Sunshine Reminder

Sunshine in flower form. A vivid reminder that summer will be back eventually. Really, it will.

The King is Alive!

I guess there's still a niche market out there for Elvis-impersonating street performers with $3.99 wigs and bejeweled sweatshirts. This guy was a real trooper though. Happy to let me take his picture--at least someone around was paying attention to him.

Just remember: No matter how hard your life may get, you can still make a buck or two by dressing like a freak on a Portland sidewalk. There's always room for one more.

Dark Clouds Rollin' In

Dramatic storm clouds before a summer rain last year.

Column

Contrasts of light on a column's lines and spheres. On 1st Avenue and Burnside in Portland by the (former) Saturday Market near Skidmore Fountain.

Push Button for Free Giveaway!

Last week's contest has me in a give away mood. And there's no guessing this time! Just take some time to browse around and then leave a comment on this post. At the end of the week, I'll choose a random winner to receive a FREE set of 12 custom notecards featuring any Crossmark photo from my archives--YOUR CHOICE OF ANY PHOTO!

(NOTE: If you want a better chance at winning, say something thoughtful--like which photos you like, your own interest in photography, etc.)

If you're a photo enthusiast, weigh in with some ideas for my Photo Tips series coming up. (Not a requirement for winning the above give away.) NOTE: Your own photography tips are fine, but I'm more interested in your questions about photography.

For a more ways to win a lot of other things, visit the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival going on all week!

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - Candlelit Pattern

And the winner is. . . Oh, I'm such a softie. I can't bear to disappoint such vigilant contest participants, so I'm giving FREE 5x7 prints to all three people who guessed correctly the single location where all of this week's photos were taken.

The correct answer? Target! I didn't plan to take photos there, but I make sure I always have my camera with me. Sure enough their World Market section was an irresistable place to shoot around for a few minutes. Just goes to show ya that photo opportunities are everywhere if you take the time to look--and have your camera with you.

So congrats to Tina, Julie, and Mary. Pick out any photo from the Crossmark archives and e-mail me (nathan-at-crossmarkdesign-dot-com) the title along with your preference of glossy or matte finish. Thanks for playing!

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - Leaves on Green

Almost to the finish line in the "Where Was I?" Contest! Bravo to all of you who've submitted guesses throughout the week. I can't reveal whether anyone has guessed correctly until tomorrow. You have until 8:00 PM PST on Saturday to submit your final guesses. After that time, I'll post the final picture along with the correct answer. All correct guesses will be entered into a drawing for a FREE 5x7 of your choice from the Crossmark archives.

And stay tuned next week for a free giveaway--no guessing required! More details to come.

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - Circles in Soft Light

You're certainly on the right track! Congrats to those who are throwing in some guesses in the "Where Was I?" Contest. Being the generous guy that I am, I'll answer both questions that were submitted today.

Is it a museum? Nope.
Is it a home decor store? Yes. And no. There's a lot of places where you could buy something to decorate your home, but this place isn't necessarily dedicated entirely to that purpose.

Any more questions?

I predict that we're going to have a winner by the end of the week! Don't miss your chance for a FREE 5x7!

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - In Black and Yellow

Had some really good guesses thrown in yesterday for the "Where Was I?" contest going on this week. Figure out the one location where all seven photos were taken and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a FREE 5x7 photo of your choice from the Crossmark archives.

Yesterday's hint seems to have put many of you on the right track. Today, I'll say only that the location is probably surprising to most people. In preparation for tomorrow's hint, let's play 20 questions. Ask a "yes" or "no" question along with your guess today and I'll pick one to answer--maybe. =)

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - Bronze Lady

No correct guesses in the "Where Was I?" contest so far. All the artsy photos this week were taken in the same place. Guess the place and you'll win a FREE 5x7 photo of your choice from the Crossmark archives.

To add to yesterday's hint, not only is this place pretty well known by its name, but there's probably one near you. There's at least one in 47 of the 50 states. Toss a guess in the pile, then stay tuned for more hints!

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - Fiery Globe

Second day of this week-long contest to see if you can guess where I was when this series of photos was taken. Too hard so far? Hint: You don't have to be from Portland to know of this place. In fact, if you live in the U.S., you're sure to have heard of it--it's that well known.

Leave a guess in the comments! Or, if you're stumped, hold out for tomorrow's hint.

"Where Was I?" Contest #1 - Flower Carving

Where was I when I took this picture? This entire week will feature artsy photos all taken at the same location. Tell me where I was and you'll have a chance to win a FREE 5x7 print of any Crossmark photo in the archives. Guess as many times as you like. All correct guesses will be entered into a drawing to select the winner. Ya gotta leave your guesses in the comments though--no e-mail entries.

I'll give hints along the way, but first ya gotta start guessing!

Call for Questions

Seems to be a lot of you out there who are purchasing some nice digital cameras or who have a growing interest in photography. I'm kickin' around the idea of offering a weekly photography tip or tutorial as part of this blog.

So whaddaya wanna know? I'll see what I can do to share what I've learned and point you to resources that I've found helpful. So toss me your questions and let's get started!

Smoke Stack

Like a monument to the industrial age, a brick smoke stack rises against a clean blue sky. Skies like that don't come every day in Portland, so ya gotta make the most of them when you can. For us, it was a beautiful January day to play in the park and take a stroll.

Tree Bones

A tree's bare skeleton exposed against a cold sky. Winter has always been my least favorite season, a symbol for death and all that's depressing in the world. I usually yearn for that first hint of life on a tree bud or blade of grass. Imagine my delight in this first Portland winter where it's so green that people have to mow their lawns! Bring on the endless drizzle--as long as it gives me green.

Yellow Pole

A colorful triad of poles from a swingset at Grant Park in Portland. If you've ever read Beverly Cleary's children's books about Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins, you'll recognize Grant Park as just one of the real life landmarks from Portland that she includes in her fiction. My wife writes about our visit here.

Nothing Rhymes with Orange

Does anything rhyme with "orange"? My wife says, "door hinge", but I think that's a stretch.

Schoolyard Tree

Gotta P

Green Gumballs

All lined up in neat little rows.

Stay On Your Own Side

Before Cell Phones

Don't see too many of these anymore. Too bad, 'cause I used to find a lot of loose change that way.

Link

Just a rusty chain.

Smiling Addiction

Any time I see a smiley guy, I can't help but think of this video.

In the Sky with Diamonds

A stitched panorama of the Portland airport ceiling architecture, blended from three separate photos. (Click the image for a larger view.)

Faster than a Speeding Train

A Norfolk-Southern car blurs past, trucking stuff from here to there.

Service for Six

A snowflake pattern of plates and bowls on display at IKEA.

Everybody's Goin' Somewhere

Travelers make their way to and from their gates at Portland's airport. Riding the train up to the airport is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon--free entertainment for restless squidgets. Portland's airport is rather like a mall with more restaurants and shops than many other airports I've been in.

1-2-3

Numbers decorate a favorite playground.

Red Bike on a Rainy Day

Not the best day for riding your bike to work.

Windmills of My Mind

Don't see many windmills around Portland, Oregon. This one sits along side these barns in rural Ohio.

Stepping into a New Year

A now familiar sight to me from my daily commute. These stairs lead from the 82 Street overpass down to the MAX train station below. Never thought I would fall so much in love with the glass and concrete sprawl of urban life, but the city suits me. I'll always long for open spaces of unspoiled nature. But my heart for people who hurt makes me want to be where they are--and for now, that's Portland. What an unexpected journey 2007 turned out to be for us.

May 2008 take you to wonderfully strange places that stretch you into someone new, and may the world be the better for it. Happy New Year!