Construction Photography: Replacing Windows
February 9th, 2010Five years ago, I decided to replace my house's drafty metal casement windows. I'm pleased to report that this home improvement project has finally come to an end. Earlier today, the Open Enclose crew came and installed two new windows in the living room.
But the old windows didn't go down without a fight. The guys had to use quite an array of hand and power tools to remove all vestiges of them...
Once the old windows were out, it was time to install the replacements...
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Event Photography: Dillinger Days and Downtown Tucson Construction
January 26th, 2010This past weekend, I attended the annual Dillinger Days celebration in Downtown Tucson. This event commemorates the 1934 capture of "Public Enemy Number One," bank robber John Dillinger. The festivities centered around the Hotel Congress, where Dillinger and his gang of outlaws stayed when they first hit town.
The hotel boiler caught fire, forcing the evacuation of the hotel. The Dillinger gang got out safely, then they realized that they'd left a couple of suitcases full of guns, ammunition, and money inside. They asked a fireman to retrieve the suitcases, and, just to make the trip worthwhile, the gang gave the fireman a hefty tip. Then they found other places to stay.
After the firemen returned to their station, they spotted a photo of John Dillinger in True Detective magazine. Time for Tucson's Bravest to pick up the phone and alert Tucson's Finest. Who arrested Dillinger and his gang a few days later.
The 2010 edition of Dillinger Days happened right after a major rainstorm hit Tucson. Same storm left a lot of snow on the Santa Catalina mountains, which are "jailed" behind the Union Pacific railroad fence that's just north of the Hotel Congress...
If you're into antique cars, Dillinger Days was the place to be. Talk about fun for the whole family...
I was very impressed by the amount of work that went into the restoration and upkeep of these cars...
What's even more impressive is the fact that most of them are still working automobiles. And, as you can see, they are much loved by their owners...
On the other hand, some of them still need work. This 1939 Chevy Sedan Bus was used to transport University of Arizona athletes during the 1940s. That was its heyday. Its current owners acquired the bus after it had been left to rot in the desert for more than 30 years...
The highlight of Dillinger Days is the re-enactment of the gang's stay at the Hotel Congress. Abundant seating is set up outside the hotel, and here are some smart people who arrived early...
I didn't show up in time to get a seat. Hence, no re-enactment photos in this post.
One final point: Even though there's still a lot of construction Downtown, a lot of things are open for business. Take, for example, Maynards Market and Kitchen, which is across Toole Avenue from Hotel Congress...
I've done a lot of blogging about the weekly Meet Me at Maynards social run/walk around Downtown, and you can read those posts here.
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Construction Photography: When Bad Things Happen on Rainy Days
January 15th, 2010While I was visiting family in Pennsylvania, the septic tank backed up. This happened while my mother was running the dishwasher.
The sight of icky liquid seeping into the house via the basement floor drain put Mom in a very bad mood. Did I mention that it was the day after Christmas and it was pouring rain outside?
Time to call the company that installed the Retallick family septic system more than 40 years ago, Hickman Sanitation. The owner of the company, Dave Hickman, came out to do the cleaning...
The contents of the septic tank pretty well filled up his truck. So, time to head back to the Hickman Sanitation world headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and do a transfer to a bigger tank...
If you've ever wanted to have the road to yourself, do what Dave does and drive a honeywagon. I guarantee that you won't get tailgated or cut off. Not to mention the fact that no car will stay alongside you.
And it's not because your vehicle smells bad. If you know what you're doing, it won't. (The Hickmans have been in the sanitation business for over 100 years, so they know how to handle the, ummm, stuff.)
Now we come to the final photo in this septic saga. Time to transfer the honeywagon's contents to a bigger tank...
Once that task was completed, it was back to the Retallick residence so Dave could clean the seepage pit. After that was done, the Retallick household was a much more cheerful place. After all, when Momma's not happy, no one else is happy.
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Construction Photography: House Painting Time!
November 11th, 2009Since we've had a warm, dry fall here in Tucson, it's been a good time for outdoor projects. My latest was getting the mortar and stucco repaired on my house's exterior walls. Then it was time to freshen up the paint.
Here's Kurt (from Creative Kurt Painting) getting my studio windows taped...
With all the taping done, it's time to fire up the paint sprayer and have some fun!
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Construction Photography: Tear Down the Wall
October 30th, 2009My front yard was graced (if you want to call it that) by a crumbling brick retaining wall. The wall had no seep holes, which meant that it was gradually being weakened by moisture.
Time to tear down the wall.
I wanted replace the old wall with something more attractive. Since I'm a member of the Watershed Management Group's Water Harvesting Co-op, I had a great opportunity to enlist others in working and learning project.
WMG's Matthew Bertrand and I formulated a plan: We'd replace the wall with a rock garden full of low water use plants. (The new plants would fill in the outermost zone of my xeriscape, which is the arid zone. The other two zones are oais, which is closest to the house, and transitional, between the oasis and the arid zone.)
Here's Matthew, hard at work during our pre-workshop meeting. He's removing one of three barrel cactii that will be re-planted in the rock garden...
Then it was wall demolition time. Here's Li'l John Excavating on the job. And let me tell you, the demolition was so well done that it was like watching a ballet dance with a backhoe...
Workshop day, Sunday, October 25, dawned bright and sunny. Soon, my front yard was filled with eager WMG Co-op members.
The first order of business was moving rocks and rubble out of the way so that the crew could get to work. Then they set about removing the few bricks that the backhoe couldn't get at...
On the other side of the yard, Judy cuts down a mesquite tree that's never done very well. The tree has since been reused as mulch and firewood...
