environmental décor is stunning. The colors, as well as the complementary tones and textures, are wonderful. This photo was taken while strolling near a cathedral in Spain.

This discovery was truly unexpected. However, your astute photographer, with a camera always at the ready, grabbed this lovely minimalist image of your next seat at an outdoor sitting.

Chapter 6

"Dutch Shoes"

Nikon D3100 F/5.6 1/30 sec ISO 360 18mm

If you're a city boy like me and someone invites you to their country home, don't hesitate to pack your photo gear and go. Country residences, especially in Europe, are a veritable cacophony of stuff. It was the Spring of 2015 in Madrid, and you could tell the weather was changing by how much you sneezed. A well-known tree in Madrid blooms during the first days of Spring and sends everyone scurrying to their allergist.

I digress, but I will continue. Madrid was still cold, so when a friend invited me to their country home outside of town, I knew it would be freezing, but it would give me a chance to escape the city and those bothersome tree allergens. The house was roughly three hours north, in a village of around 100 inhabitants.

The home was old, rustic, and isolated, with a cemetery on a nearby hill backing up to it. There were enough artifacts inside the drafty country house to keep a photographer busy for months. It was fantastic! I took this photo in the early morning as I attempted to replicate Rembrandt's lighting. It isn't easy to do. It appears simple, but this was one of the best after a round of ten shots. I believe it is acceptable as a still with natural light. I'm now on the quest to see what else can be discovered in country homes.

Chapter 7

"5 Legs and a Hat"

Sony 6300 f/6.3 1/640 sec ISO 1600 85mm

Interested in juxtaposition? This image may be an example for some of you. Interpreting five legs of varied materials and heights could be construed as juxtaposed humor. A possible venial sin is the involvement of a person. Please forgive me. If the legs had less hair, it could be a dummy or mannequin.

I was on assignment in Malaga, Spain to photograph the launch of a new hotel. The customary routine of exploring the hotel's public spaces, including the front desk, dining area, and then the magnificent roof terrace. Some photographs now belong to the hotel; the others are mine.

This one does not go on the photo wall in the lobby.

It is mine! I snapped this photo as I entered the elevator.

When I turned back, the wall that led to the terrace severed this individual's upper body, leaving me with five legs and a hat.

Chapter 8

"Parked Shoes"

Nikon D3100 f/7.1 1/640 sec ISO 200 50mm

This was my second encounter with these hoofs. The first time I did,t have my camera. I went back the next day hoping they would still be there.

Sure enough they were there. The midday light was not great so I set these beauties against the wall trying to get some shadow action. I even took the time to tie the laces and remove some odd debris around them.

The other admission about this find is that I used to own a similar pair of these. Bought them at the flea market in Madrid and they were some of the most comfortable shoes I owned and were good to go for 7 years.

Finding abandoned clothing in the street is not that unusual. Finding single pieces like this pair of shoes is more unusual. You have to believe someone in need would have stepped into these immediately.

Staging the "parked shoes" was a little cheat but using clothing for "stills" as in the next chapter is not!.

Chapter 9

"Satin and a Hat"

Nikon d3300 F/9 1/30 sec ISO 6400 55mm

I am such an urban junkie. Not drugs! Just the rush and exhilaration from exploring an urban environment and discovering everything human. I cannot recall whether I was in Buda or Pest, but it was unquestionably Hungary. This photo is one of my favorites. As in the preceding chapter, this shot demonstrates the visceral appeal of abandoned apparel.

Early in the morning, when I'm doing touristy things, I usually find myself in areas with historical scenes. I was approaching such a neighborhood when I peered into a basement window. Someone placed the objects on the cement-like shelf with metal bars in the background. Underneath the red felt hat is a folded coat with a silky lining inside and yellow paper.

After reviewing the file, I noticed the coat folded into the outlines of a face, which can be seen just below the hat.

I guess someone was out all night partying and left his costume to "Pass it Forward."

The humanity, the humanity!

You have to love it!

Chapter 10

"Floating Bike"

Nikon D5600 f/8 1/160 ISO 320 90mm

I have no idea how I did this, but the illusion of the bike floating is fantastic. The combination of water and reflections gives the impression of a suspended object.

Excuse the interruption, but I was listening to a street photographer describe why he uses a long lens. He stated that the pandemic was the specific cause. I concur, but guys like myself have always photographed street objects and structures. Shorter lenses indeed capture more elements of the surrounding environment, but I believe street photography encompasses everything, with or without the human element, i.e., portraits or people.

