For My Birmingham Area Friends!

I am so pleased to be exhibiting my Pizitz Building Series for the first time. Many of these images will be hanging in the soon to be completed renovation of the historic Pizitz Department Store Building downtown. I hope you will stop by and bring a friend!

Pizitz Building Series - Shadows

 Long shadows on a wall, soon to be pristine. I"m grateful for the opportunity to capture the old before the new in this 93 year old treasure.

Birmingham From Above

A few weeks ago, as I was having a look at my city from high atop the Pizitz Building, my camera zeroed in on the rooftop of the Kress Building ( 1896). When I was growing up, Kress was a "five and dime store." I"m happy to see it find new life in downtown! Much more to come.

Once Upon a Time

 this lovely old column graced the tearoom of the Pizitz Department Store.

Historic Denechaud House

Built in 1887, it was originally the Denechaud European Hotel and Restaurant. Today it houses the law firm of Comer & Upshaw and a residential loft.

Denechaud House

2107 2nd Avenue North

CDP Theme Day - Upside Down

It's already the first of the month and that means our monthly CDP Theme Day. This month's Upside Down theme almost stumped me but then I discovered this shot of the historic Massey Building in downtown Birmingham that I took years ago. I loved the color only seen by looking straight up.

There are a lot of creative CDP bloggers around the world. Have a look HERE to what they have posted this month.

Historic Birmingham

The Iron Age Building built in 1886 is just one of the last two buildings with a cast iron façade left  in our city. Located on 20th Street North, I've had a fascination with the cast iron columns for  along time. I'm more than a little sad that they have painted these wonderful rusting columns with a coat of white paint, since this was taken. Progress?

Cast Iron Building

212 20th Street North

Still Lovely

The former Sheperd-Sloss Building, 1928, has housed many cafes and businesses over the years but so thankful they left the beautiful architectural details!

Save the Lyric Series - The Lower Balcony

Today, the third of my series on the restoration of the Lyric Theatre.  The lower balcony or the mezzanine, still maintains it's beautiful details and graceful curve,  although the seats have now been ripped out ( except for one).  Tomorrow we'll visit the upper balcony and learn its history.

If you would like to learn more about the restoration efforts of the Lyric visit their website SAVE THE LYRIC.com

The Lyric Theatre Part I- Stage Door Johnny

The only Stagedoor Johnnies these days, are the pigeons that have made their home in the balconies for years.  

This week I'm heading into uncharted territory. For the first time on BADP, I will be featuring a weeklong series of photographs from Birmingham's historic Lyric Theater.  I've featured photos from previous photo shoots. Recently my friend and Alabama Theater volunteer Tom Cronier, was able to help me and my fellow shooters, Mike, LaTrelle, and Rip have a chance to get in and have a look around. The Lyric was built in 1913 and for many years was a grand vaudeville house.   The years have not been kind, but it is in the slow and laborious process of being restored by Birmingham Landmarks Inc., and we in Birmingham have high hopes.  In the meantime, the disrepair makes for some interesting shots.  I hope you enjoy the series.

Here are two very nice videos that you will enjoy here and here.

Historic Terrace Court

Today we revisit Southside's historic Terrace Court building. Located on the corner of 20th Street and Highland Avenue, my sources say it was the first high rise building built in the south. ( Guess that was pre Burj Dubai! ) I'm guessing the tile floor below is original to the building. I've posted photos from two businesses housed here: Chaffin Carousel Carving School here and Dave's Pub here. Hope to go inside and get some photos when I make a visit to Chaffin's after the holidays.

The Paris Through My Lens Calendar Giveaway is going on over on my Paris Blog.

Hop over and leave a comment letting me know you'd like to be in the drawing on Christmas Eve