Assignment: Houston

Houston in Black & White

This month's assignment is Black & White.  Let's see Houston in this timeless photo technique.  Read more here at the February Assignment discussion.

#44 Only in Houston

Happy New Year to everyone! Here's hoping that 2010 is everything that you hope it to be. 

This month we are going to celebrate the uniqueness of Houston (and surrounding areas). I want to see things that you can find only in Houston. Restaurants, businesses, parks, locations, events. To get you motivated check out this article on Texas with a focus on Houston from the New York Post. It's long but it is worth it. 

Now for a few reminders.
1.) Since the topic is ONLY IN HOUSTON you can not add photos from places that are national or even Texas chains. If there are chains around the Houston area only that is fine, but other chain stores or restaurants are out. 

 2.) The tenant of Assignment: Houston from day 1 was to get out with your camera and explore the city. No photos are allowed that were taken in your house (including the front lawn) or in your studio. This group has a specific mission. You must leave your place to take the photos. 

 3.) As always three photos only and they must be taken in January 2010.

#43 Holidays in Houston II

The last time we did Holidays in Houston it was December 2006 and it was assignment #8.  It seems like it was only yesterday, but obviously not.  I still can't believe the group has been around that long!

This is a pretty straight forward assignment.  Let's see Houston in its holiday best. Whether it is a day time display or night time lights, show us Houston and surrounding suburbs in their holiday dress. Since this assignment runs through December this includes Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve.

Photos must be of public places in Houston.  Your house, your relatives house and private decorations are not allowed.  Photos will be denied with no notification.

Make sure to check out our Candlelight Tour Photo Opportunity.  It is a perfect fit for this month's assignment.

As always remember that you can only submit three photos, they must be taken in the Houston area and they must be taken in December 2009.

#42 Orange

We are doing something a little different this month and focusing on a concept instead of a location. This month I want to see where the color orange is in the city of Houston and the surrounding suburbs. This assignment is pretty open, but there are a few rules. 

1.)  No Black & White photos.  Seems obvious I know, but all photographs this month must be in color.

2.)  The color orange must be in your photograph and be easily observable.  The idea is to photograph the color orange.  Please make it the focus of the photo.  The whole photo doesn't have to be orange, but if orange isn't a major player in your photo then you are missing the point of the assignment.

3.) No sunsets.  People can take beautiful orange sunsets anywhere around the world.  I want to know what orange objects, signs, murals, buildings, things are in Houston.

4.) Be creative.  If you submit a photo of an orange from a grocery store or farmer's market I will probably have no reason to keep it out, but see if you can push yourself further than that.  

5.)  As always remember photos must be in a public space.  Your house, backyard or cubicle do not count.

This would be a great time to visit the Orange Show, ground zero for the Houston folk art scene. It is open on weekends from noon to 5 p.m. and costs just $1.

http://orangeshow.org/index2.html

#41 Brazos Bend State Park

This month we are heading outside to enjoy the wonderful fall weather at Brazos Bend State Park. Brazos Bend is a 4,897-acre state park in Needville, Texas, along the Brazos River. It is a haven for wildlife, including over 270 species of birds, as well as white-tailed deer, armadillo, raccoons, and is heavily populated with the American alligator. 

The park is also home to the George Observatory, a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This astronomical observatory contains three domed telescopes and is focused on public education. Some recommendations from aggiechristine, Assignment: Houston member and Brazos Bend park volunteer for your visit:

Bring sunscreen/hat if you burn (sunlight will be reflecting on water) and bug spray. Bugs shouldn't be a problem at this time of the year, but better safe then bitten up. This assignment will involve walking so wear comfortable shoes.

There is a Brazos Bend Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/brazos_bend/ 
 and if you go to the George Observatory make sure to add your photos to the HMNS Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/hmns/ 

There is so much to do at both the park and the observatory that I'm going to direct you to to the websites for more information. We will have a meet-up on October 17th so stop by this thread for more details. If you have a Texas State Park Pass, your car gets in free, otherwise, the cost is $5 a person. 
  
 www.brazosbend.org/
 www.hmns.org/see_do/george_observatory.asp?r=1  

Assignment #40 - Houston. It's Worth It.

Houston. It's Worth It. This is something I believe as I send you scurrying to and fro for our monthly assignments. It is worth the hassle and the traffic and the long distances that some of you have to go to get to an assignment location because Houston is full of hidden gems and places worth exploring with your camera. We all know Houston is a hard sell. If you have tried to explain why you like Houston to anyone who lives anywhere else, not to mention to some people who actually live here, you have had this experience. In 2004 marketing firm ttweak put together an independent, online campaign to promote the real Houston, flaws and all. They invited people to tell them why despite Houston's "20 afflictions" it is worth living here. The website was overwhelmed with responses that ranged from listing favorite locations like Hermann Park or the Galleria to analogies such as this one

If Houston were a dog, she'd be a mutt with 3 legs, one bad eye, fleas the size of Corn Nuts and buck teeth. Despite all that, she'd be the best dog you'd ever know.

