Thematic Photographic - Logos

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." hosts a photographic get-together, based on a weekly theme. This week's theme is LOGOS. Carmi asks you to consider - "How is it that a simple icon of an apple, for example, seemingly works while something else might not? How can you even measure whether a logo accomplishes its stated goal?"

This is a timely topic for me. I've got logos on the brain. A new policy at work is making me pay far more attention to logos than I ever did. I'm charged with enforcing some very restrictive rules about signs, and logos seem to be everywhere I look.

That said, my photo isn't a logo I have to think about for work, but a photograph I took last year when we visited Mexico City.

A basalt death's head, its tongue lolling out from between its bared and grinning teeth, encircled with a pleated or rayed sun-disc. When I saw it, displayed in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology, the first thing I thought was, "what a great logo this would make!"

This is the God of Death.

Death is part of the museum's exhibition on Teotihuacan, an ancient city built on the high, swampy lake basin north of Mexico City.

The city itself is still something of a mystery, though, as scholars disagree even on the ethnic make-up of the people who lived there. Established around 100 AD, when it reached its peak by 500, it may have been the sixth largest city in the world. This artifact celebrates the importance of Death to that culture.

By the 13th century, as the Aztecs civilization blossomed, Teotihuacan was a ruin, but impressive enough that they named it "birthplace of the gods," in Nahuatl.

Death was a popular brand, in pre-Hispanic mezo-America.

In Mexico City, the "Aztec" dancers in the Zocolo decorate their gaudy costumes with a death's head motif that looks very much like the one in the Museum.

But they could also be modeling extreme sports loincloths and dance gear. Today, you may see lots of similar logos promoting popular culture - bands, extreme sports, motorcycles, video games, electronic gear or skateboards.

When you think about about staying power, Death has done an excellent job of maintaining its brand.

Thematic photographic - Technological

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." hosts a photographic get-together, based on a weekly theme. This week's theme is "Technological."  Carmi says the theme, "celebrates all that is techie. If it looks like, feels like or even suggests some form of technology, we hope you'll share it."

This is a backstage look at a law enforcement mobile command post vehicle.

Don't let the casual dress of the men operating the unit fool you - it's a highly sophisticated technological marvel, used to coordinate communication and response during law enforcement operations.  I had a rare chance to be on the scene with my camera, and got to take a look at it in operation. Pretty impressive!

Thematic Photographic - Made of Steel

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." hosts a photographic get-together, based on a weekly theme. This week, the theme is "Made of Steel."

 

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This is Richard Serra's 2006 sculpture Band, a huge ribbon of steel that undulates and swirls in a room at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Two hundred tons, twelve feet high and seventy feet long - it's hard to believe such graceful fluidity is made of steel.

Thematic Photographic - Favorite photos of 2013

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." hosts a photographic get-together, based on a weekly theme. For the end of 2013, Carmi urges us to post our favorite photos of the year.

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This is one of my favorite photos, although it may have been taken earlier than 2013 - I don't remember the date. But what I do remember, very vividly, are the circumstances.

I was driving to work one morning, when I observed an unusual flocking of sea birds on the beach. On impulse, I pulled onto the shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway, parked, and took my camera down to the sand.

There were sea-birds everywhere! Pelicans and gulls, all kinds of birds. I was not the only person who stopped to watch. We all shared our wonder at the beauty of so many birds.

As I walked back to the place where I'd parked my car, I took a series of photos toward the sand and the water, and while I snapped away, this woman walked into my frame, going the same direction. I don't know her name, but I do love this photo as she turns to watch the birds and the sky.

As I read this morning about the cold gripping the rest of the country, I am reminded how lucky I am to be in a place where birds fly to winter.

Thematic Photographic - Dawn to Dusk

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Dawn and Dusk."

I take so many pictures of the view across the canyon where I live, but that's because it's so beautiful, and, indeed, the play of light and sky make it look different all the time. Here's an early morning photo, as the sun colors the hills on the other side, while our eastern side of the canyon is still dark, and the roof of my neighbor's house still wet with dew. The setting moon is in the west, and a trailing wisp of fog floats in the air.

At dusk, the sun drops behind the western hills, and low clouds behind the saddle of the mountain flush ruddy.

Thematic Photograph - Feeling reflective

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Feeling reflective."

This blue heron wades in the shallow water of the Fox River in Geneva, Illinois, keeping an eye out for a meal.

Though the river flows more quickly in mid-stream, here in the shallows it's as still and reflective as a mirror. I watched him for a long time. He barely moved, just stretched out his neck, intently peering, a couple of times.

Thematic Photographic - Multiples

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Multiples."

Rows of pickles

I really like to photograph arrays of things - so "multiples" is a good theme for me. Here are photos of multiple items arrayed at a Farmer's Market - the Sunday French Market in downtown Geneva, Illinois. What better place to see multiples than a market display of abundance!

Gourds and pumpkins for fall decorating.

Rows of vintage Nancy Drew books, at the used bookseller.

Bright and beautiful bell peppers in a rainbow of color.

More bottled beauty - salsas and relishes.

Thematic Photographic - Large structures

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Large structures."

This railroad bridge looms over the Fox River in Geneva, Illinois. The massive scale of its concrete piers lends the structure a monumental majesty.

Built in 1917 for the Chicago and Northwestern line, today the bridge carries Metra commuter trains from the city of Chicago to the western suburbs. The early morning sun shines on the broad arches, reflecting in the still water as a morning train passes over.

Another view

The river bank is now a park, with running and biking trails, and a footbridge has been added to the base of the bridge. Today, this large structure, which has been here for so long, has become part of regular peoples' everyday lives.

Thematic Photographic - Strangers in our midst

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Strangers in our midst." Find creative ways to photographic other people. I love it best when a photo of a stranger brings out their basic humanity - in profound or even silly ways.

When I saw this photo, I thought of the title, "The mariachi checks his text messages." These two musicians were taking a break from a Sunday afternoon gig at the busy Redondo Beach Pier. One of them took a moment to check his messages - our everyday interaction with modern technology is an all too common sight these days, even when one is garbed in traditional costume.

Thematic Photographic - Muted Colors

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Muted colors."

Here's a scene in muted colors. A place with a hint of fantastical decay, decrepitude. The arched and graceful vintage windows. The dappled light, the mottled plaster wall, the mauve-grey leaves of a potted plant. Muted. Romantic. Ancient.

A faded fresco, all pastel putti and pearly-flanked goddesses, reclining amid the glaucous and bosky shrubbery of an ancient glen, like a misty Tiepolo fragment.

Where are we, some charming but crumbling palazzo along a Venetian canal, imbued with history and the aura of the past?

No - it's all a stage set, a falsehood, a fabrication.

We're in a downtown Los Angeles bar; a cocktail lounge. The archaic windows are salvaged from the wrecking ball; the plaster wall is trompe l'oeil artistry; the mural is computer printed and pasted on drywall.

It's a twentieth-century office building wearing a mask of false history, a pretend atmosphere meant to provide instant neighborhood ambience for a downtown condominium renovation. In addition to the somewhat steam-punkish décor, there are flat screen monitors and a rocking DJ to draw the hipster crowds.

What do you want, anyway. Musty old muted colors? Or $3 beers for Happy Hour?

Thematic Photographic - Downward

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Downward."
 

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When I think "downward" I think about movement. Here, in London's massive London Bridge Station, escalators move travelers downward into the tunnels, passageways and platforms, where the connections to the overground and underground trains interweave.

Thematic photographic - Repetitious

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Repetitious."

Carmi writes: "Life continues to be complex, so I'm compensating by selecting a really simple theme, repetitious, this week. As you can see from the photo... any simply repetitive scene will do."

I am fascinated by the new trend in cities to provide rental bikes to be picked up and dropped off as users choose. And I like the way they look, lined up against the curb. Whether it's in Paris, London, or New York, I like the idea.

So when we went to Mexico City this spring, I was thrilled to see the rental bikes there, too, in all their repetitive glory in Alameda Central Park - but with an extra feature - a papier mache calaca, or skeleton!

More bikes - in Paris!

A blurry shot in London, from the top of a bus on Bethnal Green Road.

A bike docking station in East London's Brick Lane with most of them checked out - showing how popular the bikes are!

Thematic photographic - Signs of the times

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Signs of the times."

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 A sign on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice Beach. This is our time, and a reminder from two inspirational leaders (Malala and Nelson Mandela) is powerful - even when delivered in a homegrown, vernacular medium!

Thematic Photographic - On the water

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "On the water."

Though it's been a year since our visit, I will never forget Venice. Here, on the Grand Canal just beyond the Rialto Bridge, our vaporetto passes a traffic jam of gondolas.

When will I be able to return?

Thematic Photographic - Concretely

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Concretely."

What is concrete, anyway? This versatile building material can be used in so many ways, it's a kind of chameleon or shape-shifter - it can be heavy, solid, hard and weighty but in other hands it can be something else entirely.

Here in the Mid-Century Modern facade of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, a wall of concrete blocks transcends its own mass and becomes airy, transparent, and brings light to the upper floor.



This feature is called out in landmark documents for the building as a "brise-soleil," French for "sun-breaker." What a wonderful name that is for an architectural feature.

Thematic photographic - Frozen

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Frozen."

Cantaloupe flavored paleta

In Los Angeles, as in Mexico, these icy, frozen fruit bars are called paletas, and they're available in a vast array of flavors. Not just a popsicle, the paleta can be chock full of natural ingredients, chunks of familiar or exotic fruits, suspended in their own juice or in cream, sometimes with nuts or spices like chile.

In Mexico City, there are plenty of ice cream shops, but for some reason the paleta is strongly identified with the state of Michoacan. Here on the busy corner of Calle de Lopez and Vizcainas, the La Michoacana Paleteria sells ice cream and frozen ice cream bars.

In Los Angeles, the brand of La Michoacana persists - this is an ice cream bar bought from a local corner store, flavored with cucumber and chile. Throughout the streets of L.A. as in Mexico City, paleteros, or paleta-vendors, push low, wheeled carts, jingling with bells.

Sour yellow cherry flavor

But business is good enough to sustain brick-and-mortar stores, too. Some ice cream stores also sell shakes, juice or vegetable smoothies, or licuados - shakes made with milk or cream.  For a restorative, you can get a vampiro, which is a bloody-red smoothie made with beets and carrots as well as orange and pineapple juice.

Mateo's paletas

Here's the array of paletas sold at Mateos, a small business with stores in Culver City and in the Pico neighborhood.

Fresa - strawberry - and cream

The name paleta means, literally, a trowel - a play on the shape of the ice cream bar.

Paleta vendors in Chapultepec Park, Mexico City

Paleta flavors can be creative, with tropical fruit like mamey, tuna - the fruit of the cactus, guanabana, or soursop; you can get them made with cajeta, the caramelized condensed milk beloved by Mexicans; the rice-and-vanilla horchata - and many more.

Explore the frozen world beyond the popsicle! Try paletas!

Thematic Photographic - Leaves

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Leaves."

Here, the intricate shape of the thick, leathery leaves of the California native shrub Fremontodendron stand out against the white plaster wall, as striking as the bright gold flowers.

Thematic Photographic - Multiples

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Multiples."

Carmi writes: "There's a certain appeal to pictures of many of the same thing. Sometimes you can see patterns in them. Or sometimes they all look identical. Or just similar enough to attract the eye. Or different enough to prompt discussion." Share your images at "Written, Inc."

A table for twelve, in a trendy London restaurant/arts venue, set with the classic Eames dining chair, viewed in perspective. Multiples, in a pattern. It's pleasing to look at. Right?

Thematic Photographic - Multiples

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "Multiples."

Carmi writes: "There's a certain appeal to pictures of many of the same thing. Sometimes you can see patterns in them. Or sometimes they all look identical. Or just similar enough to attract the eye. Or different enough to prompt discussion." Share your images at "Written, Inc."

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A thickly planted garden bed brings together in one shot a multiplicity of the striking and bold flowers of the perennial thistle, Eryngium giganteum. This is the variety also known as "Miss Wilmott's Ghost", for its eerie silvery bracts, but perhaps also because the legendary English gardener, Ellen Wilmott, loved it so much she surreptitiously sprinkled other peoples' gardens with its seeds, leaving a legacy that would multiply after her death.

These plants thrive at the Thames Barrier Park in south-east London.  Multiples - with bees!

Thematic Photographic - On the water

Carmi at the blog "Written, Inc." posts a photographic challenge each week at Thematic Photographic. This week, the theme is "On the water."

Water has played an important part in Carmi's life. What about you? Share your images at "Written, Inc."

Click to "embiggen."

Rivers are such an important part of human civilization. Estuary, highway, food source, power source - human beings have clustered at the river's edge since the beginning of time. Here in one of the world's mightiest cities in 2009, we rode a water taxi on its still-vital river.

You know what city it is, don't you?