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Patricia Lay-Dorsey | all galleries >> my photo-a-day archives >> 2009 photo-a-day galleries >> photo-a-day May 2009 > the ongoing evolution of Detroit
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01-MAY-2009

the ongoing evolution of Detroit

After reading in this morning's paper about Chrysler going into bankruptcy, I had to go downtown and just wander around my city. I started and basically stayed around the Detroit River. This is where it all started for this city on the straits--de troit in french--and it's where a lot of our history still stands, some of it just barely. Like these old warehouses and industrial buildings two blocks north of the river. I don't know why but seeing them today comforted me greatly, especially with the GM headquarters building glittering like a jewel in the distance. Maybe it was because this juxtaposition speaks to Detroit's ability to weather change, to keep rising like a phoenix from the ashes. So now the Motor City phase of our history is probably on its way out. But I'm sure the folks who saw these old buildings fall into disuse felt sad too. I ask myself, what's next? Something will come along because Detroit never gives up. We just keep redefining ourselves generation after generation. So even if we only have the Big Two, and in a month might be down to the Big One, Detroit is still alive, still fighting, still creating, still evolving. We'll make it...

Canon EOS 40D
1/400s f/13.0 at 17.0mm iso320 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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jacklouis16-Jun-2009 21:34
Story-telling photo! I like the contrast between the new towers & the dereliction in the foreground, the ruins of an industrial past.
Herve Blandin10-May-2009 17:26
Yes, detroit, which one will be left standing..... :-)))) (french pun, get it?)

reminds me of the south of Market waterfront in SF. On Sundays, there is hardly a soul, and plenty of decayed buildings with rust, broken windows and the odd 50's car amongst 21th century graffitied walls. Guaranteed atmosphere...
Guest 06-May-2009 18:11
Very creative how you take the eye of the viewer through the image--it almost feels like a tunnel--leading from the derelict buildings of the past to the shiny new architecture of the future. But you're right, we should never forget our history, or where we came from. Our past is part of our strength.
Dan the Man06-May-2009 12:56
Yep! Detroit will get through it! GREAT picture. GREAT contrasts... Big hope and Good luck Detroit!!
Keith Goldstein04-May-2009 20:32
Yup, that's Detroit as I remember. ~V~
Ali Majdfar04-May-2009 12:06
What a fabulous mood! ~V
Roy Birger Nilsen03-May-2009 19:55
I`m glad you are full of hope and trust in these terrible times,the american people has always come back swingin` and will do so this time around too!:-)
Cindi Smith03-May-2009 00:42
I can imagine the life that went on here in the day. Excellent photograph and I do pray we will see the end to all of this soon.
giselle borgwardt02-May-2009 23:56
Love this shot, mood & message!
I believe in evolution & wish you luck!
pr_rajan02-May-2009 01:20
...wonderful message and capture!~V~
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