Heinz Plant at Night
Shot from the Penn Brewery Parking Lot
Find the Bicyclist’s Headlight – North Shore Riverwalk
Riverwalk at Riverfront Park, North Shore, Allegheny River
Along the Allegheny River, across from downtown. Riverfront Park. I was on a field trip with a photography class I signed up for through Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. Next week we’re going to a greenhouse to photograph orchids. The other class members are people I have taken classes with before so that is fun! Wednesday night was Light Up the Night Walk for Lymphoma and Leukemia. One walker said they raised $700,000 dollars if I heard him correctly. The walkers had red balloons with flashing lights inside which I tired to photograph but didn’t really work out. I’ve shot this skyline angle before. But then the moment happens and the bicyclist drives by into the frame and because the shutter was open for 30 seconds you can see the trail of light. I think it adds interest to the scene. There were lots of people readying the area for the Tom Cruise movie they are shooting, putting tape down on the cement walk to mark the actor’s places. Turning an office building into a hotel. There were benches and additions to the walk- a kiosk and a rental shed.
Feast of Saint Rocco, Fireworks and a Full Moon
Information about this celebration at St. Raphael’s in Morningside arrived in my inbox from the community list-serve. Said there would be fireworks. When I got there a band from Cleveland was playing Italian songs and couples were dancing. A large statue of Saint Rocco was illuminated and people would go up and kiss their hand and touch him. He is the protector of contagious disease and pestilence. There was a statue of a dog with a loaf of bread in his mouth right by his side and you can read his story here. At first I took a few timid photos with my phone as I felt conspicuous. But when the fireworks started I pulled out my regular camera and propped it against the chain link fence and caught the scene. The full moon looks less dramatic in the image than it felt in person. Used a 24-70 L series lens and the remote cable to reduce camera shake. The fireworks were fun and everyone thought they were over and then more would shoot up and an audible oooooh and aaaaah came from the crowd. A nice summer evening, it is 64 degrees right now! 
DAIRY Lit on One Side- QUEEN Lit on the Other
And on the other side…….
Why do you think one word is lit up on each side?
Moonrise Over Bocce Court in Bloomfield
As I an writing this post I think that it is almost two years that I started the blog. And when I checked the stats I see that the first post was 7-14-09. Two years and a day. Happy Blog–aversary. Thanks to all the readers who have followed my blog, written comments on the blog, written nice emails to me or told me about which photo they enjoyed seeing. And to the friends of friends who have shared the posts and photographs, whom I have met only online, I appreciate your good feedback, too. SO here is the today’s post-
Stephanie cuts my hair. She asked me how the photography was going. I told her how I photograph and post a photo of the day on the blog. (Today is the #658 post.) She told Jack, her husband and he looked at my photos online and invited me down Thursday night when he plays Bocce. Here is his website.
It was a perfect summer evening and the men were gracious, allowing me to photograph the games. Tried to be unobtrusive and hung there for over two hours. One gentleman is 97 years old! I sat on a bench at the end of the court for a time, shooting intermittently. A little conversation here and there. And there was the moonrise over the bocce court.
Although I was invited to the mid-season party at the Pleasure Bar on Tuesday, I already have plans with the grandchildren….but I got to hear the menu! Mmmmmm. I am really missing out. Fortunately there is an end of season party in the fall!.
Thanks Jack and to the Bocce League, playing under the cars passing over the Bloomfield Bridge on a summer night.
Super Moon Over Pittsburgh
No Cow Jumping Over
Steve went with me to Mt. Washington and what a crowd of photographers set up with their fancy equipment and tripods when we arrived. I have a nice camera but I can’t imagine what some of that equipment cost!
I wish I had asked Keith or Andy some tips on how to shoot the city light and super moon light simultaneously and get a good effect. I thought it was hard. And that Spring weather was 40ish but felt like a freeze with the wind from the river. I shot primarily with the 70-200mm lens. Wished I knew more about how to get the city and moon at the same time but there wasn’t anything you could do about the positioning of the moon in relation to the buildings. Duh. Oh it was so bright!
