Bronze Elevator Doors in the City County Building, Pittsburgh PA
Sometimes you see something on the fly- take a quick picture and later you think, oh,
I should have taken a little more time, shot more views or gotten better photographs as you review what you captured.
I left these photos the way I took them- a bit crooked, a partial door- as a reminder to take my time and get the detail, watch the angle,
*note to self- take a few more pictures when you see something magnificent, unusual and interesting. Take the entire door in the frame!
When we hung the art show at the City County Building downtown Pittsburgh, we were getting into the elevators and I took a couple of photographs of the bronze elevator doors. You almost felt like you were in Florence.
Henry Hornbostel was the architect of the building (and about fifty other building that are still in the city) but I couldn’t find who designed and sculptured/cast the elevator doors specifically. They were amazing to see. Figures with earlier government buildings in hand. Definitely need to get to the Carnegie Library for some detailed research but just look at the doors and think about how they don’t make buildings like this anymore. There’s a lot of history in the story of the doors that I don’t have at hand. Details later.
Brass vs. Bronze the difference in the two metals information here
City County Building Hosts Pittsburgh Carrick High School Art Show
Update: 5-13-13
Just added this gorgeous panorama photographed by Instructional Team Leader for the Fine Arts Department -Michael Dean.
The Pittsburgh Carrick High School student Art Show is hung and waiting for the Monday opening reception at 5:30.
Anyone who works in this magnificent building will get a sneak peek during the day. There were ten of us working most of the day Saturday to hang the art and place the tags by each piece.
Awards ceremony is Monday evening at 6:30 PM. Sponsored by CITIPARKS!
How about those Tiffany columns? The marble, the windows, the painted ceiling? And all the student artwork? Wow!
I can’t wait for the students to see their artwork on display in such a wonderful setting.
There will be refreshments at the reception.
Everything looks great!
You have to see it in person to get the full experience.
If you are in the city, please come see the amazing student artwork.
(Parking downtown gets cheap after 5)
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P.S.
Remembering our mothers every day of the year
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Cars Driving Uphill Have the Right of Way
….and so when I leave school and I’m driving down Parkfield Street (AKA the Cow Trail) and someone’s driving uphill, the road’s so narrow you have to pull over to the curb and allow the uphill car passage. Even pulled over it can be a tight squeeze.
Wouldn’t you know it, I got lucky on Monday afternoon and as I’m at the curb I look out the passenger window and see the neighborhood of Carrick and St. Basil’s Church up at the top of another hill. One shot with the window down and then I put the camera back in my school bag and take my foot of the brake and head down the hill as the uphill driver gives a wave of thanks.
Looked up St. Basil‘s story, too.
This shot shows Pittsburgh topography. Hills and more hills.
The trees are full of leaves now. Shot with the Canon 70-200mm lens as I was headed to the Girl’s Softball game.
Pittsburgh Marathon Photos – Almost Mile Twenty
I got down early to catch the first marathoners in the wheelchair division. It was a perfect day for a marathon.
There was a street sweeper operating at the intersection of Highland and Bryant when I got down. I knew the wheelchair participants started about 6:45 AM and I calculated when they’d arrive at almost mile twenty down the bottom of our hill. I didn’t have too long to wait.
When I witness their effort, a catch forms in my throat. It’s inspiring. Accompanied by a bicycle escort, they “run” the course with determination and hard work.
I am dividing the post into galleries. The first shots I stood across the street from the local coffee shop – Tazza D’Oro.
DICK’S Sporting Goods flew about 3 dozen marathoners to Pittsburgh from Boston so they could run the marathon. These runners were ones who were unable to complete the marathon due to the attacks.
There were thousands of runners today for the Pittsburgh Marathon so this is just a small sampling of the day. Perfect weather!
Here’ s the first gallery-
The Wheelchair Participants
The lead runners just flew by, almost effortlessly (well, it seemed easy watching them) Soooo fast. So smooth.
