Random Shots From California

The surface of the downtown Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall reflects light in different ways depending on the time of day. After a brief, but intense rain shower, dark block-like moisture stains - remnants from the rain - remain until they dry.

Here's a wider loook at the stainless steel exterior of the Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The Frank Gehry designed building opened in 2003 at a cost of $274 million dollars.

Salt and pepper shakers stand at attention - waiting to spring into action to help people enjoy their food even more.

I don't think this plate would be allowed in many places. But in California it's OK.

I should do a book of the photos I've taken while waiting for a light to change. I actually have found that as soon as I grab for my camera, the light seems to go in my favor much quicker. Try it when you're in a hurry.

Beauty and the Beast

My first shot is the "beauty" view of this fountain across from the downtown Los Angeles Music Center complex. Great colors - reminds me of frozen pop bars. But when you look at the photo below, you'll see I had to crop out a less-than-attractive parts of the image.

The fountain is located above the ugly "beast -like" parking garage and leaving that part of the image in the frame detracts from the scene created in one's mind when you look at any water display. Whatever that picture is in your head, I'm sure parking structures are not included.

This has nothing to do with the fountain matter but it could fit the "beauty' theme. These ladies were headed to a party in downtown Los Angeles with a 1920's motif. I guess even women had facial hair in those days. They were happy to pose for a portrait.

A Night In Bryant Park

On my way to Bryant Park to do some Christmas shopping, I stopped to photograph the front of the Main Library that borders the park on its eastern side. The iconic building - opened in 1911 - is a vast repository of learning and one of New York City's most visited landmarks. I wanted something a little different and totally lucked into this shot with the pedi-cab driver and his rig being in the shot. I had put the camera on its 10 second timer and just before the shutter tripped, this guy wheeled into the frame. It's better to be lucky than good! The street light on the left helps add balance to the picture.

The Christmas tree and ice-skating rink at Bryant Park - along with the many pop-up shops that open for the hoiliday season - are big attractions. That's the Main Library in the background.

The Bank of America tower overlooks Bryant Park to the northwest. I like the way the shape of the building reflects light in different ways depending on where one is standing and the time of day.

I'm Not Quite THIS Bad Off

Two Lessons here: Number one - of course - is always have your camera handy to grab these once-in-a-lifetime shots when they present themselves and Number two: Playing guitar is tiring ... for some. This guy was wiped out after - I'm guessing - a long day of busking (performing in public spaces for money) in and around New York City. I was drawn to this scene by the blue guitar and the not-so-apparent devotion of its owner to it. The thing is tied by some string to his body while he naps. And - what else is new? - the two guys on the right pretty much are ignoring everything except their tiny phone screens as life goes on around them in the subway.






These are MY fingers. I started playing guitar again about three months ago and the ragged condition of my fingertips is the result of hours of practice. If I play too long I can feel some discomfort in them. But for the most part it's a pain free by-product of a new desire to express myself in a musical way.

Brooklyn's Own

The Brooklyn Borough Hall Christmas tree was unveiled the other night in un-winter-like 61 degree conditions (actual winter-like snow is headed our way later this week.) Thanks to an evening rain, I took advantage of the nice reflective quality of the ground leading to the tree and its historic backdrop. Borough Hall was once the City Hall of Brooklyn when the borough was - in fact - a seperate city on its own many, many years ago.

A closer look reveals the details on the facade of Borough Hall - ribbons and wreaths adorning its face I'll go back to see what it looks like when there's snow on the ground in a few days.

In search of a different angle, I climbed the steps of Borough Hall to shoot from behind the massive Roman columns. The building in the distance is the federal bankruptcy court that we all try to avoid.