View allAll Photos Tagged optimistic
I was having coffee with a good photographer friend (and a good photographer) of mine named Colton the other day. Colton lives down in Ashland, so his trips to Portland are infrequent and our chances to get together few and far between. But I enjoy my conversations with him immensely, in no small part because he puts a lot of time into thinking about photography: the technicals, the philosophy, the how and why of it all. We have some good back-and-forths each time we get together. He complimented me on the fact that every time he meets up for conversation I leave him with some point to think about, but the truth of it goes both ways and I find myself benefiting from my time with him in the same way. It is a good relationship and I value it quite a bit. We can all be so lucky as to have someone who pushes our ideas or encourages us to stretch our minds and notions to new limits, or that inspire or motivate us.
Funny enough, this was meant to be a prelude for the real topic I wanted to write about, but perhaps it is more than the prelude and is an inherent part of that topic... But at some point we got to talking about the "good" and "bad" of photos, which naturally led to a brief discussion of what made photos good and bad. And at some point in this discourse, I brought up the idea that perhaps we fixate too much on the very idea that photos are good or bad and that we must judge them on such a scale. Sometimes it isn't about whether a photo is good or bad, but the experience of that photo, or its context, or the relationship with the photographer behind the photo. I asked him if he would leave our conversation and immediately try to assess whether his time with me had been good or bad and to try to filter it on such a binary scale, or by such limited criteria. It was a rhetorical question, or maybe a pointed question because of course he wouldn't, nor would I. We don't think generally think of time spent with close friends on a good/bad scale. Rather, we value it for other reasons and my point was that perhaps we should be more conscious of looking at photography in such a way as well. I don't think of Colton's work, for example, as good or bad. I just don't think of it in such terms. Rather the value of his photography comes from my personal relationship with him. Knowing him to some degree and being able to know him better by what he shows us through his images. To even try to gauge his photos on such a crude scale would be to needlessly diminish both his photography and him. Yet, the world often encourages us to do just this. Our social media for example is very binary: you either like an image or don't and swipe past. But how often are you encourage to engage with it in a fashion that isn't judging whether it is "good" or "bad" on some level? Value is a tricky thing to measure, and it is highly subjective. So perhaps this is why we are prone to over-simplifying its measurement. But to not requires a depth of understanding and knowledge and personal relationship and who has the time for that? Or how do you achieve that when your photographic friends are flung across the planet and sitting down for the occasional cup of coffee is not an option? There are ways, true, but they require greater effort. E-mails and other correspondence take time... but I am digressing a bit and running the risk of distracting you from my original point(s).
How do you measure the value of a photograph, or its worth to you, or what it means to you? How often do you fall prone to thinking simply, "is this good photography, or bad?" And how often do you make the point to concoct a different scale of value that is not such a linear scale, but one that is more amorphous and nuanced?
As we parted ways after our last conversation, Colton admitted that this may be the last time he visits Portland. I hope it isn't and I hope it isn't our last time sitting down together. Regardless, I want to say thank you Colton. All those hours have been well spent and appreciated and while I wish we had countless more, I know that that just isn't always the reality of it. But I shall remain optimistic that we will get together again and share ideas on this wonderful hobby and pursuit of ours.
Hasselblad Flexbody
Fuji Acros 100
“I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does.” —Anne of Green Gables
My fun word for March 24th is “Optimistic”.
This Blythe doll is Silent Lucretia, joined by her friend Wanda the Wonder Frog. They are both wearing outfits from ThetaEridani on Etsy (except for their boots and Lucretia’s fascinator).
The way this weed looks at it, it has all this space in which to spread out....and there's no competition.
Or as John Stewart put it:
"It's time I should be thankful
For all that I have got,
Instead of bitching and complaining
Of all that I have not. . . ."
- - lyrics from "Midnight of the World."
Best viewed LARGE.
Just about everyone I think was this in their more pensive moments last year. Optimistically Pessimistic .....if that is possible? Not over of course, but more bearable...so far.
Part of a mural seen at Cuesta Collage while I was in line for my first vaccine shot.
Had a great time around the Polynesian Resort, culminating in the viewing of the Magic Kingdom 4th of July fireworks. I do miss the old days before DVC-Poly construction started, but I'm optimistic that it will present new and interesting views when done.
Thank you for viewing. If you like please fav and leave a nice comment. Hope to see you here again. Have a wonderful day 😊
Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton 🇬🇧
5th October, 2018
“Optimism: A cheerful frame of mind that enables
a tea kettle to sing though in hot water up to its nose.”
