Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, USA

A typical American Colonial street can be seen by taking a stroll down Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia.

The houses here are typical of the early 1700’s. Each one has it’s own history and many are listed as historic sites. Elfreth’s Alley is located just off Second Street, between Race and Market Streets. Go slow or you’ll miss the sign marking the alley. Walking tours are given and the guides provide details about the people who lived and worked in these homes. I came here to conjure up some of the early American atmosphere that will be featured in my novel MacMillan Judge, Privateer. MacMillan’s father is a Quaker who left Philadelphia for a farm farther west. However, MacMillan himself works on the Philadelphia waterfront, which in colonial times was only a short jaunt from Elfreth’s Alley. Of course, while perusing the homes here, I spotted this comfortable feline taking his afternoon nap in the sunshine.

Yes, he has the right idea: lunch followed by nap.

Published in: on September 25, 2008 at 9:38 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Layers of History

I’ve been doing research for various writing projects and couldn’t help but mine through those old photographs again. I found this one of Rome, taken in the early 20th Century. On the far left is the old forum.

There has to be 2000 or more years of history in this image. There are churches, a triumphal arch, remnants of palaces and newer buildings. Amazing. One of the great things about writing stories is doing the research. I always end up learning things I never expected. That’s how I happened upon this photograph. While looking for something else, it popped up. Of course, it’s also why it takes so long to do the research. Inevitably, you get sidetracked into areas where you linger for the sheer pleasure of knowing the details. Anyway… back to work.

Published in: on September 23, 2008 at 5:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Compare and Contrast, Spain

One of the fascinating aspects of Spain is the contrasting styles of architecture (among other things). In my travels, I’ve noted the amalgamation and integration of styles in the various significant buildings. I’ve selected two old photographs (taken between 1860 and 1880) which demonstrate this reality. The first is a shot taken at the Mezquita in Cordoba.

This old photo illustrates the “mudejar” arch, which was built by the Moors who controlled Spain for a time. After the unification of Spain by Ferdinand and Isabel, the mosque in Cordoba became a cathedral. Nonetheless, much of the original structure remained. In fact, when visiting the Mezquita, you’ll see that it appears as if a cathedral was inserted into the mosque. These arches stretch out in all directions giving an infinite feel to the space. On the other hand, if you travel to Toledo’s cathedral, you’ll see an example of high gothic construction like this:

Here you see the massive columns, vaulted cielings, and pointed windows that are hallmarks of the style. Both of these cathedrals are used for religious services to this day, which testifies to the endurance of the Spanish in their faith. It also stands as a testament to the builders of these structures. There are exhibits which show the techniques employed, which while primitive by today’s standards, were state of the art at the time. A fascinating case contains several cut blocks bearing the initials and personal marks of the masons who shaped them. These letters speak for them, as if to say, “I was here. I helped to build this.”

A note about photography when traveling… these days I tote my little digital camera with me just about everywhere. I take a few shots here and there. However, I find those glossy books designed for tourists to contain some of the best photography of typical sites like cathedrals, palaces, cityscapes and so on. I purchase them frequently because the photography within is much better than the results that could be achieved in the short time of a typical visit. Don’t hesitate to buy them. They’re cheap compared to what it costs to get such great photos.

Published in: on September 22, 2008 at 3:58 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City is one place where you can step out of the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Within its walls, you’ll find a modicum of peace and quiet. Just like the photographs of the stained glass windows I took in Spain, I always try to get a few shots of the ones in St. Patrick’s.

Years ago, when I was in film school, I took a number of black and white shots inside the cathedral. This was in the days before the digital darkroom. There were chemicals, enlargers, and actual film. I enjoyed that kind of work. Hours spent in the darkroom helped improve my photography in the field. Today, I use a consumer digital camera, snapping shots for this blog and other general documentary purposes. It serves the purpose and the quality of the output is actually good when considering the cost, time, and effort put into it. It truly is “easy.”

 

The shots of these stained glass windows came out good considering the cathedral is dark compared to the brightness of the sun shining through the window. This is a challenge for an automatic camera. Of course, you’re not able to correct the perspective or expose as well as you could with a manual camera. Nonetheless, the images are bright and clear, especially on a computer monitor. Another advantage is weight; my old manual cameras are heavy and cumbersome. Whenever I would set them up, people get intimidated or think you’re out to make a fortune on their image. Sorry, not quite, just an advance hobbyist having some fun. With the consumer cameras, I rarely encounter that problem.

Anyway, we were in St. Patrick’s. In here I always show proper respect for people praying or a service that may be in progress. After all, this is an important place of worship. I’m impressed by the devotion of the people who come here. I’ve seen everyone among the pews, from business people at lunch time to tourists from around the world. Some people light a candle for someone in need, or say a quick prayer before their saint of choice. Either way, it is interesting to observe.

One final note, at the time of this writing, the exterior of St. Patrick’s is undergoing some work. There is scaffolding set up around the main entrance on 5th Avenue. The cathedral is open, but the exterior photos may not be as pleasant as you would like.

Published in: on September 21, 2008 at 12:54 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »