A Second Look

Playground is closed

2012-01-30T23:23:00.000-05:00

Snow covered and poor focus.

I am still shooting with my old prime lenses, but about ready to give up... at least for now. This time it is a Pentax Super Takumar 35mm f2 lens, a wide angle on my Pentax, but "normal" focal length on my APS-C DSLR. But even at f8 I was not able to get an acceptably sharp image (click the photo for a slightly bigger version). Perhaps my eyes are not as good as they once were (true) but also the DSLR has no micro-prism focus aids, so I just cannot seem to get sharp focus.

I guess it is back to my Canon lenses. But maybe a prime is in my future.

PS: If you happen to peek at the EXIF metadata you will see that it is not accurate because the Takumar lens does not communicate with the camera.

Signs point to...

2012-01-28T09:01:00.000-05:00

It's not personal... it's business.

When a business is bought by a competing business, it is often not good news for the employees. Redundancies aside, it also mean squashing competing products and processes. It means elimination of the weaker, the role played by the overtaken.

Many of my friends have already exited. I may soon join them.

I was fortunate to have been given generous notice, more then some. And I hold out hope that my usefulness could still be recognized, but that is looking less likely everyday.

Finding new employment is difficult these days, especially for someone who desires a fulfilling job, but is in his sixth decade. But it is often said things happen for a reason, and often lead to new and better experiences.

After all, exits are also entrances... to what is beyond.

Framed graphics and two chairs

2012-01-22T09:17:00.002-05:00

Bridge confusion

2012-01-21T09:14:00.000-05:00

Strange how these bits and pieces come together.

North? or South?

2012-01-20T20:44:00.000-05:00

The Canadian geese migrate south, away from the cold of winter... and north to avoid the heat of summer.

When I see them flying in the middle of the season I wonder if they are confused, lost, or perhaps just taking a few days off, and are on holiday.

Cold morning

2012-01-16T21:07:00.002-05:00

We started out this morning cold, only 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14C) which is not much like the season we have had so far this winter. We now do have some snow, but by tomorrow it will be melting away as the temperature rises.

Twig pictures?

2012-01-11T21:57:00.001-05:00

Recently there has been display and discussion of so called "twig pictures" and I have to admit, I find them appealing only in small doses. So here is my attempt, and I don't expect me to post any more anytime soon.

Glassware

2012-01-09T06:34:00.000-05:00

Recently I have been shooting with my Canon DSLR, but using my 45 year old Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 lens. I bought the lens on a Pentax Spotmatic while in high school. I worked in a camera shop after school and was able to buy the camera at a special dealer discount. It was still a very expensive purchase back then... the most expensive thing I had ever bought.

Having adapted the lens to the Canon I have once again been able to experience what it is like to shoot with a fast prime lens, something that I have contemplated as I think about my next possible camera purchase (maybe a four-thirds or some other compact systems camera). What I have discovered is two things: a zoom lens really is not all that important for most picture taking, and second; manual focus takes time to be accurate. Of course the Canon does not have any special focus aids in the viewfinder, and shooting wide-open (as I did in this photo) there is very little depth of field.

S curve

2012-01-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

I was drawn to the s curve in the road and how the snow dusting outlined the path. Upon viewing the image on my computer it appeared pretty muddy and uninteresting. It did not capture the detail in the trees as I remembered. This lead to experimenting with some plug-ins and, although this may look overly processed, I do like the result.

Unexpected green

2012-01-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

An attempt to bring some natural into an unnatural environment.

Garden pagoda

2012-01-06T20:19:00.001-05:00

Frozen pond

2011-12-31T09:15:00.001-05:00

Actually it is not frozen, considering it was 40 degrees Fahrenheit a few days ago... but perhaps it will soon be frozen.

Last photo of 2011... Happy New Year!

Christmas snow

2011-12-30T08:56:00.000-05:00

Finally some snow, but unfortunately a week late for Christmas.

Where is the snow?

2011-12-23T09:06:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, but is sure does't look like it. By now we should have a pretty good cover of snow, but so far this season we have only had a light dusting, and that disappeared almost instantly.