Headed out optimistic this morning to catch the sunrise as the forecast called for "mostly clear" and the tide was scheduled to be fairly low. Weather forecasts are always such a shot in the dark....as we had heavy cloud cover. Finally the sun broke through a few gaps in the clouds and gave us some pretty amazing scenes. Ended up still being worth the effort.
Yesterday (and today for that matter) I was really happy and optimistic about art and life and wanted to do this photo but didn't have the time so I've done it today instead. It kind of symbolizes the start of an artistic journey. I'm just really looking forward to everything to come right now.
Explored
Also, I've entered this online model search thing. Please please pleeease vote for me here, modelsearch.zuneta.com/2010/ChloeLana/ Thank you, you wonderful people you! xxx
Optimism . .The doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.
Ambrose Bierce
Goes For The Person How Reminds Me Of Optimistic Me. Thank You (F)
Explored
The Library of Congress Optimistic farmer 1936
I claim no rights other than colorizing this image if you wish to use let me know and always give due credit to The Library of Congress. I have no commercial gain in publishing this image.
Title
An optimistic farmer of the North Dakota drought area
Names
Rothstein, Arthur, 1915-1985, photographer
Created / Published
1936 July.
Headings
- United States--North Dakota
- Towns, roadsides--North Dakota
Headings
Nitrate negatives.
Genre
Nitrate negatives
Notes
- Title and other information from caption card.
- Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944.
- More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsaowi
- Temp. note: usf34batch1
Medium
1 negative : nitrate ; 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches or smaller.
Call Number/Physical Location
LC-USF34- 005144-E [P&P] LOT 386 (corresponding photographic print)
Source Collection
Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id
fsa 8b28134 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b28134
Library of Congress Control Number
2017760980
Reproduction Number
LC-USF34-005144-E (b&w film nitrate neg.) LC-DIG-fsa-8b28134 (digital file from original neg.)
Rights Advisory
No known restrictions. For information, see U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black & White Photographs www.loc.gov/rr/print/res/071_fsab.html
Online Format
image
LCCN Permalink
Some Mars experts are eager and optimistic for a dust storm this year to grow so grand it darkens skies around the entire Red Planet. This biggest type of phenomenon in the environment of modern Mars could be examined as never before possible, using the combination of spacecraft now at Mars.
A study published this week based on observations by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) during the most recent Martian global dust storm -- in 2007 -- suggests such storms play a role in the ongoing process of gas escaping from the top of Mars' atmosphere. That process long ago transformed wetter, warmer ancient Mars into today's arid, frozen planet.
Two 2001 images from the Mars Orbiter Camera on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor orbiter show a dramatic change in the planet's appearance when haze raised by dust-storm activity in the south became globally distributed. The images were taken about a month apart.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
المتفائل إنسان يرى ضوءاً غير موجود"
أما المتشائم أحمق يرى ضوءاً ولايصدقة"
say mashallah plez!
story of life 2009 © All rights reserved.
Came across this abandoned off road (quite literally) vehicle whilst out for a run. Possibly someone was a bit optimistic about its capabilities.
Planting trees is one of the most optimistic things we do; they are pleasant in the their first few years but their real value is many years in the future. These cherry trees were planted about 6 months ago.
Taken for Flickr's Our Daily Challenge: FOR POSTERITY
L’ottimismo è una calamita della felicità. Se rimani positivo, le cose buone e le persone buone saranno attratte da te.
(Mary Lou Retton)
Tramonto, fra i rami ancora spogli, con un pizzico di maliconia e tanto ottimismo
Buona serata
#sunset #tramonto #rami #branches #sole #sun #sunset #branches #cielo #sky #mood #optimistic #ottimismo
looking for a picture for the smile on saturday group's theme of sunny yellow.... flickr search came up with 433 yellows in my photostream!! i had three that i liked the 'best'. i'll put the other 2 in the first comment box :)
"smile on saturday" and "sunny yellow"
The Dixie Walesbilt Hotel, known as the Grand Hotel in later years, is one of a small number of skyscrapers built in the 1920s that still stand today and is a prime example of how optimistic people were during the Florida land boom. Built in 1926, it found financing through a stock-sale campaign in the local business community, costing $500,000 after it was completed(which equates to about $6 million today.)
The building architecture, masonry vernacular with hints of Mediterranean-Revival, is also a good example of the time is was built. It was designed by two well-known architects at the time, Fred Bishop who designed the Byrd Theatre in Virginia, and D.J. Phipps, whose designed both the Wyoming County Courthouse and Jail and the Colonial Hotel in Virginia.
The hotel was constructed using the “three-part vertical block” method, which became the dominant pattern in tall buildings during the 1920s. Three-part buildings are composed of a base, shaft and a cap, all noticeably visible.
