Abstract Photography: Snowy Parking Space
January 20th, 2010Take a West Chester, Pennsylvania parking lot, add a two-foot snowstorm, and what do you get? A parking space gone abstract...
Tip: You can view more abstract photography in my portfolio.
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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.
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Architectural Photography: West Chester, Pennsylvania
January 8th, 2010I grew up outside of West Chester, Pennsylvania. It’s where I first learned to be a photographer.
After lo these many years of slinging a camera, it was nice to go back and see the old town through fresh eyes. Let’s take a look at a couple of notable landmarks along High Street.
This bell used to hang in the bell tower of the Church of the Holy Trinity…
The church was constructed of local serpentine stone after the Civil War. The bell tower was taken down during the late 20th century.
Further up High Street, there’s this ahead-of-its-time high rise office building…
When I was growing up, this place had a bit of reputation. On more than one occasion, pieces of the building would fall to the sidewalk below. To the best of my recollection, no pedestrians were ever injured.
Tip: You can view more photography in my portfolio.
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Nature Photography: Snow in Pennsylvania
January 7th, 2010Throughout much of the continental United States, the big story is the cold and snow. Even though I live in the Arizona desert, I can relate.
Just got back from visiting family in eastern Pennsylvania, where they were still talking about (and coping with) the two feet of snow that fell on December 19. That was Philadelphia’s second largest snowfall since records began in 1884.
Say what you will about what snow does for driving conditions, it does make for a good photo op…
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
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Nature Photography: Extreme Weather
January 15th, 2009My recent trip to Pennsylvania featured just about every kind of weather imaginable. Most of my time there was snow-free. But not fog-free...
And certainly not wind-free. Gusts of 40 mph and higher were recorded on New Year's Eve. This had predictable effects on local trees and powerlines...
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
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Nature Photography: Pennsylvania Pinecone
September 26th, 2008It is time for some cool fall weather here in Tucson. Today’s forecast high is 95 degrees. So, to help motivate some positive changes in our local weather, here’s an autumnal closeup from Pennsylvania…
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
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Nature Photography: Birds Do It, Bees Do It…
September 24th, 2008You probably know that old song by heart. The one that goes, "Birds do it, bees do it, even sentimental fleas do it. Let’s do it, let’s fall in love."
Well, I’m here to tell you that the birds, bees, and fleas aren’t the only ones getting in on the action. The trees are doing it too…
Disclaimer (0f sorts): My parents own the property on which the above embrace is taking place. Our family philosophy is that as long as the two lover-trees don’t interfere with the overhead power lines, they can smooch to their heart’s content.
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
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Nature Photography: Save Penn Wood
September 17th, 2008I was a very lucky kid. One of my grade schools was set amidst an ecological paradise. I mean, this place had it all — tall trees, flowers, birds, and all sorts of furry creatures. The perfect place for a daydreaming, artistically-minded kid.
I’ll admit to hearing more than a little bit of teacher flak because I had a tendency to stare out the window instead of paying attention in class. But when the view out the window looks like this, you can’t help but admire it…
Alas, my mother reports that there’s a plan to close Penn Wood School. This could lead to the property being sold off for development. A "Save Penn Wood" movement is up and running, and I support it 1,000%. Kids need to be surrounded by nature, especially when they’re in school.
Update: Dad reports "massive attendance" at the school district’s meeting about the future of Penn Wood. And both Mom and Dad are pleased to note that Penn Wood has been saved from closure. (Me too!)
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
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Nature Photography: Rain in Pennsylvania
January 4th, 2008I was in eastern Pennsylvania visiting family over the holidays. Rain seemed to be the dominant theme of the visit, and the moisture was quite welcome. This area had been suffering near-drought conditions for a good part of 2007.
Rain presents unique challenges to a photographer — such as how to protect the camera — but it also provides many opportunities. I found that in-between time between the end of the rain and the return of dry weather to be especially rich.
Although the water is no longer falling from the sky, it’s still coming down from rooftops, like the one at the grade school that I attended for three years. The school builders placed drip basins below the downspouts, and they were filled with all sorts of rocks and pebbles. Perfect for us young geologists. I wasn’t the only kid who scoured the basins for unique specimens.
Several decades later, those basins still catch rain — and my attention:
One thing to keep in mind about Pennsylvanians: We’re tree people.
And, sometimes we’re faced with the unfortunate decision of having to cut one down. Take, for example, that huge oak that shaded my family’s driveway for many years. Alas, the tree started leaning toward toward the house. So, down it came. We felt vindicated once it was removed — those hollow spaces near the center are not signs of arboreal health.
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
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