Monday, July 23, 2012

Junkyard Dog



I have become a junkyard dog.

One of the things I love to do with photography is to take something ugly or mundane and make it beautiful. No. That's not right, exactly. What I love to do, is to find the beauty in everything. Would you guess that the image above is a macro shot of a spot of rust on the side of a dumpster?

The pictures below are from a marine junkyard, next to a wharf. If I wasn't climbing around in there, do you think I would have seen that tiny starfish clinging onto the colorful netting? The goddess was an old brand label, about 2 inches big,  stuck on a sheet of metal that was probably some form of packaging.






The stacked metal racks that once functioned as palettes for unloading cargo have formed a virtual greenhouse in the years they've been sitting piled up in the junk yard.


        And then there's the graffiti!



Hunt down the ugly today! Or in fitting with the spirit of this prompt, how about submitting your water theme images using puddles, leaks or other unexpected, and not always desired sources of water? Your task, should you decide to accept it, is to breathe life into the most unexpected places and create a thing of beauty.

Dress Cinderella for the ball!  

Meet your inner Henry Higgins!

The beauty of the world is always around us. You have only to open your eyes and see.




"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."
                                    Jessica Rabbit









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(I hate to be a bummer but one note of caution - Be aware of your surroundings when shooting in crazy out-of-the-way places like this. Obtain whatever permissions are necessary, and let someone know where you are.)

16 comments:

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

A girl after my own heart I love photographing the unusual , the out of the way spots that we often just walk by. Great site I've just signed up (visiting from Behind the Scenes with Kim and Xanthe)

AFishGirl said...

What a chowcase of a glorious eye. Eclectic and fun. These images sing to me, expecially as they're down by the seaside, early in the morning (sing along!)... Happy Monday, great start to the week.

AFishGirl said...

Whoops, wrong song. It's down by the station, early in the morning, and I forget the rest. A kid's song. Okay, off in seach of caffeine.

Kim Stevens said...

I'm right there with ya Carol, and I wish I had a dollar for every time someone saw me taking a picture and looked around wondering what on earth I was looking at, or better yet asked me. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be rich, but I think it would afford me a nice dinner out! haha (love that little starfish you found)

Carol said...

Hey ! - Welcome Viv! I look forward to seeing your junkpile!

Carol said...

I'm having my coffee now - and I say - Let's sing the wrong words! I like your better!

Dotti said...

I'll confess ... this one will likely be a real challenge for me. And that's all good! Your "found art" is great and a great inspiration to see beauty where we least expect to find it.

xo
:-D

Dotti said...

Oh ... and thanks for your note of caution!

Carol said...

My Mom used to say - "To each his own"......

terriporter said...

Hi Viv! So glad to see you here! I have been hoping that some of the girls from BTS would find their way over to Focusing on Life. Can't wait to see your junkyard images in our Flickr pool!

terriporter said...

I wouldn't have believed that first shot was of rust! This post is really inspiring me to go in search of some "junk" to shoot! Hope you're having a great time on your trip!

Dotti said...

Chiming in with Terri here, Viv. It's nice to see a BTS alum join us.

:-D

Naomi said...

Love it! I am off to look for some true art through my eyes and lens. Often it does take seeing something photographically to find the beauty (for me, anyway).

Claudia said...

You have me laughing on this one. I always loved Jessica! She was so fun!

Great perspective. Some day I will get my wish and get to walk with you as you find the beauty!

Hugs!
Claudia

Deanna said...

How fun, I'll admit I don't usually hang around in junk yards, but I do find them interesting, you have just encouraged me to become a junk yard dog

Carol said...

Thanks one and all. I just arrived home and ,like a college kid, I headed straight for the computer. Can't wait to see your junkie images today or later, and Viv - I am off to visit your site too! Happy week all.

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