Chasin' Bubbles on a rainy day...
It was more than a month since Charleston had had any rain.
Things were dry and a threat of brush fires was becoming a reality.
So, we were glad to see the first rain since Hurricane Matthew had brushed close, early in October.
Matthew dumped a LOT of water!
I had driven to a Stevie Nicks concert in Columbia and returned home Sunday morning, driving on VERY wet and slick roads.
I wondered how that would affect the 2nd Sunday on King Street turnout?
When I started up blocked-off King Street around 2 pm, it looked pretty deserted and grim.
But, as I wandered along, I soon was amid clumps of people, and I was taking some fun "street photography."
Saw a few people proudly walking their dogs, some wearing colorful holiday seasonal red and green vests.
I mean the dogs were clothed warmly because it was still sprinkling and chilly.
I did notice that very few restaurant tables were set up curbside because dining out on a misty day is just not very comfortable.
However, I did see there were pretty good crowds inside the restaurants that I passed.
Of course, I kept my eyes open to spot unusual sights and snapped a small bunch of buskers tucked into a doorway. One guitar, three cigarettes and - hidden or just keeping warm - a cute puppy.
I had seen this group earlier when I walked through the Starbucks in the Francis Marion hotel.
The brown and white puppy was mostly out of sight then too.
Members of my Photo Group had been invited to gather and walk along King Street this afternoon.
Guess the sudden end to our mini-drought had kept them away.
The plan was to meet in the lobby of the hotel at 2 pm and I got there just as the bells in St. Matthew's Church next store were bonging the time in an insistent manner.
I saw there were quite a few cadets doing more than just window shopping along King Street.
Foul weather would not thwart free time away from their Citadel.
A breath of fresh air. Damp, but open air and off campus.
(Hmmm. Apparently, an umbrella or even a plastic poncho is not part of the uniform of the day.)
In the background was one of the murals painted during Spoleto.
They are scattered all around the historic district and add splashes of vibrant color where you least expect.
As I said, continuing down the street, more people were gathered and stepping around small puddles.
As I got closer to Hasell Street, I heard music and, in particular, a strong clarinet leading a distinct Klezmer sound.
Yep. A stage was set up under an awning and bleacher benches for listeners also were covered and sheltered from the sprinkles.
Several families sat and appreciated the music amid aromatic scents of ethnic food being cooked nearby.
I had worn the waterproof hoodie I had bought for my trip to Scotland.
It worked well there and equally fine today under gray skies.
Attendance WAS way off and that's a shame because a rainy day offers many photo opportunities and a cool, slower-paced walk.
Shopping the open stores did not seem hampered and the crowded restaurants showed it was not a "bad day" as far as they were concerned.
I continued to keep my camera ready and even spotted some young
ladies with the same goal in mind. I suggested they come to a monthly meeting of my local photo group.
At our last meeting of my Lowcountry 21st Century Photo Group,
https://tinyurl.com/y7cgvqy3 the members attending included our oldest long-time member (George calls me"kid") and Rivers Rudloff, a first-timer 17-year old high schooler.
They both take great photos.
So, all in all, it was a good photo day for me.
Caught some nice shots of people enjoying the outdoors and even turned the corner on Beaufain Street to step into
Le Farfalle, the new restaurant that four months ago, replaced the former Leaf.
Before that, the spot was Vickery's for almost 20 years.
Speaking of places I like to re-visit, the lobby of the
Francis Marion was spectacular.
Back in the 1950s, I had worked in the corner store that now is Starbucks.
I was a senior at Bishop England high school, a few blocks down Calhoun Street, and worked at
Norvell's Camera Exchange.
We even had a black & white darkroom on one of the floors upstairs in the hotel. I would take the elevator up to drop off rolls of film for processing.
I recall that all of the color films were packed up and mailed each night to Kodak in Chamblee, Georgia.
(Click on the photos and links for more details.)
Looks like the rain has cleared out and a sunny week is forecasted. Get out and take photos.
