Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Photo Challenge

The new year has been a busy one and I am ashamed I have not been back sooner.  I've been trying to keep current with everyone and have not always commented when I was in a hurry, but I've tried to let just about everyone know I was arround.  I hope the new year is being good to all of you.

I've decided to start doing the weekly photo challenge.  After the Blog Father departed AOL, Marie decided to keep the tradition of the weekly Photo Challenge alive and is graciously hosting this friendly competition. 

The theme for this week's challenge will be Hometown, suggested by Donna.

Select a photo that best represents "Hometown"
This could be something you love about where you live, either your hometown, home state, country....anything that shows your home.  It is your interpretation of "Hometown" or "Home"

Repeat from another post....

[Marie: "Examples; NYC, the city skyline at night.  or  Could be a seaside cottage, or country home.....  I recently was part of a photo challenge & was asked to suggest a theme.
This was mine "Home is where the Heart is"]

You may add something about why you chose this photo.
All entries must have a description of the photo, including when it was taken (the year) & where.   Anything that would be of interest to visitors checking out your image.

There are two catagories, beginner and advanced.  I wanted to enter in the beginner catagory, but I've posted enough pictures over the last three years that I fear I'd get booed out of J-Land.  I swear, this is true:  When I went out this afternoon to shoot the picture for this challenge, I had to read the manual all over again for my camera.  I decided to shoot in a file format I've never tried before and it has taken all afternoon and evening to get to the point of posting a final result.

So, My entry is in the advanced catagory and it is a waterfront scene on the Savannah River.

This is a picture of the Convention Center as seen from River Street on the waterfront of the Savannah River taken today, January 22, 2008 at approximately 3:30pm.  I wanted to take a shot of River Street, but the sun was at the wrong angle for a great shot and I suddenly realized that most of the visitors to our city go to River Street, not Hutchinson Island where the Convention Center is located.  That means that the view they take home of Savannah in their minds is of the Convention Center as seen from River Street.  The tall buliding to the right of the frame is the Westin Hotel.

There are some tugboats docked on a River Street warf in the lower left hand corner of the picture.  These belong to the Moran Company.  There are only two tugboat companies on this river so these boats are a very familiar sight to native residents.

Given my track record, I know you won't believe that I am going to post each and every week now to do this photo challenge.  You know, you may be wrong there.  It was fun getting out and shooting today.  I wanted to enter last week's challenge but events conspired against that happening.  I'm glad I put things aside today and got out there.  I had a blast.

I'll be posting again in a day or two because I have chosen a topic for Judy's Artsey Essay Contest and will be entering that this week as well.

Until then, take care and get out and have some fun with your camera if you have one.

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice job here!  I've been to Savannah and really loved it.  It has such character and charm...especially over by the water.  You captured it well.
Good to see you around again!

Nancy

Anonymous said...

Sam, I have never visited Georgia.  Love the reflection and seeing a little bit of your hometown.

Betty

Anonymous said...

Great shot..... love the blue sky and the reflection in the water....  what a difference from what I saw today.  WoW!!!   Someday I will get there and see for myself....
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh and Sam........  I dare you........ double dog dare you to post a picture each week!!!   LMAO
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

Beautiful scene...love that the water is so calm and serene. Just the name Savannah conjurs up balmy jasmine filled nights with mint juleps..lol...take care, be well...love, Sandi

Anonymous said...

Glad you are back and doing well.  I love your picture.  You picked an excellent spot to shoot.  I will be checking in to see who wins this week.  Good luck.
Hugs, Joyce

Anonymous said...

Wow Sam, that is a beautiful picture !!!  I see the sun but is it warm there or cold and sunny like it is here in Washington?  (the highest today was 33*)  Linda

Anonymous said...

Glad you decided to cast your fate to the wind and join in.  Great shot.  Of course, IMHO, any photo with boats in it is great.  I see you managed to sneak in part of the beautiful Talmadge Bridge, too.  I remember it when my nephew and I sailed down the ICW from Myrtle Beach and spent the day in the Historic District.  Great place.

Cheers
Clyde

Anonymous said...

Hi, just thought I would check out your entry in the photo shoot.  I love the colors in this photo and the reflections.  Water shots are favorites of mine too.  Maria
http://journals.aol.com/gotomaria/TheLittleThings/entries/2008/01/23/latte-heaven--biscotti---photo-challenge--hometown/2324

Anonymous said...

