A S C R A P B O O K O F S O L U T I O N S F O R T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
Enhancing the enjoyment of taking pictures with news that matters, features that entertain and images that delight. Published frequently.
21 January 2022
Years ago when we were reviewing every digicam every camera company could box up and ship out, one of our test shots was the fire hydrant across the street. In the morning the white hydrant would be very bright against the dark hedge behind it, providing a real test of how a camera processed a contrasty image.
That hydrant is still there, although quite rusty. And the hedge is still there, too, although left to grow wild. We're still here, too, but thankfully not doing digicam reviews any more.
But, like any old dog, we have a penchant for fire hydrants. So when we saw a new one the other day, we stopped to admire it.
It's a work of architecture in miniature. It has the scalloped sides of a traditional hydrant (which ours never had) but the ball on top has been replaced by an engraving of the Golden Gate Bridge. Even though the thing was apparently cast in Albertville, Ala.
We were almost sorry to see it mounted on the rusty old flange below it. Too bad the budget didn't allow a little buff and paint for that too.
The only time we've ever seen a hydrant used is when the Fire Dept. comes by to flush one out. And we'd like to keep it that way.
So no incendiary remarks, please.