Sunday, December 2, 2012

Gray Day


I had to make a quick run to Provincetown on Saturday.  It was a snowy, misty day and everything was quite gray.  I don't know what I was thinking because I took no hat, no gloves and wore my suede loafers which must have a hole in the sole because I was taking on water like the S.S. Poseidon.  I sloshed my way around town with my wet camera trying to enjoy how empty and quiet and gray the town was.





Firewood being prepared for winter heating.

Robert DeNiro, Sr. at Provincetown Art Association and Museum
Did you know that Robert DeNiro, Sr. was an artist?


Painting by Tony Vever's at Provincetown Art Association and Museum

I love the texture in the paper.




Isn't the little porthole window awesome?



I love photographing the texture of decay.




See the water in the distance?



Many of the cottages along the Truro shore are boarded up for the winter.

It's really quite eery.









But thankfully we don't have to live in a black and white world.  

Not every image translates well to black and white.






And, finally, my favorite photo from the day...


It's quite possible this Christmas wreath has been hanging here for 20 years
but it just now gets noticed.
The flocked poinsettias have faded to pink, white and brown and the
plastic pomegranates look more like little turnips.

But something about the weathered surfaces and grayed colors
make it so perfect.  It's so Provincetown.

51 comments:

  1. Such beautiful photographs! I love that first cottage, where is it? Looks like a dolls house. And that wreath with the old faded blue door is wonderful. You have an eye for beauty. Hope that you have now dried out! x

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  2. That Gothic cottage is on Bradford Street at the top of Miller Hill in Provincetown, MA.

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  3. I love your black and white photos. They are wonderful. It's great seeing b&w on the web -- and so rare. Like you, I am drawn to photos of things that are in less than perfect condition: rusting metal, broken windows, rotting wood ... I think that's why I like your 7th photo best, but they're all great!
    Claudia

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  4. aaah. lovely post.
    thank you have this escape.
    you really are a wonderful photographer, you set the mood to perfection.
    I could almost hear the ocean.
    love the black and white but my mind is yearning to see the 1st photo in color.
    I think I might paint my shutters a turquoise blue...it blends so well with the texture of decay.

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  5. Gray boy:

    lovely and soulful. But I like you in green as well.

    Signed,
    Sunshine and 80
    blech.

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  6. Very pretty and simple. I am quite sure that I would not have ventured out, hat or no hat,in such weather. I am glad you are bit more hearty and brought us those images.

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  7. soulfully gorgeous, you should publish a little book of your Provincetown photographs, it would make a great gift! I never knew DeNiro Sr was an artist, thanks for that tidbit. Happy Sunday.

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  8. Steve, As you say, not all photographs translate well to black and white, however those you have shared today are amazing. The shading, lines and textures tell the story. Beautiful! Have a wonderful Sunday! Bonnie

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  9. The photos are perfect. I feel a little home-sick for the East Coast. But then again you mentioned the snow... This is a great representation of winter on the Cape, quiet and old.

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  10. Beautiful photos that capture the day, Steve. I love the faded wreath photo, too.

    Robert DeNiro Jr. has a house down the road from us. I think I've seen him drive by. It's a huge estate, of course, so I've never actually SEEN the house.

    xo
    Claudia

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  11. love the greyscale so emotional and poignant.
    thanks for the tour
    debra

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  12. Great photos of a gray day. Oh...but I do love the turquoise ones. That last one of the wreath....so perfect. That should be my Xmas card this year...if I sent Xmas cards. I think too that it looks like it's been hanging there awhile.

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  13. Great photos, Steve — the weather sure looks raw!

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  14. It sounds like a perfect, introspective day Steve - but maybe a woolly hat and stout shoes next time!

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  15. Even on a grey day, this place looks idyllic. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Steve,
    Wonderful!!Gray,Day
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art*by*Karena

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  17. A perfect gray day. Love your artistic eye!! Looks very cold! We had unseasonably warm temperatures today in DC....think it got up to 60!

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  18. What a lovely tour. The b & w photos really add to the sense of timelessness. Since it's a gray week here on the west coast, this was a nice change of grays. Love the faded wreath.

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  19. So beautiful when it is uninhabited. I love to photograph places that are desolate after the summer crowds have gone. Love all your photos and that last one is fantastic. I hope you are getting it framed!

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  20. Great photos Steve. I want to live in Provincetown and be an eccentric artist (independently wealthy of course) in my next life. It looks splendid there and your black and white photos do it justice this time of year. I like the turnip wreath too.

    Xo T.

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  21. Uh!!!!! What gorgeous images!! They evoke such a feeling. I love them. I want you to print and sign the one of the lantern with the blue green. What a tranquil day it must have been.

