creche-a-day

Last Creche Of 2011

2011-12-31T19:34:00.001-07:00

Here's the last creche for 2011. It's been fun.

Last Creche Of 2011, 2011

Creche That Is A Banner

2011-12-30T18:38:00.003-07:00

The other night when I was out and not having any luck, I parked the car in front of one home that had a Nativity Scene and as I got out I saw this one pictured below was located just down the street. It was very serendipitous.

Creche That Is A Banner, 2011

Creche That Defies Description

2011-12-29T22:44:00.003-07:00

Polla and I went out tonight to an address that we had seen on the local news. It took a while to find, but once we did we were not disappointed. There were 3 Nativities in this yard. One very old vintage Nativity was stolen, along with the baby Jesus from another set, on Christmas Eve.

After I made my photograph we were invited up to see all of the unique figures that he's collected over the years. Some are very rare, some are very valuable. I am not using names and I will not divulge an address out of respect for his collection. It is impressive.

I asked him what the most unique figure he has is and he told me that one of his remaining vintage Nativity Scenes were the most precious to him. I was glad to hear that.

Creche That Defies Description, 2011

Creche That I Said "Thank You" When I Saw It

2011-12-28T23:36:00.002-07:00

It's the 28th of December and we STILL haven't had any snow in Utah. In fact it was 44 degrees today and it's supposed to be in the 50's tomorrow.

The reason that I mention this is because it seems that people are actually taking DOWN their Nativity Scenes because the weather is so good and they know they won't want to once it snows. It makes it very hard for me to find them now that Christmas is over. In fact a friend asked me tonight if I was done 'Creche-Hunting' now that Christmas is done. I said that I don't quit looking until the 31st.

I had to drive quite a while tonight to find this one. I audibly said "Thank You" when I found it. I was beginning to get a little worried.

Creche That I Said "Thank You" When I Saw It, 2011

Creche Where I Had To Crank Up The ISO

2011-12-27T20:05:00.003-07:00

So I have run across a series of creches that have not been turned on at night. When I go shooting after sundown I always use a tripod and a long exposure. Tonight I had the camera, had the tripod, but was missing the plate that let me mount the camera to the tripod. Without it I was forced to crank up the ISO to get a decent image. Quality suffers when you raise the ISO. I hate to apologize for my work but I feel like tonight's creche is a let-down.

Creche Where I Had To Crank Up The ISO, 2011

Creche That Is Hidden Behind Some Big Bushes

2011-12-26T18:51:00.002-07:00

This is one Abigail saw last year while we were driving to Logan. This year it's away from the house and off to the side. I got a chance to put it in perspective with the rest of the yard.

Creche That Is Hidden Behind Some Big Bushes, 2011

Creche That I Barely Saw Driving By

2011-12-25T21:20:00.003-07:00

Today we drove to Logan to see my parents for Christmas. As we were driving north I decided to head up through Willard to check on a few Nativity scenes I have photographed before.

I saw an old favorite, drove by two others I'd seen before then out of the corner of my eye I saw the flash of an old Joseph and Mary set that I haven't seen in a long time. I quickly turned the car around and caught the last of the sweet evening light.

This is an interesting outdoor creche. It seems that even though it is outside, the owners are not that concerned that it's displayed loudly or for everyone to see easily. I kind of like them when they're like that. Again, another metaphor.

Creche That I Barely Saw Driving By, 2011

Creche That Wasn't Turned On

2011-12-24T21:09:00.008-07:00

I have been saving this particular creche for either an evening when it was snowing (and it has NOT snowed yet in Utah), or for Christmas Eve.

I was out delivering gifts tonight and ran over to the house where it was, fully expecting to have a glorious and spectacular chance to make a photograph. Instead I pulled up and the lights for the nativity set were not on.

I almost cried when I realized that all of the other lights on the house were bright and lit and the Nativity was not. I was tempted to walk and turn on the lights myself, but noticed there were people inside and I wasn't about to go up and knock and ask them to turn on the lights. Instead I decided to see just what kind of an image I'd get if I shot it as it appeared.

I kind of almost like it more like this. I mean, there was probably no neon signs pointing to the manger, no brightly colored lights heralding the Savior's birth (save the star...). Despite popular culture's depictions of the Baby Jesus, we can pretty much conclude that he did not act as his own light source and instead rested in a dark and poorly lit stable. It almost seems fitting then that this creche was not lit, that I actually had to look to find it and peer into the shadows to see the main players. The distraction of the bright lights of the city on the one side and the hustle and bustle of the busy road on the other. It seemed a fitting metaphor for the way the world general treats the celebration of Christmas.

