Tugboat Pushes Barges on the Mon
Shot through a chain-link fence.
I was in the passenger seat and I had my camera out. The 70-200 lens.
We were headed to the wedding reception from McKeesport to Greentree. (Lots of double ee)
Crossing the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge. A truss bridge.
And there was a tugboat pushing filled barges on the Monongahela. (Monongahela means “Falling Banks”)
Pushed the shutter and shot shot shot as fast as I could, no chance to change settings. Lucked out with the cables on the edge and the gull in flight. The chain link fence gives the photo a soft haze and fuzz to the sharpness.
I’d asked my friend to drive a little more slowly but everything whizzes by when you are moving and it was unrealistic to go slow on the bridge. Couldn’t have done it if I were driving as there was no place to pull over. It was a squeeze.
and might as well show you the failed shots, the ones with the bridge cables, the blocking the view, the actual fence.
Photography can be exasperating. You would like to get it right.
There was no time for a turnaround, rerun, do-over.
It was the one shot that worked. Lucky day. Oh yes, at least three below that didn’t.
As If “Not Littering” Were/Was(?) Enough….. Which is Correct?
Okay Grammarians. Here’s your chance. I can’t decide which is correct.
1. As if “not littering” were enough to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.
2. As if “not littering” was enough to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.
The more I read them the more I think I should go with- #3 choice-
Is just “not littering” sufficient?
or
“Not littering” isn’t the only thing necessary………
No way to dial a #1-800-Grammar line and find out which is correct.
It’s after eleven PM. The English teachers, working or retired, I know are fast asleep.
Surely someone can help me out with the proper wording of the title.
Maybe it will occur to me in the middle of the night.
Or just check out the sign and don’t worry about my inability to decide.
Shot near Rankin Bridge on Route 837.
This sign is on the entrance to a car junkyard.
Carrie Furnace Reflection in the Monongahela River
With the sun sinking as I was headed to Swissvale to deliver Girl Scout cookies for Anna, I saw Carrie Furnace and the river in a warm glow. I pulled into the Rivers of Steel parking lot and got out of the car and photographed a few shots of the reflection. And then I saw the full moon in the frame! Good to return to a location shot before and to try to capture a different light and scene. No barge today. A travel channel video on the history and a tour of Carrie Furnace is here. The autumn view is here.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Winter
If you've been following the blog for awhile you might remember this as the header last winter,too.
To see other bloggers’ responses to the weekly challenge, click here
*click here to see Flat Ruthie Feed the Horses Cardboard Me Travels to Hardy, Virginia
Monongahela River Like a Mirror
I drive across bridges at least twice a day. I go to work on the arch green bridge(Birmingham Bridge) and sometimes come home on the yellow bridge(South 10th Street) but this day I crossed the Liberty Bridge.
Pittsburgh: The city of bridges. The change in light, water movement or in this case stillness, is ever changing.
The South Tenth Street is the one that was lit up for the filming of the Tom Cruise movie.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self-Portrait
Along the Monongahela River by late afternoon light and at night on the way home from the Waterfront in Homestead. Two of my favorite views, anytime of day or night!
I had the cardboard “me” in the car already. We make people out of brown corrugated boxes. I always make myself as a model for the students, this year with gray yarn hair!
Some of you know I teach Art in the City K-8th grade. Not too many people get to make themselves out of scrap cardboard at their job. The “Flat Ruthie” (have you ever seen Flat Stanley?-I photographed him for granddaughter Anna’s school project) was driving around with me cause I was thinking it might make a fun Christmas card, myself and the skyline or something.
In 2009 I was in a self-portrait show at Silver Eye Center of Photography. I can’t tell you how many images I shot of myself in my kitchen, trying to look young and thin. Figured I could achieve both effects with myself as a cardboard puppet. No wrinkles on the smooth cardboard.
Along Beechwood Boulevard looking to Homestead
Outlook Drive View of Last Working Steel Mill- 12-4-11
The View from Outlook Drive, West Mifflin
You might remember(or click the blue words) the night view of the same mill from April 2010.
Tug, Barges and Carrie Furnace on the Monongahela River- Autumn Afternoon
After school I drove down the slopes to the flats and headed to Homestead to buy a special cable for an external hard drive so I could retrieve a summer photo for Erika.