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  22. Brrrrrrr....is it summer yet?!?!?! franki

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  23. I love your photos. I esp love the gray ones, they are eerie but in a beautiful way. Hope your feet dried out.

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  24. Love The Texture of Decay image. Black and white is the perfect format - emphasizing the bleakness. And the rhythm/repetition of the Beach Bath Houses... Beautiful!

    Thanks for your comment on my Stern images. I found myself wondering whether there was a mirror of the hole at the other end of the room, but that it was a round window thru which the sun or moon could shine.

    Cheers,
    John

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  25. I love these photos, especially the house with decaying wood. What kind of camera did you use?

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    1. Maureen,
      I use a Panasonic Lumix point and shoot, almost always on the automatic setting. It's got an amazing lens. I converted the photos to black and white in iPhoto but you could also do it in picmonkey which is a free online photo editing software.

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  26. I love winter beaches--you have beautifully captured the lonely beauty of Provincetown in winter.

    I did know about DeNiro Sr.--have seen his work in at least one gallery.

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  27. I love the port hole, but even more I love that wreath!

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  28. Hope you don't mind...I shared your Christmas tree from last year on Mod Mix Monday today. Can't wait to see what you come up with this year.

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  29. Steve,
    I've been editing some photos of our town and playing with black and white....but there's nothing like the Provincetown in black and white or gray. The textures really come into focus...the shingles, the water, the decay...so pretty in its own way. And that wreath...you're right...it may have seen better days, but it's still quite beautiful.
    xo
    annie

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  30. Loved the grey days after the tourist season when I lived on the Cape. Those days trip/errands can be as memorable as any planned vacation. This one had good atmosphere to get out of yourself and look back.
    Nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

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  31. Beautiful, moody photographs. I can feel the chill in the air just looking at them. It is the time of year, I think, that many full-time residents love. It reverts to solitude.
    Best...Victoria

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    1. Victoria,
      I've always wanted to spent a year there to experience the summer crowds, the desolate winters and two lovely spring and falls.
      S.

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  32. Steve you took some amazing photos! Now we're back in spring like temps...ugh! I actually like using our wood stove.

    XXX
    Debra~

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  33. I read a lot of blogs but yours just amuses me so very much! I've left comments before but wanted to say-once again- thanks for doing this. I live in MA- South of Boston- so reading your blog is a treat! I too spend LTOS of time in PTwon and Wellfleet so this post was perfect. Thanks for it all. I appreciate you and the work you do! Lynda

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    1. Lynda,
      Thank you so much; that's very sweet. I'm glad I can amuse!
      Steve

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  34. Awesome photos. Break out those boots! : )

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  35. Beautiful Steve, hauntingly beautiful.

    I lasted on Nantucket thru December one year.

    Wish you were there with your camera.

    xo Jane

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  36. i got your comment today!!!! thanks!!!!!!! it made me crack up! thanks so much. i'm glad you can sleep now. haha!!

    Joni

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  37. i love cape cod and have been there in the summer, one time in the fall. i have always wondered what it would be like in the winter. so thank you for the pictures....

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  38. Steve,
    Have you been to John Derian's shop in P'town?
    I haven't visited yet but if it's anything like his shop in NYC it's bound to be awesome.
    Also, re photographing decay... check out the work of Rosamond Purcell.

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    1. Miranda,

      I didn't even know there was a Joh Derian shop in P'town! I just googled it and it's closed for the season. you can bet I'll be there on opening day in the spring!

      Thanks for the heads up about Rosamond Purcell. I'd love to see the work. I have a lot of photos I've never shown. The ship yards along the coast are awesome for that.

      S.

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    2. Lynda here again- I go to the Derian shop each time I am in Ptown. It's a delight.........and so fun that it is atahced to his home there. You gotta go!

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    3. I think I've noticed the little sign next to the house but didn't realize what it was. Thanks for the info, Lynda. I'm definitely going to check it out!

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    4. Okay - I've actually stood and pounded on the shop door! (not really, but I have stood there looking plaintively!) because it's never been open when I'm there. Either it closed half an hour earlier, or it's shut for the season. I think we need a field trip come next Spring!

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  39. How can you rent/stay/use those little Truro cottages? They look great!

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  40. Here's the website for those cottages. I don't know anyone that's ever stayed there so I don't have any personal knowledge about them. http://www.dayscottages.com/

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  41. I think I took a pic of the same house with the arched entrance and the ocean in the background a couple of weeks ago - but yours sure came out a lot better! It was not a good day to be without your gloves, but you certainly captured some gorgeous images!

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