Labels: buskers and their puppy, Citadel cadets, ethnic foods, Francis Marion Hotel, Klezmer, Le Farfalle, Leaf Restaurant, lobby, Spoleto murals, St Matthew's church, Vickery's
A New Face In The Crowd....getting ahead.
I formed
21st Century Photo Group almost 9 years ago. We are local photographers, ranging from newbies to pros.
There are about 180 members and 15-20 meet each month on the 2nd Wednesday. Others join our frequent photo walks.
We are fortunate to meet in the Conference Room at the
Carolina Ice Palace by Northwoods Mall in North Charleston.
It's perfect! We can adjust the lights and sound, move things around and have good sessions.
I had invited a good buddy
Joseph Nienstedt to pack up his mini-studio and show how he makes really great Head Shots.
"
The key thing is the communications between me and the subject, " Joe explained to the
members.
"Get him or her relaxed, comfortable, adjust the pose for the best results and try to capture his best image," he added.
Joe answered questions as he made adjustments, explaining how to maximize or minimize the subject's features.
In front of the camera is a long-time member - and a co-Coordinator for the Group - Andy Reilly.
He laughed when Joe asked which was his best side.
Then he turned his back to the camera and said,
"how about this?"
Clearly, Andy was relaxed and enjoying his Head Shot session.
After he finished shooting many, many images, he would show the results on our big screen, demonstrating how a tweak here or there would adjust the outcome of the finished product.
There are many software programs available and Joseph has a few favorites he likes to use.
He showed how one would whiten the look of teeth or adjust the facial color in the image.
He said Andy did not need a lot of manipulation but did point out that a 2-dimensional look of a 3-D face often "squashes" somewhat and he uses tools to correct that mistaken effect.
He had shown me that when he took pictures of my face a few months ago, one smiling and one serious.
On the screen, he gently pushed both sides of my face back to my actual look and I could see the difference.
Joseph knows how to catch the "best side" of his clients...even though my English major taught me it should be called the "better" side.
(Click on the images and links for more details.)
AND, if you are interesting in photography and would like to hang out with some friendly and talented folks, click on the link and join.
It's easy to join and it's FREE.
Hope to see you as a new member soon.
We are going to the
Second Sunday on King Street event
this weekend Nov. 13.
We'll meet in the Francis Marion lobby at 2 pm. Bring your camera and join us.
Labels: #Andy Reilly, #Joseph Nienstedt, 2nd Sunday, Francis Marion Hotel, Head shots, JWNphoto
"Life Imitates Art..." Oscar Wilde
So, I was reading the paper a few days ago and thought B.C. was funny.
Even funnier when I walked out front to see what all the noise was about.
Yikes. My neighbor was having her roof done. Yes...a metal roof.
I remembered the Oscar Wilde quote right away.
"Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life," Wilde had stated.
Apparently they had just positioned the first sheet on the roof at the front of her house
I had a front row seat to watch the
Roof Doctor crew from Ladson.
In keeping with the black & white nature of the cartoon, I converted this picture to just two colors.
The neighbor explained her decision to re-roof with black metal panels. Huh? I had taken a few photos before I realized the material was black.
But I was already visualizing how these pictures would look in high contrast non-color.
When I first got into photography, black and white was the norm and color was not something you would try to develop at home.
I made a darkroom at home back in the 1950s when I was in high school.
Before that, I was a regular customer, dropping off rolls of film at Walgreens downtown.
Wait a week and come back for your prints.
When I graduated from Bishop England high school, I was working at
Norvell's Camera Exchange on the corner of Calhoun and King.
We sent all the color processing to Kodak in Chamblee, Georgia but Harold Norvell had a B&W darkroom built upstairs in the Francis Marion Hotel.
OK, my neighborhood is actually in color.
Here's a view later in the day as the guys on the roof followed directions from the foreman on the ground.
Still can't tell the panels are creating a shiny black roof.
I went online to see if there was any link still existing for the Camera Exchange where I sold cameras and equipment in 1957.
I did find a recent article that mentions another Charleston photographer's experience with the store and Mr. Norvell.
Click the link and check it out. It's written by my friend Jason Zwicker.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
I hope I am crediting the B.C. cartoon properly.
