WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise (Street Photography)

21 December 2012

Lens:

1. Outdoor Sculpture by David Meyer, Main Street, Newark, Delaware, iPhone 4s, December 2012; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2012

2. Future Restaurant, Main Street, Newark, Delaware, iPhone 4s, December 2012; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2012

Let me know which you prefer and why.

Pens:

Last week I took a long, leisurely walk from the tip of my town’s Main Street to its merge into a trio of other possibilities. On that early morning stroll I was witness to the familiar, but also to surprises that are part of the serendipity of street photography. When I saw the theme for WordPress’s Weekly Photo Challenge, I knew some of the images from this photo shoot would be suitable.

I intended to spend a few hours on the street with my iPhone, and thought that the holiday would inspire some fascinating opportunities. While there are festive lights and storefront froth, I was drawn to other surprises. In the Lens section are two of the images that inspired.

Tucked in an alcove of the town’s center is an outdoor sculptor installation by David Meyer, who teaches at the University of Delaware. I’ve passed this globe-like artwork so many times that the sculpture seems to know me. Its open-work allows various views that conjure introspection and wonder. Its positive and negative spaces are only upstaged by the patina of the metal and light that filters through it. But every time that I’ve gazed at its design work, I’ve never noticed myself reflected in its center, which you can see in photograph one. When I was converting into black and white, my image surprised me.

Here is another view of this public art.

Outdoor Sculpture by David Meyer, © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2012

The second photograph made me smile as its content was a pure surprise. This restaurant has been in the throes of construction for months. I had never noticed the quotes, but was in a sense spellbound by their presence. It simple caught me by surprise. I imagine that the owners are extending a hand to passersby in an effort to appease the wondering: so when are you really going to open?

Thanks again WordPress for a fun challenge. Street photography offers some small or medium or large-size moments to capture and instill in my memory, surprises always accompany these photo shoots.

Happy winter solstice–more daylight is on the way.

Note: As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog.