Photographic Tale of the Week - what they do to old cars in goldfield

"what they do to old cars in goldfield" by Bill's Explorations

With a new blog on the way and work in high gear during the summer months, the Essex Masque  is starting to feel a bit rusty. However, beyond a good story and an amazing composition, I am always looking for something that lends itself to the feel of the blog for the Photographic Tale of the Week. It is only suiting than that "what they do to old cars in goldfield" caught my eye. As with many of the featured storytellers and photographers who contribute to Pictures with a Story, Bill's pictures of the bones of American history, and many other beautiful shots, could all have been featured any other week.
This is what Bill has to say about this picture:

The famed International Car Forest of the Last Church outside Goldfield, NV. This unusual place is not easy to get to - hilly and deeply rutted gravel road - but well worth the trip.
Goldfield is a mining town that was once the largest city in Nevada. Now it is a decaying shadow of itself, full of decaying buildings, rust, and memories of its former self. In other words, it's pretty great....
Have a great sliders sunday all, and have a great 4th of July!

Find the rest of Bill's amazing work and stories here. 
As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story." See the now 320 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Viewbug and Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.

Photographic Tale of the Week - LEECHES!!!!!

LEECHES!!!!! by Andrew John

Sometimes the beauty of photography is in its contrasts: the contrast between light and dark, soft and hard, foreground and background. It could be a purple flower, vibrant in a natural spot of sunlight in an otherwise dark green undergrowth. It could be the hard angles of a decaying barn set against the undulating green roll of surrounding fields. Or, in the case of Pictures with a Story - and part of my purpose for the creation of the group in the first place - the contrast of the final composition with the story of how it was created. 

I have been waiting for a photograph that is exemplary of this contrast, and with Andrew John's "LEECHES!!!!!" I have finally found it. 

The composition is like a golden dream - the tangle of reeds, mirror-like water, and beautiful, almost mythic woman are all blanketed in a soft glow. It gives a feeling both of warmth and an otherworldly aesthetic, taking us away from the often harsh sounds and sights of everyday life.

Now, contrast that with the story of how this photograph came to be:

On her way out to the log Caitlin stopped and started staring at the water, I asked what she was staring at. She said she wasn't sure, after about 20 seconds she shouted "LEECHES" and jumped up on the log. leeches were all over her dress and a few were on her leg but none managed to attach themselves. WHEW!

 

There were two blessings - one beautiful photograph for all of us to enjoy, and we got to read a wonderful story. Also, Caitlin didn't have to give up any blood for the shot. So maybe that's three blessings.

Check out the rest of Andrew's amazing photography on Flickr.

As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story." See the now 304 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Viewbug and Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.
 

Photographic Tale of the Week - Law and Order

"Law and Order" by Neil Moralee

I have several passions other than photography. However, I try to bring these passions and let them both strengthen and build upon each other. In some respects, marrying my passions (photography with writing through this blog, and writing, photography, and community development through work) at its most basic level allows me the time and opportunity to fit them in my busy schedule.
Perhaps my appreciation of photography and lifelong learning have inspired me to follow Neil Moralee's photography, and my Canadian pride to select this week's Photographic Tale of the Week. Much of Neil's photography - beautiful black and white, candid portraits of unique and interesting people on a global scale - is paired with a paragraph of learning for his viewers, ranging from military history to homelessness to brewing history.
This week's photograph, "Law and Order," (here is why I mentioned my Canadian pride) deals with police presence at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, Ontario. Whenever I choose the Photographic Tale of the Week, it must first strike me visually. In this case, Neil's treatment of the light - the severe and dominating form of the officer under a concentrated light source contrasted with a dark, but tangible backdrop - is what made this an especially strong composition. The lesson paired with the photograph was something I never knew about the Toronto Police Service, but I will let Neil tell the story in his words:

Candid "low light" Cop shot, St Lawrence Market Toronto.
Note the Winged Wheels insignia on his sleeve.
The Toronto Police Service Winged Wheels Motorcycle Team is a precision motor-cycle demonstration team comprised of officers from the Enforcement Group of Traffic Services - Highway Patrol.
In 1990, then Chief of Police William McCormack authorised the formation of the team. Superintendent Gary Beamish provided the necessary drive and foresight into this unique and successful initiative.
The Winged Wheels Insignia
The WINGED WHEELS are named for the insignia proudly worn on the sleeve of the police officer's uniform. This crest, in one form or another, is internationally recognised as the badge of motorcycle officers.

View the rest of Neil's incredibly interesting lessons (fueling my passion for lifelong learning) and his incredible portraits (fueling my passion for good photography) on his Flickr photostream.
As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story." See the 300 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Viewbug and Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.

