Assignment No. 2 in Photo 101 is titled Street.
It’s a challenge to our perspective.
My Tuesday life took me from my dear wife Karen and I’s Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood to a half-business, half-pleasure trip that ended on State Street, a busy thoroughfare in downtown Syracuse.
After I’d filled out paperwork in the Onondaga County office building and secured six human and one pooch ticket to take-your-dog to the Syracuse Crunch hockey game night of March 28 at the Onondaga County War Memorial, I found myself clutching my iPhone 6 and itching to fulfill the assignment.
I did not want to go strictly horizontal like the examples sent to us by instructor Maria.
State Street, Syracuse, N.Y., March 3, 2015.
So I fixed a snowbank as the foreground, with a pleasing line running parallel to busy State Street, which cuts more perpendicular through the photo.
The War Memorial is in the background to the right. That’s the marquee advertising wrestling and a rock concert.
In the immediate background on the left side of the street is the Everson Museum of Art, a building designed by famous architect I.M. Pei.
The Mulroy Civic Center, which houses the county office where I filled out paperwork, also sits adjacent to the War Memorial, but on the same side of State Street, separated by a smaller lane. I thought it would make a less dramatic side-by-side image.
Onondaga County War Memorial and Mulroy Civic Center, Syracuse, N.Y., March 3, 2015.
But maybe not. Upon further review, I’ve added this shot. That’s the hockey arena-and-more to the left, and the office-building-and-more to the right. In the background is the AXA/Equitable Tower.
For a more traditional street scene, I walked past the War Memorial and shot across State Street toward the Everson.
Everson Museum, left, tall apartment towers, right.
On the left side of the above photo is the other side of Pei’s building than that pictured in the top. I liked the line of the 90-degree angle intersection, and the big tower apartment building far off on the right.
Yes, it’s gray and snowing again today in Syracuse.
Which photograph is more pleasing to your eye, and why? Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle can’t wait; would you bring your dog to a hockey game? What do you think of I.M. Pei’s architecture on the Everson Museum of Art?
Mark Bialczak 
Hey Mark! I’m a bit late joining the discussion. I must say that I prefer the hard curves of the second picture. You can see where the big snow blowers have cut away the face of the snowbanks so we can see inside them – leaving square lines. And the flags are a great touch. The tunnel like feeling between the buildings really says “city”.
All the pics are very good Mark – professional.
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Syracuse in certain spots is big city, and you picked out one of them in photo two, Paul. Good eye, my friend. And thank you.
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Great job with this assignment, Mark! I like the top photo best because of the diagonal line. 🙂 It’s very artistic.
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The diagonal does it for me, too, Rachel. It is a technique I shall remember now. Thank you, my friend.
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Absolutely. 🙂
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Did they tell you at Photo 101 if you get out into the city at the wee early hours of the morning… you will get the best shots. No cars most likely. I loved the first picture… the long linear line of snow….!!
Seriously, YOU take great pictures. I have seen them!
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I am an early riser, Nancy, so I will keep your city tip in mind. 🙂
Thanks for your kind photo comment. I’m hoping I learn things to get better with my trusty iPhone 6 and iPad Air. Education always, my friend. I can tell you are the same. 🙂
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Exactly!!
Those iphones can take great photos… this I know!!
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I’m a fan of the snow bank, Chum. You’ve captured the softness of it, I think. Love the curves..
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I’m a fan of soft curves, too, Red. Oh, the snow bank pictures. 🙂 Thanks for your good eye and kind words.
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Oh yeah? 😉 Good to know… Yes, the snow, Chum. You’re welcome.
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How much was the pooch ticket? What if the pooch needs to relieve himself/herself? Looking forward to your report on that one!
#1 for all the reasons everyone already gave.
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The pooch ticket was $5. Luckily, I had some passes that I was able to use for free adult tickets that I had saved from my New Times Christmas party. Score! And I will go with a pocketful of plastic supermarket bags for the other purpose. Leaks will have to take care of themselves. I think the hockey team staff must have thought of this to put a promotion out like this, Liz. We are wondering how Ellie B will behave. My daughter Elisabeth’s text: “Between the six of us we should be able to contain her.” I love my kid.
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had to have a few looks at the photos to decide – i think i like the third one best – there is just something about the traffic lights almost parrallel to the museum building.
Could you go back in spring to the same spot and take follow up photos?
I missed the photo challenge (joining i mean!) but am loving looking at what others are doing. Jim’s shots are good too. Glad I’m in a snow free zone 🙂
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OK, Rachel, I will have to remember your springtime photo request. If I forget, a kind nudge from London, please? 🙂
Thanks for your opinions. Jim and I are battling some wicked elements here. I am so sick of the snow … But you know that already.
