Construction Photography: Reducing Pollution
December 22nd, 2008The people in these photos may look like they are doing a landscaping project, but there is much more to it than that. They are volunteers in a Watershed Management Group project that aims to improve urban water quality…
The focus of the project is on reducing non-point source (NPS) pollutants like pet waste, auto oil, yard fertilizers and sediment, which are often carried by stormwater into urban washes. Best Management Practices (BMPs) for reducing urban NPS pollution include bioretention basins, berms, vegetated buffer strips, mulch and curb cuts.
This past Saturday, our job was to finish building some bioretention basins before more rain moves into Tucson for Christmas week. Curb-cutting still needs to be done so that the basins can capture storm runoff from the street. This will help reduce flooding in this neighborhood, which is located directly south of the University of Arizona.
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.
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Construction Photography: Water Harvesting for Commercial Properties
November 18th, 2008Last month, Tucson became the first American city to require water harvesting for new commercial developments. The new city ordinance requires new developments to meet 50 percent of their landscaping water budget with water that falls on the property.
To show how the ordinance will work, the Ward One City Council Office is creating a public demonstration site. This project is being carried out by volunteers recruited by the Watershed Management Group (WMG). The first workshop was held this past Saturday.
If you’ve never been to a WMG workshop, get ready to get down in the dirt for some serious (but fun) work. This volunteer is laying a line of rocks that will reinforce a dirt berm. Such reinforcement is needed to prevent dirt washouts during heavy storms…
Low-water use plants were also installed. This required soil preparation before planting…
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Event Photography: The Solar Society
September 16th, 2008Here in Tucson, we have an ample supply of sunshine. Which means that we can harness that natural energy and put it to good use.
I’m part of a small group called The Solar Society. It’s made up of people who want to develop and build devices that use solar power for home use. Examples would be electricity generation, hot water, solar cookers, and solar powered water pumps.
This past Sunday, we were treated to a photovoltaic soldering demo, courtesy of Bryan the electrician…
Unfortunately, the materials weren’t very cooperative, so this turned out to be the demo that wasn’t. Oh, well. Looks like it’s time for a solar-cooked lunch…
Learn more about the Solar Society.
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Construction Photography: Reflected Barricades
September 12th, 2008Was on my way to an early morning meeting just north of Tucson’s Rillito Creek. We had yet another rainstorm last night, which meant that the creek was running. But it wasn’t running as briskly as it had been on Labor Day weekend. So, no creek photos. This time, the eye-catcher was a construction site by the creek…
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.
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Construction Photography: Third Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
August 29th, 2008Today is the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Although much attention had been paid to what happened to New Orleans, Katrina’s devastation covered several states. And the reconstruction work still goes on. It will continue for several years.
I took this photo in Moss Point, Mississippi, last month…
The owners of this house are living in the pink MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency) trailer that you can see in the background.
Unlike their FEMA counterparts, MEMA trailers are designed with a down home Southern look. There’s a sitting porch on the front, and they come fully furnished. Many Katrina survivors lost their furniture — along with all of their other possessions — during the storm.
The exteriors are painted in cheery colors, and I think this is deliberate. Depression has been a huge problem among Katrina survivors, and many of them have had trouble finding the motivation to move on with their lives.
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.
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Construction Photography: Yard Makeover
August 4th, 2008This past Saturday, the Watershed Management Group helped me get my yard into better shape. Permit me to explain…
After I moved in here, I set about the task of planting a xeriscape so I wouldn’t spend a fortune on water bills. In addition to planting low-water use plants, I tried to contour the property so that water would soak in around the greenery and stay away from the house. But, alas, some recent summer downpours showed me that there was more work to be done.
WMG to the rescue.
Early Saturday morning, a WMG workshop leader, eight Water Harvesting Co-op members, and three neighbors joined me for a work party. They constructed berms to keep water around the plants and away from the house…
They rerouted my drainage swale so that it takes overflow from one planting basin and directs it to another…
And they planted low water use trees that will help shade the house…
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.
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Construction Photography: Katrina Plus Three
July 29th, 2008Just returned from another week of post-Katrina reconstruction in Mississippi. Although much appears to be back to normal, there’s still quite a bit of work to be done.
Take, for example, this house. Almost three years after the storm (local people rarely call it Katrina), the owners are still living in a trailer.
Since drywalling is one of the final steps to completing a house, they should be able to move in soon.
When my work team wasn’t on the job, we were staying in Caswell Springs United Methodist Church, which is located in Wade, Mississippi…
The church pastors and numerous members of the congregation saw to our every need — and I mean everything from hearty meals to hot showers and fresh towels. We were also welcome to roam the church property, which included a walkway out to Caswell Springs…
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.
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Construction Photography: Rebuilding After Katrina
July 10th, 2008On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina came ashore along the Gulf Coast of the United States. It proved to be one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. Although cleanup and rebuilding efforts are well underway, much work remains.
San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is helping to rebuild Katrina-damaged homes in southern Mississippi. I’ve been part of two IRT groups, and have worked with volunteers from all walks of life.
Don is a U.S. Air Force retiree…
Renee is a Smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service…
Note: These two photos are included in this slideshow that I created for the IRT home page.
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.
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Graphic Design: Gulf Coast Rising
June 13th, 2008This Flash slideshow uses photographs that I took on trips to the Mississippi Gulf Coast during November 2006 and July 2007. While in Mississippi, I worked with International Relief Teams, which is helping to rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
You’ll see the reconstruction work that has been completed, and what still needs to be done. I’ve also included testimonials from an IRT-assisted homeowner.
Tip: You can view more graphic design projects in my portfolio.
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Construction Photography: Women Building with Habitat for Humanity
May 14th, 2008This past Saturday, Habitat for Humanity Tucson started construction of its eighth Women Build home. The event drew approximately 100 women volunteers to the Habitat build site at Corazon del Pueblo. Once there, they got down to work with hammers…
and saws…
Then they put all the pieces together and raised the walls…
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.
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