urban photoblogs
I have recently discovered two pretty amazing photoblogs, one from Jamie in New York, the other from Daniel in Sydney (coincidentally they also share a last name). I suddenly have the urge to prowl Vancouver's back alleys for some good urban grit to photograph with my new camera. Taking photos like the one above is easy and fun, as I can do it out here in the leafy, characterless 'burbs, but there's nothing better than mining beauty where there supposedly isn't any.
posted by andrea at 9:00 a.m.
11 Comments:
There's something so romantic about those edgy cityscapes...they call to mind starving artists and ranting poets and avant garde music and people who are "hipper than thou"...screech...I'll stop. I did check out those blogs; there's lots of cool stuff there, but I think it's the photographer rather than the subject that makes a such strong image. I suppose you're right about mining beauty where there isn't any, but that could also be a challenge in the suburbs. Anyway, I'm rambling about nothing much...I defintely think you should go prowling! And this is a lovely photo. It makes me want to make a big pot of pumpkin soup!
Yes, I love Vancouver for that reason as well. You really don't get much grit in Victoria. And in regards to the suburbs, I also find them a worthy adversary for deriving grit and subversive content. When I was living in Calgary in a very suburban development, I focused most of my attention to getting that out of the rows of salmon coloured houses.
You've got a nice blog here.
Carla: Eek! You've just exposed me for the pretentious, shallow wannabe I am, blaming my environment rather than my lack of talent for mediocre results! That's okay, I've been there before. :) You're right about the suburbs being more of a a challenge, too. I never thought about it that way.
Jared: When I lived in Victoria, Fisgard St. and environs really was a tiny slice of the big, urban pie that Vancouver has become, but I think it has been gentrified to such an extent that it's really hard to find that grit now.
Oh no...Andrea, that wasn't my intention! I was just rambling...I think so many people have these "notions' about cities, that's all, and they're romanticized notions. I was, in my roundabout way, agreeing with you about finidng beauty in places that are ostensibly ugly. I think it's a matter of abstracting the image in some way and letting it stand on its own...maybe out of context. I think you have wonderful vision, so go out a prowl...but, I'd just love to see what you'd do with the suburbs!
This is turning into "The Carla and Andrea show" today! :) I know your intentions were the best, Carla, I was just using you as a convenient vehicle to poke fun at myself. Lines crossed -- oops.
"...mining beauty..." is such a great expression (of course, I had to read it more than once, because I was momentarily put off by visions of a coal miner in a bikini and a sash).
Hi Andrea, nice pumpkins. Thanks for sharing. I discovered a unique photoblog here in Toronto if you want to check it out: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/
I think mine is part photoblog -- actually I am all over the place with it, but lately I've been trying to focus my posts on eating out and art on the street! It's a blatend attempt to influence the GoogleAds that I stuck in the sidebar (hee, hee, hee...IT'S WORKING!)
Funny how seeing good photographs inspires and motivates us to go out and take pictures.
Great composition. Love the pumpkins and so appropraite for the month of October.
Hope you find jewels like these in you mining efforts.
A Canadian friend of mine was visiting New York over the summer. After she'd been out all morning taking photographs, we met for lunch.
"I've always been so amazed by your photographs,"she said, "and always thought you were so talented, but after being here, taking photographs in New York of my own, I realize: it's easy."
My cover was blown.
Hi Andrea.
If it makes you feel better, I drove to the New Jersey suburbs recently, and took photos of pumpkins.
Hop over to Spun with Tears with your new camera!
Spunwithtears
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