Betsy Williams Cottage30 November 2012Providence, Rhode IslandSeated high upon a hilltop overlooking a picturesque lake near the entrance to Roger Williams Park sits the original farmhouse that once belonged to the family that founded Rhode Island. This house was built in 1773 and was last owned by Betsy Williams, the great-great-great granddaughter of the state's founder. In 1871, the farmhouse and the surrounding farm were deeded to the City of Providence to establish the Roger Williams Park as specified in Betsy's will.As you enter the rotary (i.e. roundabout) that leads to the cottage, your eyes are immediately drawn to this beautiful London Plane tree that now dwarfs the house. This species is actually a hybrid that first appeared in Spain in the 17th century. It was the product of an accidental cross-pollination between an Oriental Plane and an American Plane that were planted too close together. The mottled white and green bark is quite striking. The tree in the foreground was planted in the 1800s.Post processing started with a brilliant cold filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted adaptive exposure, contrast, and adaptive saturation. A slight levels adjustment was added in PSE.

This gallery represents a return to the Photo-a-Day challenge. The goal is to publish one photograph shot every day in 2012. There are no set themes, so the subjects will vary widely from day-to-day.

All images in this gallery are Copyright 2012 © Ronald Correia. CONTACT me for permission to use any image in this gallery.

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>

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Revolutionary War Allies04 December 2012Providence, Rhode IslandWe now mark the 230th anniversary of the French Expeditionary Force's arrival in Providence. Under the command of the Comte de Rochambeau, 5500 French soldiers camped in Rhode Island before marching south to join General Washington and the Continental Army near White Plains, NY. Generals Rochambeau and Washington would lead these troops to the fateful encounter with British General Cornwallis at Yorktown in what would prove to be the deciding factor in the war. Rochambeau's troops returned to Rhode Island after the British surrender before marching on to Boston from which they sailed to the Caribbean. The monument in today's photo is in the North Burial Ground in Providence and stands as tribute to the French soldiers that quartered in Rhode Island during the American Revolution.Post processing started with a brilliant cold filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted the adaptive exposure, contrast, protect highlights, and adaptive saturation sliders. A deep blue photo filter and a levels adjustment were added in PSE.

The Old Mahoney Forge03 December 2012Providence, Rhode IslandTucked into Richmond Square at the end of the road that once lead to the Red Bridge in Providence sits this tiny craft shop. Simple Pleasures sells a wide variety of hand-crafted merchandise provided by both local and international artists. The exterior of the building is a delightful sample of what to expect once you walk through the door.What makes the building even more interesting is its history. Built in 1896, this building was originally a blacksmith shop. A fire severely damaged it in the 1930s, however the Mahoney family revitalized the forge and it remained in operation until 1980. When the Mahoney's finally sold it, the shop was the last remaining blacksmith operation in Providence. Many of the weathervanes and hardware crafted in the forge may still be seen throughout the city.Post processing started with a brilliant warm filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted the adaptive exposure, contrast, and adaptive saturation sliders. In PSE I applied a deep blue photo filter to the sky and a warming filter to everything else. A levels adjustment was also added.

Hayride With Santa02 December 2012Wickford, Rhode IslandSanta arrived today in historic seaside Wickford Village aboard the Sea Princess yacht, escorted by four sea kayaks. After greeting the small crowd gathered to welcome him, the jolly old elf treated his fans to hay rides through the 18th century village. In today's photo, Santa's hay wagon is making a turn through the center of town.Post processing started with a brilliant cold filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted the adaptive exposure, contrast, protect highlights, and adaptive saturation sliders. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.

Cornet Soloist01 December 2012Providence, Rhode IslandThis bronze statue, sculpted by A. B. Cianfarani, is of the famous 19th Century cornet soloist Bowen R. Church. Born in East Greenwich, RI in 1860, Church toured the Reconstruction-era United States with the American Band of Providence under the conduction of D. W. Reeves. By the turn of the century, Church was considered one of the top six cornet soloists in the world. This statue in his armor stands in Roger Williams Park in Providence. The domed and columned building in the far right background is the old bandstand. Old timers in Rhode Island may also recognize the stone building to the left. That's the original seal house that was one of the centerpieces of the old zoo.Post processing started with a classic filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted the color sensitivity sliders followed by adaptive exposure, contrast, boost black, and boost white. A levels adjustment and a sepia photo filter were added in PSE.

Betsy Williams Cottage30 November 2012Providence, Rhode IslandSeated high upon a hilltop overlooking a picturesque lake near the entrance to Roger Williams Park sits the original farmhouse that once belonged to the family that founded Rhode Island. This house was built in 1773 and was last owned by Betsy Williams, the great-great-great granddaughter of the state's founder. In 1871, the farmhouse and the surrounding farm were deeded to the City of Providence to establish the Roger Williams Park as specified in Betsy's will.As you enter the rotary (i.e. roundabout) that leads to the cottage, your eyes are immediately drawn to this beautiful London Plane tree that now dwarfs the house. This species is actually a hybrid that first appeared in Spain in the 17th century. It was the product of an accidental cross-pollination between an Oriental Plane and an American Plane that were planted too close together. The mottled white and green bark is quite striking. The tree in the foreground was planted in the 1800s.Post processing started with a brilliant cold filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted adaptive exposure, contrast, and adaptive saturation. A slight levels adjustment was added in PSE.

