Don’t make me get up early, but if I’m awake anyway… Give me a good sunrise.
Early Morning in Hartford
Tag: church
A Year in Hartford
We’ve now long passed the one-year anniversary of my move to Hartford, Connecticut. The benefit of occupying the same post downtown for all of that time is being present for those singular perfect nights with incredible post-storm skies.
Stills of Pearse Lyons
Pearse Lyons Distillery was constructed in a long-disused church in Dublin. The full renovation of the space included replacing the original (and long-damaged) stained glass with whiskey-focused glass. (Check out the glass still in the window behind the copper stills!)
Ireland Today
Even in a classic tourist town like Kilkenny, the stone walls and churches are accompanied by the features of modern Ireland. The auto mechanic and filling station in the left foreground (not to mention the cars) provide little hints of the century when this image was captured.
Faithful Symmetry
For all of the mirror symmetry imparted by St. Canice’s architecture, the sunlight entering through windows (or not) shows that the external world is always ready to break some symmetry.
Mad Scientist Skyline
Arcs of lightning through stormy clouds add a strong sense of the Frankensteinian to this summer image of Hartford’s skyline. The storm that just capped the city in snow will soon provide an opportunity for a different kind of mad scientist image.
Center Church with Fireworks
The incongruity of a brick church and centuries-old burial ground amidst modern urban architecture perhaps aligns with posting summer pictures in early January. Hopefully both aspects brighten the New Year!
Flags in the Chapel
St. Lawrence’s chapel is filled with the flags of many nations, but they look even better when paired with a crowd of people—hopefully someday again.
Church of Our Lady before Týn
I associate the Bohemian architecture of Prague so closely with spy movies that I immediately imagine an agent rappelling down the side of every facade I photographed.
Old Town Square and Prague Castle
From the clock tower above Old Town, Prague Castle is visible in the distance continuing its hilltop vigilance over the narrow streets.
Moon Sneaks Out from Behind the Chapel
Returning to Trinity College’s campus for reunion this summer, I felt a little like I was sneaking around in a place I didn’t quite belong. The moon, hiding just behind the chapel’s steeple, seemed to share my bashfulness.
Paris Churches
I wasn’t surprised to find a plethora of churches in Paris, but I was surprised by their array of designs. This first example neatly abuts the sidewalk, filling its lot.
By comparison, this next example is set back from the street and exhibits a vertical reflection plane.
This last case has a wholly different geometry and stonework hue. Am I even sure this is a church? Christian imagery appears on so many buildings.
Crowds in Front of Notre Dame
Of the people standing in the dusky light and the long line to enter Notre Dame, it was actually those at the end of the line who were luckiest: they were still outside a few moments later when the lights illuminating the outside of the cathedral activated.
Holy Symmetry
Though the symmetry of Notre Dame de Paris stands out from the mere mortal constructs around it, I enjoy playing the game of identifying the breaks in its symmetry. Some of those are small, like the different statues around the building. Others are more significant, like the triangle in place or an arch above the left-most set of doors.
Boats in the Seine Near Notre Dame
The bridge in the distance is the Pont au Double, and it is one of several that connect the Rive Gauche to Île de la Cité. That central island fascinates me because it is the site of the medieval refounding of the city. The island used to be packed with residences alongside government and religious buildings. Today it is almost entirely dominated by the latter buildings (like Notre Dame on the right), yet I heard that census information still lists a few hundred people living on the island. Where are those last homes hiding?
Decaseconds 