Mar 29/10 Little Cymbals

Mar 29/10 Little Cymbals, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: Make a photograph today of something that produces a unique sound. Try to communicate that sound to the viewer.

Brass on brass
Rings out
in dulcet tones
resonance
echoing to distant lands
where craftsfolk
Fashioned these
Bell-like
to link together
east and west

Bass of the Stairs

Bass of the Stairs, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It was our annual Montreal Recorder Society concert, originally part of Play the Recorder Day of the ARS. We have one string bass player (she is also a recorder player) who plays in Flutissimo. It adds a nice deep sound to our ensemble.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach

Mar 27/10: Sidewalk

Mar 27/10: Sidewalk, originally uploaded by susanvg.

We took a drive through a few small towns in eastern Ontario. I was struck by how few people were out on the sidewalk. Walking through Maxville, we came across this mural of the town in 1906. People were out and about. We live in a culture of cars. We saw people drive up to the LCBO (liquor store), charge out of their cars straight into the store, then out again and back into the car with their purchases. No more strolling down the street and chatting with a neighbour. The car becomes essential as the local grocery stores and pharmacies close, driven out by the larger chain stores in a nearby town. The cores of these towns have been gutted of the conveniences of local stores.

Mar 26/10 Viger Station

Mar 26/10 Viger Station, originally uploaded by susanvg.

One thing I love about my daily photographing is it often piques my interest to learn more- not just about photography, but about my subjects. I have long admired this building (shot from my car window while I was stopped at a red light). I had spent most of the day in a meeting without photo ops and the rest of the day was not likely to provide many possibilities. In the recesses of my brain I thought I remembered that this had once been a station (Daily Shoot: Think of a subject that starts with either the letter "D" or "S". Find it, and make a photo!). Later in the day I started researching.

This is what I discovered. This was once known as Chateau Viger. It was built for the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway), with the station on the lower levels and a grand hotel above. When it was built, (1896-98), Old Montreal was still the hub of the financial district and the proximity to the port, as well, made it an ideal place for a station. As the city centre moved further north and west, the station was abandonned. The last train to leave the station left in 1951. The future of the building is still undecided.

March 25/10: Black and White

March 25/10: Black and White, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The daily shoot assignment was to photograph in black and white (though I admit to removing the colour later). I thought it appropriate to shoot a building that was built in black and white times - when colour photography was rare. It was black and white times in other ways. Politically people were polarized with those who believed in more progressive ideas, stalked and blocked by those who were "red-hunting." Much seemed to be black and white - with right and wrong answers what counted in education - getting it "right".

Colour crept into our lives with colour photography reflecting the more varied ideas, the multi-coloured immigrants (both in skin tone and alternate dress) and the changes in education that encourage thought, decision-making and questioning.

Mar 24/10: Bicycles

Mar 24/10: Bicycles, originally uploaded by susanvg.

We have had yoyo weather, one day deliciously warm and sunny and coming up, a precipitous drop in temperature. Bicycles were lined up outside this local bicycle shop, ready to start the season. Some hardy folks cycle throughout the winter, but I prefer to wait until I can grasp my bicycle's handles with ungloved hands. It won't be long now.

Mar 23/10: angles

Mar 23/10: angles, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Thanks to red lights I capture a few photos as I drive by. This bright yellow structure stood out and yet, reflected the angles of the masonic symbol. It's interesting to see how play equipment has changed. In my childhood there were metal jungle jims and wooden swings, often hanging from sisal ropes. Each year safety norms become more stringent. The climbing structure that was in the school yard where my children played, first lost the top part of the structure (too high, the students might fall) and then was replaced (it was built from treated wood). Now bright plastic structures seem to be ubiquitous in playgrounds ....until the next safety hazard is declared.

Daily shoot: Look for angles today: 90s, 45s, or any other combination of angles that make an interesting composition.