Sunday, August 03, 2008

ODD SHOTS MONDAY - MARTIAN FOOTPRINT?



Ok, you got me. It's not to my knowledge a Martian, or any other kind of visiting alien footprint, but is a little bit of an X File. I noticed these footprints when we first came to Ramsey. Wherever you wander around the central town streets you come across these strange painted footprints with the little Chad type figure on. They only go in one direction though, which is odd in itself. A bit like Ikea when you get shunted in one direction from start to finish, and can't deviate. If you follow them you will actually do a circuit of the town. Useful then perhaps if you're a visitor. Tried to find out how old they are, but most people don't notice them anymore or think I'm weird for asking. Imagine the looks I got taking this! I hope you like the chewing gum decoration, not me, but probably the litterbug who I berated on my blog before.

Does anyone else have anything like these cute footprints in their part of the world?

The next bridge shot in the IOO shots series is tomorrow. By the way the footprint, Saturday's bridge shot, and Fridays metal theme/skywatch shot were taken with my handheld tiny Olympus. No fancy lenses, no zoom, no filters, on a sun setting. I do take most of photos on my Nikon D50(and even I want a better camera now) with a number of lenses, but I just wanted to encourage all those that only have a small point and shoot, great shots can still be taken. After all it's you that composes and times the shot, not the camera.

No footprints or aliens were hurt in the making of this post.

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

Then see KATNEY

46 comments:

Eki said...

That's a curious thing to see indeed, Babooshka! The bright colour and ornament(?) are very eye-catching ... I wonder if it's an installation kind of art.

I'm considering to take part in Odd shot Monday. Thanks for the information and link.

Louis la Vache said...

It's not uncommon to find things painted on the sidewalks here in the Bay Area. Often they are rants by the lunatic left against our soon-to-be-ex-President. Less frequently they are something more mysteriously artful like what you've posted. Alas, they are just as likely (if not more so) to be accompanied by wads of discarded chewing gum....

"Louis" thanks you for your encouragement both here and at chez Louis for those of us who are posting photos made with toy cameras...

Anonymous said...

Babooshka certainly an odd shot. You now something I've lived here in Ramsey for six years and have never noticed the Chad fellow on these footprints before. The prints I believe are about ten years old and they were put down for the children to follow a safe route to Albert Road School. Seeing as all I've got is a Canon 550 it's nice to know that excellent shots like yours can be done on a compact. And like you I'm looking to upgrade and I've seen a Nikon D40 at a reasonable price but I have a question for you if you don't mind. If I did buy it would the lenses of my wifes old Nikon slr fit on a digital body? I've tried searching the net but to no avail.....

Knoxville Girl said...

very interesting - maybe the wallaby left this footprint. Who is Chad?
btw, you can discuss wine on my blog any time, no worries.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

I don't want to know the truth in this case, it's fun just to come up with explanations.

Meead said...

Thanks for your visit and comment Babooshka. You have a nice blog.

I haven't ever seen such footprints nowhere. Guys who thought painting them on your streets had a creative mind. It's interesting.

Kris McCracken said...

I’ve seen this sort of thing wheeled out for short term deals (summer festivals etc), but not all year round. I quite like it.

Maria Verivaki said...

this is a great picture to show to a group of young students and get them to dream up of ideas about how it came to be...

raf said...

Good Odd Shot today! Glad you were PC on treatment of those aliens, Baboosh. Thanks for the encouragement in using a point and shoot camera. It has been that challenge of taking a decent photo with my pocket digital that lured me into trying a photo blog. One of these days I'll go for the big guns though.

Gattina said...

That's funny, a very original idea for a town circuit, love the comparison with Ikea, I go there this morning, lol!

stromsjo said...

Footprints as an advertising trick can be seen now and then though usually not as nicely designed as there. Last time I saw them was when our Central Station was being renovated and commuters were being "led" on new paths to their respective trains.

Kyanite said...

I think the green foot print is funny, have seen the idea before, can't remember where but it definately was Martian!

M. CHRISTOPHE said...

A funny way to make advertissement

Brett said...

Its not the camera its the photographer that counts.

Marie Reed said...

The footprint looks almost plushy! I want to give that cute Martian a smooch! I guess I might get a mouthful of used gum though.. phooey.... I would love to join odd shots monday!

Pat said...

Hi! Here I have not seen any "mystery" prints....maybe I should start some. Are your "Martian" prints left and right feet?

Totally agree with your comment about camera/photographer. I'm happy with my D50 and # of lenses, and still drag out my Nikon F2 and shoot some film now and then. (I REALLY like that camera!) But yeeeeaaarrrrs ago I had a little Instamatic and still have some well-composed photos I made with that little camera.

Monique said...

Curious indeed.

We don't have footprints here, I wish we had.

Stevenson Q said...

oh my! That is so cute! Connections back already! Thanks to my bro who inquired the connection servers! i hope I'll make my comeback tomorrow! God Bless Babooshka!

Anonymous said...