To return to the subject at hand: I was near a fish market when it began to rain; I waited for the rain to stop to get reflections from the wet pavement. I discovered this floating object and promptly triggered the trusted gear.

To my earlier point, I created this image after all the humans had hurried off the street.

Get out there if you have a camera that can withstand some rain. Images, wet things, and people will be some of your best!

Chapter 11

"Stumped"

Nikon 5600 f/6.3 1/125 sec ISO 320 55mm

Are you stumped? Have you run out of creative ideas? Do you require a new approach? I understand your frustration. The camera is on the shelf with a prime lens, and you look at it and think, "Let me try a zoom lens today." Then you stop and ask yourself, "Why would it make a difference today?" The issue is not with the camera or the lens. The problem is, what are your subjects for the day? Who, what, and where are they?

Yes, I've been there and done that! Photography is a skill that demands practice, but unlike other skills, it is relatively forgiving. The sheer amount of images to capture with a medium-sized and medium-priced camera is astounding. You can go crazy snapping hundreds of pictures and later sifting through them to find keepers.

Returning to the stump. The concept was to locate an object and place it in the foreground of another thing. Simple, yet difficult to execute. Of the hundreds shot this day, this was my favorite. The object position, shadows, the matching gray on top of the stump, and the home's color, made this a keeper. Please don't get bogged down; keep it simple and grab the camera, regardless of lens or thoughts.

Snap away to your heart's content.

Chapter 12

"Palermo Stairs"

Nikon d5600 f/8 1/400 sec ISO 200 200 mm

Before the epidemic, my friend and I planned a trip to Italy. What a pleasure. The destination was Palermo, and it was a feast for these old tired eyes. I believe the city is teeming with people, over 700,000, but there are peaceful corners in this not-so-large city. After all, it is the largest city on the island of Sicily.

Perhaps most people were at the beach, in other parts of the town, or on the coast, but I recall it being quiet. It was quiet enough to walk down to the city harbor, where there were few people, and snap images that looked like paintings. What history. What a beautiful location for photographs. Urban Antiquity? Maybe this is why I love it so much.

Adding a glow to this photo rid the steps of an overly detailed and structured look. It is one of many photos that can appear like a painting by an old master. Of course, it must be in a suitable setting.

The city of Palermo is one of them.

Chapter 13

"Cracked Globe"

Sony 6300 f4/5 1/2000 sec ISO 100 85mm

Is this a broken lamp post, a fractured globe, or a cracked ostrich eggshell? It's your call. This object was overlooking the way to an inclined garage entry. I was in Madrid on assignment, photographing the renowned towers for a possible architectural book in this series. I decided to stroll south from there to see the construction at the football stadium. I love looking at construction sites.

You can take some stunning photographs. Anyway, past the stadium, I came across this globe in front of the entrance.

Now that I think about it. It was a door to a foreclosed garage. It all makes sense now. A boarded-up vacant garage and broken lamp post in one urban scene, while you can witness both the finest and the worst in the immediate surroundings. This photograph is an excellent example. There was no evidence of urban blight behind me and along the road. There were only signs of upscale apartment towers and fine dining establishments.

I see the beauty in broken lamps, cracked eggs and fractured globes.

Chapter 14

"Leggy Legs"

Nikon d3300 f/6.3 1/60 sec ISO 220 40mm

"Leggy Legs." What else can I say? It astounds me when I see things like this. It's a reflection of ridiculousness and imagination. I'm curious if the person displaying this is aware of this. The obvious reason is to show off their clothes or and wares, but it smacks me in the face. Found in Madrid's "rastro" market. On any given Sunday, crowds of people meandering about kiosks selling anything from radio tubes, dentist equipment to leggings. The sheer size of the crowd terrified me the last time I was there.

My objective was to photograph individuals. However, this rapidly became a dilemma for a lack of space to focus or backup. Maybe I was using the wrong lens?

I snapped this photo years ago when the market was less busy. Lately, it has grown in popularity to the point where it now stretches to side streets.

Suppose by chance you get there, head for the side streets. You will get better images and rekindle your imagination.

Chapter 15

'Golden Stanchion"

Canon EOS DIG REB f/7.1 1/250 sec ISO 100 130mm

I'll give you one guess as to what attracted me to this object. You would be right if you guessed the texture, thought the horizontal lines or assumed the warmth of the color or the bokeh in the background. You passed the eye test. But it was the light! Seriously, this is from walking around within the golden hour. The experts know what they are talking about regarding this natural phenomenon. It happens twice a day, and as much as I would like to go out and shoot in this type of light all the time, it is impossible.

You need to plan your day.

