Friday, May 25, 2012

photo friday: on the sidewalk





All photos © 2012 Amber Schley Iragui

It has rained all week, as you can see from my on the sidewalk photos. As I write, thunder is rumbling along the river accompanied by the tinny sound of rain on the metal air conditioners in the courtyard. Both my children are napping, the dishes are done, and I have a cup of earl gray beside me. I do not know what more I could want from life (OK, besides a garden and a chicken coop).

This week Charles and I signed the lease for our apartment for another year. This will be our third year in one place, and the first time I have lived anywhere longer than two years since I moved out of my parents home 18 years ago. Incredibly, that I have lived in 18 different places in an 18-year time span. I can think of two "homes" (apartments, really) that I absolutely loved, and I can think of two that I hated. The rest were somewhere in-between. Our home now is one of the in-betweens, but a good deal closer to "love" than "hate." One of the attractions is the neighborhood, which is small and charming—a little village, in fact. It is unlikely I go anywhere in our 'hood without running into people, sometimes many people, that I know. (Luckily anonymity is as close as the local subway line.) I try to look very busy when I'm shooting photos so people will be inclined to leave me alone, but it doesn't always work. People stop to chat while I'm in some crouched down position, poking my head behind bushes or around scaffolding, aiming my iphone at my feet, a shadow, or a pile of garbage bags. Which is just as well; we moved here, in part, because I wanted to feel more connected to the place I live. And I've got my wish, and for another year besides.

I am looking forward to seeing other's sidewalks, streets, and driveways. Next week's photo Friday theme, suggested by Manuela Thames: evening light (and really, twilight is my favorite time to shoot).


8 comments:

Manuela said...

Amber, these pictures are fantastic.
The last two are my favorites. I love them so much that I want to hang them on my wall in my new, yet to be found, place.
Do you sell prints? I am quite serious.

Destiney said...

Lovely photes. :)

A M B E R said...

Manuela, I'm sure we can figure out ways to get you the images to print. Or I can have them printed...

Only problem is see is that I'm not sure how hi-res instagram images are...

A M B E R said...

and thank you both!

Kate said...

The combination of instagram and rainy days gives these such a nice washed-out feeling. Also, I like your shoes.

Mark Janssen said...

The first image is my favorite. Understated but dramatic.

Julia said...

This set does have a very nice feeling. I like the way there is a splash of color going up and down-- pink, yellow, blue, orange-- against the muted sidewalk. I like yoru shoes speckled with rain but not soaked--everyone knows that sensation.

Martha said...

I ♥ your shoes...will you tell me more about them? are they leather?