Weekly Photoshots #6 - Where we live!

[Snappers]

OK, Here is the idea, not an easy one I know but here goes.
The idea is to post a picture which sums up the area where you live. A little description can also be posted along with the photo to add a little clarification.

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/7/4/8/live.jpg

The kilns you can see lit up in the picture used to be the main industry across Staffordshire, that is where we get the name potteries from. As you can see from the picture, most of these potteries have now been destroyed and turned into housing etc.

The canal in the forground is one of many in our area. Canals were used to feed the industrial revolution, staffordshire was at the heart of the action. There are more miles of canals within its boundaries than any other county in England.
At the centre of this county revolution was the pottery industry, for which a navigable system of transport brought huge benefits.

The foremost thinker was Josiah Wedgwood who commissioned the local engineer James Brindley to create the Trent and Mersey Canal which enabled kaolin (china clay) to be brought from Cornwall right to the door of his Etruria factory. Equally important, the finished products could be taken away smoothly, with the minimum of breakages.

Nowadays, Staffordshire's canal network serves the growing industry of leisure and tourism, providing superb opportunities to explore the countryside, either by boat or a gentle stroll along the towpath. Boating holidays are increasingly popular with many holidaymakers choosing Staffordshire as their base, exploring the waterways of the Midlands. A popular choice is the 'ring' formed by the Trent and Mersey, the Staffordshire and Worcester and and the Shropshire Union canals.

So there you have it, the new with the old along with the transformation. WOw. :)

Not quite the short description I mentioned, but I hope it helps to explain the picture a little more.

[jerryph]

Excellent description and a very strong picture to go along with it!

[dkippen]

Andy - you've done your research. Very interesting history and excellent picture to convey that history.

[ladyups]

Wow...what a unique history. I'm going to really have to dig and research for my area. I believe we would be in the corn belt and the corn isn't growing right now but I'll come up with something. This is really an interesting topic and should be quite intriguing to read and see. I just recently learned the history of a little town I deliver to...it was a coal mining town and the mines are still under the town...I'm not sure my town has that much history...:)

[LensBaby]

Andy great job, and I love the reflection in the water. You did a wonderful job explaining the area as well. I love to see other places in the world.

I wanted to get to mine this weekend, but last night we had a HORRIBLE ice storm and then snow on top of that. It so slippery and ice is everywhere, that I don't know if I can get to where I am going to photography at. Its kinda funny though because two of the most popular places from my state are right together, so I might do both. I will probably have to wait until the ice melts. I hate to fall and break my camera.

[Snappers]

I am not a great lover of History however I love finding out about where I live. It is intreging to see what went on in our area before I was here if you see what i mean.

The pottery industry was all over the place in staffordshrie but now there is very little left of it. There are a few kilns about and a few museums around but other than that, it has all been knocked down and houses built which is such a shame. However having said that, in it's peak, the smog across Staffordshire was so dense it was nasty (so I'm told)

Glad you like the picture. This may be a subject that will last more than a week as like I said it is not easy however, it will be very interesting to see other peoples pictures and descriptions of their area.

[dallasm]

Very nice, I to love the reflection in the water and also the night lighting. I will post something as soon as the weather breaks, I sure nobody wants to see any more snow shots. It is suppose to be nice this weekend here in Colo.

[coffee]

Here is a pic I did last week. It's my first city scape and I'm not 100% happy with it, but it's a good start.

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=481&c=3

[dkippen]

Joseph, I like how it draws you in from the right. Is this off Stone Arch??

[coffee]

Hi Debbie, and thanks. It was really just a test shoot I did last weekend in the early morning to get my feet wet a little.

This was shot at Indian Mounds Park which I think is still in St.Paul. This shot was taken across the steet of the actual park itself.

Thanks again.

[janine]

well, this is my picture for the week - i wanted to take this at night - but with the new baba its not so easy going out in the cold at night just so i can go take photos...i will try later this week maybe - get someone to babysit for a while or so!

My picture is of the Knaresborough Viaduct:
The viaduct spanning the river Nidd at Knaresborough is 90ft high and 338ft long. It was built in 1851 to carry Victorian rail traffic over the Nidd Gorge. The viaduct viewed from the castle grounds at the top of the cliff provides a picture box scene over the river and walkways. This view is rather famous apparently.

[dkippen]

Joseph - I've got some nite shots from the top of Mounds Park, someplace I'd like to go back to. The instructor I've been taking classes through is starting a night photo class next month that I've been thinking about taking.

Janine - This is beautiful. And leave the babe inside when it's cold, I would hate to hear she got sick.

[ladyups]

well, this is my picture for the week - i wanted to take this at night - but with the new baba its not so easy going out in the cold at night just so i can go take photos...i will try later this week maybe - get someone to babysit for a while or so!