There were lots of dogs in attendance today.
And then there were the fun runners, the monkey, the man with the trumpet.bugle?, the guy in a kilt and sandals, women wearing tutus who were texting, and some wild hair and outfits. Many patriotic displays and one guy running backwards. A man wore a Chicago Runs for Boston shirt.
One man ran the whole marathon blindfolded, tethered to a co-runner. He did this to raise awareness and to experience what his 7 year old daughter must experience in life- she’s legally blind. To read about his efforts click here and another article about this father’s running the entire marathon blindfolded- here
A few more runners
And all the volunteers and the workers who made it all possible
The street sweepers, the garbage collectors, the police, the paramedics, the course marshals, the volunteers who passed out water and picked up the cups from the course. The bus who came to sweep up the runners who needed to ride for the remainder of the course. All photos shot with a 70-200mm Canon L series lens on Canon 5D SLR camera
And the partiers, the cheering section, and as neighbor Mike coined the term the CHAIR-ATHONERS. for further coverage you can go to the Post-Gazette
The Trees Sue’s Dad Had the City Plant, 35 Years Ago
Yesterday Sue commented on the new tulip tree being planted in front of my house. She told how her father had the city plant trees up and down her street, thirty five years ago, and how they were a memorial to him. He was featured on the blog for a Veteran’s Day post- Martin H. Cooper.
Today I was driving by her street on my way home from the Waterfront. Took two cell shots of his trees. Thanks Sue for your good words on the blog.
Night on Bryant Street- Italian(2), Belgium, Japanese, Thai, a PayPhone, the Laundromat, a Market and a Bus
Monday night when we drove through the neighborhood in the rain, none of the restaurants were open except for Smiling Banana Leaf. (Thai).
Joseph Tambellini’s is the first exterior I photographed and you should taste the delicious meatballs.
If You Need a Polish Platter
At the end of the Bloomfield Bridge, when I sat at the red light, I saw the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern in the snow.
The Polish Platter “Red” consists of
Pierogi, Kielbasa, Golabki, Haluski,
and Kluski
Open Mic Acoustic Night on Tuesdays at 9PM
Happy Chinese New Year- Year of the Snake
Mine is a single photograph today…..For a beautiful and informative post on the Chinese New Year be sure to click here
Got Bridges?
Just a few. Here are some bridges that cross the Allegheny River. Since I showed the one closed yesterday, it seemed to make sense to post a shot of more bridges.
If you want to read about Pittsburgh Bridges, click here .
Taken from Mount Washington, Duquesne Incline observation deck just last week.
And the Tenth Street Bridge in the Tom Cruise movie (Jack Reacher) isn’t in this shot but here
Last Sliver of Sun
Before I drove up the mountain, I went to one of my favorite spots on West Carson Street. This is what made me decide to head up to Mt. Washington to catch the incline in the snow as the sun set.
Incline in the Snow
I returned to the Duquesne Incline platform on Monday evening as I arrived from Ohio. Not quite as much snow as I thought there would be.
Taken just as the sun sank in the sky and the temperatures dropped. Will try again, a different winter day.
Couldn’t wait any longer to shoot when the sky was darker as it was too windy and cold. You might have liked the night time version better.
Downtown Alley
The illumination challenge could have kept me going for the rest of the year. I shoot a lot of photos in the dark with lights! When you look at your body of work ( or parts of it) you notice different things and details on different days.
When I was sifting through files, I found this city alley downtown and just liked the perspective, the people, the shapes and lines. Although it was captured in another season, the thermometer went up to 69 degrees ( I saw it lit up on a sign!) and for the second week of January it feels odd.
I think I need to return downtown and shoot some more alley views.
There are at Least 14 Ways to Spell It!
And here is an article explaining the most popular and the second most popular way to spell- Hanukkah or Chanukah? The Festival of Light.