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I prefer the 2nd photo. Most the buildings around where I live are shorter and, in my opinion, dull. If the building isn’t all that impressive on the outside, what’s going on inside must be dull as well…like an accounting firm or something. Tall buildings, on the other hand, have always fascinated me. They make me think there’s something important going on in there…like peace talks between super heroes and thier evil nemesis’. This might be something I should talk to my therapist about. 😉 Great photos!
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Your logic fascinates me, Rachel. To heck with the therapist. Just talk to me. Look at my categories and check out Free Advice. Send me a question to markbialczak@gmail.com and I can figure out anything and not even put your name to it. 🙂 Seriously, send me a question and let’s have fun.
I am drawn to your thought process about the tall buildings. And thank you for your kind words about my iPhone 6 Street photos. Water today. I haven’t figured out my plan yet. You?
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My neck of the woods … You actually found street parking? Nice composition on the photos!
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Yes, I looked up toward your office building space and waved, Jim. I parked right next to the War Memorial and fed the multi-space meter six quarters. Thanks, sir. I have to head over to II and see your shot of the day.
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Mark, I like the last one. The high-rise apartment building seems to be leaning in this photo like the Leaning Tower of Pisa! ❤
Diana xo
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If it topples, Diana, you can say I told you so! On the other hand, perhaps it was the photographer who was leaning. 🙂 ❤
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haha just in that corner of the photograph? 🙂
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Well, now that you put it that way, Diana. LOOK OUT BELOW! 🙂
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I like the symmetry of the top picture Mark. The snow bank and the cars line up well to my eyes. 🙂
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Thank you, my buddy Colleen. That’s what my eye caught in that place, too!
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😀
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The first one wins hands down. The leading-line of the snowbank is a classic compositional element.
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Thanks, Norm. I coudn’t have said it better myself. Mainly because you just taught me that great statement.
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I like that you mentioned Pei as the architect/designer of your art museum. This is extraordinary and makes this a unique building, too. I enjoy all your photos, while I search for details and admire the structure and designs. The War Memorial building really stands out with the flags, so this is my favorite, when push comes to shove, and you really want to know the answer, Mark! smiles!
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The flags make it special, indeed, Robin. I have featured it in another post, too. Thanks for having such a great eye for the photo details, my friend. 🙂
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You in the big city Mark! Great shots!
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It does look like the big city, Colleen. To me, it’s still my city, not daunting. Thanks for the nice words.
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Oh Mark, there is still a lot of snow there. It’s snowing again here. Will it ever end?
Leslie
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We’ve got it forever, it seems, Leslie. Not even your great and funny blues collaboration will make it stop. 😦
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I’m thinking Rio about now.
Leslie
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Carnivale!
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Too late for Carnivale, it’s already lent. I bet they aren’t shovelling snow.
Leslie
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I bet they aren’t Leslie. Even Lent is OK by me. I’ve never been down there.
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We were there at Carnivale a couple of years ago. It usually starts a week before Ash Wednesday. They do practice runs for the parade. I think it does settle down a bit after Lent begins. It’s a wonderful place.
Leslie
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Sounds fantastic. Southern hemisphere Mardi Gras.
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It was something else!
Leslie
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Yes, Barbara, it is less busy. Top photo seems to be a hands-down winner, winner, chicken dinner.
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Number one, Mark! It appeals more because it is less busy, i guess.
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State Street is better. High rise apts give me the willies, especially if there is fire. Plus, it says “do not enter” and the trees are bare. Not inviting at all. Plus, with the first one I want to sing Judy Garland, “On State Street, that great street, I just wanna say…” (Chicago).
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I love it when you sing for us, Kerbey. High rises give you low spirits, huh? Will shall not have you enter. I must say, as great as this comment is, I was thinking you’d be the one to bring up I.M. Pei and BoFN in the same sentence. Ah, well.
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I.M. Pei reminds me of Pei Wei, which makes me want Chinese food. Hopefully they say “Pay” not “Pee.”
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Pay is what I say. They say, I cannot say, Kerbey.
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Absolutely the first photo is best. It gives a good perspective of the snow bank and i like the way the cars are all lined up on one side… very clever how you arranged that. But all these photos of snow are making me too cold…
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I’ll try to arrange a heat wave before I complete tomorrow’s assignment, Ros. 🙂 Hey, I’m glad you like my car-waving skills for the top shot. No parking in front of the War Memorial on that side. I looked for the best scene, is all. I’m learning, and it’s only day two of Photo 101.
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I like the State Street one it just feels right to me. Do not know why but I think it is the long line of snow bank that feels like home.
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Thanks for pitching in on the State Street side, Donna. The long snow bank line did it for me, too. 🙂
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Definitely enjoying the detail more on the top one, also the snow looks a little cleaner!!
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Somehow the bank on the top photo seems to have collected more of today’s fresh snow and looks more sparkling. Good eye on that, Marissa. Thanks. I like the detail in the top one better, too. That’s why I made it the top one. D’oh!
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oh yeah…
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