I am excited to announce we are teaming this month with the great folks at Houston. It's Worth It. for the September assignment. HIWI has set a real challenge. Photograph the 20 afflictions. The 20 afflictions are: 

The Heat 
The Humidity
The Hurricanes
The Flying Cockroaches
The Mosquitos
The Traffic
The Construction
The Sprawl
The Refineries
The Ridicule
The Pollen
The Air
The Billboards
The Flooding
The Image
The Property Taxes
The Short Springs
The Long Summers
The Potholes
The No Mountains 

This is going to stretch you creatively and I look forward to seeing the entries. There are several afflictions that will be very easy to capture. Most of you could probably get at least one or two on your way in to work. 

 The folks from HIWI will be watching the entries as they come and at the end of the month will select their three favorites. Those photographers will receive a copy of the new HIWI book, HIWI: Ike, that is going to be released this month. 

To celebrate the release of the Ike book, HIWI will be throwing a party on September 11th. Save the date and I will get back to you when the details are finalized. It is going to be a big month for HIWI and Assignment: Houston gets to be involved right in the middle of it. Make sure to check back in here from time to time during the month and also check out the HIWI website, Twitter stream and Flickr group. 

 Houston. It IS Worth It. 

Assignment #39 - Fountains II

It is hot.  It is August.  It is time to play in the water.  The assignment for this month is Fountains.  The last time we did Fountains was in August 2006.  I can't believe that it has already been three years. Time has flown working with Assignment Houston!  

As I said then, which I feel is still true today, the most photographed fountains in Houston are the Gus S. Wortham Fountain, the Williams Water Wall and the Mecom Fountain. However I think the new Discovery Green fountains are quickly climbing up the popularity ladder. Just think Discovery Green didn't even exist the last time we did this assignment.  If you have never photographed these popular fountains, please do. Every Houstonian should have them in their portfolio. But if you have a library full of the Water Wall try something else.  What I discovered last time was that there are fountains every where.  We have gotten so used to them as part of our city's decorations that we hardly think about them.  Look around and I think you'll be surprised at what you find.  If you have any questions or would like to share fountain locations head over to this Flickr discussion.

Remember photos must be taken in the Houston area and they must be taken this month, August 2009.

Trains

We are halfway through our train assignment and here are some photos that caught my eye.  Looking forward to seeing YOUR submission to the theme of trains.

  

  

Photos by TxTamz, mockbird, ShutterSam, mlsnp

Assignment #38 - Trains

The theme for the July 2009 assignment at the Flickr group is Trains.  Houston was once known as the city where 17 railroads meet by the sea.  The locomotive has even made it onto the city seal where it heralded "Houston's spirit of progress" and was a symbol in which "Houston would draw her wealth - by the iron rails."  

Trains, train cars, locomotives, railroad tracks, railroad arms, railroad signs, etc. are all allowed for this assignment.  You can probably get to a railroad track within 5 to 10 minutes of anywhere in the city, however, please use common sense when photographing working trains.  This assignment isn't worth getting seriously injured.

There are several places in the area that you can go for a little more photographer friendly railroad experience.  

Did you know Houston has a Railroad Museum?  The Houston Railroad Museum is only open on Saturdays 

Hermann Park also has a train that goes around the park and has recently updated the train, the starting station and even added three new stops. 

A steam engine from Southern Pacific Railroad sits outside Minute Maid park.  It was originally give to the Houston Jaycees and the City of Houston in 1957.

The newest train to hit Houston is the MetroRail. There are lots of wonderful photo opportunities especially downtown with the water fountains at Main Street Square. Remember Metro owns the rail stations and does not allow photography, but the sidewalks are city property.

Get creative, but as always remember our rules for the road.  The idea behind Assignment: Houston is to get you out into the city on a monthly basis with your camera therefore no old photos are allowed. All photos submitted to the group pool must be taken in July 2009.  Only three photos are allowed each month.  Feel free to take lots of photos, but select your favorite three and only add those to the pool. Photos must be taken in the Greater Houston area (Galveston counts).  Your photos are a great inspiration to others so the photos must be taken in a place with public access.  Photos should not be taken inside your house and will not be allowed in the pool.  Please add the tag assignmenthouston38 to photos submitted to the pool.  If you have any questions please leave a comment here or at the Flickr group.

All aboard!

Links:

Assignment Discussion #38

Houston City Seal

Houston Railroad Museum

Hermann Park Railroad

Houston Jaycees: Operation Choo Choo

Houston MetroRail