My picture is of the Knaresborough Viaduct:
The viaduct spanning the river Nidd at Knaresborough is 90ft high and 338ft long. It was built in 1851 to carry Victorian rail traffic over the Nidd Gorge. The viaduct viewed from the castle grounds at the top of the cliff provides a picture box scene over the river and walkways. This view is rather famous apparently.

I'm loving this weekly topic...so many different places that I'll never see but would love to...this one is glorious! You captured it perfectly.

[jerryph]

This week is a wash for me and the weekly topic, but I snapped off a few fast ones as we were digging ourselves out from the snow today.

I'll get more into the creative flow of things after next week ends. This coming week is VERY busy. :)

Anyways, here is a short slideshow of a few pics... its where we live, if you can find us under all the snow. They don't call this the Great White North for nothing!

This is in a town just south of Montreal Quebec, Canada. Though Montreal is pretty 50-50 about it, the vast majority of Quebec is French speaking. Our capital city, Quebec City is 99% Francophone. Non-French speaking people (like my parents) have a difficult time of things sometimes becuase of this. Funny, becuase I always was told that Canada was a country that promoted bi-lingualism... lol.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerryph/sets/72157604077548574/show/

[ladyups]

This week is a wash for me and the weekly topic, but I snapped off a few fast ones as we were digging ourselves out from the snow today.

I'll get more into the creative flow of things after next week ends. This coming week is VERY busy. :)

Anyways, here is a short slideshow of a few pics... its where we live, if you can find us under all the snow. They don't call this the Great White North for nothing!

This is in a town just south of Montreal Quebec, Canada. Though Montreal is pretty 50-50 about it, the vast majority of Quebec is French speaking. Our capital city, Quebec City is 99% Francophone. Non-French speaking people (like my parents) have a difficult time of things sometimes becuase of this. Funny, becuase I always was told that Canada was a country that promoted bi-lingualism... lol.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerryph/sets/72157604077548574/show/


Ok, I'm not visiting Canada in the winter time...:D Great pictures though.

[dkippen]

I was in Canada last week and saw nothing like this, but after seeing Jerry's shots, I don't think I want to go back in the winter. Great capture on the white snow.

[dkippen]

Okay - this isn't exactly where I live, but I think it's a good representation of MN.

One of the prettiest places any time of the year to visit is the N. Shore which is a very scenic drive from Duluth, MN to the Canadian border. Along the way, we have several state parks with valleys, ravines and waterfalls. This particular spot is in Grand Marais where the ice has built up on the rock.

While very pretty, it can also be very dangerous as the ice is obviously very slippery, but the fall from the rock can also be deadly.

[jerryph]

While very pretty, it can also be very dangerous as the ice is obviously very slippery, but the fall from the rock can also be deadly.

"Pretty" not at all, thats a beautiful shot. I hope you were not placing yourself in any kind of dangerous position to get it? It looks close to the edge there a little. :eek:

Still, the thrill would have kinda made up for it, wouldn't it?

These are the kinds of shots that could make a person stand out, just awesome. :)

[dkippen]

Thank you Jerry.

I actually took this shot and others like it just before I went to the hospital - wanted to make I still had good light. And I was very careful as it was fairly close to the edge.

The day before, I slipped on a patch of ice coming up from the lake and landed right on the tip of my left elbow. The next morning after taking pictures, it didn't feel right, so I went to the hospital to make sure nothing was broke - fortunately, no breaks. Just a really bad bruise.

[LensBaby]

Janine that photo is gorgeous! I really like it. Was that at a park? I see the little drive off to the left and was just wondering if it is a park.

[janine]

Joseph - I've got some nite shots from the top of Mounds Park, someplace I'd like to go back to. The instructor I've been taking classes through is starting a night photo class next month that I've been thinking about taking.

Janine - This is beautiful. And leave the babe inside when it's cold, I would hate to hear she got sick.


i will have to do! thanks for the comments. hehehe

[janine]

I'm loving this weekly topic...so many different places that I'll never see but would love to...this one is glorious! You captured it perfectly.



Janine that photo is gorgeous! I really like it. Was that at a park? I see the little drive off to the left and was just wondering if it is a park.

thanks you guys! i am still gonna try out a night shot of this scene as i think it will be much more POPPING!!!

Lensbaby - no, its not a park. i took this while standing on the opposite side of this at knaresborough castle, there is a walkway of sorts down next to the river but its actually a residential area! (there are shops etc down by waterside and summer time you can hire a canoe and go canoeing up the river - its gorgeous!)

[janine]

Okay - this isn't exactly where I live, but I think it's a good representation of MN.