As disappointed as I was initially when I pulled up, I have changed my attitude towards it not being lit. I am actually glad that I had to pay attention to see the Christ figure in the shadows. I find it very similar to how I have to live my life on a daily basis. Ironic, isn't it.

Creche That Wasn't Turned On, 2011

Creche That Is On The Porch This Year

2011-12-23T20:24:00.003-07:00

This nativity scene has been on the lawn with a custom manger in the past. This year it is on the porch. Personally I like it better on the lawn.

Creche That Is On The Porch This Year, 2011

Creche With Wooden Cutouts

2011-12-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

Daybreak doesn't have that many nativity scenes, but this one I have returned to for the second time. It's a home-made pattern, which I enjoy because the owner had to do some thinking. A for effort on this one.

Creche With Wooden Cutouts, 2011

Creche That Says Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T09:22:00.001-07:00

I like the sign.

Creche That Says Merry Christmas, 2011

Creche Where I Turned On The Lights

2011-12-20T19:41:00.003-07:00

I broke one of my self-imposed rules tonight and I turned on the lights of this creche. I don't know why it's a rule, maybe there's something about not altering the scene or some such nonsense.

So tonight I sat in the car, listened to some music, napped a bit and waited to see if the homeowner would come home and turn on the lights. After 20 minutes of waiting, I decided I would go ahead and plug them in. I unplugged them after I was done.

This is a nativity that my friend Tiffany sent me to. I went and looked at it earlier this month and made a photograph, but decided to come back to it again later in the day.

I appreciate all of my 'spotters'. I am trying to get to all of their suggested locations.

Creche Where I Turned On The Lights, 2011

Creche That Cast A Neat Shadow

2011-12-19T20:03:00.002-07:00

I have seen this set of figures three times so far this year. I have not seen them before, so I am very curious where they are being sold. Starting in October, I started looking at various retailers to see who would be selling Nativity figures for outdoor display. I have to admit I haven't seen that many, so I am curious just where people are buying their sets.

I love this one because of the great shadow it casts on the wall of this neat home.

Creche That Cast A Neat Shadow, 2011

Creche In Front Of A White House

2011-12-18T21:59:00.003-07:00

I love how the nativity figures that are lit from inside throw a nice soft glow on the objects that are around them. Unfortunately we haven't had a bit of snow this winter, so I am not able to see the snow lit up by them. Instead I get to look at how it lights up the home and the trees that are nearby. I like this one quite a bit.

Creche In Front Of A White House, 2011

Creche In A Grove Of Trees

2011-12-17T20:38:00.002-07:00

I found this one last night when I got lost cruising around. I love the trees. I also hadn't seen this particular version of the figures before. I was pretty happy about this one.

Creche In A Grove Of Trees, 2011

Creche By The Garage

2011-12-16T18:38:00.001-07:00

This one I found last night and I was VERY excited after driving around not seeing anything for quite a while.

Creche By The Garage, 2011

Creche I Will Re-shoot

2011-12-15T23:40:00.002-07:00

I went out this afternoon and drove and drove and drove and couldn't find anything. I was getting frustrated then found three that were totally awesome. This one was my favorite, so much that I'm going to re-shoot it tomorrow when the light is sweet.

Creche I Will Re-shoot, 2011

Creche Across From Lehi High School

2011-12-14T23:12:00.002-07:00

I photographed this creche last year and was hoping that the lights on it would be turned on when I set out to shoot it tonight. The lady of the house was in the kitchen working, talking on the phone and saw me outside standing there with my tripod. I gave her a wave, she waved back. I was hoping she'd at least turn on the figures. She didn't.

Creche Across From Lehi High School, 2011

Creche That Dylan Led Me To

2011-12-13T20:17:00.003-07:00

I have various 'creche-spotters' spread all through the valley. I appreciate their efforts. This creche is one I happened to find while on my way to a location that was suggested to me. I'm not sure if I ever found the one Dylan told me about.

Creche That Dylan Led Me To, 2011

Creche By The Mortuary

2011-12-12T19:43:00.004-07:00

Here's a creche that a few students pointed me to. They drive by it twice a day and tonight I had some time to swing by and get it. The figures are quite impressive and are life-size. Baby Jesus had a hand-knit afghan. It was pretty sweet.

