Friday, June 05, 2009

Friday Shoot–out - Random

This week I struggled a bit with the theme of the week – I am feeling a bit homesick for Brasil and feel like I have seen all I am going to here so what is to photo. But to be a member of the gang, to be a loyal participant I felt I had to do something – so here it is.

Houston is a city of over 4 million citizens. It stretches the Harris county borders and in a few places reaching beyond. The metropolitan area is from Galveston to the south and Huntsville to the north – from the far side of the bay in the east to Katy to the west. That means we have shipyards, refineries, ocean shores and prairie and wetlands stretching to the west. We have palm trees and long needled pines, crepe myrtles and live oaks. We have sophisticated nightlife and large ranches with placid cows grazing. The people are a mix of immigrants, legal and otherwise, from Mexico and central American countries. There is a large Chinatown in east downtown area, and a very large Vietnamese group in the southwest. In fact in the last census the Caucasians were under 40% and all others over 60% – the city is a diverse conglomerate of people and cultures. With all this within the borders of one sprawling city how do you randomly cover it with a few snapshots. So I went through my archives, trying not to repeat myself, mixed in some recent shots and am hoping for the best.

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Downtown Houston reflections, old and the new.

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The bay, shrimping, oil and other industries.

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Tree lined streets, and shaded homes.

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Crepe Myrtle, long needle pines and wetland cat tails.

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The faded blue sky of early morning to the bright sky of sunset.

22 comments:

  1. Love that photo of the reflection on one building in the other. All those cranes are amazing. Beautiful flowers. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Beautiful, seems many of us like to 'sky watch', or cloud watch...love the sunset with the hint of power lines. Seems I cannot get a decent shot of things with out them...

    Love your theme direction...home is where the heart is...

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  3. Well I am impressed! Even when you don't feel like it, you deliver, Ginger.I especially loved the Crepe Myrtle, and the reflection in the building.xx♥

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  4. Nicely randomized. I loved the port ones with the cranes and water. Above all, I would like to frame the leadoff shot with crucifixion in the church window, framed by trees and dripping with angled light!

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  5. Ginger ...I think you did this especially for me ...I did look back at last week too ..when I ran off to see the baby.

    Houston ...to me is a rocket movie ..with the words "did you get that Houston?" ...that's it.

    I loved the photos!!

    Sarah Lulu

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  6. That crucifix shot is amazing GingerV!! And I love the one of the boats in the harbor. I think my favorite is the sunset......you captured it perfectly.
    I know that you are getting homesick for Brasil and hot-bunns darling friend. You are wonderful to be such a faithful gang member :)

    Steady On
    Reggie Girl

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  7. Excellent photos! I agree with Natalie - for someone who felt unispired, you did an amazing job! Love the old and new downtown shots - I have been photographing similar things in my city. And of course I loved the tree shots, especially the one with the sun shining through!
    All of them were great - I really enjoyed visiting your city.

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  8. I loved seeing the photos, giving me a better idea of how Houston looks. I will probably never get there in my life time, so visiting your blog lets me travel there! I love the pic of the tree lined street, so nice and wide. Many of the streets here are no longer tree lined, and most definitely NOT so wide. Makes me miss the states and driving down roads that are large enough for 2 cars! And that tree shaded lawn and house, wonderful! I know just how you are feeling, Ginger, when ever I am in the states, I really start to miss Germany. Never thought I would see the day when I could say that. But there you have it. :-) When that feeling comes over you, it is time to head on home!! Have grand weekend, where ever it may find you. Debby

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  9. all your photos are so beautiful!! I really enjoyed my walk around your town. fabulous post!

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  10. Nice to see old and new, grand and small - wonderful selection.

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  11. What a great and varied selection Ginger. I've never been to Houston, but your pictures give me a great insight to it.

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  12. All very beautiful and random, Ginger.

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  13. Great photo! My favorite is the cattails.

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  14. Love the cranes, rigs etc. in the second row of photos.

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  15. Your shots are beautiful! it represent a beautiful place. I like the sunset photo most!

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  16. The feathery clouds in the sky reflected the feathers on the cattails and the soft feathery pines. Nice photography. I loved the flowers and the tour of Houston was interesting. Thank you for sharing.

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  17. You did a fantastic job of showing the different sides of that city! Really, I had no idea it was so diverse.
    Each set of pictures gives a whole different feeling.
    I'm a sucker for tree lined streets and nature, but the buildings and industry are beautiful shots too.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  18. Even when you think Huston has nothing left to give, it obviously has a tremendous richness to share.

    I loved the photos and the range of subject matter!

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  19. Houston looks amazing. Well done - the sky photos were my favorites. :)

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  20. They're truly gorgeous!! love the mood evoked by the blue sky and the sunset... The cityscapes are well captured too. Love the compositional qualities in those crane towers and those trees & plants.

    I am wondering if i have the honour to refer to your photos for ideas for my drawings ;)

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  21. Magnificent random shots! I love them all.

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