Photographic Tale of the Week - Mountain Dweller

Mountain Dweller (#4) by Sarah Allegra

Coming off of an intense year-end process for work means that I have not been as timely about the Photographic Tale of the Week selection for my Flickr group, Pictures with a Story. However, the timing ended up being perfect for featuring Sarah Allegra's Mountain Dweller (#4) from her series of photos of the same name with model Teri Wyble. Sarah is the perfect example of my intention for the Flickr group - to acknowledge through text the richness of the story that goes along with a composition: whether it be our own journeys, the 'fictional / non-fictional journey' of photograph's content, or the process of the composition's creation. She is exemplary because, additional t creating incredibly beautiful and imaginative work, the words and stories behind the Mountain Dweller series is of Sarah's spiritual journey, the process of working with Teri - the model, and the rich mythology of Sarah's DreamWorld - "an ongoing photography project which explores the people and creatures who inhabit the land we visit during sleep." In fact it is so rich, that I will provide links below where you can experience Sarah's work and stories directly, rather than try to capture it in this post. This is what she had to say in the Flickr group:

She is one of the Aethereans; angelic, monk-like beings who live high in the mountains of DreamWorld where they can pursue their spiritual quests in peace. They are skilled healers and highly sought-after councilors. Many of the fae send their children to the Aethereans to be taught love, spirituality empathy, animal care, plant lore, sacred geometry and the mysteries of the universe.

Sarah has many online presences - feel free to visit them all!
Twitter  Instagram  Facebook  Blog  
Etsy Red Bubble  Website Flickr

As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story." See the 300 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Viewbug and Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.

Photographic Tale of the Week - Your Just a Distant Memory

"Your Just a Distant Memory" by Keith (Kpryor23)

Considering my somewhat poor ability to remember things, every memory seems to be a distant one. Maybe that's for the best, living my life in the present moment or something like that. It's a good thing my partner can remember almost every single detail from her childhood, including the lyrics of songs that she sings to our four kids. If I were to attempt the same thing I would be sitting there with my cellphone looking up the words for songs I don't know the names of.
This feeling (of a memory recalled from a long time ago) is wonderfully captured by Keith in "Your Just a Distant Memory" - today's Photographic Tale of the Week. Perched at the edge of water, a pier and a figure - in a sea of bokeh - provide a phantom background to a wall of silhouetted oats - both porous and imposing with their slender concentration.

Here is what Keith has to say about it:

When I took this photo it reminded me of when someone try's to recall a memory from long ago. I think it makes an interesting composition with the depth field. including the pier, the person, and the oats.
Good night and Good luck

 

Keith is a self-taught photographer who enjoys learning and fine-tuning his creative approach. With a creative background and a degree in audio and video, he has developed his experience as a photographer and digital artist over the past five years. Over those years he has excelled in landscape fine art, and conceptual photography. He has developed his hand in digital arts and view the whole world as his canvas. Keith initiated a 365 photography project to explore his creative efforts and challenge his technical skills.
 You can find Keith's photography at the following sites:
Flickr Photostream
Website 
500 Px 
Facebook

As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story." See the 290 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.

Photographic Tale of the Week - Alone swimming in the rain

Alone swimming in the rain by Robert Ang

In spite of the danger of a sodden towel, swimming in a downpour seems so liberating. Instead of regretting a forgotten umbrella, lamenting a recently washed car, protecting a hair style, or maintaining dry clothing, immersing yourself in the water that can be such an annoyance is a wonderful experience. Is this a metaphor for many of those things in life that cause such fear and discomfort? Yes, yes it is.
 
Robert Ang captures this feeling wonderfully in "Alone swimming in the rain" where the figure, surrounded by the blue of the pool and the blur of the falling rain, is at once small and yet so powerful - so necessary - in the composition.

It was raining heavily this evening. Instead of going out to capture another sunset, I went to the balcony of my apartment and took this picture of a man swimming in the rain. If he was also singing, I could not hear him as I was high up above the swimming pool.

View the rest of Robert's photography in his Flickr photostream.  

As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story." See the almost 290 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.

Photographic Tale of the Week - Your fingers

"Your fingers" by Craig (Secretlyjustme)

You may not believe me when I say this, but when Craig's beautiful work "Your fingers" caught my eye (the title being the first line of an 8 line accompanying poem), I had no idea that April is #Poetrymonth. Okay, maybe I should know this considering my passion for all things literary, but I didn't. 
This serendipitous selection was beyond the convenience of conforming to a theme (image and poem). Rather, the selection of Craig's incredible photograph - of its play with perspective, contrast of motion and stasis, vibrant colour and shades of grey - was based on the merits of the beauty of the composition itself. 
Without further ado:

Your fingers
leave trails
of fireworks
on skin
and
time
told you things
you already knew

You are in luck. Craig, a self-described "thirty-something" and "drinker of whisky" (both of which I can relate to), has equally amazing images and poems in his Flickr photostream for you to enjoy. You must!

As always, this is a photograph selected from my #Flickr group, "Pictures with a Story," of which Craig is a regular contributor. See the almost 290 other contributors by checking out the group, and feel free to join.

Browse through the Essex Masque blog (you're on it!) for other Photographic Tales of the Week, as well as other randoms that I post. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my photography on Flickr. 

Please note that, as ever, do not use the images of the featured photographers without their express permission. I always contact them first.