Tag Archives: life

Photo of the Day- “Touch the Sky” – The Life Lessons I Learned From a Ferris Wheel

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"Touch the Sky" - Tracey Capone Photography

As I slowly make my way through the 500+ photographs I took on the Route 66 Road Trip, I am trying to keep an open mind (and open eye) when it comes to the potential in each raw photograph.

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Touch the Sky,” of the Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier, is one of those photographs where, when shooting it, I didn’t feel comfortable with the position I had to take it from, I didn’t really like the end result (and shot it about ten times), and I was about to chalk it up to a loss. I don’t know what made me do a double take on this Saturday but, after spending some time with it in Photoshop, I really loved the end result. (and, oddly, aside from some light texure, some selective blurring and cropping for perspective, I didn’t  do all that much with it) I ended up loving the end result; I thought it would be perfect for a nursery or a child’s playroom.

Isn’t it funny that we can take life lessons from photography? Let’s see… how about never count someone out because of the way they look. You never know what sort of potential they have, or have already reached, until you spend a little time with them. Or, how about, a situation may seem bleak and hopeless but, sit down, take the time to work out a plan and you may be pleasantly surprised in the end. I’m sure I could come up with several lessons from my time spent with what started out to be a pretty blah photograph that almost hit the chopping block. :)

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Droste”

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"Droste" - Tracey Capone Photography

As I start to see status messages on Facebook, talking about people’s kids going back to school (side note- whatever happened to going back to school in September??) I’m reminded that summer will soon be over. I’m sure those who have been reading my blog can tell from my previous posts that I am, in fact very much looking forward to Autumn with it’s crisp air and colorful leaves. That said, there is something about the end of the longer days, beautiful summer blooms and perfecting my master grilling skills (at least in my own mind) that brings about a twinge of sadness.

When I was a kid, my family and I spent our summers at The Shore. As soon as school ended, my mom, brother and I headed down for the entire summer; my father joining us on weekends. We were all beach bums, spending all day there; my brother and I playing in the water, playing paddle ball, and getting quite hyper when the lifeguards would pack up for the day and we could use our boogie boards.

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Droste” is an homage to summer with it’s walks along the sandy beaches, listening to the waves crashing on the shore, picking up seashells long the way. Named for the effect that creates a recursive picture, “Droste” takes me back to those days when there was nothing better than finding the perfect, unblemished shell to add to my collection.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Perspective” – May London Find Peace Soon

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Perspective – Tracey Capone Photography © 2011

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Perspective” has new meaning to me as I watch the news coming out of England.

As London and other cities in the country move past their fourth night of violence and Prime Minister David Cameron says that a, “fightback is underway,” I think back to the times that I’ve visited. London, like Chicago, is a city where, whenever I visit, I immediately feel at home. I can only hope that those committing the violent acts can step back and gain the perspective they need to stop the senseless violent acts. Teens and other young adults (the youngest arrested was 11), intent on looting, violence and destruction, are using Sunday night’s police shooting as an excuse to commit these acts and it’s heartbreaking to watch such a wonderful city (and other areas) be destroyed by these kids.

Yesterday I watched this video of men pretending to help a victim up only to steal items from his backpack and send him on his way. Despicable, senseless… and so very sad.

On the other side of the coin though, I have seen so many wonderful stories of people who have taken to the streets, not with weapons, and not intent on wreaking havoc but instead, armed with brooms and bags, ready to take back and clean up their city. It is these people who, to me, represent one of my favorite cities. It is these people who have perspective enough to understand that no matter what the economic and political climate of the country, despite alleged police brutality against one man, no matter what, violence and destruction is not the answer, personal responsibility and civil action is.

To my readers in London and surrounding cities, my thoughts are with you, your families and your wonderful country. Stay safe…

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “The Hold Outs”

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"The Hold Outs" - Tracey Capone Photography

I know I’m probably supposed to be rather neutral about my own work because anything other than that could come across as braggadocios but I LOVE this photograph and have loved it since the day I took it. I don’t know what struck me about these reeds but there was something so beautiful and yet so simple about the indigo blues and slate greys that I couldn’t help but take a shot.

As you’ve likely picked up from previous posts, one of my favorite places to shoot is the Montrose Harbor Bird Sanctuary and today’s Photo of the Day, “The Hold Outs,” shot on a wonderfully cool day last Fall, is one that always reminds me of how happy I was to be back up in my beloved Chicago. This was my first time back to the sanctuary since moving back and I remember how happy I was to be taking in the crispness of the air, the rustic indigos, crimsons and golds of the turning leaves and prairie reeds, with little bits and pieces of the Lake peeking through the trees. (I think there’s a song in there somewhere… anyone have a guitar??)

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo(s) of the Day- It’s Official!

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Alright, fair warning, today’s Photos of the Day aren’t going to be much to look at, at least not quality wise. They were taken hastily with my iPhone at a rather odd angle. That said, I am extremely excited to say that Tracey Capone Photography is officially up and running at the Andersonville Galleria here in Chicago.