The hotel opened as the “Walesbilt” in January 1927, shortly after the land boom had started to collapse and two years before the Great Depression began. It’s also best to note that the hotel opened around the same time the Floridan Hotel in Tampa opened, another hotel built during the Florida land boom.
In 1972, the hotel was purchased by Anderson Sun State and renamed the “Groveland Motor Inn”. The firm completely renovated the hotel and used it to host visitors to the area who were interested in Green Swamp, land sectioned off for land development. At the time there was heavy speculation in the land because of it’s close proximity to Walt Disney World and were selling for around $5,000 an acre at the time. That ended after a state cabinet designation of the swamp as an area of critical state concern, placing the land off-limits to any large land developments. The firm filed for foreclosure and the hotel was auctioned off in 1974. Despite RCI Electric purchasing the hotel, it remained empty for many years afterwards.
n 1978, the hotel was signed over to the Agape Players, a nationally known religious music and drama group, who would assume the mortgage and would pay the costs to make improvements to meet city fire and safety standards. The hotel was renamed the “Royal Walesbilt” and after extensive improvements were made, it became the headquarters for the Agape Players; using it as a teaching facility and the base from which the group launched their tours. In addition, they operated a restaurant, an ice cream parlor on the lobby floor and a “Christian hotel” on the upper floors, catering mostly to groups. The Agape Players disbanded in 1985 and put the property up for sale
Victor Khubani, a property investor from New York acquired the property and renamed the hotel “Grand”. The hotel closed briefly in December 1988, due to a variety of code violations and causing the owner to later pay $14,000 in fines. On August 31, 1990 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, possibly for tax exemption reasons. In October 1991, The State Fire Marshall’s Office gave the owner one year to install a new sprinkler system and in May 1993, the code enforcement board gave Khubani until March to complete the work.
In March 1994, the hotel closed due to multiple code violations and was to remain closed until a new fire sprinkler system was installed. To reopen, the fire escapes and elevator, which did not function, would have to be repaired as well. In 1995, the hotel was auctioned off to a redevelopment firm, which dismantled part of the interior for reconstruction, which was never completed.
Since then, the hotel has deteriorated, becoming an eyesore to many of the residents of Lake Wales and nicknamed “The Green Monster” for the greenish color it has acquired from over the years. In 1995, it was even jokingly mentioned to become a sacrifice to “the bomb”, an economic boom that occurred in parts of Florida where movie production companies would pay cities to blow up buildings for their movies. In 2007, the city foreclosed on the structure for more than $700,000 in unpaid code fines, with hopes in finding someone to restore it.
Development firm, Dixie-Walesbilt LLC announced plans to restore the hotel, signing into an agreement with the city of Lake Wales in February 2010. By the agreement, the city would retain ownership of the building until a defined amount of work had been accomplished. The work must be completed within 16 months and the amount of money invested must succeed at least $1.5 million. The building would then be handed off the Dixie Walesbilt LLC, where they may continue with private funding or other methods to for debt funding.
Ray Brown, President of Dixie Walesbilt LLC, planned to invest $6 million into the renovation, with original plans to put retail stores on the ground floor and using the upper floors for as many as 40 condominiums.
On June 2, 2011, the city of Lake Wales agreed to deed the building off to Ray Brown in a 4-1 vote, after meeting the requirements of the redevelopment agreement. Though Brown submitted a list of costs to the city totaling $1.66 million, Mayor Mike Carter wasn’t satisfied with the results so far, pointing out that Brown failed to repair the windows and repaint the building. Previous owners had put tar on the building and then painted over it, so much of Brown’s investment went to stripping the tar off the exterior walls.
To repaint the building, Brown would also have to resurface the hotel with hydrated lime to replicate the original skin as well as the window frames would need to be constructed of Douglas fir, red cedar and gulf cypress. According to Brown, previous owners who renovated the building rarely removed the building original elements. They carpeted over intricate tile flooring, stuck tar paper above skylights and placed modern drinking fountains in front of the originals. He estimated about 98 percent of the building is still in it’s original form.
Restoration of the building’s exterior began in January 2015 and included surface repair, pressure washing, paint removal, chemical treatment, and a comprehensive resurfacing of the exterior.
While the original plans were for turning the building into condominiums, that has since changed and current plans call for operating the building as a boutique hotel. The hotel will feature geothermal cooling as opposed to traditional air conditioning, a permanent art gallery as well as theme gallery showings throughout the year, and the best WiFi/internet in the city. The project is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
www.cityoflakewales.com/505/Dixie-Walesbilt-Hotel
www.abandonedfl.com/dixie-walesbilt-hotel/
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.