Ugly/Beautiful

Our neighborhood grocery store the Red Apple, is made beautiful by the rain and reflections.

Our Daily Create challenge for Jan. 24, 2012, was “Photograph something commonly considered ugly and make it heart-breakingly beautiful.”

I had a busy day, and I didn’t know what the challenge was until after dark, and I was on my way home. As I moved through the rush hour traffic, I started just shooting at random out the rain-streaked windshield. I was amazed at how well the photographs turned out!

These are all ugly stop lights, strip malls, 7-11s and here, the Red Apple Grocery, but somehow all made beautiful, transformed by the glaze of drenching rain and the reflection of lights in the windows, puddles, and wet pavement.

Tulip shadow

On Jan. 22, 2012, our Daily Create challenge was, “Take a photo of an something’s shadow in a way that makes it difficult to identify the object.” That day happened to be very overcast, and there weren’t any shadows anywhere.

However, this evening, I suddenly “saw” this shadow thrown on the tablecloth by the tulips Peter had just brought me.

I love the shot, and I love it that because of the daily habit of creating all sorts of different things, my eyes are starting to “see” odd angles of beauty like the shadows of tulips.

 

Author: Sandy Brown Jensen

I am a retired writing instructor and faculty tech specialist from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. I still teach and am also a photographer, poet, blogger and digital storyteller (short videos).

3 thoughts on “Ugly/Beautiful

  1. lockmantuj says:

    Sadly the business of new classes has me unable to find time to keep up with the daily photo challenges.

    As always I love getting a glimpse of hometown, USA. Thanks.

    I wonder if the store is not actually Red Apple Market on West 6th. The roof line makes me think so. As I recall, Red Barn is a Natural Grocer in an old granary near 4th and Blair. But it is tough to tell through the Eugene drizzle.

    Reply
  2. Sandy Brown Jensen says:

    You’re right on the money! I live in the Whittaker District, and the Red Barn and Red Apple (did I label it incorrectly? Yes, the Red Apple is what the photograph is) are my local shopping destinations.

    Someday, you’ll come visit and we’ll stomp the neighborhood, cameras in hand!

    Reply

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