The weather watchers are telling us that we are on track to have a new weather record... the least amount of snow in the month of December.

So much for a white Christmas.

About 300 miles

2011-12-22T20:53:00.000-05:00

I recently published a photo of the drained canal. This is just another photo, from a different perspective, taken on another gloomy day.

This is very near to my work location, at approximately mile 300 of the 363 mile long Erie Canal.

Santa Claus

2011-12-18T13:50:00.003-05:00

Perhaps I should say, second in a series? Here he is from last year.

A number of years ago we were in Germany and bought these hand painted pewter figures. They are a favorite Christmas decoration of mine.

This was shot with my Canon DSLR, but with a lens adapted from my old Pentax Spotmatic that I bought when in high school. It is a Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm f1.4, a wonderful sharp lens. Of course it is manual focus on the DSLR but still produces very nice photos even though it is over 40 years old.

Treetops

2011-12-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

I love to look up into the treetops. On a day like this there is deep blue sky and the shape of the trees just makes for an interesting view... a sight that is often overlooked by many.

The Wild Center

2011-12-11T20:11:00.000-05:00

A fairly new instutuion in Tupper Lake New York, The Wild Center/Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, is an interesting place to spend an afternoon. Very nice exhibits and a lot of opportunity to interact in a beautiful natural setting. Highly recommended.

Paper birch branch

2011-12-10T22:03:00.000-05:00

Endangered

2011-12-09T21:59:00.000-05:00

So here are some interesting statistics:

The population of the United States is 309 million people.^1.

The number of cellular mobiler phones is currently 294.4 million.^2.

So who is using phone booths these days? I guess superman still needs someplace to change into his super clothing?

^1. The United States Census Bureau, United States Census 2000.
^2. The World Bank Group "Data Catalog" The World Bank.

Drained

2011-12-05T19:51:00.001-05:00

Each year in November the Erie Canal is drained to just a trickle, at least this section. This is done to enable inspection of the walls and making repairs.

The canal originally opened in 1825 and connected the East cost with the Great Lakes, opening up the interior of the content. It was in reality the first American super highway.

In the spring the canal will return to a normal depth of 12 feet and, although bypassed by modern commercial traffic, it will again provide a waterway for recreational boating in the warm months.

Door in the doorway

2011-11-30T20:52:00.001-05:00

On to the next holiday

2011-11-26T08:23:00.004-05:00

Here in the US we have made it through Thanksgiving, and now all are focused on the the big holiday; Christmas. The decorator of this door choose wisely, a motif that transcends both holidays.

First cover

2011-11-19T08:14:00.003-05:00

We have seen a bit of snow in the air over the last week or so but this is our first cover of the season. I came down fast and thick for a while, but even when this photo was taken, most of it has already melted away thanks to the morning sun.

Of course this is only the first taste... there will be much more as the weeks progress.

I think this picnic table will be pretty lonely for the next 6 months.

Going bald

2011-11-17T22:39:00.006-05:00

It's hair loss season. Now that this little tree has relinquished its red in a neat pile, all that's left is a raked-up, a suck-up, and a haul-away.

And no, I did not boost the reds. I actually subdued them a bit.

Dark parking lot

2011-11-12T07:54:00.003-05:00

Now that daylight savings time is over my walk to the parking lot after the work day is in near darkness. The days are getting very short.

Abandoned

2011-11-09T19:44:00.004-05:00

This lonely building started life out as an upscale gas station, IE a bit more than the standard box with pumps out front that was typical of the era.

It has seen use since then for number of purposes, including the admissions office for the local community college.

But today it stands, scars and all, surrounded by highways and ramps that were not there when it was built, making it strangely isolated and inaccessible as traffic rushes by.

Color outside

2011-11-08T20:59:00.002-05:00

It's as if all the color got sucked out the window.

And it reminds me how somber my workplace is.

The maple out front

2011-11-05T09:18:00.002-04:00

Bright spot

2011-11-03T19:10:00.000-04:00

I tend to be an optimist and always look for the bright side. Life is a series of cycles. In each phase you can find beauty if you take the time to look.

