Art, photography and below zero temps...Photo adventure!
It was a COOLLLDDDD Sunday morning, one that had a paid session scheduled that was postponed due to the temps and the needs of the session. I was up at 5, got my odds and ends wrapped up and frankly was bored with my day already at 9:30am. Kids all in places other than home, Chris sick from too much travel and lack of sleep, and there I sat, deciding how to get myself out of my funk.
Even though it was cold, I felt that need, that need that is as strong as breathing, to go create, to go shoot.
I have been wanting to visit the RiNo art district in Denver for some time now, but had never made it happen. I decided today was the day. I stocked up the film in my bag, extra batteries, water bottle, and headed out into the cold to find my pot of gold.
Once I got to the general vicinity, I was on the hunt to find these beautiful pieces of art that adorned the sides of buildings that I have only seen picture of! My first stop, Jenny’s Market to get better directions as it was not a clear as I had hoped!
After chatting with a helpful young lady inside and getting a better idea of where I was heading, I hopped back in my car and started down the road, and before I even pulled out of the Jenny’s parking lot, I spotted the above sign that stood out to me like a beacon waiting to be photographed with the bright reds standing bold against the white snow! My first shot of the day set the tone, and as I was making my way back towards the area where I was told the murals are, I kept getting myself lost (intentionally) and discovering one thing after the next that I found completely interesting and that I wanted to capture!
Graffiti, murals, dumpsters, signs…it was all fantastic and my head was spinning with trying to decide what to photograph first. I am lucky it was a quiet Sunday morning as I was sliding to a stop constantly when something caught my eye!
As I was somewhat unaware of what / where to expect to see what I was in search of, this painted lady grabbed my attention and I cut across lanes to pull into the empty lot that protected her! I LOVE the brilliant colors more than anything!!
Just to the right of her (top photo) and just to the left (lower photo) were super interesting to me as there was graffiti set back behind a beautiful contemporary housing unit, and a run down area with these fabulous works of art adorned the left side of the building. It’s kind of cool how life in the city is. One block could be super sketch, and then the next block could be graced with high end apartments or homes!
I still hadn’t found what I thought was the motha load of murals, but come to find out they are scattered about. Alleys, sides of buildings, etc…you will find them and just have to keep your eyes peeled! If you know any differently PLEASE let me know as I feel like I didn’t even get to scratch the surface!
I have contemplated before, if I am more drawn to black and white or color photography. I have a HUGE appreciation for black and white, I have to be honest, but if I had to pick one, I am even more drawn to colors. This day left me really realizing that! Often times I take a picture purely because of the colors it offers me!! What do you prefer? If you had to chose just one? It’s an interesting question to ponder!
This scene right here..I literally slammed on my brakes and jumped out of the car. The red sign, the mural on the house and to my right, a grave yard of old food trucks….completely fantastic! (click each photo for a larger view)
Now is where a new form of fun began…I loaded up a roll of a new (to me) film that has a very unique look! You may notice some differences, you may not. It’s VERY apparent to me but only because I am hyper aware of color tones and looks in images! I would love to know your thoughts!! All photos below were shot on Cinestill 50, with my Olympus OM2.
Can you see why I was so infatuated?
Below, probably the second mural I came across, and for sure in my top 3 favorites.
I mean…..holy cow. How fantastic, beautiful, soulful is this????
When the street tells a story…
As I decided to head back to the homestead ;-), I still saw things in the streets that I hadn’t noticed before, thought were wonderful, and needed to become of part of my photo adventure this day!
So much that I could wax on about loving what I did, and saw this Sunday. The city environment and all that being in a busy urban area brings with it was wonderful, and a newer experience for me. This was something I have been adding to my repertoire of interests and plan to do more of in the future! The beauty in the streets of a busy city is vastly different than the beauty of the magnificent mountains that I also love so much. Again, breaking the mold and trying to venture into places artistically that make me think a little differently, create a little differently and observe a little differently. I welcome the challenge, always.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the look of the new film! I LOVED it a lot although I genuinely was not expecting the look it provided!
All photos in this blog are 100% unedited, posted as shot and the negatives were scanned. I am liking the imperfections (the line that appears through then entire roll), lack of tack sharp focus of some or a slightly skewed horizon line. Life is not filled with an ideal definition of perfect, so why should we always strive to show that in our imagery?
Thank you a million for reading, looking and always staying tuned…or if you are here for the first time, welcome, and I hope you make your way back! I would love to have you!
Until next week!!
<3