Paper Wasp29 November 2012Smithfield, Rhode IslandToday involved another all-day meeting, which meant I wasn't able to get out at lunch for my daily photo. On my way home I stopped at another one of my "safety shot" sites - the Smith Appleby House in Smithfield - and found this amazing paper wasp's nest hanging from one of the trees in the garden. The structure and texture of the nest is fascinating, so it quickly resulted in today's photo.Post processing started with a brilliant warm filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted the adaptive exposure, contrast, strength, detail boost, and adaptive saturation sliders. A high pass filter in soft light blend mode was added in PSE for further sharpening.

Beached28 November 2012Providence, Rhode IslandI decided to go with a bit of a nautical theme today, and this one really fit the bill. I also wanted to really take the background out of play, so went with an f/2.8 aperture. The black and white conversion was also designed to eliminate any background confusion. I also opted for a high contrast look to emphasize the foreground wood textures and to further hide the background. The reason for all the background hiding is that, all appearances aside, this is not really a boat. It's a sandbox in a playground!Post processing started with a classic filter in Topaz b&w FX. I adjusted the color sensitivity sliders and then adjusted adaptive exposure, contrast, boost black, and boost white. A levels adjustment and a sepia photo filter were added in PSE

Clemence Irons House27 November 2012Johnston, Rhode IslandToday's weather included sleet and a cold wind. Pair that with a last-minute noontime conference call, and it becomes time to head to a "safety shot" location for the daily photo. I maintain a list of places very close to home where I know I can get a good shot when under a tight time constraint. The Clemence Irons House in Johnston is one of my Safety Shot locations.This house was built in 1691 by Richard Clemence. It's a stone-ender, one of the few survivors in Rhode Island, and I hope at some point to get a shot of this house from the side that will show the beautiful stonework that comprises the chimney and exterior wall. The house is one of the oldest in Rhode Island and, along with the Arnold House in Lincoln, one of the best examples of a late 17th century stone-ender.Post processing started with a classic filter in Topaz b&w FX. I then adjusted color sensitivity sliders, adaptive exposure, contrast, boost black, and boost white. In PSE I added a levels adjustment and a contrast adjustment. A sepia photo filter is the top layer.

Controversy Brewing26 November 2012East Providence, Rhode IslandAn article in this morning's Providence Journal revealed a controversy brewing over the subject of today's photo. This is the Seekonk River Drawbridge, built in 1908 and used to service the old Providence, Warren, Bristol Railroad. Passenger services on that line ended in the 1930s, and the bridge fell into disuse. The Journal states that the drawbridge was last lowered in the 1970s although I'm unable to confirm that anyplace. Certainly there was no rail traffic crossing the bridge then, so I'm not sure why they would have lowered it several decades after it was last needed. Regardless of the date, though, the bridge is now stuck in the upright position and has been mechanically stuck for at least 40 years, if not longer. There are now discussions over whether or not it should be dismantled, and therein rests the brewing controversy. Some, like myself, consider it an historic landmark that should be preserved. Others consider it an eyesore and want it removed. As it costs nothing to leave it in place, it's my hope that the financial argument will win and this piece of Rhode Island's transportation history will remain intact for the next generation to study.I decided to get a bit cuter than normal with today's processing. Giving the historical significance of the bridge, I went with a deep sepia processing technique. I started with a sepia toned base filter in Topaz b&w FX, and then adjusted contrast, adaptive exposure, the various color sensitivity sliders, and boost black. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.

Betsy Williams Cottage
30 November 2012
Providence, Rhode Island

Seated high upon a hilltop overlooking a picturesque lake near the entrance to Roger Williams Park sits the original farmhouse that once belonged to the family that founded Rhode Island. This house was built in 1773 and was last owned by Betsy Williams, the great-great-great granddaughter of the state's founder. In 1871, the farmhouse and the surrounding farm were deeded to the City of Providence to establish the Roger Williams Park as specified in Betsy's will.

As you enter the rotary (i.e. roundabout) that leads to the cottage, your eyes are immediately drawn to this beautiful London Plane tree that now dwarfs the house. This species is actually a hybrid that first appeared in Spain in the 17th century. It was the product of an accidental cross-pollination between an Oriental Plane and an American Plane that were planted too close together. The mottled white and green bark is quite striking. The tree in the foreground was planted in the 1800s.

Post processing started with a brilliant cold filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted adaptive exposure, contrast, and adaptive saturation. A slight levels adjustment was added in PSE.