I missed attending a weekend with bloggers and photographers in Providence, Rhode Island recently. I was so eager to meet two women who I’ve taken classes with. Xanthe Berkeley in from London and Andrea Jenkins from Atlanta. To have them both on the east coast was going to be such a treat for me, but I had to miss it because I was on my way to Africa.
So with Steve and Stefanie in hand, we went to Providence — a city rich in history and modern coolness — for our own (photo) weekend. It is also only two hours away. So close yet a town I had only driven through.
We had a list of all of the places I wanted to stop by. But by the very last hour of our walk I still hadn’t seen the “Providence” street art that you see below. I held up Instagram on my phone as I approached and asked Brown Universtity students and locals where this mural was located. We walked up and down all of these historical streets. But no one I talked to had seen this mural.
I walked up Thayer Street on my own just before we left town. I knew this mural had to be someplace. And voila … there it was.
The Providence Athenaeum. This historic library, founded in 1838, houses more than 150,000 books. I had read all about this stunning building, look at this ambiance, what a beautiful space to read!
Old fashioned ambiance and old fashioned book lovers. When was the last time you saw a library card catalog?
The Dean Hotel is famous in Providence. With tag lines “Old school meets new school”, “God save the Dean” and “I spent last night with The Dean”, it has been elegantly transformed into a 52-room hotel in the heart of the historic district. We loved the pink neon “FINE” sign.
The pink “FINE” sign at The Dean Hotel
How lucky were we to pick a weekend when WaterFire was happening. This art installation by Barnaby Evans involves movement, sparkling bonfires, firelight on the arched bridges, torch-lit gondolas traveling down the river. The music piped in all along the Providence River had me feel like I was in Venice, Italy.
Images in this particular post are taken with the iPhone 5s and the EOS Canon 5D Mark 111 with the 50mm lens.
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Providence does indeed look like a terrific place to visit! With Brown University there, how could it miss? We were in Newport in September and loved it.
Hi Dotti, Newport is a really special spot. Thanks for reading the blog. {PS Love your gratitude photographs}
I wish you’d tell me that you took these photos with some extraordinary camera so that I could chalk up my amazement to the technology… But it’s not… It’s you.
Nancy, thanks. Well, I’m always working on composition, lighting and color all the time. Which is why I like being around the pros as much as I can.
Just curious – when will you consider yourself a pro? I’m sure they’re always learning as well… So that can’t be it…. I think even a casual observer would have to say that there’s no distinction in the quality of your pictures between yours and other professionals.
Wow! Who knew how cool Providence was? I sure didn’t. I guess that’s why so many kids want to go to Brown. I love all your shots. It makes me want to go there. The town should hire you as their personal publicist! You make it seem like a great destination.
Love the pics! Feels like I just went on a mini vay-k:) xo
Love these pictures! I go to Providence College and recognize a lot of these places!!!
Ohhhhh these are lush. oxoxoLove the way you see the world, Moon. xo S
Felt like a mini vacation! Have to check it out on my next trip to Newport. Thanks Nancy.
Helen, I’m so happy you got something out of it. Thanks. Sorry for delay in seeing this. When do you put a blog up? I’ll read it for sure. @helen_powers:disqus
Providence is Awesome! I went to Fire & Water once or twice during college and loved it. Thayer Street is amazing too! SO many cute little cafe’s and restaurants. Loved the Providence Mural photo!