Wow, it looks almost not real its so real, LOL.  You are wonderful!  I would definitely fit into a beginner category if I joined up in this lil party.  Glad you popped in and said hello to the journal folks, and hope you and your family are well!  God Bless!

Anonymous said...

This a beautiful Photo Sam. Your theme is right on target. I haven't decided if I want to join in this week or not. I have trying to think of a subject to go out and take a photograph of. Helen

Anonymous said...

Sam that is a beautiful picture ~ the reflection of the buildings in the water adds just that extra little bit of magic ~ Savannah looks like a lovely place to live ~ look forward to seeing a picture every week :o) ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

Great shot Sam! When I was in Savannah last year I took an almost identical shot, River Street is a lovely place with great little shops ~ I loved watching the salt water taffy being made in the Candy Kitchen! I'll look forward to seeing more photos each week. I haven't posted this year yet, too much to do, not enough time to do it! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot Sam!  I'm attempting to do Marie's and Krissy's shoots this week!  But we'll see.  

I love the reflection in the water and the sense of slow motion/movement the water gives ... very nice.  

Anonymous said...

Beautiful :) I always like going down to the Riverwalk and seeing that view!

Gretchen

Anonymous said...

Love it!

Anonymous said...

it's beautiful.  i've always loved reflection shots and pix with blue, blue skies.  :)  maybe one day i'll make it to savannah.
gina

Anonymous said...

Sam, I am so glad you are participating in our challenge.  It's great to see you posting more often.  The whole idea of this challenge is to get out, shoot & enjoy it..............
This is a lovely shot of the river.
Looking forward to seeing more of your entries..Ü
Welcome aboard!
Marie

Anonymous said...

Great pic...you captured the theme very well. I look forward to more photo entries from you.

Tracie

Anonymous said...

Very pretty picture, Sam, thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more!

Anonymous said...

I love Savannah.... I'm sitting here thinking about eating pralines and drooling!<LOL> I told G the other day that we would have to visit you one day because I would love to meet you..... and get pralines!

Nice Shot. I'm playing around with doing something for this... but am not sure. I'm way too casual to worry about beginner and advanced and voting and all of that ;p

If you are looking to get back into doing some weekly Photo Meme's, Karen at http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/ is also doing a Monday Photo Shoot and a Weekend Assignment. Heck, even John Scalzi has joined in -and- put it on his Whatever blog so people could find it. I still miss John, but it is great that people stepped up and are trying to keep some of the community stuff going.

Anonymous said...

Great to hear from you again Sam I am looking forward to your photo entrys ,..love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam, How are you?  I really like your photo, good luck with the entry. :o)

Love Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Nice photo. I am a water sign, so I love anything to do with it. Always good to se you post.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot Sam!  I was looking for the one I took of our waterfront last month....would have been a perfect entry as well.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous picture, Sam. Glad to see you posting again, as I only know too well how busy you working men are. Hubby, being an accountant is rumored to be in his downstairs office completing tax returns, but I never see him surface until the end of April. (Canadians have until April 30th to file). Then, of course there's those business owners that contribute to hubby's salary. They all have different filing dates, but many are at the end of December. :::sigh::: Never a dull moment this way. Do take care!
Sincerely, Rose~*

Anonymous said...

Sam, this is a great photo. I was shooting at NJ's other coast today (the Delaware) and saw nothing this beautiful. Great job and great entry!
Vicki

Anonymous said...

Sam, this is a great photo. I was shooting at NJ's other coast today (the Delaware) and san nothing this beautiful. Great job and great entry!
Vicki

Anonymous said...

Hello. Its nice to hear from you again. I was wondering how you were doing. I have had a rough couple of weeks. Two of the coworkers have lost loved ones and we are still in the middle of it all and its been an emotional time. I am glad to hear from you. I have been checking your journal to see if you posted anything. I have been wondering how you were doing since the New Year.

Anywho...I just wanted to come by and say hello. Do take care and I can't wait to hear from you again.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam, I remember you from when I had my old journal!  It's good to find you again. :-)  I like the reflection in the water.  Nicely done.

Monica

Anonymous said...

hi sam, great photo, impressive scene. Thanks for poping by my journal recently. take care mrs t x
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mleppard06/eternity/

Anonymous said...

Ohhh Sam!  Savannah...:::sigh:::...good memeories.  Nice shot.  I've just gottenmy camera manual out too.  I'm reading Greg's tutorials, and trying to improve...I'm such the diosaur. ;)  C.

