Wednesday, September 16, 2009

A Toy-Camera-Missoula-Morning


I just recently uploaded a new app for my IPhone (which is the coolest flippin' thing ever...can't believe I waited so long to get one)...the app is Toy Camera. I decided to take some photos on my morning stroll and set it to random (which means...sometimes sepia...sometimes zingy green...sometimes seventies brown...etc.) So here is what I saw:

I started out down my little ol' street.

Then came across something I have never noticed in all the years I've lived here...not sure what the tree is but looks too exotic for Montana.

Heading down the tracks...a raven keeps guard.

Love this photo

Here's another one I like too...but then again, I'm not going to show you the lousy photos.

Up over the overpass to see a slightly more elevated view of of my fair city.

Came across a few transients...hanging out, smoking....

Here's a bizarre sight.

At first I didn't know what to make of the chalk outlines on the sidewalk. They had done this all down the street. Then I realized they were drawing the shadows cast by the streetlights. Must go back at night!

I thought is was a brilliant idea. In some cases they shadow chalk went up on the buildings as well as multiple shadows.
Time for a quick cappuccino at Liquid Planet
That but the zing in my thing...so back to my stroll.

Missoula is a bicyclers paradise...

In fact they even grow on trees...


Look

Here's my favorite spot for antiques...the Montana Antique mall.

Not far is Circle Square Second Hand...

My friend Raven does the displays here...groovy

Dog days of summer

Time to head back...this time I'll go under instead of over. The Orange Street Underpass. Eerie at night....rumor was there was a hammer murder down there way back when.

Usually a good spot for graffiti

Here is someone's tag. I just liked the way it looked behind the chain link.



Okay...made it out without getting murdered. Looky looky. Here's a cool piece of graffiti on a fence. I'm a sucker for eyes....and devils...this is both.

Strolling home. Here's a guys place who lives a few blocks from me. He's into chopping up cars and rebuilding them. Then he blasts 50's music (and I mean blasts) and cruises the neighborhood...you can hear for miles...with a periodic squealing of tires - in between ditty bops.
Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Hope you liked the stroll.

22 comments:

Ange J Lee said...

Haven't ever commented on your blog before...but have been enjoying reading it for sometime. Wanted to thank you for inviting us on your morning stroll!
Great photos!
Ange

Anonymous said...

Hey Michael,
You constantly crack me up! In workshops with you I always enjoy your humor, and you are fun to drink with too! LOL Maybe I shouldn't post that? Loved the walk and the bicycle on the tree.....I think I will try for a view of a walk like that, it's a fun way to look at our everyday world in a more creative way.....

Marian (Idyllwild workshops)

Nichola said...

Thanks for the stroll! The pics are great. I'm pretty sure that if you cracked open those funny looking things on that tree you'd find some shiny chestnuts inside.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Wish my very expensive digital camera had the effects that your i-phone has....dang!!!
Absolutely amazing.....there's artwork in there!

Maija said...

i love my iphone, too! I keep my iphone tucked in my bra, so hubby says I now have an iTit.
Know I'm going to download that toy camera app!

sheila said...

love love love
especially the shadow outlines
so cool!
and yes, i will be downloading that app in a few minutes

Stephanie Lee said...

you JUST got the Toy Camera app? what was the hold up, cowboy? :)
Coolio app indeed. And coolio look into your morning stroll. :) thanks!

FishStikks said...

But! I like my blackberry! *whine*

Looks like this app for the iPhone might just push me over to the iPhone side now.

Amazing pictures you took whilst on your stroll, loved every minute of it. Gorgeous artistic shots there!

Loved loved loved the chalk outlines!

Vickie said...

what a lovely stroll! the color of the pics is great. random is such a wonderful thing. reminds me a bit of Queens, but our murder rate with hammers is slightly higher.

Peggi Meyer Graminski said...

Wow! Fantastic photos and what an amazing place you live in...thanks for sharing your morning walk =)

Anonymous said...

Though I don't have one, I'm a total Lomo/Holga junkie (okay, I admit, I'm really just a photo junkie, heh-heh). And, I recently upgraded to an iPhone, too (and am addicted, part of my husband's "evil plan" to ensure I carry the phone with me). Now, I'm going to finish up this comment and go find the Toy Camera app -- thanks Michael! =)

Lisa said...

great arty pics. cool app...going to get that one for my iphone.

moongipsies said...

Hi !

LOVE your photos... and your art.

I believe the tree is a horse chestnut tree. We had a few in my home town in PA. They are great... and not very common.

Marc said...

@moongipsies - My girlfriend & I have been arguing about this variety of tree for a while. She agrees w/you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculus

I say it's a buckeye tree.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculus_glabra

Wonder if there are any botanists in the readership...?

JonesMoore Studio Art, Lisa JonesMoore said...

Wow--makes me want to run out and buy an iPhone just for this app! What's next? Toy cameras that you can call home with? Great shots.

Roberta said...

Looks like Marc may be right... http://www.ohio-nature.com/buckeye-tree.html Looks like it may be a buckeye tree...though, why I am looking up botany info for you, I am not sure :-)
Thanks for the morning walk and cuppa...I feel energized already!
And thanks for making me want ONE more piece of technology that I really don't NEED! Now I WANT a toy camera app...AND an iPhone!

Roberta in NorCal

Beverly Ash Gilbert said...

What luscious color! Love the greenish tinge and the bicycle in the tree.

HeartFire said...

Terrific pix, love the effects you get, esp, the off colors, and blurred edges, looks like a fun camera toy to have... I especially like the graffiti and your tree with the stuff in it... thanks for sharing your walk!

Roz Creates said...

Thar sure was fun, felt like I was there on the walk with you. And I am not so sure that devil graffiti wasn't your work, cheers

Kathy Ray said...

Greetings Michael...looking forward to your artdoll blog posting. You are so very talented...I'm sure that you last push will get us over the $5,000 mark.

Kathy Ray

me again said...

Okay, I've never commented here before, but just have to after reading your latest entry......wowzer on the pix! I'm jealous ... and I want an iPhone now! There's an evil plan afoot.....
==LL==

Jewel said...

Go to this link and scroll about halfway down the page to see what some flower essence folks have to say about the transformative qualities of chestnut trees. See if it has anything to say to you...

http://www.flowersociety.org/JulianBarnardSoc.htm

Enjoyed your blog...my friend Rogene is taking your class in Oaxaca now - looks amazing.