Even though autumn signals the end of warm sunny weather, it presents us with nice bright colors. Winter is next with pristine blankets of snow. And then spring will return, with vibrant green, presenting a new start.

Way out

2011-11-02T20:59:00.005-04:00

The first time I went to England I was amused that doors to the outside were labeled "Way Out". It reminded me of the hippie expression "Way out man!".

Here in the US we use the term "Exit" to signify a safe passage to the outside world.

I have been thinking about exits lately.

I know that just around this corner there is a exit, and although the sunlight tells me it is a sunny day, I am not so sure. Frankly I would rather stay inside a little longer. But perhaps that will not be possible.

Sea Breeze roundabout

2011-11-01T21:10:00.004-04:00

The 590 expressway was recently converted to a boulevard in an effort to slow traffic to be more compatible with the neighborhood. And nothing slows traffic more than a roundabout. This particular roundabout announces the entrance to Sea Breeze, that part of East Irondequoit that meets the shore of Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.

As it seems to be the current practice when building expensive highways, often there is an attempt at aesthetics in the form of decorative features or public art. Being this area is know as Sea Breeze it was natural to select a nautical theme for the signage.

Halloween decorations

2011-10-27T21:31:00.003-04:00

More and more people are putting up lights and decorations for halloween. I guess this kind of fun can't wait for Christmas. So these days homes are decked out with orange, black and spooky, at least until it is replaced with the red, green and Noel.

Africa

2011-10-23T12:36:00.007-04:00

This certainly violates my rule: included photos are less than 2 days old before upload.

However, even though these were shot over 10 years ago, the digital files are only 2 days old. When I traveled to East Africa in 2000 I was using a APS SLR (I think I bought one of only a dozen or so ever sold). By APS I mean APS film, that attempt by Kodak and Fuji to bridge the gab between film and the coming digital revolution. Some readers will recognize APS-C as a sensor size in todays mid-sized digital cameras... the APS designation was taken from the film format.

For a long time I considered getting some of the APS negatives professionally scanned and a Groupon for ScanCafe was what got me to actually get it done. I had doubts that the quality would be very good by todays standards, and actually most of the photos in retrospect were pretty much of the snap-shot variety, but there were a few images that had possibilities.

The photos suffered from high contrast and most days in Africa did not offer very good light (perhaps the time of year or the fact that most of our drives were in the middle of the day). It also reminds me of the great benefits of digital... the ability to take lots of pictures and not worry about film and processing costs, the better dynamic range (at least when compared to APS), the lack of film grain (but with digital you have noise which seems easier to deal with these days)m the ease and extensive options for editing.

By the way, if you are interested in seeing more of the shots from my Africa trip click here.

False front

2011-10-20T20:45:00.003-04:00

How do you make an aging suburban strip plaza more attractive to tenants as well as consumers?

Just slap on a new front.

Brick looks solid and steadfast. And give each storefront a unique shape or texture. It does look new, but it is only "skin deep". And it really is one long building behind all of the various facades.

But if this is all it takes to fill up empty spaces, I am all for it.

And it does look pretty good.

Autumnal green and being real

2011-10-18T17:35:00.001-04:00

Autumn of course is not all orange and red and bright yellow. There is also green and browns and even grays and blacks.

Shots of pretty trees are nice. And some photographers take great pains to avoid anything man-made in those kind of shots. A year ago I would not have included a light post, or what is obviously a parking lot, in a "nature" shot.

But I am looking at things a bit differently these days.

One of my recent posts generated some discussion from two picture makers that I admire. Colin is always encouraging (and has an interesting blog that I enjoy) and the Landscapist (a great teacher) is perpetually challenging my viewpoint (literally and conceptually). For this I am grateful and appreciative. The fact that these photographers occasionally visit this blog is very flattering.

As I have said from the beginning, this blog is primarily for me, as an exercise, and to compel me to generate photos and words. If anyone else sees any value, that is an unexpected bonus.

So here's to real, and not too much orange.

Which is not to say the photo above is necessarily any good.

Path through the trees

2011-10-14T06:18:00.000-04:00

Autumn returns

2011-10-13T16:13:00.002-04:00

It is hard to resist the colors of autumn. When the light is right and leaves are full of oranges and reds and yellow it seems like the perfect photo opportunity. Is this too much cliché? Are the colors too vivid? I don't know... I just like the look.

Bug on the window

2011-10-10T19:22:00.001-04:00

Just a small bug on the outside of the window. But here in extreme close-up he looks like quite a monster.

Past the cemetery

2011-10-09T21:20:00.002-04:00

Carpeted pond

2011-10-03T21:31:00.003-04:00

I have shot photographs of this pond before, but there is something strange going on now.

At first you may think that beyond the foreground there is a luxuriant meadow. Take a closer look and it appears to be a lush green carpet. But I would not advise you to try walking on this carpet, because you would get rather wet.

I am not sure what is going on this season. Apparently the surface of this pond is covered with some kind of algae bloom, so perfect and continuous that it almost does not seem possible.

Painted clouds

2011-09-29T17:37:00.004-04:00

I am not sure why I am so attracted to clouds, but I do find them often fascinating. This particular sample has an almost almost oil painted look, typical of the autumn season that is now upon us.

Overgrown

2011-09-28T20:53:00.002-04:00

Apparently the homeowner is not concerned with the vegetation that is taking over this house. I sometimes wonder how quickly all things man made would be obscured by nature if not kept in check.

Why is the sky blue?

2011-09-19T07:21:00.001-04:00

We know the lake is blue not because it is water, but because it is reflecting the sky.

But why is the sky blue.

It turns out that light scatters as it travels though the atmosphere, and the blue component of sunlight has a shorter wavelength. Because the shorter wavelength has more energy then red or yellow, it scatters more and is hence more visible in the sky.

Of course the sky is not blue all of the time. For example at senset it turns to red and yellow. This is because the light is traveling though a lot more atmosphere and this means most of the blue has by then scattered away.

It is hard to image, but that if physics worked differently, instead of blue skys we could have red skys during the day.

Glass fish

2011-09-18T20:19:00.002-04:00

Food or fuel?

2011-08-31T21:40:00.002-04:00

Grown as a food staple since prehistoric times, corn is today the most widely grown crop in the Americas. But not all is grown as food. In recent years corn has increasingly been used to produce corn ethanol for use as a fuel or fuel additive.

Today 40% of the corn crop is used for biofuel production which critics content is a waste of valuable farmland that is contributing to higher cost for food production.

Anyway, it makes me happy when corn season comes along. Food or fuel? I pick food.

By the seat of my pants

2011-08-26T22:00:00.003-04:00

I guess more accurately I should say "From the seat of my MINI".

I just don't seem to have the time to properly capture photos, or more precisely, I do not take the time to properly capture photos.

I see a composition, or something catches my eye when I am on the road. That can mean a mad dash to grab my camera and snap a picture before the light changes. But more often, as I drive along, I am attracted to a possible photo, and that usually means I turn around, stop the car, but (being rushed or lazy) shoot through the rolled down window.

One of these days I need to find the time to be more focused... but till then, it will be by the seat of my pants.

Dark cloud

2011-08-18T07:44:00.001-04:00

Abandoned businesses are sad to see. Where once there was vitality and employment, there is now crumbling empty buildings that look tired and lonely.

Mattresses on sale

2011-08-17T21:08:00.002-04:00

I often wonder, why there are so many mattress stores? How often to people buy mattresses? And how many do they need when they do buy?

It must be a profitable business because there seems to be a lot of interest in setting up stores.

After the deluge

2011-08-13T21:09:00.002-04:00

Another sky shot... second in a row... but after a strong blast of rain, the sky began to clear and I could not resist.

Pending storm

2011-08-10T21:17:00.001-04:00

Roes hips

2011-08-07T21:25:00.001-04:00

You don't think of a rose plant having a fruit, but here is the rose hip, about a half inch in diameter hanging on a simple pink rose bush. Of course rose hip tea is pretty common as an herbal beverage, but rose hips have other uses as jelly, pies and even wine. The fruit is also fed to chinchilas and guinea pigs as well as horses to improve their coat.

