Another Ivory Soap

Soap, East Hampton, New York, USA

Selling involves not only the quality of the product but the presentation and marketing as well.  In this case, an everyday item is elevated to luxury.  We didn't find out if washing with this soap was luxurious (it seemed to be), but it sure looked and smelled very good!

Running in Circles

Enterprise Ride, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

We really wanted to ride the Enterprise, but after a dizzying ride on the swing ride, we realized we're not so young anymore.  We left it to the younger set to go spinning and pivoting through space as if in a wayward shuttlecraft.

A Lamp in the Dark

Wingtip Light, Somewhere Over the United States

It was a rainy and stormy all the way from Chicago to Atlanta.  Sometime during the flight we captured this image of the wingtip light attempting to bring a little clarity to the soup.  The picture is as clear as the weather was, but it perfectly captured the moment.

Reach for the Sky

Tree, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

The sun is fading as this tree reaches for the last bits of sunlight until morning.  Twilight is a wonderful time to take silhouette shots like this.  By facing into brighter light and aiming towards the desired object, you can make your own photos like this.

A High Country High

Beer Truck, Morrison, Colorado, USA

Every day, trucks of all shapes and sizes deliver products to ensure that modern life continues.  While some would say that this Coors tractor trailer is not carrying essential goods, we bet the customers of this liquor store and the citizens of Colorado feel this truck is very important!

Rainbow Road

Pride Parade, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

The last full weekend in June is traditionally the time when many communities hold their gay pride festivals and parades.  This was the scene in Atlanta a decade ago as the giant pride flag made it's way up Piedmont Avenue just past 10th Street.

Fallen but not Forgotten

Fallen Tree, Zion National Park, Utah, USA

We were immediately mesmerized by this fallen tree's color, size, and texture.  Although this enormous tree's life is over, it will provide a home and nutrients to creatures large and small for many years to come.

A New Focus

Periodicals, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

This is a close up of an assorted collection of American Heritage magazines from the late 1960's and early 1970's.  In the old days, books, magazines, and newspapers were the main sources of reading material.  Now these compete with the Internet.  While we love the Internet, we also still love the feel of books and magazines and spend much time holding and reading these.

This picture marks a change in the Topograpix focus.  Heretofore, we've only used simple point and shoot cameras.  This photo was taken with a "bridge" camera, an intermediate camera positioned between simple point and shoot cameras and SLR cameras.  Our new camera is still very affordable, but it can do so much more than a point and shoot camera can.  In fact, the above photo was taken in a dim room from about 10 feet away.

Nothing can beat a small point and shoot camera for portability and spontaneity, so we want to share why we've upgraded.  Basically, it's the lack of a viewfinder.  Most of today's small cameras lack a viewfinder.  During our hunt for a new viewfinder-equipped camera, we fell in love with the Canon SX40 HS.  It's not small nor is it as rugged as our little pocket friends, but it sure takes some awesome photos for an affordable price.

Whatameal

Whataburger, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

As college students, Whataburger was the ultimate fast food restaurant.  Under that big a-frame roof we could always find hot and crisp Whatafries, sweet and satisfying Whatamalts, tasty Whataburgers, and juicy Whatacatches.  The Whataburger of our college days was a splurge for us, but it made us feel so good!

Surfing Safari

Surfer, Manhattan Beach, California, USA

The boys (and girls) of summer will soon take their boards to the beaches and enjoy the wind and waves.  Surfing may be best in the winter months, but with school out kids can spend whole days at the beach for weeks on end.  This picture was taken one April evening a few years ago.

Welcome to Chicago

Miró's Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Situated in a courtyard next to a city church and resembling Jesus Christ with a crown, this sculpture is actually a woman wearing a tiara and is named Miró's Chicago.  Whatever it really represents, the sculpture is stunning and is framed beautifully by the surrounding buildings.

The Path is Lit

Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Pisgah, North Carolina, USA

The beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway covers 469 miles across Virginia and North Carolina.  The official purpose of the road is to connect Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Truth be told, the road is a destination unto itself.  The scenery is stunning, and the lookouts so plentiful, that it is really the least efficient way to travel from park to park!  If you have the time, drive part or all of this treasured American landmark.

2011: A Cooling Odyssey

Crown Fountain, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The wonderful Crown Fountain, at the western edge of downtown Chicago's Millennium Park, is a cooling oasis for body and mind.  Usually crowded with hordes of tourists, this little boy somehow got a moment all to himself.

Flags for the Flagships

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois, USA

At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), American Airlines' Concourse K is a skylit hall adorned with the flags of many nations with a modern globe as its centerpiece.  Timeless and modern all at once, the hall transmits positive energy to the hustle and bustle.