April 12, 2012

Texture and Pattern...

Heavier on the photos, lighter on the words today (my nice way of warning you I'm dumping alot of photos on you).  Two things that always seem to grab my attention in life are Texture and Pattern.  Yep in food, fashion, decor, photography.  It is what usually prompts the question thrown my way "WHY are you taking a photo of THAT?" when people see my camera aimed at the non-obvious (not to mention I often have to get into some sort of contortionist position to capture exactly what has grabbed my attention).  I gravitate toward the subtleties over the obvious, which can be a problem when I travel and return home only to discover I didn't get a photo of...hmmmmm...The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, just sayin'.  But hey!  I sure got a lot of photos of intriguing bits and pieces of that beauty.  Note to self:  don't forget the BIG picture all the time.  Wow, I think I just experienced an Oprah "aha moment" here for my life.

Thought I'd share some photos of some Philly-style "texture and pattern".  No cheese steaks are involved, because quite frankly altho tasty...you just shouldn't look at them THAT closely :).



Brick wall surrounding Christ Church Cemetery




Tombstone at Christ Church Burial Ground




Repetition of park benches




Does anyone know what kind of tree this is, that blooms flowers from the trunk?




Texture on architectural details




Rusted iron gates




Christ Church Cemetery gates







Repeating flags, and crumbling texture on side of exposed building, by Betsy Ross's Home




One of many cobble stoned alleys




Architectural details and peeling paint




Linear and circular patterns juxtaposed at the Ben Franklin Bridge




Repeating circular patterns and rust










Peeling paint




Curves vs. Linear patterns at Christ Church




Architectural patterns and details at Independence Hall



I TRY not to sweat the "small stuff" but, I certainly like to take notice of it.  Ironically, I JUST got a text from a high school friend  asking me if I was going to wear a dress to our upcoming reunion.  How appropos that I just texted back "All I have for sure right now are my SHOES", haha...there I go again ignoring the BIG picture.


--Kathy
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24 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    I love the repeating patterns, especially the one of the bridge!

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  2. tiarastantrumsApril 12, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    love all your textures this week! I want one of those trees in my yard!

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  3. Carol BlackburnApril 12, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Super shots, Kathy. Is that really flowers or a fungus growing out of that tree? Some fungus can be very beautiful. Hmmmm, or should I say fungai???

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  4. Kim StevensApril 12, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    Gorgeous textures you've found Kathy! And because I love details in nature, well anywhere, I too sometimes forget the bigger picture and get home and think, what was I thinking? Some of your photos remind me of old Galveston....and the tree, it looks like an Oklahoma redbud to me.

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  5. UnknownApril 12, 2012 at 11:54 AM

    Yo have such an eye, Kathy! I'm going to try to look at things this way . . . and thanks for the smiles!

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  6. seablueleeApril 12, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    I thought that was some sort of amazing lichen growing on that tree trunk, but flowers blooming on the trunk seems even more amazing. What is it that makes peeling paint so appealing? I don't know, it just IS. I love this great set of repeating patterns and textures.

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  7. bmervesApril 12, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    I am I huge fan of texture in photos but I really adore seeing your photos of Philly. I know exactly what you mean by not looking at a cheesesteak up close!

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  8. WendyApril 12, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Ummm are you sure you didn't steal my camera and claim my pictures as your own?!?!? I think I have the exact same pictures on my computer. I feel so honored to have captured the same things as someone as talented as you!
    On to the tree, I showed the pictures to my brother a landscaper, he said the tree is a red bud and to prove his point he took me to my mom's red bud and it was doing the same thing!

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  9. DebbieApril 12, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    well i personally like a lot of photo's ;))) i think you probably know that!!

    the tree MIGHT be a redbud. all your pictures are spectacular. i don't know anyone else who could photograph a rusty, old chain and make it look gorgeous!!

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  10. Tamar SBApril 12, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    You should work for the tourism board! You make me miss Philly more and more each day!

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  11. CatherineApril 12, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    I love these textures! My fans are the rusty old ones and the peeling paint but there is something about the bridge and barbed wire that grab my attention too!

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    Replies
    1. KmcblackburnApril 13, 2012 at 11:13 AM

      The bridge and barbed wire is my fav photo of this group.

      Delete
  12. Teresa OApril 12, 2012 at 3:53 PM

    Texture and pattern are wonderful and makes you get up close and personal to capture it. The cobblestone street is my absolute favorite. That's a photo I'd frame and hang up for the world to see.

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  13. Seeing Each DayApril 12, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    If I ever come to Philadelphia I will be booking you as my tour guide - and giving you back pay for all the guiding you've already provided on this site about your city. I'm finding all these 'little' pictures you've been artfully taking since I've been regularly checking into your blog, is helping me gaIn a 'big' picture of your city. All lovely shots.

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  14. Anne April 13, 2012 at 5:14 AM

    Fabulous pictures, Kathy! Beautiful! You have a lovely blog ~ I have just discovered it and I am a new follower!
    So nice to meet you!
    Best,
    Anne ♥♥ (Yep, that's a redbud...they do that ~ strange, huh? ~ Did you know you can eat the flowers ...add them to salads? I tried it ~ interesting! (So says Missouri Conservationist magazine) ~ Just make sure they haven't been sprayed with anything "unedible"

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    Replies
    1. KmcblackburnApril 13, 2012 at 11:13 AM

      I learn the most amazing things in Blog-land. You can eat them? Interesting.

      Delete
  15. AngieApril 13, 2012 at 11:11 PM

    Well, thanks for the warning. LOL... You're brilliant. ;)

    GREAT captures!

    xo

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  16. MariaApril 14, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    You have a such a great EYE for catching the finer details. Beautiful photos!
    Hey, if you're not doing anything Monday (or possibly Tuesday), feel like going to the Zoo?

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  17. SaunApril 14, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    You have been busy I love them all! Great shots

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  18. ValeriaApril 14, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    WOW love those images. That makes me go outside and find texture as well. Maybe my own hunt :)
    By the way, Z is much better. Thanks

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  19. CathyApril 15, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    These are so great. I find myself pulled to textures and patterns also... and you have a great eye! AND I love that tree. sigh....

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  20. Katherines CornerApril 17, 2012 at 6:02 PM

    I always enjoy visiting your blog., Your photography is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Thank you for linking up to the Thursday hop. Sorry I'm behind in saying thank you. My Monday post will explain my delay.Hope to see you again this Thursday. xo

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