Floridiana Gloriana

'Karin's Patio' by Ariel Ophelia | Gainesville | Creative Commons

This is so perfectly perfect Gainesville.  The porch surrounded by trees, the plants, the furniture covered in cool fabrics.  What elevates this photo from 'someone's porch' to 'the art of the porch' for me is the platinum and grey cover on the swing and the rainbow colors of the other, both adding that eclectic feel so characteristic of this university town.  "Gainesville is so lush," observes the photographer.  I just want to be on that porch with my book and my glass of wine.  "Is that a painting or a photo?" my husband asked.  "It looks like a painting."  It does.

Karin's Patio by Ariel Ophelia |  To see her other photos, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Before saving or using it, consult the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

One yellow chair (horizontal) by Greg Turner | Gainesville | Creative Commons

Photographer Greg Turner really captures the funky, unpredictable, eclectic spirit of Gainesville, home of the University of Florida, where every other person who waits on you at restaurants is a Ph.D. candidate.  This piece of pure art really grabbed me.  It's something to do with the exciting orange-yellow wall next to the silvery cool pewter tones of the door and walk---and with the Rorschach-like blot of cobalt-blue paint on the walk, providing a third and subtle contrast to the violent excitement of the wall color.

And that shadow, of course.  The photographer says that this is part of his "Chairs in the Wild" series.  What a great concept. You know I love this.  It's like sunshine pouring onto the bleakest place you can imagine and totally transforming it.

"One yellow chair (horizontal)"by Greg Turner |  To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized photograph at Flickr, click here |

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted Creative Commons license.  Before saving or using it, consult the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

'After Hours' by Don Jones | Orlando | Used By Permission

Here's a companion piece to Don Jones' 'Downtown Fog.' This is a city made out of gold and strung with stars. This piece, like all the work I admire, perfectly illustrates the principle of 'the transfiguration of the commonplace' (a phrase I am borrowing from Muriel Sparks.)  The one thing that no amount of training or equipment can give a person is the ability to see that perfect moment.



After Hours by Don Jones | To see his other photographs, click here | To see the full-sized image at Flickr, click here |
I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it with the permission of the photographer.  Do NOT save or use it without first requesting his permission.

'Life Guard Chair at Sunrise' by Craig O'Neal | Ponte Vedra | Creative Commons

Here's an amazing scene from Ponte Vedra, one of the beaches near St. Augustine.

'Life Guard Chair at Sunrise' by Craig O'Neal | Craig O'Neal does photography for Jacksonville.com.  To see more fabulous photographs, click here or take a look at his albums at Jacksonville.com! |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here |

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with the terms of a restricted license.  Please don't save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license (here).

Lifeguard Huts by Natasja | Miami Beach | Creative Commons

Miami Beach, perfectly captured at two perfect moments.

 

'Lifeguard Hut'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos |  website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license is shown here.

 

'Lifeguard Hut'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos |  website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the license. The license is shown here.

'Ocean Pier, Key West' by Natasja | Creative Commons

It's a Florida rainbow!  One thing I love about Natasja's photographs of Florida is that she photographs the things I'd photograph (only much, much more beautifully).  Also she appreciates the eloquence of inanimate objects.
 

 

'Ocean Pier, Key West'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos |  website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license is shown here.

'Red, White, and Blue Chairs' by Natasja | Islamorada | Creative Commons

An entirely different angle on the Keys...

 

'Red, White, and Blue Chairs'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos | website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license is shown here.

Gazebo by Allen Whitson | St. Johns River, De Bary, Florida | Used by Permission

Here is a beautiful gazebo on the St. Johns River in the town of DeBary or Debary or De Barry (it seems to be spelled all different ways).  It is a small town in Volusia County, Florida, along the Atlantic Coast (see the website; read some fascinating history).

 

Gazebo  by Allen Whitson  | click here to see his other photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph but am using it with the express permission of its owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting permission from the owner.  Flickr users may contact the owner through his Flickr mail.

Coffee on the Porch---Cape San Blas by Judy Baxter | Creative Commons

Is Cape San Blas Florida's "forgotten coast"?  This is a part of the state I don't know well at all, but would love to know better.  The beaches are gorgeous, like white sugar.

Judy Baxter writes:  "Our townhouse can be rented here: http://www.visitfloridabeaches.com/ BD 495 - 34.  Look:

 

"Having Coffee on Deck of Townhouse" -- Cape San Blas, Florida by Judy Baxter (Old Shoe Woman) | See other photographs here |  See larger image here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted  Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this image without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license restrictions are shown here.

 

Looking Up and Over ---Townhouse ---Cape San Blas, Florida by Judy Baxter (Old Shoe Woman) | See other photographs here |  See larger image here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted  Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this image without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license restrictions are shown here.

 

My Mug - Deck of Town House ---Cape San Blas, Florida by Judy Baxter (Old Shoe Woman) | See other photographs here |  See larger image here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a restricted  Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this image without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license restrictions are shown here.

A Florida Bench by Miz Shoes | Used by Permission

 "This little bench sits below a rainbow eucalyptus and the bark of the tree contains all the same colors as the tiles on the bench," the photographer says.
 

"Miami Fairchild Bench" by Miz Shoes | (click here to see her other photos) | website: Girly Shoes.

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it by permission of the photographer (to whom all rights are reserved).  Please write for permission before saving it or using it.