Almost Full Moon Over Roberto Clemente
Saturday March 19th will be the SUPER MOON. I shot this on the way home from class on Wednesday night. I was shooting the statue of Roberto Clemente and noticed the moon in the frame. Going to try and shoot the super moon Saturday night.
No Concrete Proof
The lights at night, the moon, the swollen river rushing below the bridge, the lifelike statue- created a presence.
The Newspaper said “Little to no accumulation…” but-
A friend called and invited me for a slice of cherry pie for President’s Day. Hot tea. I walked down the hill wrapped up in hats and scarves and boots. A good thing- I couldn’t believe it when I came out of her front door two hours later and the snow had accumulated and was piling up. That 60 degree weather on Saturday and now this? YIKES. I trudged home, shoveled the walk and it’s blowing and snowing and really cold. The snow was wet and heavy and a 2 hour delay has been called already for school. How they will clear all the streets before the school buses head out is a puzzle to me. (edit 5:30 AM. All schools are CLOSED! At least they didn’t wait to call it at 7 when everyone is already there. My friend just called, teaches instrumental music and gave me the news auf Deautsch singing Schnee Tag )
Not Spring Yet!
It isn’t that we aren’t ready for the crocus
and blossoms.
We got an unexpected snowstorm.
Shoveling again. And again.
Burrowing in the flannel sheets.
Florida friends, I am thinking of you!
Back to bed.
View from my friend's front porch as I started my walk home up the hill.
Heard from many friends and family who knew and loved Lori today. And from friends who didn’t know her but were touched by her story and loving image with Fredi. I tried to write back little notes of thank you to those who emailed or posted and I told her sister Sara about the overwhelming response but she can’t bear to look at it right now, understandably. A sad day.
A Steelers Fan’s Nod to the Packers
We love our Steelers, win or lose. Here’s some Pittsburgh cheese to acknowledge your win, Packers fans and dear friends! (Rob you were right.) I made Haluski, Pierogies and Kielbasa but no one felt like eating here. Have to post now and get to bed cause I’m driving back to the Burgh for school in the morning, YIKES! We had a fun time together but watching the superbowl was so stressful. Kids dropped off to sleep one by one.
Sportsmanship
What we teach our children.
I thought about posting
a Back to Work theme
(leaving Columbus at 4AM)
or some serious Comfort Food
Penn Mac Company on Penn Avenue in the Strip District has some GREAT cheese!!
‘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.
How About this House for Steelers Madness?
Some dedicated fans live here for sure!
Sunday night’s game was a nail biter. On the way to Cj’s house to watch the game I saw this house across the street. Monday morning everyone will be happy at work. The excitement will build over the next couple of weeks. Many will be superstitious about a wide range of rituals-not shaving, items of clothing worn, with many fans feeling responsible for the final outcome dependent on their action or inaction. It is quite a phenomenon. Thanks for all the good wishes from friends far and wide.
And congratulations again to Dr Beth P. who won the Blog Giveaway of the photo print of her choice, which she is going to donate to the National Kidney Foundation’s Annual Gift of Life Gala!
Carnegie Library in the Snow
Night light refelcted in the city, one of my favorite things to shoot- add the snow factor.
Rain A Tribute to the Beatles
I was making a pot of soup when the phone rang. “What are you doing? Some tickets just dropped in our lap!” It was Barb S asking if Steve and I wanted to see opening night of Rain A Tribute to the Beatles. When? 7:30. I looked at my clock on the stove. It was 6:38. We had ten minutes to get down the hill to there house and off we went to Heinz Hall. The roads weren’t too bad. I figured no two hour delay in the morning. After the show I walked across the 6th Street to document the fun evening. It was nostalgic. Good energy. Unexpected live music! We stood and swayed, singing along “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” Given the snowstorm, I was surprised how full the theater was!
See the dusting of snow on the awnings?
Dippy (Diplodocus) in the Snow
Driving through Oakland. A snowstorm. Lights in the night. An enormous Diplodocus accumulating snowfall on his back. Sporting a red knit scarf. Pull to the curb. Forbes Avenue. Turn on the flashers. Get out of the car. Focus. Shoot. Find the beauty of winter.