I have seen people get up at 4 in the morning to catch the early light and frantically hurry to catch the late light. If you can manage and tweak your circadian cycles to conform to this. You will be famous. It is a phenomenon, and I can attest to this by the few times I got my slacker butt up in the morning or scurried to chase the sunset. This light is very special.

Chapter 16

"Poking Pipes"

Fujifilm XT20 f/5.6 1/6 sec ISO 400 45 mm

I alluded to construction sites as one of my favorite places to take photos In chapter 13. And boy, if you live in a city or urban area with constant noise, dust, and dirt, you are in luck. Not really but cheer up it is great for photos. Some of these projects last for ages. One benefit of the Covid pandemic was that many projects were postponed or canceled. One theme I have often thought about was taking daily photos of construction sites to show the progress or lack of! This idea would be a blast.

Of course, it was difficult during the pandemic, as many projects came to a complete halt. The subjects can be anything from dug-up trenches to machinery to the boys and gals working the equipment.

Consequently, I am on a constant quest to find sites and create photos. This photo is from a location close to the center of Paris. I believe It was postponed because of the pandemic. Ouch.

You know, some politician was tongue lashed, or some construction company will be way in over their heads! This one taken from above, and I loved the colors and position of the pipes and their "open mouths" seemingly reaching out to me.

Help. We need to be connected!

Chapter 17

"Beam me Up"

Nikon d3300 f/7.1 1/640 sec ISO 320 200 mm

In addition to being one of the funniest photos in this collection, this one is also the most modified. Maybe it was influenced by Star Wars, Star Trek, or Kevin Spacy in a space movie I had just watched. There were countless mental images of spacecraft, telescopes, and dish antennas like this one. I also have a burning mental picture from Morocco. On every house for miles, you can see these dishes if you go to the top of any roof in any neighborhood. Amazing! I veer off topic, yet the thought persists. I stumbled into it while shooting at an oblique angle upwards.

Even though the dish was shot from a distance, I trimmed the image down to just the subject on the home's roof. When I changed the sky, I also added that textured background. That jagged black line frames it nicely. There is a crystal-clear message down in the lower right, making intergalactic communication easier than ever before. " beam me up"

I am still waiting for a response.

Chapter 18

"Petal Drop"

Nikon D5600 f/7.1 1/15 sec ISO 200 120mm

I had a similar photo of a dropped flower on the pavement called "Pedal Drop." Whoa, this was a blog's lead title for over a year. After reviewing the blog, a buddy pointed out that the spelling was incorrect.

Embarrassed, I instantly put the brakes on the title of the essay! It is sometimes difficult to come up with titles for the images. However, most times titles come to me immediately.

The tone of the titles sometime reflect a feeling of sarcasm, a political jab, a societal comment. The majority of the time, it is just playing with words.

Like the first "Petal Drop" photo, this image was taken during one of my daily walks with the intention of "going down."

In other words, I was finding items on the ground. I occasionally get lucky and locate a vivid subject, such as this red flower, which is complemented by a textured background, read cement pavement! The contrast between the blue cement textured tiles and the beige neighboring strip below the red flower isolates the subject flower. Natural lines contribute to the overall makeup.

The only thing I would change is the title..."Pedal Drop 2?" Nah.

Chapter 19

"Billow and Jug"

Nikon D3100 f/5 1/160 sec ISO 100 30mm

I almost skipped this, but I had to include this. I'm back to flea markets. The one in Madrid is spectacular. Get there early in the morning after the vendors set up, and the sun appears before midday, and you have a veritable feast of fixed objects. Both old and new, but I tend to gravitate towards the antiques and the ones displayed in the sun. DUH!

This vendor had more antique ceramics, which were handmade, and amongst his ware were things for your fireplace.

I had a friend who owned several bars in Madrid. One of the bars consisted of antiques stretching back to infinity. Every inch of the bar had a story and was a conversation piece.

He tried to recruit me to run one of his bars. During his attempts to hire me, he asked if I would accompany him to the flea market. He knew all the vendors. I turned down the job but kept going to the market with a little more knowledge and my camera. Cool beans because the vendors recognized me and allowed me to take photos.

Chapter 20

"Gyro Eye"

Fuji XT 3 f/4 1/200 sec ISO 160 33mm

This image is from my abstractions book. It is a found thing, so I thought I'd include it here. One that I enjoy making. Some people are surprised by my propensity for noticing objects and using them as abstracts. Still, it has become plain to me that I like snapping things for their unusual appearance. If you follow that link, you'll see a book of abstract pictures I've taken over the years and later used to design items.