Creche By The Mortuary, 2011

Emergency Creche

2011-12-11T18:36:00.003-07:00

I haven't have the chance to head out and cruise for creches the way I like to. I had to run down the street this evening to grab this one I'd been saving for such a day.

Emergency Creche, 2011

Creche That Got Turned Off

2011-12-10T23:09:00.002-07:00

I went out late tonight and was worried that people would start turning off their lights. I photographed this creche at 10:30 and while I was finishing, it got turned off. This was a little too close for comfort.

Creche That Got Turned Off, 2011

Creche That I Said "Bingo!" When I Saw It

2011-12-09T22:03:00.002-07:00

I went out last night with a dead battery, so I couldn't photograph a neat creche that I'd found. I went home disappointed and slightly angry at myself.

Tonight I went out later than I wanted to and had to cruise for quite a while. I passed-by several creches that I just wasn't feeling very good about, when I saw this one as I rounded the corner. I was so excited I yelled out "Bingo!" and I knew I'd found my subject for tonight.

Creche That I Said "Bingo!" When I Saw It, 2011

Creche That Wasn't Level

2011-12-08T22:27:00.002-07:00

This house was on a hill and the nativity was facing in a weird direction. I was shooting looking downhill and I hate making excuses but I'm not sure I'm very happy with this image. I went out hunting tonight, found a sweet one, but realized my camera had no battery in it. Shoot!

Creche That Wasn't Level, 2011

Creche In Front Of A Yellow House

2011-12-07T18:02:00.003-07:00

Here is a creche in front of a yellow house.

Creche In Front Of A Yellow House, 2011

Santa Kneels at the Creche

2011-12-06T21:24:00.002-07:00

I don't see too many of these...

Santa Kneels at the Creche, 2011

Creche Where The Window Is Open

2011-12-05T22:38:00.003-07:00

I found this creche right when the light was sweet. There is this balance between the ambient sky and the brightness of the lights that I really like. The kitchen window was open and I saw the lady of the house wandering about. I don't think she even saw me. I gave her a wave just in case.

Creche Where The Window Is Open, 2011

Creche That Wasn't There Last Year

2011-12-04T21:38:00.003-07:00

I photographed this creche two years ago in the snow and had a shot I really liked. Last year they didn't put out their creche, and I was kind of disappointed. This year they put it up again, so I thought I'd shoot it before the sun went down.

Creche That Wasn't There Last Year, 2011

Creche Where The Cops Drove By

2011-12-03T22:45:00.003-07:00

I was shooting this creche tonight when the police drove by with their lights flashing. It was a little disconcerting. I was hoping that no one called the cops on me. They drove by and I redoubled my efforts.

Creche Where The Cops Drove By, 2011

Creche That The Utes Like

2011-12-02T21:31:00.004-07:00

One of my students said that he really liked the creches when they were illuminated. As I have looked back at the collection I realize that less than half of them are photographed with the lights on. I am going to try to remedy that.

Connor needed some driving hours for his license, so I told him he was going to drive me around creche hunting tonight. This is one we found pretty early. He got a full hour of driving in after we got this one photographed.

Creche That The Utes Like, 2011

Creche Where The Camel Had Fallen Down

2011-12-01T07:17:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I went out hoping to find at least one creche to photograph. I knew I'd had an early 'sighting report' from some friends, so I went to find it. While out creche-hunting I found this one only about 20 minutes into my search. I was so excited! I have been thinking about not doing the project again this year, but there has been some renewed interest. Also, I'm not sure I've said everything I want to say photographically speaking, so I will press on...

Creche Where The Camel Had Fallen Down, 2011

Last Creche Of 2010

2010-12-31T19:20:00.005-07:00

I have a tradition where I try to go out photographing on the last day of the year, then the following day, on the first day of the year.

Today while I was heading out to shoot at the Great Salt Lake, I drove through the little town of Magna looking for a Nativity to shoot. They had just experienced several days of snow, much of it generated by lake-effect storms generated by Great Salt Lake.

I didn't see more than this Creche in Magna, but that was enough. I only needed one.

I am sad to see the project end for this year.

Last Creche Of 2010

40-year-old Creche

2010-12-30T22:26:00.003-07:00

Polla and I went creche-hunting in Providence this week. I found myself in a part of town I hadn't searched before, and lo-and-behold, this one popped out of nowhere.

This Nativity was unique in that it was centered in the yard under some trees and the figures were all in a circle around the infant Jesus.

