View camera on the High Line

While strolling the High Line in New York City a few weeks ago, we came across a young lady photographing with a 4 x 5 view camera. I assume she was trying to capture the light and shadow on the building on the right.

 

It was great to watch the young lady using the view camera, it reminded me of when I had the chance to use one in high school. As a person who likes old cameras this was a real treat.

Light and shadow

The windows of the old restored New England sheep barn where we stayed recently has old glass panes which distort the light. Your eyes do not see it but the shadows show the distortion.

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There is an old basket and sieve on the wall, the shadows on them and on the wall caught my eye.

The hurricane lamp was very old, you cannot see the imperfections looking at the glass but they do show up when it casts a shadow.

Desolation

The dictionary defines desolation as "empty, bare, uninhabited, deserted, alone and solitary"; these are all words that you could use to describe Wadi Rum. You could also describe it as peaceful, tranquil, serene and a great place for contemplation.

Natural bridges, Wadi Rum

There are some rock climbing areas in Wadi Rum, the closest we got to these were two natural bridges.

Camel ride at sunrise

We hired four camels and a driver to have subjects for our desert photos. The camels showed up at 06:30 and we were ready to go by 07:00.

Camels don’t walk very fast but if you take a photo of them and then want to get back in front of them and set up for the next shot, they seem to be moving very fast.

Setting out in the morning

Wadi Rum has great rock formations

Dunes were an appropriate background

One of our group leading the camels

On a ridge

Headed back to camp

Yes, they are easy to ride.

Godan the camel

While in Wadi Rum Anita and I had the opportunity to ride camels. Anita was very lucky: she rode Godan, the youngest camel. Godan is about two years old and looked and felt like a very large soft toy.

The only problem with Godan was that he wanted to stop at every bush for breakfast. Anita was unable to get him going again after he stopped. The camel driver finally tied Godan to the camel ahead of him.

Godan with Anita aboard.

Camels are made for walking in the sand.

Godan was very easy to photograph.

You can see the hills reflecting in  his eye.

He was always happy.

He was very easy to ride.