The designs involve some photo modification, but not much. I may crop and possibly modify the color palette. I consider them original, whether stills or discovered objects and perhaps my brain is always looking for unseen abstract patterns or motifs. The initial uncropped photo is of a long cement seat covered with marble. The metal semi-hoop with the wonderful shadow was at the end of the bench. After cropping I thought it looked like something a sculpting artist would create. Am I making myself clear? Let's go on to the next chapter.

Chapter 21

"Gate Keeper"

Sony 6300 f/4.5 1/100 sec ISO 100 85mm

So nice I used it twice!

This image is the entrance to a fresh food market in Malaga. Spain. You can find this in the abstract book in this series. I love this photograph. Malaga has other food markets, but this is the largest and most centrally located. I have to pass this structure at least twice a week, and I check my watch and the amount of grime on the plastic panels every time. Isn't that crazy?

This image is from the north entrance, and the light does not always behave as expected. It only responds to your desires at specific periods of the day and year. The final creation was a challenge, but this was my desired result and how I saw it.

Get there at the right time and give it your best shot. Examine it closely; each wrought iron pattern in each panel is unique, as is the grit in each square. The splash of red makes it stand out.

The overall atmosphere and lighting made this a "keeper."

Chapter 22

"Cloud Wall Twigs"

Nikon d5600 f/8 1/640 sec ISO 160 27mm

Yes, I stare at walls, and people think I'm a little insane. I recommend giving it a shot sometime. You might come upon something like this. I ventured on a trip to a small Spanish village in the mountains where some of the white-washed walls are accented with pastel colors.

The trick, of course, is the light, and shadows. In this case, the twigs being reflected on the wall. I didn't notice them till I snapped a few pictures. It was high noon, so I had to wait for them to materialize with any clarity.

Along with the twigs and shadows, there's this object in the center of the image. It's a drain pipe. A tube or something is connected to the pipe somewhere inside. I was intrigued but lacked the courage to knock on the door. When I showed this to people, they all assumed it was an image from Greece. Not exactly, but I'm sure there are many walls, twigs, and clouds on their walls.

Chapter 23

"Museum Column and Wall"

Nikon d3300 f/6.3 1/30 sec ISO 1800 35mm

Look at the ISO setting for this image. Yowser! It is high. The setting is indeed quite high, but it looks excellent. I need to trust higher ISO settings more. Higher ISO settings are perfectly fine nowadays, depending on the camera. This photograph was taken inside the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. It's a converted railroad station, and you couldn't repurpose or convert it for a better use. There are other examples, such as the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, which was transformed from a military hospital.

The d'Orsay is notable for its renowned architectural interior. Works of art are carefully positioned and strategically placed so that you can experience the interior.

That pillar appears to belong in a railroad station. The carrying capacity must be in the thousands of tons. So, yeah, it was the first thing I noticed. Then I saw the light reflecting off the wall, feathering into a crimson or orange tint. Visually stunning. To create the final image, I had to turn up the saturation in post-production, but I believe the results are cool.

The following chapter contains another example of a photograph from a renowned landmark. If you have the opportunity, go to the museum, and don't forget to bring your camera and check the ISO setting!

Chapter 24

"Refracting Palace Light"

Nikon D3300 F/6.3 1/320 sec ISO 200 70mm

As in the previous chapter (lord help me if I redo this book and mix up the chapters), here is an interior photo taken from the Palace Versailles, Paris. The Palace is spatially huge, although one of the ironies is the size of the beds and furniture. They are small, not dollhouse-like, but French royalty at the time was not going to make your basketball team.

Most folks, when inside, are overwhelmed with the space, consequently the huge ceilings and the huge wall frescos. I can't blame them, as they are stunning.

On this day, a little birdie whispered to look at the smaller details within the Palace. I did and discovered things like this lamp, small velvet chairs, tapestry benches, and all the little stuff tourists don't see.

This snap was great because of the light sneaking through an enormous window and settling on the sill along the side of what appears to be a spotlight filled with orange bulbs.

I love it, and every time I visit a typical tourist spot, I look for the smaller things that make my life grand.

Chapter 25

"Air Waves"

Nikon D3300 f/8 1/500sec ISO 200 180mm

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday. It was too late for the golden morning light and too early for the golden sunset hour. What on earth was I thinking? This time of year, sunset in Malaga, Spain, occurs just before 9 p.m. I think it was due to boredom that I decided to leave my house. I took a long walk down to the marina. It was beautiful, with lots of people wandering around and a sense of contentment of a summer day. It was infectious.

People were glowing from the beach, and a summer vibe was still in the air. I picked up on that vibe, but it didn't convert into photographing people. Instead, when I looked up, I noticed this odd structure that covered the entire walkway. I went crazy, snatching my camera from my backpack.

I spent nearly two hours photographing the design from various viewpoints—an amazing adventure. People were staring at me from all sides, discovering the same thing. There were lines of people "rubbernecking," It wasn't till later that I learned that this was one of the most popular locations for photographers.

Oh, and that sun had a role. Look at that shutter speed.

Chapter 26

"Impressive Window"

Nikon D3100 f/5.6 1/400 sec ISO 200 22mm

I have a full series of images of rustic windows and doors that I'm considering using for a "StreetScapes" book. This image was photographed in Faro, Portugal.

Here is a quote, "Look at doors and windows from the outside and wonder what's inside. Go through doors and windows and discover the wonders inside." I need to remember it because I came up with that profound statement. Pretty good, hey?I am currently looking for information about European window and door architecture. There isn't much information available.

The worst case scenario, I'll assemble the book with the numerous photographs and go with what I recall and why I took the shot. Most are lovely, including the surrounding materials, textures, and colors.

Take a look at this image. The photo has all those amazing features, plus the reflection within the pane. This one made me think of an impressionistic painting.

This news is just in! "Doors and Windows" will be the next installment in the series!

I hope you're excited about it.

Chapter 27

"Liquid Leaves"

Nikon d3300 f/6.3 1/200 sec ISO 200 120mm

Liquid conjures up movement, and the word easily flows off my mouth. How does one express this emotion in photos? I was wandering about, seeking fluidity in everything from waterfalls to fountain bottoms. You are looking at a fountain bottom, and looking at it makes my eyes water. I'm kidding! This photograph is in the first book of the "StreetScapes" abstract photography series.

This image is used as a design for a variety of successful products.

Coming up from the bottom center is a shape-shifting patch of green bobbing on top of shallow water rises from the bottom center. The patch of green gives way to a ghost hovering over the middle, where you can see different colored leaves. This top-side stuff is on top of this beautiful tile work, which completes and complements the dynamic motion's liquid pattern and textures.

I had to go past this fountain multiple times before a solid composition formed in my head!

Chapter 28

"Margolfo Stairs"

Sony 6300 f5/6 1/80 sec ISO 200 85mm

This essay is in no way a rant. There's much said about developing a photographic style. Many excellent photographers establish a distinct style for their work. Some argue to be relevant or labeled a leader in the field, one must refine one's talents to the point where everyone instantly knows your image. I get it, and I'll be the first to admit that I like guessing who took the photos. What if you enjoy all types of photography? What if you stick to one method with the same equipment, aspects or subjects, and so on?

You'll be an expert in that style, and there's nothing wrong with staying with your strengths. However, photography is a wide creative profession. I bet my meager income against your fortune that most of the famous will say the same thing. I will even go so far as to state that they have tried or experimented with various styles and approaches and will continue to do so.

Ansel Adams, known for his distinctive black and white landscape photography, experimented with polaroid cameras. With a background in fine arts, Henri Cartier Bresson experimented with the rule of thirds and diagonal compositions while only employing a 50mm lens. William Klein used wide-angle lenses in the fashion industry to make hazy street pictures.

To summarize, photography allows you to be as creative and stylistically diverse as you desire.

The image above appears to me to be a painting. As a photographer, I enjoy it and plan to explore it. It doesn't matter in the end; just put on your creative hat and hit the streets.

Later.

Chapter 29

"Door Spooning "

Sony 6300 f/4 1/125 sec ISO 100 85mm

Thank you to everyone reading this and appreciating the journey for stills and found objects on the street. This image is the final photo in this collection for the time being, but you, the reader, should keep an eye on me as I may update this small photo book at any time. You don't want to miss out on new photo ideas, which prompts me to tell you that the plan, for now, is to use this shot as the cover for the "StreetScapes Book," "Widows and Doors."

I receive much advice and encouragement from friends who always tell me to make it simple. They say to do the easiest thing to create something worthwhile without breaking my brain.

I believe they are correct. My urban photography adventure has always captivated me with windows and doors, and consequently I have many photos.

The quirky ones, the simple ones, the antique ones, and the ones with fantastic patinas can create a fun palette of wonderful images.

I have made the decision. "Windows and Doors" are currently on the drawing board!

P.S. Discovered this incredibly unique rustic and funky door in the heart of town. Check out what appear to be eyes inside the spoons.

You missed it if you had your head down or didn't have your camera. Get out there and snap some shots. It doesn't matter where who are why? Just do it?