As I tried to figure out how to photograph the set, I realized that I would need to be smack-dab in the middle of the yard. Although I never ring on doorbells, I felt I needed to for this one. I was definitely going to be intruding on their property and felt I needed to introduce myself.

I rang the bell and a very nice lady came to the door. I introduced myself and she was thrilled to have me show interest in her decorations. She said they were over 40 years old and that each year they struggle if they ought to paint the figures or not. I begged her to never paint them, as I felt that's what gave them so much character.

Because I had such limited space to work in, and I didn't have a wide-angle lens, I needed to make a multi-image mosaic. I shot 23 images and put them together digitally to achieve the angle of view I wanted to get.

I especially like how Jesus is resting in an Easter basket. The melding of two Jesus-centered holidays never worked better.

40-year-old Creche, 2010

Creche That Was Hard To Shoot

2010-12-29T21:56:00.002-07:00

This creche I found with my dad in Providence the other day. I love the shape of the house and the roof.

As I approached the house I could see that the metal structure on the corner of the porch was going to be problematic. I had to ask myself..."Self, do you want to block Joseph? No. Mary? No. Jesus? No. Ok, so who do you want to sacrifice? You are going to have to deal with that thing and it is going to create a problem for at least one member of the Holy Family. Ok, Joseph it is."

So, I blocked Joseph. I hope he sees it my way.

Creche That Was Hard To Shoot, 2010

Red Barn With Star And Creche

2010-12-28T19:06:00.004-07:00

Heading back home from lunch in Logan this afternoon I took a wrong turn and passed this big red barn.

Out of the corner of my eye I caught that it had a creche just as we were whizzing by.

Red Barn With Star And Creche, 2010

Creche Framed By A Slide

2010-12-27T19:17:00.003-07:00

My dad and I went out Creching today. We found several different ones in Millville and Providence. I especially liked this one.

Creche Framed By A Slide, 2010

Creche That Abigail Saw In Willard

2010-12-26T22:56:00.003-07:00

Today the family headed to Logan for Christmas with my parents. On the way up I decided to take a last-minute detour through Willard 'just to see' if I could find any Nativity scenes.

Abigail spotted this one which was amazing because it was tucked back behind a bunch of thick juniper bushes at the edge of the property. We turned around and went back to shoot it.

I love this house. The longer I look at it the more reasons I have to love it.

Creche That Abigail Saw In Willard, 2010

Creche With A Chevy Truck

2010-12-25T20:08:00.004-07:00

Yesterday while out hunting I was heading home and this creche caught my attention right as I was passing. I am surprised I saw it because it is way buried back behind a rail fence and some trees. I think in retrospect I saw it because I was admiring the Chevy truck so much as I passed.

I was thinking earlier that there is some kind of deep metaphorical meaning in the way that I found this creche...but I don't have the energy to develop that thought right now.

Merry Christmas!

Creche With A Chevy Truck, 2010

Creche At Garden Park Ward

2010-12-24T20:39:00.004-07:00

One of Polla's friends goes to the church at Garden Park. She sent me up here to check it out. It is quite the location, and it was easy for me to become overwhelmed in trying to photograph the entire gardens, pond, waterfalls and rockwork while I was there today.

I made one panorama then decided it was too busy. I then moved in close and just did a nice detail shot of the figures. I thought it would be a nice Creche for Christmas Eve.

Creche At Garden Park Ward, 2010

Huge Creche Made Of Lights

2010-12-23T20:46:00.007-07:00

Shannon Wright sent me the location for this creche.. It has been in this yard for at least twelve years according to her.

I think I remember seeing this Nativity Scene years ago, maybe even before I started my project. It is on a super-busy road, but a section of it that I do not travel down regularly. I am very glad that Shannon sent me to check it out.

I went there tonight as the light was starting to fade. I knew it would be fabulous with the lights on, but they were turned off when I got there. I have NEVER asked a homeowner to turn on their lights before, but I knew if I didn't that it just wouldn't be as good as it could be. I knocked on the door, a very nice woman answered, I introduced myself and she offered to turn on the lights. I thanked her and found my spot to shoot.

This image is uploaded very large so that you can see the detail in it. Click on the photo to make it larger, then if you click it again, it will open in it's full-resolution.

Huge Creche Made Of Lights, 2010

Creche Protected By ADT

2010-12-22T23:53:00.003-07:00

Here is another one from the other day. I have been out hunting recently, but have not had much luck.

I love how Jesus is protected by ADT. ADT must be super powerful.

