PHOTOGRAPHING SCENES behind glass often proves challenging. First, you need to watch for your own reflection so as not to photograph yourself. And then there are all the other reflections playing upon the glass.
I faced those obstacles while photographing a valentine themed window display with my cellphone outside Keepers Antiques in historic downtown Faribault recently. I tried my best, waiting for vehicles to pass, angling myself out of the photo, working to frame the scene. Yet, even with all that finagling, the results were not outstanding. Or so I thought.
When I viewed the images on my computer, I was pleasantly surprised to notice unseen details in the overall window display image. That prompted thoughts of the popular “I Spy” photo-based picture books for kids. Readers need to find specific items in each photographed scene.
In the collage of antiques and collectibles Nona Boyes creatively placed in the window of her antique shop, I saw the makings of an “I Spy” book. (Study the first image in this post.) I spy a doll in a checked dress. I spy a red telephone. I spy a stop sign. I spy faces in windows. I spy a red ironing board. I spy a chandelier. I spy two candy boxes. I spy a valentine in a shoe. I spy a fleur de lis, the symbol of my community. What do you spy?
What you won’t spy in the overview window display are three 1970s vintage Shirley Temple Ideal dolls. They were there, just not in the section I initially framed. I photographed them separately. In the doll portraits, I spy a red brooch. Do you? I spy, too, one white shoe with a red bow. I spy the word “beverages.”
And I spy in the all of this an opportunity to turn a photo challenge into something interesting as only a photographer and writer can do. Through my creative lens, I saw pages in an “I Spy” book unfolding before me.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
isn’t it interesting how a project can change from what you imagined it would be, to what it is, once you get into it? often, much better than you had even planned for or expected, as in this case, of the I spy windows.
I saw “I Spy” books in our used bookstore the other day, which prompted this comparison. The antique shop is directly across the street from the book shop.
Universe aligned for you –
That it did.
Love the photos, Audrey. I see why it was a challenge but you turned them into something fanciful! 🙂
I like that, “something fanciful.” It was fun to make these photos into an “I Spy” book of sorts.
I spy an incredibly clever and creative photographer and writer- YOU!❤️
Awwww, thank YOU, Ruth.
I love the images from the window. There were several things that were fun to find. loved Shirley Temple !! 🙂 If i ever drive home again it looks like a fun store to walk through. Your eyes are better than mine I didnt find the brooch 😉 lov kathy
You would love Keepers. It’s packed with lots of vintage, antiques and collectible merch, all artfully displayed. The brooch is along the neckline of the Shirley Temple doll on the right.
oh I just see it now. lov it!!!
stay warm. I see the weather is pretty cold !!!
lov kathy
Yup, you need to look closely to find the brooch. Yes, it’s cold here. But the sun is shining and that makes all the difference.
that is exactly what my dear friend in Apple Valley said… the sun is making her day!!
Yes, sunshine makes all the different. We’ve had too many grey days this winter.
It is very difficult to photograph through a window. It’s fun you made a game of it. 😉
The “I Spy” books I saw on Saturday at Books on Central prompted this “I Spy” idea for the Keepers’ window display.
Oh my goodness I haven’t seen one of those books in years. Those dolls are pretty cute. Happy Valentine’s Day.
It’s fun to remember something you haven’t thought of in years. I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day perhaps with some discounted chocolate picked up today. 🙂
Fun idea to turn it into a challenge.
It was fun to put this spin on these images.