Photography Journal Portland Oregon

I must...

2010-05-02T14:57:00.001-07:00

take a a hiatus (reluctantly) from this blog. I am immersed in a "serious" photography project and taking a portfolio development workshop that is very intense. So all my photography energies need to be devoted there at this time. But, I will let my followers know when I am coming back!!! Thanks for looking.

Soon after....

2010-05-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

I took this photograph, a man leisurely strolled up the block and sat down and had a smoke. A discard or a neighborhood convenience?

The old and....

2010-04-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

and the new seen in downtown Old Town. I was going to darken the modern building seen behind this rehab in progress, but decided I like the ghostly look of the highrise.

Body art....

2010-04-29T08:29:00.001-07:00

is very popular in Portland, so there are a plethora of tattoo parlors. But this is the first tattoo club I have come across-located in Old Town. To learn more about this definitely interesting establishment, go to electric cobra tattoo club.

Always parked....

2010-04-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

in this driveway-was it used to take folks to a local restaurant?

If you....

2010-04-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

like hardware stores, or just want to experience a really funky place, head to Hippo Hardware on East Burnside. To know more, go to hippo hardware.

An interesting mural on Burnside

2010-04-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

A tool for empowerment....

2010-04-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

and a vehicle for change....the slogan of this cycling center. To learn more about this organization, visitcommunity cycling center.

and vehicle for change....the slogan of this bicycling organization. To learn more, go to

I sometimes wonder....

2010-04-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

if misspellings are deliberate or not.

I really like it when....

2010-04-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

when the traces of the past are preserved.

I'm back...

2010-04-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

from a vacation in the tropical paradise of Belize where the official motto is "go slow". Will start up again with this smiley face seen on a bench in North Portland.

I'll be away....

2010-04-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

away from my daily blog-snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, eating and drinking in Belize. Will resume posting on April 19th, so come on back then!

Saw this writing on a piece of wood and wondered if it was someone's friend or a neighborhood person, but it turns out to be another band. Information at paulrus id dead.

Those of you...

2010-04-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

who read this blog regularly know that I am always intrigued by random stickers appearing on all kinds of surfaces throughout the city. The Lonesome Travelers are a Colorado acoustic band. Learn more about them at lonesome traveler band.

The old professor in me...

2010-04-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

can always spot a misspelling. Might be worth visiting however to check out the "biggest" in the world claim.

Porque...

2010-04-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

no? My family's favorite Mexican restaurant in Portland. Find out why at por que no.

Perhaps....

2010-04-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

this prose should lead to a contemplative insight, but it doesn't work for me.

Green mania

2010-03-31T10:04:00.001-07:00

spreads to regifting.

Perhaps I'll....

2010-03-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

try this North Portland food cart out for breakfast (when the weather warms up!).

Has to be...

2010-03-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

the fanciest "no parking" sign I have ever seen on a garage door. On Mississippi Avenue in North Portland.

A car is just a....

2010-03-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

a car. Or so I have pretty much always thought. My first new car was a Volkswagen beetle and it remains the only car I had a "relationship" with. I still love the beetles and found this one charming in its own collage style way.

Want an...

2010-03-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

afternoon nosh? Seen on N Mississippi.

Interesting history

2010-03-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

This North Portland building has been renovated and is now part of the Mcmenamins chain of restored hotels, pubs and eateries. It has a fascinating history which you can read about at White Eagle hotel. It was also a part of the Portland's shanhgai tunnel system whereby men were taken from pubs and taken on as crew members of ships on the Willamette River against their will. At one time, connected to this practice, Portland was called the Forbidden City of the West. You can tour the still existing tunnels and you can learn more about them by visiting www.uniquely-portland-oregon.com/shanghai-tunnels.html.

Stark naked.....

2010-03-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

pizza-no toppings?

No....

2010-03-24T10:14:00.001-07:00

glass, no garbage. Some garbage can!

There still are....

2010-03-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

some places one can go to light up.