Rose hips are very high in vitamin C and were used for medicinal purposes in Europe when other sources of the vitamin were not available.

Apparently ants prefer the blossom to the fruit.

Queen Ann's Lace

2011-08-06T21:16:00.004-04:00

Daucus carota, commonly know as Queen Ann's Lace is actually a wild carrot. The blossom does resemble lace, and if you look closely you will see one small flower in the center that has a deep red tint. The story goes that Queen Ann pricked herself with the needle while making the lace.

What I think is interesting is the overall form of the blossom is almost a hexagon.

Glass brick modern

2011-08-04T21:00:00.002-04:00

Three trees, three antennas

2011-07-30T08:35:00.003-04:00

The afternoon turned blustery after the strong rain showers receded. I was drawn to the wind swept trees, but then I noticed the repeating pattern of the antenna towers.

Desperate reflection

2011-07-25T22:00:00.004-04:00

At first glance it almost looks like an evil monster eye. But it's not. It is just a puddle in the parking lot.

This is the second photo of our parking lot in the last month. Perhaps a sign of desperation? Seems like my picture making goes in streaks... some days I see a lot, and sometimes my eye just does not notice or find anything of interest. So this is an attempt to get the flow going again... a little desperation.

The good news, the puddle is an indication of rain... something we really need. Our lawns are beige and crunchy. This shower is probably not going to help much, but it can't hurt.

The image reflected is of that unloved sculpture I have posted about before. So why do I keep photographing it?

Car storage

2011-07-17T10:22:00.003-04:00

We Americans have lots of cars and we all like to go to the same place. So where do we put our car when there are so many other cars already there? The parking lot is already full.

Let's build big buildings just to store our cars in while we shop.

Salt rivers

2011-07-16T09:23:00.005-04:00

What happens if you seal asphalt without first washing away the snowmelt salt?

The accumulated salt bleeds thought the sealant creating what appears to be rivers of salt.

And that shadow of a giant? It is only the photographer.

Late afternoon shadows

2011-07-10T20:23:00.003-04:00

As the day fades and the sun slips low in the sky, shadows and pools of light transform the edge of my back yard into warm colors and expressive contours. Another delightful summer day draws to a close.

Sunset reflection

2011-07-07T21:11:00.000-04:00

Lake George Shoreline

2011-07-06T11:07:00.000-04:00

Empty chairs

2011-07-06T08:09:00.000-04:00

Adirondack

2011-07-05T20:01:00.000-04:00

Mountains, lakes and trees.

Restful and unhurried.

Natural beauty.

Another birthday

2011-07-04T20:07:00.001-04:00

235 years, 12,262 weeks, 85,830 days.

Each year we set aside a day to celebrate the beginning of our country. Most times it is a sunny and warm day, and a great time to be outside... and so it was this year.

Happy Birthday America!

Note: The next few entries were taken while traveling and I did not have access to editing and uploading tools. This breaks my rule of posting photos with-in 2 days of capture... but in this case it was unavoidable.

iPod photography

2011-06-26T08:22:00.003-04:00

These days it seems that all of our gagets have cameras in them. Our phones, computers and even our music players. They are not very good cameras, especially the one in the iPod Touch like I have. Its camera is only intended for "FaceTime" video calls.

But what is great about the iPod Touch is that it can load "apps" that can do many things, and this includes photo programs that can be used to modify your photos. Although not exactly like Photoshop (actually there is a simple Adobe Photoshop version available) many of these apps have filters, presets and crop tools that allow you to create pretty interesting images.

In this sense, image quality can be overcome with tricks and gimmicks. All and all, it is kind of fun.

Caution ROC City

2011-06-25T08:45:00.004-04:00

I first noticed this bit of graffiti several months ago along Interstate 490. It is at the point where you are moving from the suburbs and into Rochester proper.

A few weeks later a cut-out drawing of a man in a space suit was pasted over the inscription, but now much of that has been torn away.

This is not the first time I have posted an image of graffiti. I am still puzzled by this type of image. What is the intended meaning? Who did it and why? Why a spaceman? And why was it partially removed?

