Saturday, March 07, 2009

A WALK IN THE PARK



I finally did it.  This weekend, I caved in.  I finally bought a "real" camera, a digital SLR.  I've been threatening to do this for more than 25 years; which is tricky since affordable DSLR's have only been in existence for ten years, if that long.   And by "affordable", I mean, I decided not to go on vacation this year and use that money for a camera, that I bought on sale, charmed a few extras into the price and am buying some used lenses from a friend.  That's what I meant by an affordable DSLR.  And after all of that, mine is only considered a "good entry-level camera for beginners."  Boy did I hear that a lot this weekend.

After buying the camera and getting acquainted with it, I took it out for a spin at Laumeier Sculpture Park.

The day convinced me to sign up for a photography class.  

OK, this.... any idea what it is?




 I thought it was some kind of abstract having to do with French poodles.




But no. It's a sculpture based on the molecular compound of sucrose.

Seriously. I did not make that up. It's called "Sugabus", combining, "Sucrose" with Cerebus", the mythical three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades.















I knew it looked like a dog.


Either this didn't have a name or the plaque disappeared.   I simply call it Roots.  


 I hope it doesn't end up being some artist's depiction of the digestive tract.  Mainly because I crawled through it to get this picture.





I found the sculpture seen in the shapes of the trees to be more interesting than most of the sculptures in the park.



By this time, the sun was behind a thick cloud mass, and gray and brown were the dominant colors in the park.



So last night, I played with Photoshop Elements to try and boost what little color that is in the pictures.








I have a lot to learn, don't I?







And speaking of trees, I couldn't go to Laumeier without visiting this tree.












Ah that Homer. He was a gentleman and a gentle man.














Moving on to another part of the Park, does anyone have any idea what this is?




Does this help?



How about this?



Can you see my reflection in the pupil?  On CSI and/or NCIS, they'd refine the image so you could see the mole on my left -- well, nevermind.


That eyeball was everywhere. I could see it lurking in the background when checking out this Trova sculpture.



....and this black thing called "Ada's Will"



Does anyone remember the big white ball in The Prisoner that kept Number 6 in the Village?



No, Jenni and Meghan, Mommy isn't talking crazy talk. That was a TV show on PBS in the late si--- -- uh-- a long time ago. Before you were born.   That eyeball reminded me of the Big White Ball.


But back to Ada's Will




This is a sculpture for the blind.





It's pretty much the same from all sides.



See?




Hello...what's this?




No, not double exposure. It's a larger version of Ada's Will, for those who are not blind.





And looks who's back.


Isn't it amazing how the eye seems to follow you?





I hope it doesn't give me bad dreams.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whoa, that eyeball is everywhere!

I definitely saw a molecule in the molecule picture, but as a chemist I think I have a good excuse. ;)
I also saw poodle. If I had to guess, I'd call it a poodicule.

Unknown said...

I love the eyeball!

Once upon a time my sister had a tshirt with a big eyeball on it. I don't know why, but she did.

I also saw a molecule, with a hint of poodle.

Trillian said...

poodle!

nice pictures.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know there was a tree there for Homer. I'll have to look for it next time.

Mad Scientist said...

I saw a molecule and even guessed it was some kind of sugar. Your "roots" sculpture looks like a bunch of arteries/veins to me and I got the eyeball right away too.

Nice photos!!!

DonnaJo said...

Jenni, Loretta worked for a company that was located near the park. Her co-workers planted the tree in his memory.

Jerry said...

There is a fine photographer in there just itching to bust out. You already get some fine shots. Your new tools will just allow them to get better.