I turned onto Waterfront Road towards Best Buy and saw the late afternoon light reflected and warm the rusting metal across the Mon. Pulled over and stood on top of a guard rail to capture the sinking light on the Carrie Furnace, remnants of Homestead Steel Works and then I heard the tug and saw it pushing the barges up the river. It was a mighty scene on the river and the limitations of photography or my ability to capture it thoroughly, the seeing and feeling it, became clear once again.
The Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation sponsors tours but the last one was October 15th so will have to wait until 2012.
If you want to get a real feel for the Blast Furnaces and the incredible history, interviews with employees and historical photographs I recommend watching at least video # 1 at this website. I especially liked the man reading the last names of the workers he found in some type of log at the site. He spoke of reading obituaries of workers who gave 30-40 years of hard work for the Homestead Steel Works What a compilation of footage of Carrie Furnace. Closed in 1986.
Bras Across the Bridge
Sponsored by American Eagle. After Breast Cancer Awareness Month the bras will be laundered and donated to charity. A friend spotted them and emailed me and suggested the Hot Metal Bridge display for the blog. Of course, it was the day I did NOT bring my good camera. I took a Pano on the iPhone.
Bras Across the Bridge
Weekly Photo Challenge: Fall
Tenth Street Bridge in Fall light on Monday morning on the way to school. You can see the Liberty Bridge behind the Tenth Street Bridge. Bridges and their construction fascinate me. This morning shot from the Birmingham Bridge (I pulled over and stopped with the flashers in the bike lane and there was almost no traffic) But the reflection in the Monongahela River is what made me stop. The river mirror-like this morning, so still. October is my favorite month to shoot and I am going to make a point of leaving for work earlier so I can catch the Autumn Dawn. How great it would have been if the trees had changed colors already but they are just beginning. And V I think I see Prospect Middle School up there on the left top of Mt. Washington (33 years of fortunate students) !!! Oh my.
The Tenth Street Bridge Looks Miniature
The view from the South Side Slopes, on they way home from school last Wednesday. I’ve mentioned Pittsburgh’s topography in previous posts. The scale in this photo emphasizes the hills and valleys, the Monongahela River. Late cause it was Meet and Greet for the parents. The setting sun casts a nice light. Everything lush and green. I don’t remove wires from the photos. As is. Pretend it’s a zipline. I haven’t driven this route for a few months. It’s all new- again.
What’s Under the Rankin Bridge
Back in “real time”. Not that I didn’t enjoy the chance to dig in the archives- but Monday night I was driving by the Rankin Bridge from Swissvale and saw the setting sun on the side of the bridge. Shone like a yellow bridge (it’s actually blue) with the late golden light on it but just an ordinary shot, straight on. It did not “speak” to me. Drove another 50 feet. Stopped at the red light ahead. Saw this view. It seemed to go on forever, the repeat of the braces. Rolled down the window and was able to capture the underbelly of the “Steel cantilever spandrel-braced deck arch “. You can’t tell from this angle that the Monongahela River is seventy five feet below. Or that the bridge is 2,427 feet long! I got that good info from here.
There are a lot of bridges in Pittsburgh. Don’t see underneath them too often, though. You might remember this view from the Rankin Bridge of a barge being pushed by a tug.
If you suffer from gephyrophobia it would be difficult to live in Pittsburgh.
And a new Keep or Pitch post is up today after unannounced hiatus = Back to School adjustment recovery period-
‘Twas the Night Before Superbowl, Fans Asleep in Their Beds-Visions of a 7th Ring, Float in Their Heads
But not overconfident. Just hopeful. And the Packers fans are dreaming the same vision I’m sure. (Actually photographed Thursday night Feb 3rd.)
Settling Down for a Long Winter’s Nap
And then you turn on the TV-
warm up
for the big game.
Have to wait all weekend long.
A two hour delay for Monday–
school, already called!
View of Homestead Over the Mon
Heard Giant Eagle was packed and fans are loading up their carts with salsa, ribs and Tostitos and chips. Iron City and Yuengling, some Penn Pilsner at the Beer Distributor– you can’t purchase beer in the grocery store in Pennsylvania. Fans are careful to follow rituals and are aware that their actions might jinx the outcome. Some can’t stand to watch.
