Church In A Puddle, originally uploaded by Mac Girl.
Great shot from Grand Rapids for a Sunday.
An Entirely Different Human Shield
Apparently, we’ll end the week on a military theme. This morning, I stumbled upon a page with some amazing examples of “patriotic photographs in true perspective” produced by Mole & Thomas, a Chicago photography studio. The one above was taken at Camp Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Now if you’re anything like me, you won’t mind a bit more detail on the above photo provided by the George Glazer Gallery of NYC:
Aerial photograph of 30,000 military officers and men at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan, forming an emblem based on the shield that is part of the design of the great seal of the United States, with 13 stars and 13 vertical stripes. The shield is in front of the bald eagle in the seal design, which was officially adopted by the U.S. Government in 1787. This photograph was taken by Mole & Thomas, a Chicago firm famous for such patriotic bird’s-eye group shots at military bases after World War I. The Library of Congress has eight such photos in their collection, including this one.
Arthur S. Mole was a British-born commercial photographer who worked in Zion, Illinois. During and shortly after World War I, Mole traveled with his partner John D. Thomas from one military camp to another, posing thousands of soldiers to form gigantic patriotic symbols that they photographed from above. The formations depicted such images as the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the Marine Corps emblem and a portrait of President Woodrow Wilson. The Wilson portrait, for example, was formed using 21,000 officers and men at Camp Sherman in Ohio and stretched over 700 feet. His “Human Liberty Bell” was composed from over 25,000 soldiers, arranged with Mole’s characteristic attention to detail to even depict the crack in the bell. Mole and Thomas spent a week or more preparing for these immense works, which were taken from a 70- or 80-foot tower with an 11- by- 14-inch view camera. When the demand for these photographs dropped in the 1920s, Mole returned to his photography business in Zion. Photographs by Mole and Thomas are in the collections of the Chicago Historical Society, the Museum of Modern Art and the Library of Congress.
The Glazer Gallery sold this print, but they may have others.
Image Courtesy Library of Congress.
Michigan Winter
Michigan Winter, originally uploaded by Eviluting.
This photo wasn’t taken this morning, but as I looked around for a photo to match the newfalleness outside this morning, this one from the photogenic MSU campus seemed best.
They Knew How to Build Things Then…
Train Station, Muskegon, originally uploaded by I am Jacques Strappe.
Marjorie writes:
Quite possibly one of the coolest buildings I’ve ever encountered…
It appears through her extensive photographs of architectural subjects that she’s encountered a building or two, including this one’s long-lost little brother: the Starkweather Memorial Chapel in Ypsilanti.
You can see some more photos and information about the Muskegon Train Station from Michigan Passenger Stations.
Dream Big … and Have a Little Fun
Dreaming, originally uploaded by aricee.
Before you all conclude I have an unhealthy obsession with the AirZoo, let me explain that the main purpose of this selection is to introduce you to the very fun Flickr Toys from fd that allow you to make posters, montages, comics and a whole lot of other things including billboards of your kitty.
In addition to playing with Flicker Toys, aricee takes beautiful and thoughtful photos of the natural world and her family.
All Alone on the Silver Lake Dunes
Untitled, originally uploaded by raemarie.
raemarie writes:
I was really looking forward to the sun going down. But I was so depressed, I just drove home. On the expressway. No backroads. That’s how bad it was.
This is just one photo from a great photo set called “The day the d70 died.” taken in and around the Silver Lake Dunes.
It’s a depressing moment when a photographer’s camera ceases to function. You get to know the camera’s quirks and it can become a trusted companion.
Here’s hoping that raemarie is shooting again … soon.
Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Kalamazoo Air Zoo, originally uploaded by Robin of Loxley.
When not robbing the rich, Robin apparently spends time taking interesting photographs like this one.
The AirZoo of Kalamazoo looks like an excellent place to get away from the dreary, misty, rainy, Januaryness we have been experiencing.
Cold Afternoon at the South Haven Lighthouse
South Haven Lighthouse, originally uploaded by Oldhamer.
It’d be hard to find a better introduction to Flickr’s Michigan Lighthouse Group than this photo by Oldhamer of the South Haven Lighthouse taken in December of 2005. He notes that the top walkway allows keepers to get to the light when the bottom is covered with ice.
Be sure to click the photo to get to Flickr, then click the “ALL SIZES” link above the photo to see the detail on the ice on the light. While you’re at it, check out some of Oldhamer’s other pics. The detail shots he has are very nice.
If you get the urge to visit South Haven, be sure to check out the Michigan Maritime Museum.
4 … 3 … 2006
12:00:59, originally uploaded by O Caritas.
This was my very first photo of the new year… I crouched over at the corner of Albert Street and M.A.C. Avenue, set the camera on the ground and propped it up on the back of my hand to raise the lens high enough to frame the clock.
I took two very quick photos and, as I stood up, a crowd of people approached and I was asked if I’d lost my watch. I turned to head home and an East Lansing police officer approached me and she told me she’d stopped because she thought I was throwing up!
East Lansing is known for that, you know!
Those of you who are offended by envelopes better not click this link.
Michigan in Pictures 