You Can Submit a Photo of a Photo to Dear Photograph
Today I received an email from my son’s FIL, Donald, about a photo concept and website- take a picture of an old photograph in the same location where it was taken. He must have seen it and knew it would be something I would enjoy looking at. Boy, I’ll say……………..
The website is Dear Photograph and now that I’ve gone and read about it all, I must be the last to hear about it.
Dear Photograph is all over the news. It was even on the TODAY show. There’s a book of photographs using this concept that the young author/photographer Taylor Jones has authored. Simple and satisfying. Touching and fun.
So I looked at what was done and thought I would dig out a few photographs and give it a try. I just skimmed the tip of the iceberg as I limited my search to one box and a single framed photo – the one of the family in front of the house is Fall 1991, the year we moved into the house. Laura was in the third grade, Matthew fifth and Mark a Sophomore in HS.
And then I tried it. I found it tricky to hold up the photo and shoot with one hand. These are shot with the iPhone camera. I’m sure with a bit of balancing and practice the outcome could be improved but it was fun and I enjoyed trying to capture the photo of the photo.
Here are the results. Thank you Taylor Jones for the cool inspiration. I know the blogging community probably knows all about you and your website already but I’m glad Donald sent me the link to your website this morning. See what you can come up with using your old photographs. Having moved9 times in 16 years, there are a lot of photos of places I can’t return to and take the shot.
My pans have changed a bit from the Farberware to the All-Clad. Not totally but the rack is the same. Different stove. I still have the vase, too.
Vampire’s Assistant at Midway Theatre, Forest Hills, Queens
A theatre lit up at night attracts my eye. (Is it theater or theatre? This sign ends in tre) I see theaters transformed and repurposed all the time so want to preserve the genre before they all disappear.
I shot the Midway Theatre when I visited my sister in NYC and we went out to Queens on the subway to meet friend Matt and eat at Just Like Mother’s Restaurant. You can read a blog about the mostly Eastern European fare, see some Borscht- if you click on the name.
I took this about three years ago (11/2009) but came across it when I was looking for a response to a weekly challenge and since theaters are a vanishing breed, I like to photograph them, read what’s playing. Thought this was an interesting selection. Always like to work on my night photography and think about how I would change the settings next time.
The Swimming Pool in Raging Bull
My sister walked with us from the Parking Lot on the West Pier. We walked down St. Luke’s Place as we made our way to her apartment. Film locations abound in New York City but she thought this one especially interesting looking at night.
Mary goes to the library and can watch the swimmers right from the library window.
AND- Audrey Hepburn’s Wait Until Dark was filmed across the street on St Luke’s Place.(click to see location)
The pool location is Carmine Street Pool(click to see the scene from film) and it was about two am Monday night/Tuesday morning and really dark. There were some bright spotlights, too, and didn’t have time to monkey around with the ideal settings.
I set the camera on the timer so I didn’t get camera shake. Propped it on a concrete ledge of the fence base.
I took it from the angle where the Keith Haring Mural wasn’t visible and didn’t go back in the daytime as I’d planned. Next trip.
A personal note-
Drove home from NYC Thursday afternoon and Friday morning at 7:30 I start a new job as the Digital Photography Teacher at Carrick High School. After 20 years in Elementary Art it is going to be different and I am quite excited. Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and emails and for following the blog, leaving thoughtful comments and being patient when I don’t reply to each note. Making adjustments to the daily post as no more staying up past midnight to blog since I have to leave my house so early.
Like A Kodak Carousel
Last week before the photo opening, fellow photographer Andy told me he enjoys following the blog. He said my blog makes him think of a slideshow on the Kodak Carousel Projector and every day’s new photo is a different slide. Ektachrome slide film had such brilliant color.
Kodak Carousel evokes nostalgia most certainly. At least for my generation. Art History class in college and the professor would arrive with trays of slides.
The auditorium lights would dim. The projector made a distinctive sound.
A couple of days ago when the kids were home, they found an old carousel tray in the attic. The slides out of the slots but I plan to go through them and see what treasures they unearthed.
I know there are more trays of slides upstairs. And a projector in the back of some closet. A tiny screen folded up that made a memorable sound when raised like a shade.
Thanks Andy. I am sure there are many people who have trays of slides
The Film Crew Bathrooms – New York City
NYC residents look straight ahead, walk by,yawn.
Out-of-towners gawk and stop to take a photograph. Oh my.
DVD Screening Monday Night- Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Many of you know my next career is filmmaker! And on Monday 11/15 my second film will be screened. The first one was Dorothy Holley: Quart Jar Poet. The doors open at 7. The screening starts at 7:30 and the film is one hour in length. Michael Wurster: The City Books Session. Simmons Hall (which is the basement) Fifth Ave at Shady Avenue. Light Refreshments. Free and open to the public. Filmed and edited by me. A little shameless self-promotion. Michael Wurster was one of the original founders of the Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange and many people have taken classes from him. He taught at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for 18 years. I filmed it over 4 years ago and am very glad to have completed the film. You will hear him read a few of his poems and be interviewed by me. If you are a former student you might want a copy of the DVD which will be on sale for $10. Michael is bringing copies of his latest book as well. The British Detective. Excellent music brings the film to life. Used with permission from songwriter Christopher Jones from his Heartland Variations CD. Hope you can come.
Michael Wurster crossing 12th St at Carson on the South Side on the way to City Books for the interview.
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