Happy New Year

I recently visited the Phillips Collection art museum in Washington DC. This painting by Joseph Marioni at first glance seems pretty nondescript other than the bold color. On close inspection there is subtle variations of tone which adds interest, but I found it more interesting to view it through the archway that frames the canvas.

Some would say this is just a blank color painted on a surface. And some might think the start of a new year is similar, details to be revealed as the days of the year unfold... at least that is the thought I have.

Golden House

Crazy corner with lots going on.

Merry Christmas

Hope all have a great holiday season and a rewarding new year!

PS: This is my annual christmas photo featuring  one of my wifes multitude of decorations. Try entering "Merry Christmas" in the search box and you will see over a dozen of shots that I have been posted over the last 14 years.

Men's room

Apparently artwork on the walls and floors is fairly common at the Hirshhorn. I did not capture the name of this artist. It is curious that in the corner is (as far as I know) the only men's restroom in the museum. And it is not exactly easy to find. I guess just look below the smiley face?

The Hirshhorn

An exterior shot of the The Hirshhorn museum in DC. Here the extra wide camera on my iPhone shows off the dramatic architecture of the building. Again it seemed to work best in black & white. I was lucky to capture the family walking toward the entrance. 

Four Talks

I visited the Hirshhorn Museum of contemporary art in Washington DC a few days ago and was struck by an art installation by Laurie Anderson which covers all the walls and floors on an entire gallery. Anderson is a innovative polymath who creates visual art as well as music, poetry and more. The white on black imaging is overwhelming and also supports several 3D sculptures. 

S Shape

Alley of angles

St. Johns River at Mandarin

V trunk

Four ladies

Hibiscus

Econoline Pickup

Pretty nice example of a '60's vehicle that still looks good, although it appears it has been partially restored and painted. But for being 60 years old it does not look bad.

Appeal

A little play on words... just a tangerine peel. 

Theater lighting

Both decorative and theatrical lighting at the Florida Theater in downtown Jacksonville Florida. The historic 1927 theater was recently restored and updated. Stage lighting is now all LED providing more efficiency and flexibility. There was also plaster repairs and a complete repainting as well as new seating. Turns out modern theater goers need wider seats than was provided a hundred years ago.

Color

Well, to break my run of black & white I had to really blast some color. Somehow this unusual shot appeals to me not so much as a photo but as design. I am sure most people would not purposely shoot this framing but the intense color and contrast appeals to me... so that is the story I am sticking with. 

STOP

There are three stop signs in this photo... can you spot them all? (Click image to enlarge)

Really what this is saying is "stop with the black & white". Maybe I got a little carried away with all the monochrome photos but I do have a renewed interest in that look. So stay tuned for a return to color, at least some of the time.

Frame shadow

I sometimes wonder if the artwork frame should get a mention in the museum title card. The intricate detail and amazing piecing and mitering is really quite extraordinary, yet it is only there to support the painting. Who makes these frames? 

High Reach

Not sure why I am attracted to construction but it does lend to be unordinary opportunities for lines, textures, and not seen every day equipment and angles. 

To my right

As I sit at my computer, and turn to the right, this is what I see in with late afternoon sun. Hope you enjoy your everyday simple sights too.    

Expired

This rose was fresh and fragrant ten days ago but, as expected, it is now dried up and looking diminished. If I had presented this flower, in this condition, to my wife for our anniversary I think she would not have been pleased, Yet, one could argue that even now a certain beauty persists. Similar to the aging process us humans undergo, time imprints its mark, but our essence remains beautiful, although transformed.

It is worth noting that the image was captured utilizing the macro lens of my iPhone 15 Pro, which the device automatically selected. The advancements in mobile photography are nothing short of remarkable. No longer a novelty, smartphones have evolved to adeptly handle many photographic situations.

Quiet table for two

Quiet unless the air condition system turns on. And a nice view of the electrical meters and disconnects. What could be better?

Bricks in a circle

Pendent lights

Window view

Gallery angles

Maybe it is just me, but I like interior shots that are not of a specific thing, but rather just angles and surfaces. These were taken at Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the predominant gallery in Jacksonville.

Pergola on top

You can't beat the system

I have been playing a bit with shooting in black & white recently. On one hand it seems unnatural, kind of like using a filter, but on the other hand it is a throwback to my early days in photography when I had my own darkroom in the sixties. There is something about black & white that creates a distinct character to a photo which of course is not natural... the world is in color.

Selecting "Dynamic Monochrome" as a setting on the digital camera provides a good preview of the image but of course when I import the RAW file, the camera processing is not retained (only the JPEG preview has the effect). But going back to B&W in Lightroom brings up much more control over the look and the ability to fine tune the final image.

This photo was taken at a building under construction where, for whatever reason, building materials where boxed in these unusual printed cartons. Patriotic perhaps? Or just playful?

(Click the image for a enlarged view) 

Birds

Found this image while going through some photos from last years Africa trip. Image has been fussed with, probably too much, but tried to make it better with editing. This was an art piece hanging from the roof of a rustic airport terminal.

Picnic table

Looks like a cozy spot for lunch... not.

Wilderness fireplug

Construction

Somewhere over Georga

Boat reflection

Ghost moth

Tanks

A six-pack?

Canoe for sale: Half off!

Memorial

The twisted remains of the World Trade Center. 

AKG Art Museum

The old name was the Albright–Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo NY. The recent addition of another large building, connected by the pictured walkway, blends the old and new architectural styles. Art museums are one of my favorite places to visit, and this institution is especially attractive to me as it focuses on modern and contemporary arts.

Sunny seating

Hey Mark…

Next time you get to Buffalo you should check out the Richardson Hotel. It appears they have plenty of room for you. 

The Richardson

Originally an insane asylum and New York State Hospital built in the late 1880’s. After standing abandoned for about 40 years it was extensively restored and updated at great expense into a first class hotel. 

The building was designed by the famous architect Henry Hobson Richardson and the grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Now known as The Richardson Hotel. 

Beautiful but still a little spooky. 

Stairway

Outside the window

Stop

Peony blossom