Red Sky in Morning from the Birmingham Bridge
Left the house a bit earlier to get to the other side of the city this morning. As I hit the Birmingham Bridge I saw the sunrise. I pulled to the edge, hit the flashers again and sat quietly, and shot the sky over a few minutes time. The other direction I could see cars on the Parkway with their headlights on. A nice way to start the day. But the Red Sky,Sailors Take Warning turned out true as it is snowing (about 3 inches so far) and already they have called for a two hour delay at school. The dark band along the bottom of the photo is the Jersey Barrier. Unretouched photograph!
Finding more beauty in winter.
Snowstorm Softens Skyline Edges
Coming back from training in the West End I pulled into the Cigna lot and took a couple of chilly shots. Although a color photo it appears to be black and white. Looked for lights in the city but the snow blocked the view. You can see the snowflakes against the river background. The railroad tracks, partially covered, made for nice lines. The best thing about being asked to drive across the city in the snow (when it feels like you shouldn’t get on any road!) is that you get to see a view you wouldn’t have seen if you hadn’t made the trip. You might remember the blogpost - same vantage point- without the snow.
Where the rivers meet
Full Moon Over Pittsburgh
Not Light Up Night tonight. My friend Ray called. Said there was a huge orange moon on the horizon but by the time I threw on my jeans, wool sweater, hat and scarf, drove up to Mt. Washington, the moon had risen and appeared off white. Clear, cold and windy, met two couples from Minneapolis on their way to the Macy’s Parade in NYC. Ray told them how to drive off the mountain to Fathead’s or Primanti’s on Carson Street. The city lights looked brighter to me than Friday night. It was an impromptu shooting session but a lot of fun. Posting the Radio Tower on Shiloh Street tomorrow.
The temperature dropped that twenty degrees they said it would....brrrrr. A clear night.
Light Up Night Pittsburgh
From the the sidewalk by the Monongahela Incline. Not the usual view. Drove up Sycamore Street after the Madwomen in the Attic Poetry Reading/ Party at WYEP on the South Side. Easy to park as it was after 10 PM. I missed the fireworks. Walked up and down Grandview and took a series of shots of Light Up Night, wishing I had taken the tripod and cable release.
Find the American flag.
Silvery Skyline
Can someone explain the building the jail (the four red brick structures) on the Monongahela River Front?
Arlington Avenue view of the city on the way home from school.
Pittburgh from the Air at Night
Taken Sunday 10-10-10 Through the airplane window, flying fast. One quick shot. Can you find any recognizable landmarks? Wish I could have a “do-over”- try again.
Prepare for landing.
Train Along the Mon
Steve drove over Rankin Bridge and you know how I love red lights? Easier to shoot as a passenger. This is narrow cause I cut out the bridge rails. I love to hear the train’s whistle along the Allegheny River at night. This train was at a standstill. I wondered what was in the cars.
Not much light left- we were headed to West Mifflin.
Headed for the Big Drop
After photographing family in West Mifflin Sunday afternoon, I drove a couple blocks to the Free Parking lot at Kennywood. Sat in the car with the 70-200 lens and watched a few loads of Phantom’s Revenge Riders speed by at different angles. It would be a long two minutes and fifteen seconds for me. People love the thrill of roller coaster rides. How about Rob and Bradley in Illinois going from park to park on tour? Will fill you in on their stats when I receive them. A new coaster is going to be on the site of the Turnpike Ride (my speed) and the numbers they tout are zero to fifty in three seconds, 90 degree drop. Any mention of G force and I am opting out! WOW.
Sunday early evening roller coaster ride.
3 Figures Across the River at Birmingham Bridge
Full photograph of Birmingham Bridge on the Monongahela. Detail of crop from same photo-scroll down. The shadow of the bridge on the sunlit river made a cool pattern. The people showed up when I enlarged the photo.
After dropping off Mill at Night at the Pittsburgh Technology Center on the Mon
3 Figures Across the River at Birmingham Bridge
Steel Mill at Night on the Monongahela River
Some things draw you in. I returned to West Mifflin to see if I could get the mill in sharper focus. The atmosphere affects the smoke coming out of the smokestacks. I got out of the car this time. Once the trees are in full leaf it will be harder to get the entire scene.
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