Rebirth

Like a bear out of hibernation, I have been quite trigger-happy with my camera this week. Spring is definitely evident here in Louisville, and I have been trying to harness the beauty with every click of the shutter. All winter, I've lamented that I haven't done much with my camera, and I am more than making up for it.  Let spring be a rebirth to my hobby.  Let it signify new beginnings in endeavors I've recently taken on. Let it be the start of something great. 

Hoffman Falls (Clifty Falls State Park)

I-64 in Louisville Kentucky

Redbuds

Bethlehem United Church of Christ

Hoffman Falls (Clifty Falls State Park)

I Love Old Louisville

We are new Old Louisvillians! For the last six weeks, this area has been our home-- known for the beauty of its Victorian Style Homes, St. James Arts Festival, Central Park, and overall history. We were told that area was the site of the Southern Exposition, where Thomas Edison displayed the recently-invented light bulb in 1883.  

When we were initially looking for a new place to live, I was not too keen on living in Old Louisville.  My girlfriend found a listing for a house and insisted that we view it.  I gave much resistance.  At the time, there was a planted negative association with auto safety and petty theft, and of course, the concern that the commute to work would double because of Louisville's "horrible traffic" and increased in distance from work.  Because of those reasons, I honestly did not want to consider anything that was not on the east end of Louisville.

After viewing the listing, we brought the dog to Central Park, and I was outnumbered 2 to 1.  Majority rules. 

Since then, I will have to say that I have been completely thrilled about the move.  Although we have only been here a short time, the very things of my concern have not been an issue.  The commute to and from work is the same distance as it was in living in J-town (an east end suburb for all you non-Louisvillians).  Also, we have taken advantage of nice weather and close proximity to more things to jog around the neighborhood, play tennis at Central Park, and take pictures around Old Louisville and downtown.  Below are some the pictures that I have recently taken while exploring the area.    

Louisville St. Patrick's Day Parade

Tonight's pictures were from a couple of weekends ago when my girlfriend and I went to the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Baxter Avenue in Louisville, KY.  The parade was sponsored by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians.  The theme this year was 40 Shades of Green commemorating the parade's 40th anniversary.  It took me a little bit to realize why people were wearing lampshades on their heads during the parade.  :)  In short, the parade was fun and wonderful.  I was glad to spend time with two friends that came in from out-of-town that wanted to find something to do on their Saturday in Louisville.

Big Four Railroad Bridge

Today is another blessed day to be in the land of the living.  As of late, I have not found the time or motivation to blog...well that is until last night when my girlfriend and I walked across the Big Four Railroad Bridge.  After uploading my pictures today, I wanted to share them with you all.  The Big Four Railroad Bridge was built in 1895.  For so long, the bridge was a physical structure shrouded in mystery with its purpose and origins although it appeared to be a bridge to nowhere.  This year, the bridge was opened to the public as a pedestrian bridge.  If you have an opportunity to venture to this bridge, you will see a very gorgeous view of the Louisville skyline reflecting on the Ohio River. 

Musings

Good evening to everyone.  I wanted to share with you some pictures that I have recently taken and edited.  The first two pictures were taken this past weekend on Museum Row in Louisville.  My girlfriend and I went with her family to the Science Museum to view Body Worlds Vital.  For those who have not had the opportunity to view this collection of work about the dynamics of the human body, you are missing a treat and good learning opportunity about our health.  In the future, I would like to see the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center.  The third picture is of a lantern that is made of a special shell called capiz, which is a Filipino craft/skill.  My girlfriend told me that a lot of art is made from these shells.  

The remaining pictures were edited this week.  The fourth picture was taken in the fall at Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, KY.  The next picture was from Lexington Cemetery early spring 2012.  The sixth picture was from the Pine Mountain Settlement School in Harlan, KY.  This picture is special for me not just because of its beauty, but also because it is one of few remaining pictures that I have before October 2012.  The external hard drive that I used at that time became damaged and I lost nearly 20,000 photos that I had taken from January 2008.  The only remaining photos I have were from a small collection that I stored elsewhere.  The final photo was an edit of a silhouette of the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, KY on my birthday 2012.

Museum Row

Statue of David outside of Hotel 21c

Capiz lantern

Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, KY

Lexington Cemetery

Pine Mountain Settlement School in Harlan, KY

George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge

Winter Void

This winter, I feel that I have a photographer's block.  I am finding it hard to find a good photo op that does not resemble the other pictures that I have taken.  There are only so many tree silhouettes with the winter evening sky that one can take before you just put your camera down and enjoy the moment.  One of the reasons that my photography has stifled is starting a new job. While I am enjoying gainful employment,  I am not on the road as much as I have been the past couple of years.  Not a bad thing though.  I am loving being in the city.  In regards to photography, I guess I just have to get more creative with what I capture.