Continue reading →

Photo of Day- Granville

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"Granville" - Tracey Capone Photography

I’m not sure which I like more: photographing doors from all around the word or the awesome old signs all over Chicago. I’m going to go with, “it’s a tie.” Both have years of history behind them, both have stories behind them and both have seen many, many people either pass through them or under them. Unfortunately, beautiful signs like these are slowly disappearing from the landscape both here in Chicago, and all over, as new construction forces it’s way in. While progress is important, many of these signs, some crafted close to 100 years ago, were carefully crafted works of art, unlike many of the “Signs R’ Us” neon signs that are going on buildings today. Wouldn’t it be a shame to lose all this history?

Today’s photo of the day, “Granville” is one of my newer photographs of one of the many amazing vintage signs that can be found around Chicago. I have always loved the muted emerald green of the sign sitting above against the creamy beige of the brickwork behind it; the beautiful brown and green patina of the clock sitting above the Granville Picture Framing and Gallery Arts shop.

This photo joins my ever-growing collection of vintage signs such as the one here and here and… I’ll let you in on a little secret…it’s going to be growing even bigger after a little road trip I’m planning along the famous Old Route 66 in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- Noir

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"Noir" - Tracey Capone Photography

I woke up to another one of those mornings where, it’s so dark outside, you can’t decide if you accidentally woke up too early or it’s just going to be “one of those days.” Today, it turned out my alarm clock was working just fine… unfortunately, it’s just going to be one of those rainy Chicago days (one of many as of late).

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Noir” is a tribute to those grainy old, black and white films that, despite lacking color didn’t lack beauty in any way. It was about to rain when I took this photo of a wildflower at Chicago Botanic Garden and I wanted to use that lack of sun in the final piece while giving it some of that beautiful grain of the film noir days.

This is just a reminder to me that, despite the rainy, cloudy day, there is still amazing beauty out there; I just have to look past the grey.

While I truly appreciate the colors that nature creates, the beauty of a monochrome photo is that it forces the mind to notice aspects of the photo it may not have otherwise… to imagine it’s own color scheme. Here is another shot of the wildflower in color. How close were you?

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Happy Father’s Day Photo of the Day- The Sunday Drive

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"The Sunday Drive" - Tracey Capone Photography

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandads, father figures, and anyone else celebrating today!

Today’s photo of the day, “The Sunday Drive” is a skip down memory lane for me as I think back to Sunday nights during the spring and summer, driving back from The Shore (I’m from Philadelphia… it’s “The Shore”).  My brother and I were in the backseat with the dog,  my parents were up front with  Phillies game on the radio, my dad cheering or jeering at the announcer’s play by play. RIP Harry Kalas…

Sadly, we didn’t ride home in a cherry red vintage Ford, it was actually any number of hideous 1970s station wagons. When I spotted this old car while driving around Nashville a couple of years ago, I couldn’t help but imagine a time when an entire family might pile in to this car on a Sunday, going for what my mom calls a “bealy ride” (don’t ask… I have no idea the origin of that one :) ) on a warm summer night. Would they be passing places like the Heart O’ Chicago or maybe heading to a fair to ride the Ferris Wheel?

I will never forget those Sunday drives between New Jersey and PA. What about you? What fond Dad-related memories do you have?

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Love”

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"Love" - Tracey Capone Photography

On Thursday, I decided I needed a Mental Health Day and took the day off. No reason… no grand plans,  I just decided I needed to take a day when most were at work and it wasn’t a weekend where I’m already off (and inevitably running all the errands I don’t have the time or energy for during the week) or a paid holiday when my company is closed for the day.

Originally, as has been the case for what seems to be the last month or so, it was supposed to rain. Taking that in to account, I fully expected my MHD to take place in a vegetative state on my sofa reading the latest of my book club books. Boy was I pleasantly surprised when the sun came out, the blue skies peeked through the storm clouds and it shaped up to be a beautiful day.

I immediately threw my bike rack on the back of my car (yes, I live in the city and have a car… how else am I supposed to get to far off places the CTA doesn’t go to get new photos? ;) ) and drove out to Caldwell Woods to bike the North Branch Trail up to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL.

I’m so glad I did. I had been there a few weeks back with my mom and my brother and, while a lot had already bloomed, it’s amazing how much had changed in just a few short weeks. Since I’m not as good at naming various plant species as my mother is (I can, however tell you the seven herbs I have growing on my deck) I won’t even attempt to tell you everything I saw but I can show you….

The Photo of the Day, also one of my newest pieces is, “Love,” a persimmon and creme toned, slightly textured, close-up of a beautiful orange dahlia. I loved how it was tipped on it’s side with some dropped petals laying neatly stacked next to it. It reminded me of the type of flower my friends and I would use to do the “Loves Me, Loves Me Not” game when we were children.

What’s your favorite Spring and Summer flower?

Enjoy!

*tracey*