Vista

2010-03-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

One of the wonderful things about living in Portland is that when the sky is clear, Mt. Hood pops right up into the sky. Alas, not every day is that clear, but on those days, we do have murals such as these to remind us what lies behind the clouds.

Gone

2010-03-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

Great business hours-six hours on Friday and Saturday each!! But what initially drew my attention was the "gone" sign instead of the usual "closed" message.

Women....

2010-03-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Making History in Portland-mural seen in North Portland. For an interesting backstory about this mural, go to women making history in Portland mural.

Since 1871

2010-03-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

This building has obviously been rehabbed since then, but I think it's great they keep the old sign. No longer selling cigars and tobacco, it is, of course this being Portland, a coffee roasting company.

I'm going to....

2010-03-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

to stop in some day, have a cup of coffee and assess the quality of the backtalk.

The Avalon

2010-03-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

A very old movie theater in the Northeast Belmont district, it now not only shows VERY strange movies, but is also an old-fashioned indoor gaming arcade.

Let's hope not!

2010-03-16T09:46:00.001-07:00

Lining up the shot

2010-03-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful old mural painted on the wooden side of Sam's Billiards in the Hollywood district. Curious about the history of Sams and what it offers today? Go to samsbilliards.

Destiny....

2010-03-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

written in lower left corner. Make of the message what you will!

Records

2010-03-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

Walking around the city, you see random stickers stuck to all kinds of surfaces. This one advertises the Oddio Record Company in Pennsylvania. More at oddio records

2010-03-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

On southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, an art deco diner that has occupied this spot since the 50's. Recently renovated, it is as ever a great place to satisfy that craving for Coney Island fare, most especially the hot dogs.

Film Fests

2010-03-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

Turns out Portland is home to a number of very interesting film festivals!

Personally....

2010-03-09T15:35:00.001-08:00

I wouldn't have my tea any other way! For more information, visit yerba mate .

Recently seen...

2010-03-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

bumper sticker.

Spring on my street (again)

2010-03-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

These are such a wonderful sight on what is a very warm and sunny early March day!

Spring has....

2010-03-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

come early to Portland. These are my next door neighbor's beautiful trees.

OK, I admit....

2010-03-04T08:31:00.000-08:00

I have a hard time resisting these signs!

Oh, to be in Paris....

2010-03-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

my very favorite city. But, there is a litte corner of it in this creperie in the southeast section of the city.

Start Early!

2010-03-02T08:19:00.001-08:00

My sentiments exactly!

2010-02-28T10:01:00.001-08:00

Most likely the wierdest event in Portland yesterday

2010-02-27T07:10:00.000-08:00

in today's Oregonian...front page of the How We Live section.

Hmmmm...

2010-02-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

Barbershop

2010-02-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

I spotted this unusual and elegant mural in a southeast Hawthorne barbershop.

Talk about....

2010-02-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

the good old days!

It's all about the green

2010-02-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

There is a huge emphasis on all things "green" in Portland, but this is the first time I had encountered the concept of a green street. Seen in the southeast Mt Tabor neighborhood.

great advice!!

2010-02-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

Seen in store window

2010-02-20T08:13:00.000-08:00

For everything?

New Year

2010-02-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

It's the Year of the Tiger and this local antiques shop was decorated for the festivities.

Closet search

2010-02-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

Somehow I doubt that anything in my closet will meet this store's definition of "cool".

Spring Stylin

2010-02-16T09:28:00.001-08:00

The flowers aren't the only bright colored things blooming in Portland this week!

Yahoo!

2010-02-15T10:03:00.001-08:00

Outside our dining room-first bloom of spring!

I am woman

2010-02-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Seen in the downtown southwest area.

Better planet

2010-02-13T09:39:00.001-08:00

There really is nothing more to say.

One big dog

2010-02-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

My granddaughter and I went to the wonderful Portland Children's Museum yesterday to see the Clifford: The Big Red Dog exhibit. He brings a smile to folks of all ages.

Odd Fellows

2010-02-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

A mural in the Northeast Hollywood district celebrating this 1892 Odd Fellows building.

Celebrate music!

