52Frames Anthropomorphism Weekly Photo Challenge

The question was whether to submit a photo of an interesting tree or a composite that highlighted a kitchen light fixture or garbage cans in the park. The subject this week was “anthropomorphism” for the 52Frames weekly photo challenge. As soon as I knew what the subject was I remembered a tree in our old neighborhood on Capitol Hill. So we went in to town to get a photo of it. It still looked intriguing- was it a man? Front or back? An elf face? Beard? Was he wearing a shirt? Or was it a donkey face? There were so many options. I edited out the trash can and the hanging wires and the air conditioner to clean it up. It was my husband’s favorite photo. But I also liked the kitchen light fixture that was transformed in to a debutante ball. And in the park there were two trash cans that were duplicated for the “trash talk” vibe. An apple core was painted in for a whimsical touch. I really love doing composite images because it’s just so much more fun that just taking one photo and editing it. So I submitted my husband’s preference - but it just doesn’t have the spark and fun about it. I even tried isolating the same tree in to  a park photo that was taken earlier in the week, but it just didn’t do much for me. So I’ll find out if it’s a hit or not this week. Were they more interested in made up subjects or real subjects that actually look human. One will never know. 

Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington VA

We didn’t get all the way up to the 1802 estate house. We were driving back home yesterday from central Virginia after spending Thanksgiving with our family. I was on the look out for a solitary tree in a field. It would be the subject of the 52frames photo challenge this week. I needed to mimic a photographer and try to create an image that might look like his. I found an Iranian photographer that takes photos of trees in black and white, using shadows and the sun as a back light. The place where the giant white oak is located is called Oak Ridge estate and was recommended by our son. And on this estate stands the 400 year old oak tree. We really didn’t know what to expect when we turned off highway 29. It was obviously a horse farm and has gone through a few renovations over the long history. And there it was in the distance. You couldn’t miss it. We stopped by the side of the road and then I jumped out of the car and ran up towards it. The wind was howling and it was very cold. The tree was enormous  - easily 42 feet high and God knows how many feet wide. I was on private property - there were three graves under the tree - all of very young people - recently decreased. I wished my husband was with me so he could have seen it all too. On the way back he took a photo of me next to the tree. It is remarkable. So after editing the photo to mimic a known photographer I definitely will use one of the images for the photo challenge. It was an interesting side stop on our way home and very different from photos that I usually take. 

Old Fashioned Christmas Window Along Pennsylvania Avenue

No, it isn't Macy's, or downtown Chicago or New York, but it looks just as magnificent! Every year, the Coldwell Banker shop on Pennsylvania Avenue decorates four storefront windows full of Christmas scene delights. One has a big Christmas tree with snow falling on it; another has a village and a train circling around it; another has a larger complex of traditional Christmas activity. But the one we like the most is the Capitol Hill neighborhood. There are people skating, and walking near the Jefferson Memorial and the old Frager's Hardware store has a prominent spot. The Nationals Stadium is surrounded by other prominent neighborhood landmarks including Splash car wash. The National Capitol Bank of Washington and Mr. Henry's can't be missed. The Hill Center and the Folger Shakespeare Library are front and center. I love the huge colorful bright ornaments that hang from the top. No one passes by this place without stopping, and probably thinking the same things I am. It's a reminder of our Christmas past as children, and just shouldn't be forgotten. 

Capitol Christmas Tree

I am really proud of my husband. I knew the Capitol Christmas Tree would be arriving this morning from its long journey from Washington State. But I also knew I would not be anywhere near it when it did. When my phone rang at work this morning, my husband said he had just taken photos of the tree that he saw on his morning walk on the Mall. The 88-foot-tall Spruce was sitting in front of the American Indian Museum on a very long flat bed truck. He usually doesn't pay attention to things like this but occasionally remembers how much I like  to write about events in the neighborhood. Soon the tree will be decorated with homemade ornaments from kids around the country and the lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 3. Since we moved to DC we have seen a few lighting ceremonies and several beautiful trees. But I've never seen one delivered - until today, thanks to my husband. 

Tree and Wall Art

If you look hard enough or just simply pay more attention to your surroundings, unusual and pretty things emerge around you. This was the case on a walk in the neighborhood. In front of the Republican Club were trees with interesting color and texture, looking like they were covered with tiny insects. At the Botanical garden, the birch trees are shedding their skins creating a visual interest. By the Supreme Court across from the Hart Senate Office Building is a wall that was once covered with either a weed or a vine. Someone decided to take it down. What's left is the imprint of what used to be growing there. It looked like it was still there, but on closer inspection, the paint had been removed leaving the impression.  It would have been hard to create that art by hand. I am a person who observes and sees things most people just pass by without thinking about it. In fact, my husband oftentimes says that if I didn't point it out to him, he would have missed it. I hope everyone has someone who points things out to them.