look down, shoot feet 2007 – present

Lens cast down—a glimpse of coat or skirt, shod feet, an expanse of sidewalk. I shoot this way habitually, as a way of passing through space with a camera. A modest way to capture beauty without making a production of a posed shot, or requiring that others stop and smile. Simply using what I have on hand (or foot). Over time I have collected quite a few of these shots, a few of which are shown here.

Most of these were culled from my album, Looking Down on Flickr:

With Rachel, walking to Union Seminary, red China flats; Manhattan, 2007.

Inside the new location of St Mary Magdelen's, then under construction; Manhattan, 2007.

Kitty litter, blue coat, brown leather boots; Crestwood, 2007. I was single and had time to shoot things like kitty litter.

In Oregon for my mom's wedding; Arch Cape, Oregon, 2007.

Pregnant with Isaiah; Manhattan, 2008. Things are about to change.

Now little feet show up in my looking down photos; Barbados, winter 2009.

And the things that come with little feet. Like peacock feet and gray play doh. Manhattan, 2011.

Shooting down is also a way to distance myself from the urgency of tears and tantrums. Traveling while pregnant with Genevieve. Just a hint of the sturdy sandals we bought in Germany; France, 2010.

At the playground with Genevieve, beaded flip-flops; Upper Manhattan, 2011.

My favorite green flats. Fort Tryon Park, Upper Manhattan, 2011.

Sometimes my feet are still unaccompanied, here contemplating a snarl of sea-litter on the shore of Barbados, 2009.

Or picking rosehips. Forest Beach, Cape Cod, 2011

Beside our favorite stream. Arch Cape, Oregon, 2014.

Here I am hardly alone—at my Mom's home in Olympia, Washington, 2010.

Enjoying a soak in a Japanese furo, accompanied by my best friend. Volcano Rain Forest Retreat, the Big Island, Hawaii, 2011.

Favorite green flats again. Wave Hill, Bronx, New York. 2012.

Sometimes the shots are accidental. Hudson Heights, NY, 2012.

And some are posed. Cabrini Blvd in spring, with Genevieve, fox rain boots; Upper Manhattan 2013.

Date night on the High Line, Manhattan, 2013.

At home in Hudson Heights, Manhattan, 2012.

In Japan to see the Gallahers, with Charles and my first pair of Frye boots. Kyoto, November, 2014

Earlier today waiting for brunch, with Genevieve and chalk. Portland, 2015.

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).