2010-02-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

Seen on North Alberta Street store wall.

2010-02-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

Portlanders love coffee. I really like the diversity of these small drive-thru coffee vendors scattered throughout the city.

Sometimes....

2010-02-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

I find it interesting to think about the choices people make in "adorning" their houses and yards. Sometimes, I just have to stop the car and take a picture!

What are they thinking?

2010-02-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love it when you are behind this and since there are no ropes holding that mattress on, you know that if he/she stops suddenly, you will have a windshield full of it!

How Portland

2010-02-06T09:43:00.000-08:00

I have seen many signs around town announcing benefits for the people of Haiti. This one however struck as the essence of the city-a vegan event at the Peoples Coop.

Fill in the bubble

2010-02-05T10:29:00.001-08:00

Found on a wall in North Portland-I'm amazed no one has filled in the bubble!

Curious

2010-02-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

Have seen many of these announcements stapled to telephone poles around. Evidently the release of this new comic book is big news for fans. To learn more, go to signing party.

Legacy

2010-02-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

A mural on North Portland's Alberta Street reminding us of the history and legacy of Malcolm X's Black Panther movement.

We could use some

2010-02-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Do you suppose there is ever a sale?

Comfort Food

2010-02-01T16:12:00.000-08:00

When you get a hankering for some of that ultimate comfort food, a grilled cheese sandwich, head on over to Northeast Alberta street to this sidewalk trailer dining spot. For you non-Portlanders, the PDX on the license plate is the airport code for Portland- lots of people use it instead of writing out the city's name.

Dumpster drawing

2010-01-31T09:21:00.000-08:00

Portland has very little graffiti compared with most other cities I have been in. Yet in any city, it seems that dumpsters are an irresistible target for the street "artist" and the sticker adherents.

Buy a T-shirt!

2010-01-30T09:07:00.001-08:00

Roseland Theater

2010-01-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

This old theater in downtown southwest Portland is currently a rock concert venue. However, it has an interesting connection to presidential politics. In 2004, Ralph Nader was making his third bid for the presidential nomination. In Oregon, a candidate can be placed on the state's presidential ballot if she or he has an assembly of 1,000 people. In April, Nader appeared at the Roseland for the assembly, but only 741 showed up. So he had to resort to the usual method of collecting petition signatures.

Interesting Window

2010-01-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

This is actually a window display in Chinatown. I found the composition jarring, yet interesting enough to hold my attention as I wondered who the artist is.

The Golden Dragon

2010-01-27T07:02:00.000-08:00

I think any city is enriched by the continued presence of these old signs that speak to the history of establishments. Thank goodness not all is new and sparkling!

Get your twinkies here

2010-01-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

Maybe (and in fact, probably) these Wonder Bread/Hostess Twinkie outlet stores exist in other cities, but I had never seen one before! I love the sign, "Not Just a Bread Store". Someday maybe I'll go in.

2010-01-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

This is only the second payphone I have seen in Portland. I got to wondering how many there still are out there and sure enough, a google search brought up the website of someone who lists all the payphones he has seen in Oregon. I can't imagine this information could ever actually be useful, but now you know: Oregon payphones.

Reality

2010-01-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Seen yesterday on Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The purple octopus

2010-01-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

This octopus (complete with Christmas hat) has been the landmark of the southwest downtown Greek Cuisina restaurant. In business 36 years, the popular eatery is closing down after a dispute with a Portland City Commissioner. Word is that the octopus will be up for auction on eBay, so you will have an incredible opportunity to own this tacky, yet iconic, piece of the city's restaurant history.

The wind, it blew!

2010-01-22T09:45:00.000-08:00

We had high winds the other night and when we awoke and looked out on our backyard the next morning, we discovered one of our cypress trees had laid itself down across the yard. Fortunately, and (amazingly), it didn't damage the deck.

Chinatown

2010-01-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

Here is the entrance to Chinatown in the northwest historic Oldtown district. The area contains many attractions including the Classical Chinese Garden, the Japanese Historic Plaza, the Nikkei Legacy Center and many more. To see an overview of this district, visit Chinatown.

Sticker

2010-01-20T09:02:00.000-08:00

As I walk around any city, I am always fascinated by the stickers people choose to put up in seemingly random places. Strange Famous Records is an independent recording company started by Sage Francis in 1996 when he decided he couldn't continue to wait to be discovered. Based in Providence Rhode Island, you can learn more by going to Strange Famous Records.

You really have to check this out!

2010-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

The home of gigantic doughnuts and so much more! There is the Voodoo wedding chapel where (legal) ceremonies have been performed since 2003. For example, there is the First Friday eating contest, the Tex-Ass Challenge, and the Coffin Full of Doughnuts. To learn all about it, go to their website at http://voodoodoughnuts.com. Sorry, the link isn't working for some reason within the blog.

Hip hotel

2010-01-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

As in many urban down towns, old hotels that had fallen on hard times are being renovated. One of the most interesting is the Ace Hotel in the northwest section of the city (and around the corner from Powell's one and a half million new and used books). The hotel is part of a chain, but the property has several unique features. My favorite is the old-fashioned photo booth in the lobby where you can commemorate your visit with a strip of those always flattering black and white photos. It is described as being a cross between a hip and boutique hotel, featuring rooms decorated with artist murals and a Stumptown coffee roasting shop off the lobby. To find out more, visit acehotel.

Old restaurant

2010-01-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

"Unleash your inner foodie in a city that has become a hot culinary destination, and experience an amazingly textured range of global delights created with fresh, locally harvested ingredients". (Fodor, 2008, Portland, 9.)

If coffee is important in Portland, the amazing number of restaurants competing for a diner's loyalty is staggering. While there are always new restaurants to try, there are some old classics still remaining, including the Seafood Grotto in the northwest section of the city. This opened in 1891 as Zack's Oyster House in the Joyce Hotel which now is a hostel.

2010-01-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

Coffee is a VERY big deal in Portland. Trailhead Coffee Roasters does all of its deliveries by bicycle. Their beans come from the Cafe Feminino Coop. All of the harvesting is done by women who share in the proceeds. Their website:cafefemenino.com.

You are going to need a big glass for this pour!

2010-01-15T11:33:00.000-08:00

This 12 foot bronze replica sculpture of a wine pitcher from the Chinese Shang Dynasty (1200-1100 B.C.) was a gift to Portland in 2002 from Chinese businessman Huo Baozhu, a producer of reproduction antiquities. It is sixteen times the original size. Huo gave the gift as a demonstration of his love of Portland and Chinese history.

This scultpure is located in the Northwest Park Blocks. These blocks were dedicated to the city by Captain John Couch in 1869. The area was residential by the 1880's. The City Park Commission installed the first supervised playground in 1908. (From: Portland Parks and Recreation). More about the art in the park blocks in the future.

Book Heaven

2010-01-14T14:21:00.000-08:00

This is the main store of the famous Powells Books, the largest independent bookstore in the country. This store location encompasses a whole city block, and there are five satellite stores specializing in topics such as technology and gardening. For those not lucky enough to live in this home of Powells, the good news is you can shop online and check out lots of cool features at Powells Book Store.

Mystery

2010-01-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

I often pass by this abandoned storefront, and I continue to wonder if the store (whatever it was or will be) is coming or going. There are no clues.

End Petlessness

2010-01-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite billboard advertisement campaign in Portland. The city prides itself on being pet friendly and others agree. Forbes and Dog Fancy magazines have named it the most dog friendly city in the US. And, not to leave our other favorite pet out, it has been named the 4th most cat friendly city in the country. And it ranks 1st among all American cities in the number of dog parks per capita population. These and more factoids can be found at Oregon Veterinary Association.

2010-01-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

This is the fourth reincarnation of the 24 Hour Church of Elvis which opened recently in Northwest Portland. It is open 24 hours, but is not a church and has little to do with Elvis. What it has is a very strange collection of objects and coin operated machines. To learn more (and to browse in the store), go to 24 hour church of Elvis.

2010 No Pants Subway Ride

2010-01-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, you are correct-this image has nothing to do with the Pants Off event. Since I am unable to photograph that, I am adding this abstract to keep to my commitment to post a photo a day. I will post more of these periodically and explain their surprising locations.

This intrepid photographer is ailing a bit today, or I would be covering this event with my camera.

"A stunt like this doesn't need explaining in a city that also harbors mass pillow fights and Santa-packed drinking binges. Chaos and joy-spreading public scenes are practically a citywide pastime". (Kelly Clarke, Oregonian).

To participate, you go to a designated MAX stop (for you non-Portlanders, this is the city subway system) and ride the train without your pants. The good (or bad) news, depending on your perspective, is that this event is global. For a report on No Pants 2010 Subway Ride events elsewhere, go to www.improveverywhere.com.

2010-01-09T09:56:00.000-08:00

This mural adorns the top of a downtown Mexican restaurant. Makes me wonder if the food can possibly be as dramatic as the art!

2010-01-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

I have always been fascinated by street art, especially murals. This is a favorite of the ones I have seen so far in Portland. I will bring you more periodically as I discover them. Whenever I visit a city, at home or abroad, one of the things I always look to photograph are the varieties of street art (stencils, posters, murals, graffiti). By far the most elaborate and best I've seen (and loved photographing) are in Barcelona. So should you find yourself in that great city, do look for these works of art in addition to enjoying the sublime works by Gaudi.

Goodbye to the season

2010-01-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

As we celebrate the new year and decade, we say goodbye to the 2009 city Christmas tree, shown here being dismantled in downtown Pioneer Square.

Zoo Bomb

2010-01-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

An update for my recent post on the bikes adorning the street sign. I have learned that these are most probably part of Portland's "Zoo Bomb" bike event. Every Sunday people gather at the Oregon Zoo in the city's west hills, some wearing costumes, where they proceed to "bomb" down the hills. This event has occurred weekly for 10 years. Mini bikes and unusual bikes are encouraged. Those without bikes can borrow one from these collections of bikes at different points in the city.

Allow Me

2010-01-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

It's true, it does rain in Portland in the winter. This sculpture by the artist J. Seward Johnson, is called "Allow Me" and is found in downtown's Pioneer Square.

Dubbed the city's "living room", the land was purchased in 1848 by Elijah Hill for the princely sum of $24.00 and a pair of boots. In 1875 the Pioneer Courthouse was erected on the site, the second largest in the West at that time. In 1890 the luxurious Portland Hotel was also built on the site at a cost of $1,000,000. The hotel was razed in 1951 by the department store chain Meier and Frank and their flagship store was built. In the early 1970's, the square was redesigned after an international design competition which was won by Will Martin. The bricks in the current square have the names of donors who contributed to the rebuilding of the space.

The square hosts over 300 events a year and there will be photos of some of these events to come.

Outfitting Portland

2010-01-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

One of the treats for anyone who roams the streets of Portland is the variety of outfits people don. Vintage is big and I see clothing combinations seen nowhere else (or at least ever by me). As a friend recently said to me, "Portland is where you see someone riding a bike in a bunny suit and you don't look twice".

Biker Paradise

2010-01-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

Residents take great pride in the naming of Portland as one of the most "bike friendly" cities in the country. There are bike routes galore throughout the city (and indeed our very own street is one). Bike commuters abound throughout the year and in all kinds of weather. And as seen in this image, bikes are even used for ornamentation!

There are many bike events, including the annual World Naked Bike Ride which in June 2009 attracted 5,000 riders.

Tall Trees at Tabor

2010-01-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

These very tall trees are in Mt. Tabor Park in the southeast section of the city. Mt. Tabor was named after a city in Israel by Plympton Kelly. The 195 acres that comprise the park were purchased in 1903 on the recommendation of John Olmstead. Emanuel Mische, Superintendent of Parks (who had worked with the Massachusetts Olmstead firm) designed the park layout. A distinct feature is the extinct volcanic cone. It is a favorite location for hiking, cycling, jogging and dog walking.