Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Ordinary/Extraordinary

It's not classic architecture. It's not even particularly interesting architecture. But the side of the office building next to McDonalds on Fair Oaks looked so gorgeous against the spring sky I thought it needed its picture taken.

I have no idea why the windows were glowing with Easter egg hues of purple, gold and green. (I guess Spring colors find their way into everything.)

17 comments:

Diederick Wijmans said...

Essential and very effective, Laurie!!

Virginia said...

Only you wouldhave seen the potential here. Good one.
V

Yakpate said...

The gorgeous sky says, "wild blue yonder." The building with its identical windows says, "limits."

Ironic, too, to see that row of air conditioners in formation below the pure air above.

A powerful shot that is both visually compelling and unexpectedly emotional. I love it!

Judy Williams said...

I remember hanging out of your car window taking almost that exact photo but mine didn't have those divine rainbow colors. What makes this work is the stark contrast between the undulating clouds and the perfectly sharp lines and angles of the building with it's aligned windows. That shadow of the lamp puts it over the top for me. VERY spring-like. It could be that the windows have a coating of some kind and it makes them become prismatic. Or MAYBE it's just magic. :~)

Anonymous said...

am guessing the windows are coated---UV or something similar and the angle of the sun vs your lens created the colors. But run with your idea anyway! ;-)

Love the uniformity, the shadows, the colors.

ben wideman said...

I love it. One of my favorites.

Margaret said...

Virginia's right. Only you. Good work.

dbdubya said...

Laurie has the unique ability to see and capture cloud formations like these on days when I don't even know are cloudy.

I've never noticed this building before, it's so non-descript.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

The sky looks like there was just a sonic boom or something. Very cool!

Tash said...

Magical photo indeed. Love the angle of the building, the uniform windows, the street lamp shadow, the sky, but most of all the spring colors. Fabulous.

pasadenapio said...

Beautiful art is everywhere we look, even on the side of a building next to Mickie D's.

dbdubya said...

You deserve a break today, ...

Ken Mac said...

if that sky could talk! or sing..

Anonymous said...

For some reason, this photo reminds me of the late 1970s aesthetic. Not that I know what that is or anything.

Nice job making the ordinary come alive.

Laurie Allee said...

Hey all,

Thanks for all the kind words. I agree with Oleg about this feeling very 1970s in its aesthetic. Something about those boxy windows and air conditioner units...

Until tomorrow!

Jane Hards Photography said...

It has very Magritte colours. As you can see I am way behind with comments. Flu and work.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful photo! I loved reading your post today!..

Thanks for sharing...


Thank you..
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Andrew
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