Creche Protected By ADT, 2010

Creche On The Corner

2010-12-21T22:52:00.003-07:00

Here is one I shot yesterday while it was snowing.

I was setting up and the homeowner, Gus, came out wondering if I was with 'The City'...or if I wanted to buy his house.

I told him I was neither, and explained my project. He thought it was pretty cool and we chatted while his grand-daughter put tracks in the fresh snow.

So here is a very simple Creche, on the Winter Solstice.

Creche On The Corner, 2010

Creche In The Window

2010-12-20T17:31:00.006-07:00

I was out 'Creche-Hunting' this afternoon and found four sweet ones. I caught this one literally out of the corner of my eye because it is on a super busy road and I was not able to drive as slowly as I like to when out hunting.

While I was shooting the neighbor lady came over and chatted for a bit, then the homeowners came home and a nice gentleman came out to say 'hi'.

We talked for a bit about my project, and he gave me a poem he had written.

Creche In The Window, 2010

Our Christmas Poem about Mary and Jesus Christ,
And Why We Celebrate Christmas
December 2010

Mary was a virgin, a young girl meant to be
The Mother of The Christchild, the Savior of you and me,
Whom God, our Heavenly Father, chose before His birth,
To be the Savior of the World, of great eternal worth.

The Angel of the Lord came down and appeared to Mary here,
And shared with her his message, in manner most sincere,
That she would be the mother of the very Son of God,
And He would be our Savior. At first she thought it odd.

But then she yielded her will, to Father up above,
And thus fulfilled the scriptures containing Father's love,
Recorded by the Prophets, so all the world would know,
That Jesus Christ had come to earth to let His lovelight show.

And Mary did rejoice that night when Jesus Christ was born,
And Joseph, her dear husband, never felt forelorn,
For he would love and serve her, and teacher her son to be
A carpenter just like he was, who lived life faithfully.

And Jesus, son of Mary, and Heavenly Father, too,
Went forth to be our Savior, who chose God's will to do,
And though he faced many trials and heartaches, grief and tears,
He kept the faith with His Father, through all His days and years.

And He has left a legacy of love for you and me,
To follow in His footsteps into eternity,
So when our lives are over, and all is said and done,
We may find eternal joy beyond the setting sun.

And sing our glad hosannas to Father, up above,
For sending forth the Christ-child, to share His precious love,
With us, His brothers and sister, who are God's children too,
Whom He has sent to dwell on earth, His noble work to do.

Jim and Betty Lee
-used with permission

Creche With Large Mannequins

2010-12-19T23:44:00.003-07:00

This creche was spotted by my mother-in-law last week. The home is set back off of the street quite a way, so I had to shoot it in a way that I haven't done before.

They are using life-sized mannequins and even then they are kind of hard to see from the road.

I like all of the Nativity Scene's I have seen, but this one, I have to admit, creeps me out a little.

Creche With Large Mannequins, 2010

Creche That Abigail Found

2010-12-18T21:50:00.002-07:00

Polla and Abigail were driving around the other day and found this one for me. Abigail and I went out and shot it last night.

Creche That Abigail Found, 2010

Creche That I Found Immediately

2010-12-17T22:41:00.003-07:00

I was over at IKEA today buying some 'food-gifts' and headed into Draper to try to find a Nativity scene.

The very first street I turned down, at the very first house was this Creche. I was amazed.

Creche That I Found Immediately, 2010

Creche That I Can Always Rely On

2010-12-16T19:40:00.003-07:00

I call this one the 'Creche That I Can Always Rely On' because it's one of the first Nativity Scenes that really caught my eye and made me want to start looking for more.

This house is very near my own, and I pass it all the time. I always look forward to when they put it up, and it seems that each year they add just a little bit more. I appreciate how they put the various pieces all over the yard. The star and angel placed up high on a pole really add a nice finishing touch.

I am a big fan of this Creche.

Creche That I Can Always Rely On, 2010

Handmade Creche In A Newer Neighborhood

2010-12-15T22:03:00.003-07:00

In a recent blog post I mentioned that I have been seeing most of my Nativity Scenes in older neighborhoods. I even mentioned it to a reporter from a local newspaper. Since then I have seen many Creche displays in newer neighborhoods. Go figure.

This one was a nice hand-made display in a very new neighborhood on the west side of the valley.

