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Well, it started this time with a NYT story on an exhibit at The International Center of Photography, featuring my favorite genre, "street." Out of nowhere came to mind an image from India that I had chosen to make monochrome. That one always bothered me for some reason. I had wanted a series of monochrome for my India portfolio for a reason: everything in India is COLOR! So I chose a series of images that were more grit than sheen, more dirt than gloss. My new quest was to process this image again, but in a muted, desaturation of the original capture. Just enough color to break up the monotony but still keep the mood. So here is the before and after:   Well, you be the judge. Sometimes ya just gotta do this stuff.
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NEED YOUR HELP FOLKS ... Time for dpchallenge.com's monthly contest. Usually about 250-300 in this open challenge (their weekly ones are theme specific - monthly is anything you want to enter). Bragging rights only. Please vote in comments below. I will also post this at Facebook. Either way, please only vote once and for one image only. Many thanks!! CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE      Streets! Love ‘em, hate ‘em. The mind-numbing sameness in the burbs has finally pushed this car guy over the cliff. Sure I have access to some fine country roads, but day-to-day errand running is on the same boring and oftentimes dangerous strip of suburban sprawl. This was country when we moved here over 20 years ago!. I want OUT!! Time for an urban experience that takes advantage of great mass transit and “walkability”, one of the sub-topics today on “Everything is Broken.”
I interviewed John Massengale about his book “Street Design … The Secret To Great Cities and Towns” (Wiley Press). He defines walkability with some basic criteria, all starting with the street itself … is it safe from cars, crime; are there “eyes of the street” (windows facing sidewalk and people in there!). He also said that streets should be viewed as outdoor rooms: width of street proportional to the “walls” – people like shaped spaces. Trees help a great deal. People also want an interesting, short block; not some long expanse of wall, but shops and architecturally pleasing buildings. Research shows that people when showed a stretch of street will invariable pick the same spots they find pleasing. And for you capitalists out there: there is a marked increase in ROI (return on investment) for municipalities when the street has these and other features. I asked John what his favorite street in North America is. Answer: Main Street, Nantucket, MA. His favorite in Manhattan (he lives there folks): it varies from time to time, but right now: Crosby Street/Howard St. Here is a general reference map, but I suggest you go to Google Earth street view and pan around. What do you think? |
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