Tag Archives: Nashville

On Top…Perspective Matters

There are so many ways to see the world and each has its own advantages…and drawbacks. All too often, we see the world by looking at eye level. We often don’t consider that things will look different if we crouch down, climb up, or change our angle.

This week’s photo challenge from the Daily Post is On Top. And that had me thinking about how my photos reflect that theme.

This first photo shows the scaffolding on the top of the bridge over the Cumberland River in Nashville. But what I think is even more interesting than the bridge structure is the clouds on top of that. I love the layers in this photo and the dimension and depth visible in the clouds.

And in another picture from Nashville, I looked up to see this fire escape on top of me. I have found that I like to take pictures looking up into the sun through structures (both man made and living). I notice so many interesting things about the sky, clouds, buildings…when I shoot from this perspective.

This third Nashville photo captures the tourists on the different balcony levels of the honky tonk…as the country music blasted into the streets. Even before noon, these folks seemed to be having a great time on top of the different levels of this establishment.

This final photo is from on top of the Ocean Beach pier looking towards the beachside community. The funny thing about this photo is that it looks like the large kite is well off into the distance, over the beach goers on the shore. In fact, this was a tiny kite flown by a girl standing on the pier…probably not ten feet away from me when I shot the photo.

When I look through my lens, I find myself intentionally looking in new and different ways. I try to see places and things and people anew…through a fresh perspective. And when I do that, I see what I had often overlooked or seen differently before. On top, from below, up close, from a distance…perspective matters.

Spring Break: In 25 Words

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Sometimes in writing (as in life), less is more. Coming back from our spring break, we asked our students to zoom into some aspect of their spring break activities and compose a 25-word story to capture the experience. 25 words is short…and it’s not as easy as you might think to come up with a “story” in only 25 words. But our first, second, and third graders gave it a try. Here’s a couple of examples (the links are to their published blogs–they would love comments if you have time!):

There is new growth in my family garden! Carrots are growing in nice soil (getting sunshine, too!) Making me want to eat the delicious vegetables! (E.F.)

My brother fell out of a tree, he was in pain! He got crutches, he screamed a lot! Hopefully he didn’t break a bone! (M.B.)

My friends and I went to my Gramma’s house, we had tons of pure fun. We got lost sometimes but it was still extremely fun. (N.B.)

Biosphere two is an amazing place where the scientists are in Arizona, the desert and survived 2 years trapped, researching plant life in threemile greenhouse. (A.R.)

And then there is the student who writes the 25 word story…but can’t resist expanding on the story in her blog post! (A girl after my own heart!) Here is the 25 word version…you can click on it for her blog post.

Suddenly a foul ball comes hurling our way. It bounces, jiggles, is everywhere. It happens quickly but suddenly the ball’s in my brother’s sweaty palms. (M.O.)

And of course, I had to try to my hand at a 25-word story about my spring break. It took me a number of tries to come up with this one…and I might have to try another dozen or so to really craft a story. And I will include a few photos to enhance my words!

Toes tapping and fingers snapping, she explored the city along the banks of the Cumberland in her new cowboy boots. Her camera captured the details.

Monumental: Old and New

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I love the complexity and juxtapositions of urban spaces. They are crowded, often teeming with tourists, business people, and very often, the down and out. Downtowns are an amalgam of old and new, history and current events, a place where wealth and poverty rub shoulders.

I’ve noticed this in my hometown, in big cities like San Francisco, New York City, Chicago…and I saw it again today in downtown Nashville, TN. Music City. Downtowns have their own personality. Some are all about food, some all about architecture, and some, like Nashville, are all about music. Live music poured from bars and restaurants…even before noon. Guitars and banjos were prevalent, and street performers were also in evidence. There were the requisite bars on every corner and tucked into alleys and happy hour seemed to start early on this warm Friday afternoon.

And today I was especially tuned in to the contrast between the old and new. New (ish) restaurant chains occupied historic buildings…and springing up in the background were shiny, reflective, skyscrapers.

And in some instances, the new buildings seemed to emerge from the top of the shorter, older ones. Almost like they were grafted on, breathing new life into an older, more classic and established host. (Isn’t that how it works with fruit trees?)

And while taking a photo of the Ryman Auditorium, I noticed that the more interesting shot was the reflection of the auditorium in the facade of the glass of the building across the street. A reflection of the past in the shine of the present? A mirror of the interconnections of history and current events?

There is something monumental about this juxtaposition of the past and the present, the intermingling of history with life today. The present keeps the past alive and relevant…the past keeps the present grounded and forward thinking as it reminds us all to learn from history.

And then there is the river…the powerful force that gives us energy and life, and if we are not careful, takes both away. Downtowns always seem to be close to water too. Maybe water is the true monument.