Front door

2011-06-23T21:07:00.002-04:00

I guess if you are a landlord that takes a big old house and makes it into cheap apartments, then you don't care if the water and power meters are at the front door. And why waste paint on the door either?

Flying saucers in the parking lot

2011-06-22T20:50:00.003-04:00

Looking out the conference room window, what do I see?

The reflection of the lights over the conference room table... but it does look a little like flying saucers.

Corner store

2011-06-21T20:04:00.004-04:00

A bit of american that is slowly becoming a rarity. Years ago each neighborhood had a corner store where the staples of life could be found and everyone knew the shop keeper.

These days it is either the big box supermarket or a convenience store that is really a glorified gas station. I don't like to buy my milk from the same store that sells unleaded gas.

I guess the corner store is really the descendent of the old time general store, but like the original, it is destined for the history books.

Old world charm

2011-06-09T21:44:00.002-04:00

England? Germany? Some other European county?

Actually it is downtown Canandaigua, nestled in the NY Finger Lake country. This building stands side-by-side by some very nondescript commercial store fronts from the 30's and 40's. In fact if you did not stop to look up you would completely miss this facade. Which would be a pity... it is a nice looking structure.

I wonder what the story is behind this building? I am sure construction was a premium. Why was it built here? What was it for? Today the first floor is only used as a cut-rate jewelry store.

Fresh spring

2011-06-08T22:55:00.002-04:00

It's the time of year of vibrant growth and bright green. We have had some unusually hot weather for this time of year and it seems we have jumped into the hot days of July and August, but still with the pristine blessings of fresh spring.

Turn left for PA KING

2011-06-07T22:50:00.004-04:00

Old signs that loose a letter or two can sometimes result in a bit of humor. This example may not be the best instance, but to me, it is funny.

May be it is just me?

Stairs and Stripes Forever

2011-05-29T14:49:00.001-04:00

Coming apart at the seams

2011-05-22T16:47:00.001-04:00

Headwaters of Allens Creek

2011-05-21T09:29:00.002-04:00

With the current wet weather this drainage swail indeed looks like a creek, but most of the time it is only a trickle. If its path is followed, it indeed becomes Allens Creek, bordering some very nice neighborhoods before eventually draining into Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario.

Wet spring

2011-05-17T21:19:00.004-04:00

It seems the rain will not stop. Our progressing spring has gone into remission. It is cold and wet.

Of course dampness brings out contrast and saturates colors. Not a bad thing for photographs, but still, I look forward to the return of warm sunshine.

Bleeding heart

2011-05-13T13:33:00.005-04:00

There are not many flowers that have names that truly describe their looks. Sunflower is the only other example that comes to mind (the flower looking like a beaming yellow sun).

The bleeding heart plant is an early boomer and grows quickly from the roots each spring. The vibrant pink flower contrasts strongly to the bright green foliage. This is a shade loving plant that is easy to grow. It is a favorite of mine.

The lowly dandelion

2011-05-10T22:21:00.003-04:00

Scattered on lawns and gardens this pretty school bus yellow flower is considered a weed and pest that needs to be eradicated. As the season progresses it does loose it's cheerful appeal and threatens the fine green grass lawns.

But it is held in high regard in some places. The University of Rochester has an annual dandelion day, celebrating the bright yellow that, along with blue, forms the official colors of the university.

Snow tree

2011-05-09T22:38:00.003-04:00

It is spring, but the blossoms on this tree remind me of snow. It is a pretty sight, but the tiny white tree flowers only last for a few weeks at best.

It occurs to me that maybe I am a little too focused on trees. I think I have more postings that feature trees than anything else. I guess it proves that I love arboriculture, but maybe it is time to move on... need to find something else to photograph.

Tree clump

2011-05-05T22:13:00.003-04:00

Where's the pause button?

2011-04-30T08:32:00.006-04:00

I love spring, but it comes and goes so fast. When the delicate blossoms appear, the fresh new leaves sprout, the crocuses and daffodils spring up... it makes me happy. The long winter is behind us.

If only we could fast forward through winter, and slow-mo the spring, that would be wonderful.