One of the prettiest places any time of the year to visit is the N. Shore which is a very scenic drive from Duluth, MN to the Canadian border. Along the way, we have several state parks with valleys, ravines and waterfalls. This particular spot is in Grand Marais where the ice has built up on the rock.

While very pretty, it can also be very dangerous as the ice is obviously very slippery, but the fall from the rock can also be deadly.

WOW!!! Thats all i can say! its gorgeous!

[daltoned]

Not Sure if in time but thought I'd post this item on the theme "Where we Live". Here's a shot I took in 2005 of an old burial chamber in Co Meath, near where we have an old country cottage.

Loughcrew Cairns form the largest complex of Passage Graves in Ireland. The Cairns are megalithic structures containing symbolic engravings. Like other passage graves in Ireland, they have clear astrological alignments. There is evidence of many uses during the millenia, but it is generally agreed that they were originally built about 4000 bc as burial chambers. They were excavated by amateurs at the beginning of the twentieth century, when many of the artifacts were removed. A blessing in disguise, perhaps, as recent archaeological scholars have concentrated on despoiling less explored sites, leaving Loughcrew relatively undeveloped and unknown; the best kept secret in archaeological Ireland.

In a landscape of inspiring beauty and intriguing history, Loughcrew is rich in historical and archaeological, religious and natural interest. One of ancient Ireland's major roads passes through Loughcrew, crossing the great Road of the Chariots nearby. The lakes abound with cranógs, and the drumlins are topped with innumerable motte and bailey forts. The remarkable Loughcrew Gardens, partly dating from the seventeenth century, and the Family Church of St Oliver Plunkett are nearby (see Loughcrew Homepage).

The Loughcrew Cairns (prehistoric passage graves), some 5,000 years old, are the oldest feature of this extraordinary area, and, set on the highest hills in this part of Ireland, dominate the area now as they have done for all time. They may be the oldest calendar known, and may even be the world's oldest existing dwellings.

The Loughcrew Cairns have not been exposed, researched and developed like nearby Newgrange. They thus remain relatively unspoilt and unvisited, although the Office of Public Works keeps a Ranger on site in summer months and has improved coach access.

The Cairns are in two groups; Carnbane West, about 15 cairns, including Cairn L which is roofed and contains superb symbolic carvings in good condition. This group is some 2 km walk from the Car Park on gently sloping ground. Carnbane East includes Cairn T, also roofed and with excellent engravings, and is a shorter but steeper walk. The exposed cairns have suffered severely from acid rain erosion, removing much of the relief of the engravings. Keys to both enclosed cairns are available from the Ranger in the Car Park, who also stocks books and leaflets on the sites.

For the layman, the main features of Loughcrew Cairns are the atmosphere, the solitude and serenity, the extraordinary views (of seventeen counties, reputedly). In the foreseeable future, the need to divert visitors from the over-popular Newgrange to Loughcrew may deny us the privilege of experiencing the extraordinary ancient site in solitude.

Hope you find this interesting

EddieD

PS. note the spider captured in the shot.

[Snappers]

Great shots everyone. Jerry, that's some snow you have there!

[dallasm]

Photos of my home town, Denver,CO. Since we are a big sports town my photos are of the sports complexes of are teams. Denver is home to 6 major league teams, most notely are the Broncos, Rockies, Avalanche, and Nuggets; we also have major league soccor and lacross.
Photos attached are of Coors Feild, home of the National League Champions Colo. Rockies,to bad we fell on are face in the World Series.
I will be posting photos of the other complexes in the next couple of days.

[dallasm]

Where I Live Part 2.
These photos are of Mile High Stadium, Home to the Denver Broncos, 2 time Super Bowl Champs.
Go John Elway.

[dallasm]

Where I Live Part 3.
Photos of Pepsi Center, Home to the Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and to the Denver Nuggets and the 1 time Arena Football Champions Denver Crush, owned by former Bronco Quarterback John Elway. Also host to the Democratic National Convention in Aug.
I only have 2 shots as while I was taking Photos I was stop by Security Patrol and was told that I could not take photos for security reasons do to the DNC. Look in the bottom right of the
2nd shot and you will see the Security Patrol watching me. He asked for my ID,wrote down my name and address and also my license plate number.

[jerryph]

How did you handle the security guard? I would have smiled and said sure, but afterwards then mentioned that it would take a pretty stupid terrorist to have given you his real ID like I just did if they had any malicious intent, but also I would have thanked him for his vigilance. :)

[Snappers]

It does seem a little overboard for the security guard however, I suppose you can not be too careful.

