Category: Charlottesville

natural black and white

Pantops view
Usually I desaturate photographs, I take the color out. It is an extra step that has been introduced to the b&w workflow since the days of shooting only black and white film.
Monticello hotel
On occasion there are natural conditions where the quality of the light available seems to strip most color from the scene. As a person in pursuit of b&w photos I love it when the natural b&w occurs.
This is the view from the Martha Jefferson Hospital parking lot. In the distance, the silhouette of the Monticello Hotel, in the far distance, the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Potentate

new citizens
Monticello resumed being the site and allowing guests for a July 4 naturalization ceremony. It is a wonderful public event.
taking the oath
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”- Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America
Is Fred Flintstone still a known figure?
Former foreigners, flag, Fred Flinstone. Always an interesting mix of symbols