Well Worn

This picture of a well worn manhole cover is in response to a comment I got on Facebook regarding yesterday's demon rat photo. So Alice this one is for you, no halloween today, just a beautiful manhole cover. There are so few of us who truly appreciate the beauty of infrastructure.

Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 400.

Grate

- Close-up of the grate over an underground electric utility vault in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/3200 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, converted to black and white in Lightroom 4 with Silver Efex Pro 2.

Ma Bell

- Although the Bell System has been gone for almost 30 years the name and logo can still be found. This is one of several manhole covers bearing the logo located along Monticello Avenue in Norfolk Virginia. Owned by AT&T, the Bell System had held a monopoly on telephone service across much of the U.S for almost 100 years until it was broken up in 1984 following a suit by the Justice Department. In Virginia, Bell System service was provided by the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, a.k.a C&P. Following divestiture C&P became part of Bell Atlantic which today is part of Verizon. Canon G11 1/230 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Manhole

- I've been noticing the manhole covers as I walk the brick sidewalks in downtown Norfolk Virginia recently. Almost all are branded with the type of utility to be found underneath and the name of the foundry that cast the cover. This one struck me because of its lack of markings. Canon G11, 1/500 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, converted to black and white using Silver Efex 2.

West 4th Street

From 2010 Blog

- During our trip to New York City back in April we spent a day in Greenwich Village. Near the end of the day we turned and walked down West 4th Street with it's block of famous "sex shops". This is the Pink Pussy Cat Boutique with a bicycle chained to the "No Standing Anytime" sign post. While you can't stand in front of a famous tourist attraction, apparently bicycle bondage is allowed. Only in NYC. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800.

205 - Do-Nut Dinette

From 365 Project

The Do-Nut Dinette has been a fixture on Norfolk's Colley Avenue since 1952 and has always been strictly counter service. They make their own donuts and feature a pale green 1960's vintage Formica interior. The bright yellow umbrellas and sidewalk dining are recent additions but it still has the retro diner feel. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ F/22.0, ISO 800 (I forgot to set the ISO back to 200), 17mm focal length.

200 - Mermaids on Parade

From 365 Project

A few years back the City of Norfolk Virginia adopted the mermaid as a symbol and the slogan "Life Celebrated Daily." A number of interesting mermaids were created by local artists and displayed at public places and businesses throughout the city. The mermaids have moved beyond the artists' work and onto street flags, construction signs and anything else that can hold a logo. These street banners line the recently rebuilt Smith Creek Bridge on Brambleton Avenue. Canon 40D, 1/400 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 220mm focal length.

190 - ALMETL Fire Door

From 365 Project

This ALMETL fire door was manufactured by the Merchant & Evans Company of Philadelphia. The manufacturer's metal name plate is still legible and is stamped with a manufacture date of December 21, 1917. These were interior fire doors used to close openings between warehouse or factory sections. They are mounted on an iron bar which is sloped downward toward the closed end. In case of fire, the door was released and gravity pulled it closed. This old door was exposed earlier this year when part of this old warehouse was demolished for a parking lot. Canon 40D, 1/125sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, 17mm focal length.

189 - Railroad Crossing

From 365 Project

This is part of the elevated railroad crossing for new Tide light rail line under construction in Norfolk Virginia. Located near the City's Harbor Park baseball stadium, this section soon takes a sharp downward turn to enter the ballpark at grade. The train is scheduled to begin service in late 2010. Canon 40D, 1/100sec @f/22.0, ISO 200, 28mm focal length with a polarizer.

169 - Faded Glory

From 365 Project

One of my neighbors painted this flag on their fence in the days just after 9/11. Flags, feelings of national pride and patriotism were wide spread. Just as the flag on this fence, much of those have faded in the ensuing years. Canon 40D, 1/60 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 85mm f/1.8 prime lens with a little help from the camera's pop up flash.

162 - Pinpoint

From 365 Project

Work continues on the new gas line behind my office. This week they have been welding together more sections of the two foot diameter pipe. Last week they hit a water main a few blocks from here and flooded out the railroad underpass. This pipe is now a couple of hundred feet long and when you look through it, the other end is just a pinpoint of light. In fact its a green porta potty. Canon G10, 1/250 sec @ f3/5, ISO 200.

156 - Storm a Coming

From 365 Project

Summer storms roll in from the west. This shot was taken looking directly east towards Virginia Beach, VA. Almost 3.5" of rain fell with this storm, flooding area streets and trying up rush hour traffic for hours. Canon G10, 1/250 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 200, 54 mm equivalent focal length.

153 - Mr. Peabody

From 365 Project

You'd need the Way Back Machine to save this old camera store. The former Camera City location in Hampton Virginia is reduced to dust and rumble and loaded into a bright shiny demolition company trailer under the watchful eye of Mr. Peabody. While Camera City survives at a new location around the corner, I could not resist the metaphor for what has happen to local camera stores. Canon G10, 1/400 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100, 44mm equivalent focal length.

152 - Fallen Sentinel

From 365 Project

The old fire hydrant stood watch for many years at this abandon industrial complex. Looks like a careless driver dealt the fatal blow. Canon G10, 54mm equivalent focal length, 1/500 sec @ F/5.6, ISO 200.

151 - Night Light

From 365 Project

The street lights and stoplights sparkle in this long exposure of a night street scene. A ghostly bicyclist leaves a wobbly read streak from his taillight. Canon 40D, 55mm, 5 secs @f/20.0, ISO 100 mounted on a tripod.

132 - Buoy Boneyard

From 365 Project

Where do old buoys go to die - the buoy boneyard. These are a few of a row of 15 old navigation buoys forming a fence along the 23rd Street side of the L. Chenman scrap metal yard in Norfolk Virginia. Canon G10, 1/400 sec at f/8.0, ISO 100, 16mm equivalent focal length.

131 - Bless This Door

From 365 Project

This ain't no Starbucks! The shipping and receiving door at the Norfolk Coffee & Tea Company at 212 E 18th Street in Norfolk Virginia, a local landmark. The family has been roasting and blending coffee in Norfolk Virginia since 1918 and at this location since 1938. No venti soy double latte' served here, no website either, just great freshly roasted coffee for your coffee maker. See if you can find the "Bless This Door" sign. Canon G10, 1/200 at f/3.5, ISO 200, 28mm equivalent focal length.

127 - Welding

From 365 Project

Workers welding on a 24 inch gas main being installed under Armistead Ave in Norfolk, Virginia. Known as HRX (Hampton Roads Crossing it is a 123 million dollar project. They are using a technique called horizontal directional drilling to install the line 26 feet below the street along three blocks with only a small pit at each end. Canon G10, 1/250 sec at f/4.0, ISO 200, 44mm equivalent focal length.

97 - Sail Rail

From 365 Project

The new Valley Metro Light Rail sails into a station near the Phoenix airport. The new light rail line began service in December 2008 and like other light rail lines across the country it is a huge success. Canon G10, 2 second exposure at f/8.0, ISO 100, 11mm equivalent focal length, mounted on a Joby Gorillapod SLR and fired with a wired remote.