Diplodocus Carnegiei-22 feet high- 84 feet long- 3000 pounds! Click the blue word Diplodocus in text above to read about him.
Electric Nativity with Santa and Carolers Combo
Thanks for all the condolences and comments on the passing of Fred (yesterday’s post). Must have been a bit distracted because there were 2 errors in two sentences and of course the date isn’t 2011 yet. I am going to have to hire a proofreader for when I am tired. Thanks to V and Keith. So is the preference white lights or colored lights?
I am still thinking of the around-the-year storage for these items.
Here is one of the final Christmas lights at night series for Christmas Eve. It can’t be as much fun to dismantle as it is to decorate!
Inflatables to the nth Power + Reflections on the Car = ?
A math problem with no answer. It could take years to calculate. At Thanksgiving we saw a yard with 31 inflatables but they were all deflated in the daylight, it just isn’t the same effect. Joan B found this house for me, too.
And I spoke to the owner and she said her husband had been ill and they had really scaled down this year (2008). Pre-blog I realize I have been at this for a time now. Shot on the Northside.
What can the electricity bill be this month?
Decorate Your Dump Truck for the Holiday
Sunday my friend V told me she saw this dump truck decorated with lights and declared it blog worthy. And I told her I’d already photographed it. Thought it was last year. And totally out of the blue, today my sister M sent me the dump truck photo I had emailed her two years ago. Pre-blog. This image is one taken in that series(2008). You’ll see it if you take the back road from Millvale to West View. My friend J is the one who actually drove me to see the truck in 2008t. Wait til you see the house she drove me to. Tom0rrow.
J. drove me to shoot this a Sunday night two years ago.
Rooftop Deck View of City from the Southside
The holiday lights down below give the clue as to the time of year. Two gatherings Friday night. Live music at both. Extraordinary piano playing. Walked up to the third floor and out the door onto the roof. Propped the camera up on the deck railing and shot without the cable release. The lights felt magical. A beautiful cold winter night.
Rooftops fascinate me. A terrific vantage point.
Lone String of Lights on Larimer Laundromat
I had to put the car in reverse and pull over. Yes, it seemed blog worthy. I have shot the laundromat before. I drive by it most days. Grateful for a washer and dryer in my very own basement. I like the smell of laundromats. Clean laundry. You could get Chuckles in the vending machine in the one on Highland Ave. One time I went with some friends to see a little play in a laundromat in Shadyside. Figures made from dryer lint. I wonder who thought to drape the sting of lights on the sign.
On my way home tonight.....
It’s Official- Christmas Comes to Millvale,PA
Just across the river, home of two of my favorite places-Panza Gallery where Mark Panza frames my pictures and makes them shine and Jean-Marc Chatellier’s Bakery, whose excellent brioche melts in your mouth (not to mention the cakes, the shortbread, the tarts, the cookies, the baguettes, the anything
If this doesn't evoke another time, I dom't know what does!
he bakes). Saturday night was the Big Love Art Show at Panza’s and as we left to get into the parked car, I saw this scene outside the Millvale Borough Building. Several of the buildings have water line marks from the years the town has flooded.
Santa Claus Collection on the Mantel by Candlelight
Steve hauled the boxes down from the third floor. I got to unearth the Santas, most of them gifts to me from friends. The Nutcracker one from Germany. And the Deborah McLaren (click to see last year’s display by Steve) painting behind. The house started to feel festive! The candles bright. We even put up the tree.
The stockings are hung. At least all the little sock and shoe-like ornaments.
Christmas Camels in the City
He looked straight at me. I don’t think he wanted me to take his picture. I heard a deep camel growl. The streetlight behind outlined his head shape just so. There was an ox and a donkey, I’d say they were “lowing”. An angel passed out candy canes. I went inside and the sanctuary was filled with the sound of Go Tell it on the Mountain. Christmas has come to the city, right on Penn Circle North, across from Home Depot! There was a second camel who seemed less agitated by the whole scene. People were crossing the street and taking pictures with their cell phones.
Making Spirits Bright
Almost a gingerbread house, sparkling in the snow. Good thing there is a fence to keep in the reindeer!
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