US Mail: Sunset Lane

2011-04-28T21:20:00.002-04:00

Forsythia

2011-04-27T20:12:00.005-04:00

The bright yellow forsythia bush is a welcome sign that spring is indeed with us. The trees are starting to sprout fresh green buds. And today we reached 80 degrees before an explosive storm passed, dropping buckets of rain.

Spring is here.

Shore tree

2011-04-24T10:44:00.006-04:00

Nearly lost on the divide, a tree stands defiant.

Dwarfed by the sky, but believe me, it's a giant.

Crazy tile

2011-04-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

Neglected

2011-04-22T21:11:00.000-04:00

I remember years ago stopping here in the summer and buying sweet cherries. Fruit stands like this were common back then, but it seems that these small family run operations are not so common anymore. I expect it required long hours and little profit.

Old warehouse

2011-04-16T08:51:00.002-04:00

Former giant

2011-04-14T17:12:00.003-04:00

In the distance (and behind an obstruction) is Kodak Office, the main administrative building of Eastman Kodak. In the early 1980's Kodak was the largest employer in Rochester with about 62,000 workers. Today they are in third place with only 7,500 employees... and a shadow of their former might. The decline of silver photography, and the revenue stream that it provided, has changed the company forever.

Still, having over 7,000 employees, Kodak is not a small company. It remains an important technology innovator, but a smaller one.

Early spring

2011-04-12T21:49:00.002-04:00

Bright mornings... longer days. These are good things.

Today I noticed that, as if by magic, the grass has gotten green. The trees are just starting to bud, and the daffodils are showing their gold.

I love spring.

Tall pines

2011-04-09T08:46:00.002-04:00

Art I do not love

2011-04-07T21:47:00.007-04:00

This giant sculpture stands in front of the building I work in. My earliest exposure to this piece was the day of my interview nearly 9 years ago. I disliked it then... I dislike it now.

This shot improves the work somewhat in my opinion, but take a look at the full piece in this image.

Do I have a right to judge someone else's art? I guess I do, just as others can judge mine.

And then it was gone...

2011-04-05T22:28:00.003-04:00

I have posted about this not once, but twice. A building that was literally splitting at the seams, and ready to collapse into a pile of ruble at any moment.

But I never did see it fall.

Instead one day it was gone. It was as if it was sucked up by a flying saucer that left in its place some earth moving equipment.

Emergency?

2011-03-31T07:11:00.005-04:00

Here is the contents of the trash barrel in the mailroom yesterday, and it just struck me funny.

Seems like there are a few possibilities for a tag line here... but my ideas don't seem to be very good:

We don't need to be ready for any emergencies.
If we throw the phone away, maybe we won't have any emergencies.
I'm tired of answering this phone... it never stops ringing!
Sorry, you have the wrong number.

I don't know... any better ideas?

Wurlitzer

2011-03-27T19:49:00.003-04:00

The once great Wurlitzer company in North Tonawanda (north of Buffalo, NY) was a leading manufacturer of musical instruments. The name was synonymous of the theater organs of the '30s and '40s. Wultitzer was also a leading builder of jukeboxes that provided music on demand in diners and bars through the '50s and '60s.

Today the Wurlitzer company is no longer active, and this building and complex is used for more mundane uses including a bath showroom.

An era gone.

Sinking... or rising?

2011-03-24T21:45:00.004-04:00

Sky fish

2011-03-20T08:59:00.003-04:00

These critters don't need the deep blue sea, they are happy pointing into the wind, and reveling in the deep blue sky.

Branch over frozen pond

2011-03-15T21:22:00.002-04:00

Rain turns to snow

2011-03-12T08:46:00.002-05:00

Port hole

2011-03-05T08:45:00.003-05:00

Skylights are great, but even better if there is something nice to see when you look out of them.

How many choices?

2011-03-05T08:13:00.002-05:00

Buying toothpaste used to be a whole lot easier. Maybe 3 to 4 brands and a couple of sizes to choose from.

This shelf has nearly 20 choices, all from one brand.

Not shown is an equally large selection for the other top brand... and then additional shelf space for the smaller brands.

Is this much choice really needed?