Cover of The Americans and inside view.I ordered a copy of The Americans by Robert Frank a few days ago. It arrived Monday afternoon. The Girl and I needed to evacuate the room so that housekeeping could do their thing, so we drove over to the Denny’s at 50th and Slide for a break.
It was a good break from working on my report. I needed a bite, some coffee, and some time away from the hotel. She napped under my table, while I drank my coffee and made my first pass through Robert Frank’s The Americans.
The Americans is classic street photography. Many of the images are grainy, meaning they were probably shot on Kodak Tri-X, underexposed, and/or push-processed to enhance the film speed. Many of them have a raw quality that comes from either the subject being unaware of the photographer or just not caring that they are being photographed. The captures are all interesting and remind me of my favorite form of photography — wandering around and watching for the image to jump out at me. Once I spot something interesting, then I set up the shot and make the capture.
I can recommend The Americans without reservation if you have an interest in photography in general, street photography in specific, or what normal life looked like in the mid-1950s. You will not be disappointed by these classic images.
I’ve been to the Denny’s in Lubbock at Slide and 50th Street more times than I can count. Yesterday afternoon I needed to vacate my room for a bit so housekeeping could do their work. Plus I needed a nibble and a coffee. So the Girl and I drove south to Denny’s.
I figured that at mid-afternoon there would be little traffic. I was right. So the Girl snoozed under the table while I had a salad and some coffee. I also enjoyed flipping through my brand new (to me) copy of The Americans by Robert Frank. The images are captivating and I’ll spend much time studying what attracted Frank to each subject.
I also had to have a capture to commemorate my visit. I doubt that Denny’s looks much different than it did 50-years ago.
I went to early coffee at J&B Coffee with a friend a couple of days ago. The contrast of the condensation and the morning sky captured my attention while I waited.
A sculpture at Higinbotham Park, which I called “The Heart of Texas” given there was no plaque at the base to tell me what I should call it.
While walking in Higinbotham Park the last few days, the Girl and I pass this sculpture every time we round the track. One morning, I decided that an image of it would be required. Yesterday morning we stopped briefly to check the name of this sculpture, but the plaque was missing from the base.
Therefore, I decided to call it The Heart of Texas for no good reason, other than that’s what came to me when I look at it.
The other afternoon we were hanging out in our room, relaxing. The hall was unusually busy — probably someone moving in or out. In any event, there were lots of unusual noises coming from the hall. She was totally creeped out. So, I grabbed the capture.
After church and brunch with dear friends, the Girl and I returned to our temporary lodging in west Lubbock. We ran from the 4Runner to the door, not wanting to be out in the weather any longer than necessary. Rain pelted the west-facing window off and on all afternoon. It was not all that cold, in the mid-40F range. But that wind made it very cold.
The view from my window illustrated that feeling. So, I retrieved my iPhone from its case and made the capture.
My goal, for the moment at least, is to make one nice capture every day. That capture might be with my iPhone, my Fuji X-T1, or my Panasonic DMC-ZS40. I always have my iPhone (6S) on me. Its camera is better than what is needed to get a decent capture for a weblog post. It’s primary lacking is control over depth of field. Both the Panasonic and Fuji cameras offer better control, with the Fuji being the best (of course) and the Panasonic being a lot better than the iPhone, but much less capable than the Fuji. But, I always have my iPhone on me and I always see something that I think is worthy of my Instagram stream.
My second goal, for the moment at least, is to post something every day. That might be a snippet of something I read, heard, or saw. It might be a longer piece… one of my ruminations.
I considered writing a bit about the state of my country. I have a few essays in my collection that are fits and starts in that direction. I might draw a lot more traffic to my site if I did that; or I might not. What I will observe is that American politics are deeply broken. We left constructive dialogue behind decades ago and substituted meaningless rhetoric and vitriol. Our “leaders” and our media lie to us to achieve their goals. I have lost faith in my government and elected leadership to guide the rest of us on any kind of reasonable path. It appears the government is setting itself up to reduce or eliminate the ability of citizens to govern ourselves in substitute for a government that knows what is best for us. I find this disappointing and depressing.
Enough of that… there be monsters there.
So, I write about what I see and what I think. I decided to focus on things that I think bring either insight (as I ruminate on my own thoughts) or beauty (through my images) to those who come here directly or stumble by via that morass of infinite links that is the World Wide Web.
And, my goal is to post something every day. I don’t always make it. I’m not going to berate myself for not making it. But the goal keeps me looking outside my head, observing, watching the light, watching for interesting things, and ruminating. I think that will do.
All that aside, yesterday was a fun day. The Girl and I were out before sunup to go walk laps around Higinbotham Park here in Lubbock. It was cool, but not cold at about 40F when we hit the trail. A few other hardy souls and their four-legged friends showed up as we circled the park. Of course, we were going the wrong way. I don’t care and neither does the Girl. Her squirrely friend was absent, although she was on high alert for “Squirrels!”. But no others showed.
Near the end of our walk, the morning sun illuminated the trees and dormant Bermudagrass. That light captured my eyes. So, we paused along our last lap for me to grab a few captures. I like this one and shared it on my Instagram feed.
And, in the end, it seems I posted something political after all… or at least an observation on politics. But the emphasis was on my thoughts and my observations of the beauty that surrounds me.
When I walked the Girl at our motel in Gainesville, Texas, we came across this most-interesting gate. I’m Longhorn-sensitive now, after being indoctrinated by Daughter and her family. I noticed the logo and burnt orange immediately. The afternoon light lit the scene well. So, I made the capture while the Girl sniffed about.
The Pancake House in Lubbock, Texas is a local landmark. It’s been there for decades. I remember eating there now and again when I worked at Tech. When I’m in town, I make sure I get there. With all the chain stores around, I still prefer local whenever I can.
I met a friend there yesterday for breakfast. We had a great time visiting, catching up, and sharing a meal. The Girl snoozed quietly next to me, enjoying a warm floor and the energy that bonds long-term friends.
I could live here again, I think. But maybe it’s my role to just pass through here now and again. I don’t really know just yet.
This miniature pump jack was tipping. Maybe it really was bringing black gold to the surface. Regardless, it made an interesting picture.
I passed this miniature pump jack on my way through western Louisiana or eastern Texas. After I passed it, I decided it had to photographed. So, I turned around and returned to the spot. The Girl sniffed around while I shot a few images. It made me smile.
