Photographs and thoughts on photography and camera collecting
Taken at the dock in Beacon as we waited to board our boat for the 20/30 minute ride to Bannerman’s Island. The boat was called the River Estuary Steward. In the background the sloop ‘Clearwater’ about which more later.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
We’d decided on lunch at Cafe Amarcord since none of us had been there before. And we were glad that we did. The food was great (for a 2012 review see: Café Amarcord in Beacon, NY: A Brief Restaurant Review. New American fare with Italian and Mediterranean touche in Hudson Valley Magazine). Zagat rates it 4.3 for food; 3.9 for decor; and 3.9 for service with an overall summary, which reads:
“You won’t be sorry” if you try “any of the items” on Rifo Murtovic’s “creative” New American menu at this “bustling” Beacon hangout where the professional crew proffers “lovely” presentations of “bright”, “elegant” dishes; even if it’s a little “expensive”, the “attractive atmosphere”, accented with framed posters of Fellini’s Amarcord, has a “cosmopolitan feel” that’s “perfect” for “date night.”
Elephant statue(s) on the bar.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
I love book stores and I particularly liked this one. It’s quite small and easily “browse able” and the woman in charge (seen by the door in the pictures) was very friendly and helpful. It’s Binnacle Books and according to its ‘About‘ page:
Binnacle specializes in used and new literature, poetry, literary nonfiction, political history, art, drama, philosophy, graphic novels, and children’s books. Is there a particular title you’re interested in? Let us know. If we don’t have it, we’d be happy to order it for you. We’re also always looking to acquire used books in excellent condition, especially in our core categories.
The bookstore is a collaborative endeavor by four partners, who have collectively been writers, editors, musicians, producers, organizers, teachers, filmmakers, and booksellers. If you love books, we welcome you. If you don’t, we’ll do our best to convince you otherwise.
Although fairly small it has quite a large selection of photography related books and I walked out with two: one on Andre Kertesz and the other on Julia Margaret Cameron.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
Sea Change by Ed Benavente. Steel, 2013 stands at 276 Main Street, right outside where we’d decided to have lunch. In a comment on another of his works (Getting Somewhere, 2013, 380 Main Street also in Beacon) he states:
“My work is about progress. The reason I always include my original and current body weights in my bio is to reflect the progress and changes in my personal life history. The fluctuations have been many as have the reasons. Gravity is a universal force affecting all. We share that and other common threads that can be defined as truth, philosophy, religion, food, love, hate or any number of things which are common to all but different to each. Every figure, color and shape I use is meant to convey a story to be interpreted by the viewer and impart some reflection on the meaning of life. Some messages are more purposeful than others. Often times the message changes with the passage of time and life experience. The same goes for body weight.
Since moving to Beacon, New York in 2006, most of my time and attention has been dedicated to community building in our new home. Our small town has a rich history and like many of its kind fell onto hard times over the years. I am proud to be a part of the growing artistic community that has helped to encourage new life and optimism to the area. Art alone will not solve the problems of the work but together we are Getting Somewhere.”
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
This is a detail of a mural on the exterior of Howland Public Library. It’s by artist Rick Price. If it has a name I, unfortunately haven’t been able to find it.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.