Handmade Creche In A Newer Neighborhood, 2010

Creche That Kept Falling Down

2010-12-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

So today I had to sneak out of my daughter's basketball game and head out to go Creche hunting while the light was still good. I ended up in Riverton in a pretty nice neighborhood and found four different displays. It seems my theory of older neighborhoods having the only Nativity Scenes is developing some cracks.

This man was trying to figure out how to keep his display from falling over in the wind. He was leaning toward tent stakes. I will try to go back and see what he figured out. He did say that they had just purchased this display about ten days earlier from Lowes.

Creche That Kept Falling Down, 2010

Creche On The House With A Flat Roof

2010-12-13T23:09:00.003-07:00

This is a cool creche...one of my favorite actually. I think I might like the fact that it's way up on top of their roof. Speaking of the roof, maybe it's just the roof that I really love, because the pieces of the creche are really very common, but the placement is pretty extraordinary.

Anyway, it's in River Heights, and is on a road with about five other super sweet Nativity Scenes. Look for them in upcoming installments.

Creche On The House With A Flat Roof, 2010

Creche Down The Street From My House

2010-12-12T23:38:00.003-07:00

Some friends down the street got a new Nativity Scene this year. I knew I would head down and shoot it when I got on short notice and didn't have one for the day. I like having these ones I can head to when I need to.

Creche Down The Street From My House, 2010

Creche By Lehi High School

2010-12-11T23:59:00.001-07:00

A student of mine at UVU told me about this creche. I had never seen it before, but apparently it is up every year.

I especially like how one of the sheep is smiling. Click on the image to bring it up larger, then click it again to see it at full resolution.

Creche By Lehi High School, 2010

Creche At Oquirrh LDS Temple

2010-12-10T22:06:00.004-07:00

Here is one I shot tonight. I am not very happy with it. I didn't get the image I thought I would. Maybe I'll go back and re-shoot it and replace this image.

Creche At Oquirrh LDS Temple, 2010

Creche At The Logan Tabernacle

2010-12-09T22:53:00.003-07:00

I went to a concert performance at the Logan Tabernacle tonight. There is a pretty big creche in front of the building. Two birds...one stone.

Creche At The Logan Tabernacle, 2010

Creche Around The Corner From My Parent's Home

2010-12-08T23:02:00.003-07:00

Here is a creche around the corner from my Parent's home. I shot this last night thinking it would come in handy if I had to use it at the last minute. Tonight is the night it will pay off.

Creche Around The Corner From My Parent's Home, 2010

Live Creche At Morgan Farm, Nibley

2010-12-07T22:27:00.004-07:00

I went to this live nativity scene last night in my hometown of Nibley, Utah. This is a real working farm in the middle of Cache Valley. Put on by members of the local Latter-day Saint church, this creche was a bit corny, but overall I found it very touching and inspirational.

Live Creche At Morgan Farm from Michael Slade on Vimeo.

The music is 'Once In Royal David's City', sung by the choir from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, England.

Creche Covering All The Bases

2010-12-06T22:49:00.005-07:00

Let's see, we have Tigger as a Snowman, a couple of Santa's, an upside-down puppy, a Christmas Tree, and an inflatable Creche.

Not bad.

I photographed this in Nibley on the way home from a live Nativity tonight.

Creche Covering All The Bases, 2010

2nd Creche Near Robert's House

2010-12-05T22:27:00.004-07:00

I shot two on Friday, so today is the first day where I haven't shot one on the day I show it on the website.

Sunday's are pretty hectic, and this one was a little more so than normal. It's too bad I have a bunch of stuff to do and can't just cruise around in the beautiful fog we have today looking for things to photograph.

I have one in mind I will shoot in the early morning fog.

For now, here's another one. I shot one similar to this in Providence last year.

2nd Creche Near Robert's House, 2010

Wooden Creche in Provo

2010-12-04T23:28:00.001-07:00

I found this creche while I was lost this afternoon in Provo. I had gotten a hot-dog at the Hot Dog King, and trying to avoid holiday traffic in the busiest part of town went into an older neighborhood trying to get back to the freeway.

As luck would have it, I stumbled upon this creche. I have decided that older neighborhoods have more of a likelihood to have Nativity Scenes than newer neighborhoods. I have some theories on that, but I will save that for later.

I had a good hot-dog, found a good creche, and eventually did make it to the freeway.

Wooden Creche in Provo, 2010

Creche Near Robert's House

2010-12-03T22:51:00.002-07:00

I had to run to Lehi to borrow a lens for a commercial job I'm shooting. While I was waiting I cruised around the neighborhood behind Cabella's and found 3 creche displays. I was surprised and relieved. This is a set you see quite a bit, but the addition of Frosty brings to mind a scene from a Rankin-Bass special.