Can you tell us which camera you use for which shot more? I am amazed at the images you get from the little digi. All I can afford.

JAMJARSUPERSTAR said...

Hah, isn't this just a little bit ironic that you're talking about X Files when that new movie has just come out? It must just be me - but a great odd shot!
Ciao

Scarlet

Anonymous said...

It reminds me of the pacman icons that are followed in London and Paris, maybe other cities as well, I don't know. Do you know about them?

Berto and Kwala said...

this is such a cute footprint!
mine's up too!

http://growingupwithbea.blogspot.com/2008/08/odd-shots-on-monday.html

Lake Lady said...

Well, you've just taken away my excuse, Babooshka! LOL. Love this shot. It's not easy to come up with something so clear and crisp on the pavement!!

Gypsy at heart said...

I love it! I would follow those footprints anywhere....

http://wanderingwonderinggypsy.blogspot.com/

Olivier said...

c'est curieux. j'aime bien le petit personnage (un copain à E.T.). C'est de la peinture fluorescente ou c'est ton flash qui donne cette couleur ?
is curious. I like the little character (a friend to ET). It's fluorescent paint or it's your flash that gives this color?

Jane Hards Photography said...

Olivier, it is the wet pavement and the flash that lights the green.

Mo, I will have to check the pacman images out. Not related to these at all.

Mannanan, thanks for the info. I'll drop the info re the camera on your website.

Unknown said...

I've seen some barefeet footprints on the streets of Lisbon, but never those cool green ones!

Hilda said...

Fun! Looks like they served some purpose, though, if they take you around town.

The only footprints I've seen here are in malls, leading shoppers to particular stores.

Dragonstar said...

The only place I've seen anything like this is in the local school playground. Great to see it so bright in the street.

Laurie Allee said...

I think these prints are leftover from when Martians first colonized our planet...

Seriously, this is such a fun and whimsical shot, Babooshka. I look forward to your odd shot MOndays.

Rob said...

I like this friendly looking footprint. None of this type here; but elsewhere I've seen similar prints. Just a half dozen or so, leading knowhere.

Point and Shoot cameras are also an important photography tool. Great for when running errand, the mini cam fits in your pocket nicely. ANd still can take a shot when finding something of interest. No big bulky heavy DSLR to lug around.

Saretta said...

Thanks for your kind compliment of my Metal Theme Day shot. I kind of liked the color myself! :)) And thanks for the encouragement...I do feel limited by my "point and shoot" digital camera. But that doesn't stop me from pointing and shooting again and again!

Rambling Woods said...

Cute and odd...I like them..

dixymiss said...

Cute footprints. None like them around here, although I we do have a quirky Alien Parade nearby!

Glad to hear your positive remarks about point-n-shoot cameras. My trusty Canon Powershot has served me well.

ThanX for stopping by.

dot said...

I'm sorry I didn't have an ODD Shot for you today but I appreciate your visit. I only participate occasionally.
I like your foot print story and photo. Recently we were in a hospital in Marietta Georgia and they had foot steps painted on the floor to show you the way in and the way out. (We still got lost! lol)

Anonymous said...

If we had footprints as fun as these maybe I would walk more. Lol!

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen anything like this anyone else. But it's a great shot - wonderful and quirky.

Daryl said...

Nothing like that here in NYC ..


:-Daryl

Profile Not Available said...

I have seen these (not exactly this green and character) in cities that promote walking routes of historic districts, exercise paths or the like. This one is neat, and because there is no added information, it makes you curious enough to follow along!

Good catch!

Anonymous said...

Are they just the one foot ?
I too would make an exception for the Triskel.

Katney said...

He looks a bit like Gilroy, from WWII airplanes. It was Gilroy, wasn't it? Yes, I checked it out.

Two things from my son's former neighborhood --Capital Hill in Seattle--come to mind. At various spots in the sidewalke were bronze(?) dance step diagrams--ala Arthur Murray. I found that odd. Would you stop in the middle of a busy sidewalk and try out the cha cha cha? I never saw anyone doing that.

The other is--son documented a lot of "street art"--AKA graffiti, and this also looks a bit like one of the images that was common. (He even had a couple of photos in the Neew York Times when a friend wrote an article about "street art".)

Anonymous said...

It was Kilroy! What is a Chad? We don't have these around here. Neat. Thanks for the email. Got To practise what you said.

Diane said...

No we don't have them in DT Houston.
This is kinda odd with the little alien inside the footprint. But, you must admit~it will catch your attention~if you are new in town!

Diane said...

BTW...i posted my odd shot for this week~thanks for stopping by~

Unknown said...

Oh My Gosh!!! This is really cute!

I never seen footprints painted, cemented or even stamped on our sidewalks here in San Diego, however up in Hollywood where the stars are you can see for each squard of concret a star, the actor or the actress name with a set of handprints, sometimes you will see both, footprints and handprints.

Ming the Merciless said...

No, I've never seen a foot print like this before. But I like the idea of it as a tour guide.

Imagine how much fun it is for the kids to find them and follow them until you've seen all the sights.

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