Archive for February 14th, 2024
Gray days
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After a spell of what felt like two weeks of rain and snow showers, a brief January interval occurred here in Pittsburgh during which precipitation wasn’t falling from the sky, and a humble narrator headed over to the West End Overlook park to try and capture a few shots. What I was hoping for was an image or two of some shoreline flooding which all that sky water had wrought along the river banks – during which the level of the three rivers had risen about 24-36 inches over their mean average, but by the time I got there – the waters had receded.
That’s me, a day late and a dollar short.
Most of the locally sourced photographers in Pittsburgh seem to make it a point of operating during early mornings and sunset, and I’m beginning to understand why. The early afternoon light was absolutely ‘meh.’
That’s Downtown Pittsburgh and the confluence of the Three Rivers pictured – Allegheny and Monongahela’s meeting point, where their admixture becomes the Ohio.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Regardless, I was there anyway and decided to crack out a few shots. This location is about a 20 minute drive from HQ, and it’s a public park, so there’s no worries about trespassing on someone’s property. I’ve captured some genuinely lovely shots there in the past, and as long time readers of this – your Newtown Pentacle – will tell you, when I find a nice spot or ‘point of view’ I’ll revisit it during different seasons, times, and climatological conditions.
Also as mentioned, I’ve been in a bit of a ‘mood’ for the last few weeks, which is something easily forecast when the season is mid winter. If you click through to any of the January and February archives listed on the right hand side of the page, you’ll find lots and lots of me bitching about the cold and dark months. It’s not ‘seasonal disaffective disorder’ if you’re wondering, instead I’m just somewhat bored and miss the ‘good light.’
That’s the West End Bridge, and that tug is navigating the headwaters of the Ohio River.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This photo looks up the Monongahela River, which is a corridor that I’ve spent a lot (most) of my photo time exploring in the last year.
It started to rain again just as I was clicking the shutter button for this shot, and one had to break down the tripod and camera quickly and return to the Mobile Oppression Platform for cover. All told, I think I had something like an hour up there in between bands of rain and drove back to HQ in a frustrated mood.
Man, I’ve got to find somewhere where I can go shoot that has a roof.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 