Creche Near Robert's House, 2010

Creche That's Empty

2010-12-02T21:56:00.003-07:00

This is a creche I found in Hyrum tonight. I was desperate to find one as I was heading home from school. I was lucky I found this one as it was getting dark. I wonder if this is a live creche or if they haven't gotten around to putting in the figures.

One thing I am noticing this year is that there are not many Nativity Scene's put up yet. I wonder if it's still considered 'early' in the season.

Creche That's Empty, 2010

Creche With A Live Donkey

2010-12-01T21:36:00.004-07:00

Last year I found this creche at the recommendation of a friend. I went back today, mainly out of the desire to make sure I got something I liked, but also because I wanted to see about making a video creche and how it would feel.

I like how it turned out.

Creche With A Live Donkey from Michael Slade on Vimeo.

2010 Creche-A-Day

2010-12-01T08:32:00.003-07:00

So here we are again at December. I'm not sure what that means, except for two things. I'm running out of time to get my school work taken care of before Christmas break, and it's time to grab the camera and start looking.

I got a really neat little video camera this year, a Nikon D7000, so I will be posting some video-creche pieces from time to time.

Today has just begun, so I suppose I ought to start looking for some creche displays. I haven't seen many yet.

Nada's Creche

2009-12-31T22:06:00.002-07:00

This is the creche of a friend of the family. I heard about it and decided to go and see it for myself. While I was there the sun was setting and broke through the high clouds. I thought that Nada was smiling from Heaven making sure I got a nice image. Thanks Nada!

Nada's Creche, 2009

Creche Where The Owner Thanked Me For Taking A Picture

2009-12-30T22:23:00.002-07:00

Rarely do I speak with the homeowners where I photograph these creches. This man was working in his garage so I yelled at him. I asked him if I could take a picture of his Nativity Scene. He said of course and gave me a big thanks. The thanks is all mine.

Creche Where The Owner Thanked Me For Taking A Picture, 2009

Creche With Two Figures Of Mary

2009-12-29T22:44:00.003-07:00

This creche is one I also shot a while ago (I'm running out of stock...). It has a figure of Mary standing behind the creche scene. I thought that was pretty cool.

Creche With Two Figures Of Mary, 2009

Creche With Upside-down Star

2009-12-28T22:28:00.003-07:00

This is one I shot a while ago. I like it because it's one I haven't seen before, and it also has an upside-down star. I like the upside-down star...mostly because it has an ancient divine meaning, but also because I like the word upside-down.

Creche With Upside-down Star, 2009

Vandalized Creche

2009-12-27T22:32:00.004-07:00

Clearly there are some people who could care less about what the true meaning of Christmas is. It's a shame really. What is also a shame is that the owners of the home haven't seen what's happened to it and set it up again. I think I'll swing by tomorrow and check again...

Vandalized Creche, 2009

Creche At Brigham City Tabernacle

2009-12-26T22:47:00.008-07:00

My mom told me I had to photograph this one. On the way to Logan today I stopped and shot it.

Creche At Brigham City Tabernacle, 2009

Detail Of Creche At Brigham City Tabernacle, 2009

Creche On The Roof

2009-12-25T23:18:00.002-07:00

Here is one of my favorites from this year. Such an odd space to place a Nativity Scene, but it seems like it was built for it.

Creche On The Roof, 2009

Kids Live Creche

2009-12-24T19:48:00.002-07:00

The Morgans, Naegles and Cushings get together annually for a group family/friend Christmas party. Every year all of the kids perform a live Nativity Scene. I thought it was appropriate for Christmas Eve.

Kids Live Creche, 2009

High-Key Creche

2009-12-23T20:56:00.003-07:00

This is one that is definitely unique. Ironically it also fits perfectly with an assignment that I like to give out shooting white on white.

High-Key Creche, 2009

Creche In Front Of White House

2009-12-22T22:57:00.002-07:00

This is probably my favorite photograph so far.

Creche In Front Of White House, 2009

Creche With Donkeys and Mannikins

2009-12-21T20:02:00.002-07:00

This creche is pretty impressive. It's in a field with real horses, donkeys and sheep. It also has mannikins, so there is a creepy factor that can't be ignored. I think I might re-shoot this one on some large sheet film.