Time to start building the rock terrace for the garden. WMG's workshop leader, Matthew Bertrand (kneeling, left), provides some instruction...
Having been properly instructed, the WMG Co-opers set rocks into place and begin the planting...
All done! Time for a victory photo...
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Tucson photographer launches stock photo site
October 7th, 2009Tucson, AZ – Martha Retallick, local photographer, web designer, community activist, and volunteer, just launched a stock photo website for ad agencies, photo editors, businesses, and organizations.
BicycleStockImages.com features photos of the bike culture, including bicycle racing, bicycle touring, utilitarian cycling, and artistic close-ups of bicycles, bike tools, and bike parts. The site also offers photos related to construction, civic pride, and the environment. A practitioner of “bike-tography,” Retallick, who doesn’t own a car, travels to Tucson-area photo shoots on her bicycle.
The site includes shots from the semi-annual Bicycle Swap Meet on 4th Avenue, a criterium race around the UA campus, and the free valet bicycle parking that the city’s Department of Transportation provides at major events.
An avid cyclist for 30 years, Retallick pedaled through all of the United States between 1980 and 1992 with her trusty Nikon. Her travels provided a first-hand look at the diversity of the American landscape and its people. In addition to nature and travel photo galleries, BicycleStockImages.com also includes abstract photography, a weekly, noncompetitive run/walk through downtown Tucson: Meet Me at Maynards, and construction photography.
Over three years, Retallick helped build a 36-house Habitat for Humanity community in central Tucson, and also worked on International Relief Team’s post-Katrina reconstruction teams during 2006-08. She enjoys finding the graphic mix between the raw physical labor and the artistry of humans and machines in motion.
Who will use Retallick’s stock photography? Ad agencies who might want images to go with a client’s campaign. Photo editors who might want event photos for a feature on Things to Do in Tucson, Arizona. Companies and organizations, such as those in the bicycle or construction industry. Or Tucson organizations looking for someone to cover upcoming special events. Or consumers.
Visitors to BicycleStockImages.com can search its online database of photos, and purchase photographic prints, royalty-free images, and personal use downloads.
Bicycle Stock Images, a project of Western Sky Communications, is an Arizona-based business owned and operated by Martha Retallick.
Retallick is affiliated with the following Tucson organizations:
- El Cortez Heights Neighborhood Association
- Eller College Associates, Eller College of Management at The University of Arizona
- International Friends, Inc.
- KXCI 91.3 FM Community Radio Development Committee
- Mansfield Park Neighbors Coalition
- Teaching and Helping Project
- Tucson City Council Ward 3 Neighbors Alliance
- U.S. Green Building Council Arizona Chapter
- Watershed Management Group Water Harvesting Co-op
Contact Information:
Western Sky Communications
Post Office Box 43161
Tucson, Arizona 85733
Phone: (520) 690-1888
Construction Photography: Building Freedom Day
September 15th, 2009Every year on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Habitat for Humanity Tucson begins construction on several homes, building them from the ground up, to not only memorialize the victims, but to celebrate hope, community and the American dream at its annual Building Freedom Day.
This past Friday was Habitat Tucson's eighth annual Building Freedom Day. Hundreds of volunteers turned out for a day of construction under the hot Tucson sun...
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Construction Photography: Solar Exterior Lighting
July 31st, 2009Although I'm a big fan of renewable energy, I'm not thrilled with the price tag. Take solar power, for example. The equipment and installation costs of a household photovoltaic system can run well into the five figures. Or higher. Yes, I know that there are rebates and tax credits, but you still have to front the money.
But my imperfect memory got me thinking about solar in a different way. I'm in the habit of turning my porch light on to give the front of this place some illumination. And sometimes I forget to turn it off in the morning. Which benefits the electric company.
So, I thought, why not let the Tucson's abundant sunshine do the remembering for me? Enter the solar-powered exterior light, which is perched on the edge of the carport. Cost: $250.99 including shipping from Solar Illuminations.
This light's on duty from dusk to dawn...
The unpainted spot is where my flagpole bracket used to be. I wanted that bracket lower to the ground so that I can fly Old Glory without having to scale a ladder.
Since my exterior lighting's going off the grid, it's time to lose that old porch light. Electrician Bryan Olson of O'Bryan Electric handles the removal...
Since the flagpole bracket's more accessible, it's time to celebrate Energy Indepence Day...
Note: The gray cap is where the porch light used to be.
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Construction Photography: Replacing a Water Line
May 27th, 2009I live and run my studio in a house that's 53 years old. Like most houses its age, it has issues. (Translation: It's an emotionally needy house.)
Earlier this spring, I was repairing the plumbing in the shower. When I went outside to shut off the house water, I noticed that the water line was leaking.
Uh-oh. Time for a water line replacement.
After interviewing four companies, I chose Al Coronado Plumbing as the contractor for this job. Here's one of the final stages of installing the new line...
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Event Photography: Meet Me at Maynards Social Run and Walk
April 14th, 2009Downtown Tucson has been under revitalization (read: construction) for many, many moons.
Despite all of the dust and detours, things are happening Downtown. One of the newest and most promising is the Meet Me at Maynards social run and walk. The inaugural version happened last night, and it attracted 184 participants.
The three-mile course featured the inevitable Downtown construction...
After the walking and running was done, participants gathered in the patio at Maynards Market and Kitchen. Some enjoyed the free refreshments...
And others hoped that someone would share the refreshments. (Aw, please, just one treat for me...)
Buy Meet Me at Maynards photos
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
