Thursday, January 28, 2010

I Brake For Shadows!


I learned another lesson today. Sometimes you don't need to run all over the city in search of a nice photograph for your blog. I was driving down Clairmont Avenue this morning and BAM....the morning sun was casting a gorgeous shadow on the now vacated *fire station. I made a quick turn and shot this out of the car window. I'm thinking I need a bumper sticker that says, " I BRAKE FOR SHADOWS! " If you didn't know better, I'll just bet you thought I'd flitted off to Greece or some other wonderful place.

* We are pleased that our dedicated firefighters from this station have some new digs in the Avondale area. This station, while very long on charm, was not as user friendly as they needed. They are still in the area, and we are grateful for everything they do for our community, especially bringing Santa to Triangle Park each December!!!!

28 comments:

Olivier said...

magnifique cette ombre, vraiment dans la continuité du balcon.

James said...

Good catch Virginia! I love to find shadows and reflections to photograph. This shadow is really cool and it plays tricks on my eyes.

Pat said...

Very nice. I love to play shadowcatcher. Yours looks almost like an optical illusion.

Janet M Kincaid said...

Nice shot, VJ! I've long wanted to have a bumper sticker made that says "Caution: Photographer Onboard. This car will make frequent and unexpected stops!"

Janet said...

Wow! This is so good, it's hard to tell the real fire escape from the shadow fire escape.

Bob Crowe said...

I'm glad that you kept the dark vertical shadow on the right. The graphics are so strong you can't help but stop and study the image.

Leif Hagen said...

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your silver hair!
: - )

Louis la Vache said...

Fantastic, Virginia!
Like an M.C. Escher drawing!

Virginia said...

Bob,
I almost cropped it out and then decided not to. I like the linear quality of that shadow too!

Louis,
It does play tricks with the eyes doesn't it!

Leif,
I'm never been accuse of being Rapunzel! HA

Janet,
"Caution, photographer on board who is shooting while driving" should be your bumper sticker!

Lowell said...

I've heard about people slinking into the shadows, but I think you give the term new meaning!

Greece, France, Italy, Serbia, Spain...this could be anywhere, methinks.

But in Birmingham it hangs its lovely shadows.

What I really like about it is the way the shadows give that little porch a life of its own...making it appear as if the porch stretches down to that smaller window, as if providing an escape exit...for those who want to slink away...

Chuck Pefley said...

Great bumper sticker idea!! Equally nice image and tribute!!

Daryl said...

Or South Beach where I got a similar shot this past April .. LOVE shadows!

Ken Mac said...

totally 3D V!

Bergson said...

ta photo est beaucoup plus claire que la mienne

Cloudia said...

NICE California light!



Aloha, Friend


Comfort Spiral

Tash said...

Worth a dent or two on the ol' bumber! Striking photo with the constrasts and the lighting.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Aha, you know that this shot had to grab my attention! I love the idea of a "I break for shadows" bumper sticker. I don't need one because I mostly go on walking, not driving, photographic expeditions... lucky me!

Michael Dulin said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jane Hards Photography said...

Definitely look up and around. So much is missed at eye level. Photography has over the years opened my eyes to the world around and everything has something to offer. Those shadows, strong bold off kilter is a brilliantly observed image.

magicpolaroid said...

really nice capture! light and shadows are fantastic!!

brattcat said...

I'm so glad you did. And I hope you'll continue to do so. This is a great shot.

Jilly said...

So true. This is absolutely stunning.

TheChieftess said...

I love the new bumper sticker...I want one!!!

I have to agree, that as I have grown as a photographer I see life around me differently...I see it from an artistic eye...the composition, the lighting, the perspective...it's actually a very exciting and at the same time, peaceful view of my surroundings...

Unknown said...

Now this fantastic shadow makes for a great composition! Great eye, V.!

FireLight said...

Hello V! The Colonel was recently in your naeiborhood -- Avondale where he spent time visiting Avondale Park while a private mechanic did a mjor tune-up on his Mini Cooper. He said the old park looked pretty good. I love the shadows and think I remember the firehouse! I had good buddy who lives on Claimont when I was in high school.

FireLight said...

uh er neighborhood..... if I only had a brain....

Diederick Wijmans said...

A perfect shadow composition!!

Dystopos said...

The city is presently considering a proposal to tear down this building, along with the adjoining service station and Bogue's restaurant to make way for a new Walgreen's pharmacy and 63-car parking lot.