Perhaps we should have offical badges made for Proud Photography which we can carry with us to say we are amature photographers. :D

[ladyups]

Where I Live Part 3.
Photos of Pepsi Center, Home to the Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and to the Denver Nuggets and the 1 time Arena Football Champions Denver Crush, owned by former Bronco Quarterback John Elway. Also host to the Democratic National Convention in Aug.
I only have 2 shots as while I was taking Photos I was stop by Security Patrol and was told that I could not take photos for security reasons do to the DNC. Look in the bottom right of the
2nd shot and you will see the Security Patrol watching me. He asked for my ID,wrote down my name and address and also my license plate number.

These are some great photos. I got to see Mile High once when we were visiting the Denver area but only from the outside. My daughter lived in Denver for a couple years and loved it. She says its her dream to go back there before she dies.

[ladyups]

OK...I finally just dug in my photo files to participate in this past weekly topic. I've really enjoyed this topic to see areas of the country that I've never seen or will never visit. But, I can always say, "I've seen that!" now. :)
Missouri is; and always has been, primarily a farming community. So my photos are of sites you will see in about every community in North Missouri. Most all small towns have these old elevators and most are still in use. Unfortunately, you can drive about anywhere here and see the abandoned barns and homes scattered everywhere throughout north Missouri. So many farms went under during the recession of the 70's and big farm cooperations took over. Now a lot of the Amish community is buying up the land and moving their families here to live off the cheaper land. Most of the younger generation has moved to the cities or another state. But, its beautiful country, especially in the fall when the wheat is golden and the sunflowers are blooming. Rows of corn and beans await the harvest and cows and big hay bales dot the countryside.

[janine]

ooo! i love the first photo with the yellow flowers!!!

[dallasm]

Jerryph,My turck is park behind the rock formation just in front of the security vehicle. When I walked back to my truck he got out his and asked what I was taking pictures of and why, I just told him the Pepsi sign and it was for a photography assignment. He then asked for a business or some ID. Great idea Snappers on having a badge.
DallasM

[jerryph]

It does seem a little overboard for the security guard however, I suppose you can not be too careful.

Perhaps we should have offical badges made for Proud Photography which we can carry with us to say we are amature photographers. :D

Well, the way I look at it, they are just doing a job. As long as we aren't rude or disrespectful, there is nothing to do.

Just a note... no one in the USA or Canada has the right to take your equipment or ask you to delete pictures from them. Security guards fall right into that gammut. If they get over aggressive, there is a document that is floating around on the net about civil rights as they pertain to photographers, amateur and professional. When going out, if confronted and told to hand over your camera, best thing to do is pull out the cell and call for the police, don't wait. Then hand over the paper that shows he has no such rights and wait there for the police. Make note of his description, badge, name, license, anything you can. BE POLITE and NONCONFRONTATIONAL, but do not hand over your equipment.

The police, however can extend the limits of the law and not only delete your pics, but confescate equipment temporarily (temporarily meaning for a year or so... and then it mysteriously disappears). They need a warrant, technically, if they want to be 100% legit about it.

The best thing is ALWAYS to apologize, put down the camera, feign ignorance and walk away. If all they want is ID, be smart and hand it to them, but if it escalates, call the police.

Concerning badges, that is a legally very iffy thing to do. If he took it to mean you had a press pass, then looked closer, saw it was not, this would definately raise suspicion. It has happened in the past. Unless it is an official document or a real press pass, the only thing I would let the man look at is my ID, and nothing more... and likely only in the persence of the police, as I said, if things started to heat up.

Above all... being courteous and using your head will get you out of way more challenges than any paper or club membership badge.

[dkippen]

Mary -

I love the picture of the yellow flowers - it reminds of spring.

DallasM

Congrats on getting some great pictures without losing your equipment.

[Snappers]

I was talking a little tongue in cheek, Jerry but you make some very valid points.

[LensBaby]

Jerry you are right. I used to be a police officer, so I know how stuff disappears around departments. I won't go into detail but TRUST me cameras can disappear along with some other mighty IMPORTANT evidence!!! (from a family of nothing but cops) Another thing that you were right about is the "press" pass...NYIP gives you this little paper card that says Press pass on it..students there have to be careful, because it is not considered a "real" press pass. These students were getting into trouble because they thought that was a real press pass, when it really isn't. I started that course..haha what a JOKE!

[ladyups]

It's funny that we were talking about this and I got some information in my email about it...here is a link to a PDF file you can print out and carry in your camera bag that states your rights and what they can and can not do when you are photographing public places...which in my mind, the Pepsi building is a public place...maybe not public but if you are standing on a public sidewalk and the private building is in site, you have every right to photograph it...its good to read and know all this and even better to carry the information with you.

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

[jerryph]

Just keep in mind that no document permits you to get curt or rude with anyone. Your professionalism and courtesy will do more than a document. Use the document as a support method or educational tool, but don't use it as an excuse to make people nervous, peeved or suspicious.