Saguaro Wanderings: Seeing 2010 (#132)

For your consideration: scenes from the local village, encapsulated as it is within a sprawling metropolis.

The first photograph is of a local landmark so familiar as to be largely ignored as background noise (by me, at least) -- in fact until quite recently I'd never bothered to so much as investigate it as a potential subject. However, as I strode through the downtown area at dusk en route to a café unexpectedly wintry weather conjured a dramatic sky, contrasting nicely to the warmly glowing edifice.

After a moment's hesitation -- I thought it might be too dark to capture this canvas sharply: the required slow shutter speed would sorely test my skill at holding the lens steady enough, even with a monopod at hand. Still: the cost of taking that risk was insubstantial, and the resulting reward quite pleasing. Despite the ominous overtones, the sturdiness and warmth of the tower suggests a safe harbor . . .

The second image was one of several unusual and quirky façades I encountered a few weeks ago during a walk with my wife and a mutual friend. The early afternoon lighting then wasn't amenable to my vision, so I returned a few days later, not long before sunset, which afforded the elongated shadows and heightened texture.

Thus: a study of contrasting surfaces, forms, and the incongruous distortions and power of shadows.

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