Tuesday- the fourth night.
I was invited for potato latkes and the lighting of the Hanukkah candles at my friend’s house. We taught together these past 6 years until I moved to the high school this year. The first photo is her beautiful Menorah on the mantle. Her kids are grown up and out of town, too. She and her husband and I sat by there fire and then she lit the fourth candle. It gets dark so early now as we approach the shortest day of the year. The warmth of the fire and the glow from the colorful candles was lovely.
After we ate the latkes(served with sour cream and or applesauce) Ann lit the fourth candle.
We left for an adventure, traipsing around Squirrel Hill, Murray Avenue and Forbes. Up and down trying to decide where we should eat! At least it wasn’t raining. We had a nice evening, catching up on our families and school and mutual friends. When we walked by the Giant Eagle supermarket and a young man asked if we were Jewish and she said, yes and he asked if she had candles. Then we saw the table set up in front of the market with another young man cooking latkes on a griddle. They had applesauce available and their organization had a big sign on the Menorah. They told me they were “spreading light in the world.” I asked if it would be okay to blog them and they gathered to gather for a group shot. Pulled out the cell phone camera. Yep, my camera was back by Ann’s house in the back trunk of the car.
Thanks Ann for including me in the candle lighting and for taking me on a good healthy walk around the neighborhood to find the best dinner.
Home of the 5 lb. Hamburger!
Yes, that’s 80 ounces of meat. But not a photograph to prove it exists. Just this sign on the overhang. A site describes this place as a Sports Bar, a local hangout, a joint!
Maybe the five pound hamburger weighs a bit less after grilling? The way the punctuation goes I’m not sure if there is a five pound hot dog or a five pound pirogue, too
I was at a red light on Friday at the intersection in some traffic. Good timing. When you have a 50mm fixed lens on your camera and you’re in the driver’s seat, stopped, there’s no maneuver room, no way to get more of the establishment in the frame. This is the shot. There was no place to park or get out. I was on my way to see the family. Friday afternoon traffic, bumper to bumper.
But it was the sign that caught my eye. Nobles on Nobles Lane down the street from school. It wasn’t open when I was stopped in front. I know it would’ve been cool to actually go in and order one, document the gargantuan meat.
Bumper by the Side of the Road
You know there is a story behind this city scene, late afternoon. I took a different route.
Francine’s High School For Sale
Schenley High School
It’s been closed a few years now.
Well, the yellow sign says RELOCATED but that was temporary.
It’s gone now.
When I drive by this building it feels sad. When I drove by today it was raining and I saw the For Sale sign out front. If you want to see a magnificent aerial view of the building and where to send your bid to buy it, click here
I went to high school in Morristown, NJ so it isn’t my Alma Mater, but the empty building evokes a sense of loss.
There’s whole list of notable alumni but here’s a link to a photo of Andy Warhol’s homeroom class 1944-1945
Sculptor Paul Roger-Bloche Mother and Child Statue
On the way back from getting coffee with a colleague last Thursday, before the evening session of Open House, S. showed me this statue. Today I returned to photograph it in the sinking October sunlight.
As I drove home, I was thinking about a mother’s love for her child after spending a little time photographing the sculpture.
One block from school - Paul Roger-Bloche bronze sculpture,
L’Enfant,
created 1899.
Overbrook Boulevard and Ravilla Street intersection.
Here’s a link to the story about how Boy Scout Troop 224 rediscovered this statue beneath vegetation, when just the head was showing through. 
Almost Same Scene Shot from Inside and Outside the Building
After school I drove to a training in another high school and as I left the building I saw the scene through the windows. An autumn afternoon. Shot with the iPhone. When I got outside I could see a vista with the houses perched on a distant hill. But when I looked at both views, I felt the one through taken through the glass windows was the more interesting image. And what was that I said about ALWAYS carry your camera?
Hmmmm. I just don’t seem to be able to follow my own good advice. Maybe I can return when the leaves fall from the trees.