Anonymous said...

Your picture is gorgeous!  How I envy you living where the water is not ice!  Heck - I envy you living where you can take a picture like this without wearing a snow mobile suit!  This morning we had 21 below zero, but just 40 miles north of us in Hibbing they had an actualy temperature reading of minus 31!

Hugs from Minnesota

Anonymous said...

Oh Mr S this is just beautiful!  Seems we've both been away for abit, and I'm trying to visit every soul in the Land of J whom I've been so lucky to befriend - counting you amongst them!  Dont have a cam but will enjoy everyone's pix, and esp looking forward to reading your Essay.  xo CATHY
http://journals.aol./com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/    

Anonymous said...

This is a very beautiful picture.  It's good to hear from you, and I look forward to your essay.
Lori

Anonymous said...

That's a great picture! All the elements lined up perfectly just for you! The picture is terrific, and of course the narrative makes it all your own!

Good to see ya, Sam. Nice work!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful picture.This reminds me so much of when I sailed on the Natchez in New orleans last September.I am sorry I havn't been by your blog I have been having problems with my comptuter AOL have been up to there tricks again LOL!! Good Luck in the competition.Looking forward to reading more of your posts.Take Care God Bless Kath astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

This is a great photo...I love anything by the water anyway...very nice.

Anonymous said...

It's a beautiful picture. Water is the most soothing thing of all to be near, in, or just see in a picture.
Thank you for sharing with us all~
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Love the picture - love being around water. How wonderful it must be to live in this area. Great job, Sam. I'm looking forward to your next photo.
I'm not online as much, due to family difficulties; so far behind in all my journals. I've not been able to visit everybody so apologize for  the length of my absence. I've missed your entries..visiting here. Have an awesome day.
Hugs, and love too.
Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK

Anonymous said...

I feel warmer already, Sam - thank you!

Rob

Anonymous said...

Great photo.
Good luck.
Carolxx

Anonymous said...

Its a great shot.  I wouldn't have booed you out of J~Land if you had entered in the beginner category, though.. lol

No offense to anyone, or Savannah's economy, but that hotel is an eyesore, in my opinion.  I know, I know.. progress and all, but it seems out of place in such a serene setting.

I'm a little biased since we have recently had an LA Fitness monstrosity built close by.  The building is so huge (and ugly), it blocks out the sun....  pity.

Good luck on the contest, and patiently waiting for your essay :)

Cat~

Anonymous said...

Hi ya Sam - I have been out of touch with everyone in journals - I thought I'd would try visit everyone tonight - hope you are ok and I love your pic! Laine x
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/laines-world/

p.s have you heard from Jeannette she hasnt journaled for ages.

Anonymous said...

Nice pic, good luck with the competition.
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Great photo! Glad you've joined us and hope you'll make it back often!
Martha ~

Anonymous said...

 I loved this photo, the entire layout was perfect and the reflection in the water from the building was great.

          Julie

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful place to live
connie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!  It will be good to see you post often again.  I miss your contributions!

Anonymous said...

    I love the way that building reflects in the water. I love the name of that boat company, too. Moran. Great name.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jMORANCoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

That is a lovely picture that you chose!!! -Missy http://journals.aol.com/ma24179/MISSYZSTUFF

Anonymous said...

Very nice!!
Linda :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, you captured it beautifully!  Well done!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful picture Sam...........makes me want to go back to Savannah again.  It almost appears that the water is moving.  GREAT job!   Anne

Anonymous said...

I need to get back into this. Great shot.

Anonymous said...

Your photograph of the river is beautiful! Savannah is one of my favorite places to wander around - last time we were there I burned up four huge memory cards and still didn't get all of the pictures I wanted. But then that's another reason to come back!

Anonymous said...

Hey! Nice to see you back and posting again.  I took photos for this challenge but then the rules and stuff started getting too complicated and confusing. :-)

ryanagi.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Oh wonderful! I've been away, a bit, myself! I'll try to do the assignment, but I'm
having trouble with my camera settings too! Your picture came out NICE! Stop by my journal, when you get the chance a say hey! I made a new entry-finally. I do
have some photos i could use....we'll see...~Diane~Story's From the City~Tale's From the Sea

Anonymous said...

Very nice Sam!
I think it is a well composed photo and your dialog is very nice with it!
hugs,natalie