Autumn Glow

Autumn Glow, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

This one has quickly moved onto the list of my own personal favorites, and it almost never happened. I had intended to shoot at another part of Fairmount Park farther from my house, but I got a late start, and with sunset looming, I decided to head down to the river. Every year I try to come up with a Fall rowing shot - - there's just something about Autumn on the river that really speaks to me. On this day, however, I was getting really frustrated by the brush and trees that were blocking clear sight lines to the water. I kind of ended up at this vantage point by default, but WOW! The arches were on fire with the angle of the sun and I knew there was nowhere else to be. That's when the work began - -finding the right angle, and waiting for a rower to pass through, (the middle of the river, please) and being quick enough to snap it, because the bridge blocks the view of the rowers as they approach. Patience, rowers too far, patience rowers too near, patience, I screwed up, patience, got it! The Columbia Bridge might not be the most beautiful bridge on the Schuylkill, but on this day, at this time, it sang. JKEL

The Lunch Crowd

The Lunch Crowd, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

This is one that I feel very protective of, because it took a lot of patience and persistence to get it. After several visits when the diner was empty, I finally found the counter full with some good subjects. The next challenge was getting the shot in between the constant flow of market patrons who were passing in front of my chosen vantage point. That took a while, and I was counting on the lunch crowd's indulgence, hoping they would ignore me, dismissing me as some pesky tourist shutterbug from Iowa. Sorry, Iowa. I was laboring, spending a long time, but finally when the cook came into view, I found my moment. JKEL

Music of the Angels

Music of the Angels, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

Amen. It is finished. This was a photo project that played out over several weeks because I wanted to give the angels a "celestial" look with a nice blue sky and some fair-weather clouds. Needless to say, you just don't put in an order with the weatherman, and I have a job to go to 5 days out of 7. But finally, I awoke to a perfect shooting sky, and I made my way down here for the 3rd time to put it to rest. Even here, I was feeling pressure because the clouds were swiftly drifting away. Why did I make this so important? The angels are great, and I believe these are the only photos of them on Flickr. That really surprised me, especially with their connection to Marian Anderson, who began singing here in the church choir at age 6. Hey, look, I'm not usually this obsessive about my photos. Really. JKEL

Night Watchers

Night Watchers, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

The Ayer Building at night! If you've been following my blog, you know that I enjoyed shooting this building in daylight, and at that time I noticed the spotlights above these large figures. I just had to return to see how it all looked at night, and I wasn't disappointed. On the technical side, I shot in Av, or aperture priority mode, which tends to give lights that starburst effect. This photo reinforces one of my shooting mantras: while in Philadelphia, look up! JKEL

The Swann Fountain

The Swann Fountain, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

Yeah, it was time for another take on the magnificent Swann Fountain. Previously, I had shot a tighter angle towards City Hall; this time I was shooting a wide angle towards the Free Library and Family Court bldgs. I liked the way the classical architecture of those structures fit into the composition. I chose a cool, calm night to shoot, having learned from previous experience that swimmers will linger here late on a hot night, and a windy night will get you a lot of spray on the lens. Always thinking of putting myself into the best possible position for a successful shoot. Yeah, and it meant that when I dove in I had it all to myself too. JKEL

This is Real Life

This is Real Life, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

Very, very lucky here to make this capture. I just happened to be walking on Arch St. on my way to shoot something else when I spotted this scene. I knew this window with the dolls, and if you follow my stream, you'll know I had shot it before http://www.flickr.com/photos/62619569@N00/5460340089/in/set-72157621591716668 I could have camped out here for days and never gotten a single photo op, but here I was at the right time and it seemed just too good to be true. In my early shooting days I might have just walked by with my blinders on, heading for that day's target. However I've learned to be open for the unexpected, that sometimes these are the photos that stand out. So I'm done with the dolls window, right? Don't be so sure.

Flashy Trash

Flashy Trash, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

I literally jumped out of bed to shoot this one from my window. This was a shot that had been in my head for a long time, but either the trucks came too early or too late for me to capture them, or else the trucks that came through were not the mural-wrapped ones. Finally, just the other day I heard the noise of the trash pickup as I was waking up & I ran for the camera and threw up the screen window and finally got the shot out of my head and onto the memory card. I'm kind of glad it all happened on a nice Spring day. I shot several, but I like this one where the trash guy is almost in a dancer's pose. One thing I noticed later was the reflections in the windows of the car at left. JKEL

Spring Vista

Spring Vista, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

I'm still shaking my head over the way this one played out. I had decided that a weekday morning would give me the best chance to shoot this the way I saw it in my head, because the sun would be at my back and I would have a better chance at an unobstructed view with the weekend crowds gone. However, the grounds staff were all over the place taking down stages & platforms from the previous day's corporate-sponsored event, and the lawn was strewn with bottles and other trash. In my own self-interest I picked up some of the eyesores myself, wondering why I had gotten up so early to pick up trash. Time to walk away for a while. When I returned after exploring for a bit, the workers had departed, the sun finally broke through some thick clouds, and I had just settled on my vantage point when this cute little girl broke away from her Mom and walked into the frame. Click! All's well that ends well. JKEL

Inside the Ayer

Inside the Ayer, a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

I discovered this building through a Philly architecture book that my nephew had given me last Christmas. So here I was in my scruffy jeans & sneakers, hair blowing crazily in the wind, and now a little gash in my forehead because I grazed a tree branch while looking up at the building sculptures. Naturally, when the doorman caught me shooting the doors, he invited me in. I'm not worthy! I hope I didn't miss anything while shooting some details, though I probably did. However, I left feeling pretty lucky about gaining access to this great space. Where to next? JKEL

Greek Orthodox "Gofer"

Greek Orthodox "Gofer", a photo by JKEL on Flickr.

Ah, yes - -street shots. I'm blogging on this one because It's a perfect example of me following my "street shot rule" and ending up with a good result. The rule? As soon as you hit the street, the camera is in your hand and on, and set at the fastest shutter speed in continuous shooting mode. I've broken this rule to my great regret too many times. Let's see, there was the boxer and his trainer running past in the park, the cherry-haired girl with the rockabilly tattoos, etc., etc. So here on this shot I was walking down the street, when who turns the corner but this priest. Then it was like: that's unusual - - better shoot it - - I'm ready to shoot it - - quick compose - - got it, he's past me. The rule works!