Monument

This hilltop oak is a local landmark. Twenty years ago, I photographed it many times with film cameras; this is the first time I’ve shot it with a digital. A small fence protects the tree from seedtime and harvest damage now, and a young man whose family has operated this farm for generations told me his dog is buried here. Can’t think of a better place.

Postcards and greeting cards available at Redbubble.

Hemingray Number 45

For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of trading in antiques, collectibles etc is photographing them. This is a Hemingray Number 45 glass insulator.  Millions were produced for long distance telephone lines from 1938-1960.  They're not highly sought after, or worth a great deal; collectibility is often about rarity, and too many were made. 

Form not only served function beautifully in this design, but held its own in a way we'd consider indulgent, wasteful now.  I wonder how many of today's similarly utilitarian components, packaging products etc will survive this long, be considered lovely art objects one day.     

Postcards, greeting cards, and matted prints of this photograph are available at Redbubble. Prices start under $3.

Taughannock Falls 2013

Taughannock Falls, photographed after a summer storm. For those who've never visited, Taughannock Falls State Park is a few miles north of Ithaca, New York, along the west shore of Cayuga Lake. The falls' height is 215 feet. Giclee prints are available here.