Thanks for stopping by. Please come again.
The new roof really is black!
Labels: B.C. by Mastrianni & Hart, Eddie Toporek, Francis Marion Hotel, Harold Norvell, Jason Zwicker, Norvell's Camera Exchange, Roof Doctor of Ladson, Signature Photography, Tin Roof
Walk a mile in THESE shoes...
It's not only Sunday, it's
Second Sunday so that means walkin' on King Street.
On the sidewalk.
On the street.
In and out of stores.
Buy a pair of shoes at the booth for the Ronald McDonald House.
A couple of visitors from Israel are on a tour of the United States and hit King Street.
"I asked them if I could buy a pair and I promised to take pictures of them in Israel, " said the proud new owner.
They flew into New York, did Washington, D.C. and The Smokies, now Charleston then off to the West Coast.
He'll stand out in the crowd, that's for sure.
Everybody who has a dog was out on King Street today.
Did not see even one
cat-on-a-leash. Go figure.
I asked this lady if I could take a picture of her doggie and she said
"Sure. Think I will too."
Her husband added
"I'll take a shot of you taking a picture of her taking a picture of the dog."
A baker's dozen members of my Photography Group were strung out along the street.
I told them I had brought bright red stick-on name tags but Kevin, host for today, said
"Uh, Chuck, we're supposed to be low key and blend in to explore street photography."
He was right of course.
We were gathered by the Francis Marion Hotel to begin our photo trek.
I tucked the badges back into my pocket. And took mine off as well.
Some stealthy Ninja!
I caught up with several members across the street from a fine violin player. We all were focused on him, trying to get blurred passersby.
I do "blurred" almost as well as I do soft focus. Sometimes on purpose.
Saw this "Lion in wait" in a shop window.
My intent was to keep him sharp and slightly blur the other objects so he would stand out.
I'm pleased with what my Canon sx260HS can do.
(I also used some plug-in software to do a controlled blurring effect. Shh. That's a secret.)
Whoever was in charge of the weather did a fine job. A few clouds kept the temps down, the humidity was lower and there was a nice breeze.
Saw a Labrador patiently waiting as his owner picked up a slice of pizza. Well, drooling actually. The dog, not the owner.
Passed a gallery with its doors wide open and inviting.
A really colorful image caught my eye and I stepped in.
Turns out, it was not one of the paintings - the back garden was in full sunlight as seen through another open door.
Wrap that one up, I'll hang it on my living room wall.
Quite a few galleries were open and people milled around inside.
Vendors on the street offered hot dogs,
Paolo's Gelatos and popsicles as well as sit down meals served curbside.
A very nice day to be out and about in my historic hometown.
Couldn't wait to get outta here when I was a teenager but so glad I came back home about 20 years ago.
Lots of dining and shopping going on so the idea of blocking off the main street and letting pedestrians roam is a good one.
Serving meals outside adds delicious and spicy aromas all along King Street.
I'm reminded it's probably time to have a bite to eat.
I had suggested that the members might want to regroup after an afternoon of stealth activity.
I headed through the strollers to meet them on Beaufain Street at LEAF.
Passed shoppers who were discussing how their day had gone.
Hey, shop in moderation. Have a cold beer.
(Click on the photo for more details.)
I saw a cameraman from Channel 2 who was covering the day and I mentioned my small camera was a LOT lighter than the rig he was toting.
As we chatted he asked if I would go on camera to give my thoughts on the resumption of football season.
Well, I'm awfully shy but he started the camera, focused and held the microphone near me as I said
"It's great to have football back. I can watch all the action on my 60-inch wide screen tv."
Be interviewed in moderation.
Labels: 2nd Sunday on King Street, baker's dozen, cat-on-a-leash, Francis Marion Hotel, Labradors and pizza, Leaf Restaurant, Ninja photographers, Paolo's Gelatos, Ronald McDonald House., stealth shooters
The plan was to meet in the lobby of the hotel at 2 pm and I got there just as the bells in St. Matthew's Church next store were bonging the time in an insistent manner.
