Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers
For Sale

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday My town Shoot-out / black and white

This has been a black week in Nova Friburgo.  A week a dealing with death and destruction, a week of mourning the loss of life and property, homes and businesses.  The atmosphere has reminded me of the sense of shock in the weeks after 9/11.  No longer in Friburgo but in Rio, in the comfort of the apartment in Ipanema, I have read many news articles, scrolled through hundred of photos and have wondered why?  You can imagine the list of whys that have gone through my mind, no answers are there and are likely to never come clear.  In the randomness of death and destruction by Nature, there are no answers to why.
This week has also been a white week.  The purity, the kindness of neighbor helping neighbor, the relief on hearing of loved ones safe and uninjured, shines white in all our minds. 
The relief of this week almost as painful as the fear of last.
The battle of good and bad, happiness and sadness, life and death, White and Black.
A few photos I have taken this week with my little point and shoot.  A few examples of use of black and white, the colors, in Rio de Janeiro.
SAM_0093  SAM_0078 SAM_0076  SAM_0074   SAM_0006
our famous sidewalks made with black and white stones. a dressing room made of black and white and shadows, A glass wall made with black etched glass, a dining room set for lunch, a statue of Joseph made of white plaster, old building and new construction, and the Harleys for the new motorcycle cops of Rio.

13 comments:

  1. One day at a time.

    We finally got word from our friends in Boa Esperança (through several connections and via email, still no phones or electricity up there). They report that all is well in Boa Esperança. There were no mudslides and flooding was only "typical" and along the road.

    Made our day to hear the news.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have read with sinking heart of the devastation in Rio. Our prayers have gone up for everyone involved. So sorry about Lucia loss. Your FSO is so appropriate and full of feeling. Great job GingerV.
    QMM

    ReplyDelete
  3. My heart goes out to your fellow countrymen and women who have had to seal with such destruction. I do like your shots very much.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such an amazing collection of black and white photos. Thanks for sharing and happy weekend!
    FTSO

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such devastation. I'm glad to hear that kindness and purity is shining through all the darkness. Hugs to you.

    I really like all of your photos. I love the sidewalk and the restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love that dressing room and the harleys!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ginger, your photos, as always, are great, but you words! Your words just shine!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am glad that you posted about this. In the news this appears once or twice and then it is gone. When we read about it here it really puts a face on it. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow Ginger..I love these!! The shot of the sculpture is just stunning..my favorite! I loved your feature too!! Wonderful to know more about you!!
    Sarah :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love all those motorcycles in a row. You composition on these shots is very creative.

    ReplyDelete
  11. fantastic photos! I am partial to the dressing room and the glass wall. awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ginger, your photos choices are great and I love your opening paragraphs about the black and white sides of recent days. Very thoughtful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great B & W,

    I watch with horror the mud slide in Brazil.

    Did I tell you the Office manager of my church comes from Brazil? I help her sometimes during my school holidays, and she help me with my book. I ask her about Brazil.

    ReplyDelete