About to Pop and Professional Wrestling on Grant Avenue
You might remember the post where I wrote how I knew I should ALWAYS carry my camera with me. ALWAYS
Friday night Steve asked if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. It was a long day at school. Sure.
We drove down to Park Brugges and the line was out the door. Plan B. We drove to BRGR and at least a 1/2 hour wait. Spoon, no reservation? A table might open up at nine. Okay.
Plan C. Let’s drive to Millvale and eat at Grant Avenue Bar.
We got to the front of the place and it was Millvale Days! Who knew? There was a wrestling ring and ropes and a referee and oh my goodness a Ferris Wheel and games and booths and bands and people. People all over the place. Snack stands and cotton candy trailers and NO camera. Well the phone.
We walked around and of course, I’d left my camera in my school bag. At home. Oh no.
These were shot with an iPhone with about 13% battery left.
Shammy and Sean at the Corn Festival
Last Saturday I went to the Carrick Corn Festival at Phillips Park, across the street from the high school where I’d just started my new position (digital photography teacher) the day before. Our principal had invited us to attend and get to know the community plus it was a chance to see the Marching Band perform and shoot some photos of the event. There were Irish Step Dancers and Bhutanese Dancers and I’ve quite a few views of the corn being shucked and boiled, dripping in butter but this is the photo of the day.
At one of the booths, this man was writing people’s names and telling their meaning. I asked if I could photograph his dog (Shammy) who was by his side with a bowl of water on the grass. Sean told me that I should have seen her at the St. Patrick’s Day parade and he shared some snaps of her in her outfit. Here he’s picked her up for another pose. Even though I was short on cash, this generous gentleman wrote the meaning of my name Ruth (a friend to all) on the back of a prayer card, using a calligraphy pen in neat writing.
Not just any prayer card but the patron saint of photographers.
He’d asked me if I knew who the patron saint of photographers was and I ‘d no idea.
He told me the story of St. Veronica and her capturing the image of Jesus’ face in the cloth she offered to him.
Receiving this unexpected gift felt like a special blessing at the start of of the new school year. Thank you Sean.
Black Widow Adds a Lot of Screams to the Park
Back and forth, as a pendulum.
Spin round and round simultaneously. Not to mention the height. Oh my.
I shot this angle at dusk.
No, I did not ride it but was fascinated by the long lines of people waiting to get onto it and be scared out of their minds. The screams rated high in decibels.
You can read a great article about it and there is a video link to view as well. Plan a vacation in Pittsburgh and take the Black Widow at Kennywood.
Classic Cars – Grand Parade- Kick Off St. Raphael’s Bazaar
A police car. The Bomb Squad. A trolley. About 8 classic cars. Catch some candy and Mardi Gras beads. The Boy Scouts marched, then a Bagpipe and Drum group, the Morningside Cheerleaders.We had a lot of fun watching the parade in the Morningside neighborhood, not too far from home.
We went to the festival and the man in the information booth was a colleague from the first school I taught in the city -1989. Small world. We had a lot of fun and the grandkids loved the spin art and crafts in the Kid Zone. They loved jumping the bouncy house.
On the way home we drove to Giant Eagle and got ice cream and cones to eat at home. Fresh berries. Summer!
Scroll down for the slideshow.
Phantom’s Revenge Riders Fly Towards the Full Moon
August first, just after sunset. West Mifflin, PA. Kennywood Amusement Park. Just driving by. Got out of the van and waited for the cars filled with riders to come into the frame.
St. Paul Cathedral at Night- Pittsburgh PA
Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Looked like Europe to me. I was surprised to see it so bright as I guess I haven’t driven this route at night lately.
After the poetry reading at Pitt, I was driving by last Thursday night and noticed the illuminated facade so drove around the block and photographed the cathedral at night.
The building history is available here. The date of the building on their website is 1906.
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