Author: carlo centeno
Bloomin’ Spring
Newly Arrived
The Bench
The Tree
Street Standout
The grand tradition of street photography goes back quite a ways. I suspect most of you reading and looking at this probably weren’t born yet. Indeed, perhaps your parents weren’t even born yet. Much of that photography was done in B&W and much of what does happen with street photography today is still black&white.
I though back to the time I saw this homeless person and asked myself, “What caught my attention?” This is what stood out in my recollection.
G’night Brooklyn
The Specialty Bakery
What’s the sensory attribute second only to vision, that can impact your perception about as quickly? Smell.
I think of all the pleasant smells anyone can encounter, there’s no denying that of a bake shop. The Polka Dot at Greenpoint in Brooklyn is a case in point. While I do not understand Polish, I can comprehend reactions from patrons when they see or hear about something this little bakery offers.
The Specialty Bookstore
I love books. I also like e-books, but the operative word here is “love.” Celebrated poet Emily Dickinson said it best:
There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul
I paused for a moment just outside this Brooklyn bookstore to appreciate the titles in the window. I couldn’t understand many of the titles, but I did recognize some authors and subject matter, the latter based on the cover image or illustration. There have been many articles defending the purpose if not the endearing qualities of paper-bound books. Others ask to use electronic reading devices more often than not. Both have advantages as well as disadvantages. I’ll leave it at that.
I’m glad to have come across this bookstore filled with all sorts of titles, fiction and non-fiction, written in Polish. There was something there for everyone, including people who don’t read or understand the language.
Spring on a Corner
“Chanel-ling” Karl Lagerfeld
Self-Portrait April 2016, The Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute
I think plasmatic energy from Herr Karl Lagerfeld was coursing through the New England air….
Spoons
I took a major sortie into the Berkshires this morning. I needed to get additional photos of the area for one of the company’s websites. You can say that I’m responsible for providing content—among other things, related to marketing, PR, design, graphic production, video, media buying & scheduling, writing and so forth. You can’t make this up. So, I’m it, the Jack-of-all-trades [and definitely a master of none!] that is the marketing department. My days have been jammed with concurrent projects and deadlines, so I was overdue to break out and live in the moment.
At about a half-past-my-stomach growling, I really needed to fuel up. Breakfast was hours ago. While scouting for potential photos, I noticed this little restaurant. What caught my eye were the words, “breakfast and lunch.”
Adding to the attraction was the name of the place: Spoon. That made me think of my daughter’s business, Splendid Spoon. I think she’d get a kick out of the theme of this place. And the food’s quite good at this little restaurant-cafe, this being a key detail since she is a gourmet chef/entrepreneur.
So, on the walls, carefully spaced, are framed 4×6-inch photos of patrons with spoons clinging off their noses! Clever theme and an even more clever branding idea. This is an interactive wall that anyone can genuinely “like,” no electric switch or finger swipe required.
This bench was fashioned from old, wooden milk crates, the kind that carried glass containers. You can see some of the wiring that created the spaces for the bottles to sit in. Now, patrons sit on it. I love little details like this. Behind the bench appears to be old barn wood and just above that is a wall of marble, or perhaps soap stone, I’m not sure.
My omelet made with artichokes, jalapeno peppers and salmon. I might’ve forgotten an ingredient or two, but what mattered most was that it tasted fantastic. Sorry, I had to take a bite; I should’ve taken the photo first.The potatoes were also quite good! And of course, I wanted to make an entry into my journal. Bon appetit!
Carlo Centeno 