Creche With Donkeys and Mannikins, 2009

Creche That Eric Found

2009-12-20T20:36:00.004-07:00

Click on this image. It gets bigger. Then...click on it again, it'll zoom in even more. I suggest that so that you can see all of the hard work that the grandpa that made this set has done. Thanks for finding this one Eric!

Creche That Eric Found, 2009

Creche With Angels In The Window

2009-12-19T21:58:00.003-07:00

I shot this creche last year and saw it again this year. I liked it a lot better this year.

Creche With Angels In The Window, 2009

Creche That Started Out As A Star Of David

2009-12-18T23:24:00.003-07:00

This creche was made by Zsana's son Zachary. He was making it at the craft table at the Unitarian Church. The creche started out as a Star Of David, but somehow ended up as a Nativity Scene instead. I'm not sure why the Unitarian Church was making Star's Of David, but that really doesn't matter. What really matters is that you notice the sweet, sweet afro's on both Mary and Joseph.

Creche That Started Out As A Star Of David, 2009

Blue Plastic Creche

2009-12-17T21:47:00.003-07:00

Here's one I have been holding on to for use when I didn't have time to go shooting. Tonight I didn't have time to go shooting...I was busy printing in the darkroom for 5 hours after school. Don't know what a darkroom is? Go ask your grandpa.

Blue Plastic Creche, 2009

Creche Made Of Clay

2009-12-16T22:24:00.002-07:00

Every once-in-a-while I will bend my self-imposed rule of only showing outdoor Nativity Scenes. This is one of those times.

A few of Suzanne's students rose to the occasion and decided to make a creche out of clay. I thought it was pretty sweet.

Creche Made Of Clay, 2009

A New Kind Of Inflatable Creche

2009-12-15T22:41:00.004-07:00

I didn't have my tripod. It's a problem when the exposures are long.

An Inflatable Creche Is Better Than No Creche At All, 2009

Creche By Suzanne's House

2009-12-14T22:09:00.003-07:00

I was heading home from a party at Suzanne's house tonight and she told me to look for this creche. At this house was this creche, an inflatable creche, and a nativity flag hanging by the porch.

Creche By Suzanne's House, 2009

Creche I Knelt At Last Year And Again This Year

2009-12-13T22:05:00.002-07:00

This creche is around the corner from the house. I was running short on time today, and this was one I knew I could shoot anytime. I used it last year when I needed a creche on short-notice, and it went up again this year too. Interestingly enough, part of the creche's roof is made out of a sign that they use to announce their Halloween Haunted House. I thought that was a fun touch.

Creche I Knelt At Last Year And Again This Year, 2009

Third Creche I Found When 'Mel' Got Me Lost

2009-12-12T17:19:00.003-07:00

This is the last creche I found the night that my student 'Mel' got me lost with her terrible map. It was worth getting lost...it was the most productive night of the project so far.

Third Creche I Found When 'Mel' Got Me Lost, 2009

Second Creche I Found When 'Mel' Got Me Lost

2009-12-11T10:59:00.006-07:00

This house is two houses down from the creche I saw last night. In the yard next to me was a white pit-bull that would sooner have me dead than not.

Second Creche I Found When 'Mel' Got Me Lost, 2009

Creche I Found When 'Mel' Got Me Lost

2009-12-10T22:00:00.005-07:00

Today a couple of my students tried to help me find a creche near the school. The first girl...let's call her 'Mel' and her friend, um...we'll call her 'Zemma' tried their best to draw me a map to lead me to this mysterious mannequin creche. I followed the directions for a while, but ended up having better luck when I put the map down and just started driving around. In fact, I found three creche's this afternoon when I decided to give up on the originally intended creche and just cruised.

Creche I Found When 'Mel' Got Me Lost, 2009

Creche I Shot While There Was Still Light

2009-12-09T22:09:00.003-07:00

I was able to get away from school tonight while there was still some light. I headed home and cruised some of the older neighborhoods looking for a creche. This is a specimine I hadn't seen before. I did see a second creche tonight, but it only had the Three Wisemen. No Jesus, Joseph or Mary. I'll have to go back and see if the group gets larger.

Creche I Shot While There Was Still Light, 2009

Creche On 126th

2009-12-08T22:51:00.002-07:00

I was heading home late tonight and knew I could get this one as it is close to the house. It's on 126th south just west of the post office.

Creche On 126th, 2009

Creche Where The Star Has Rainbow Colored Rays

2009-12-07T19:23:00.003-07:00

Rainbow lights seem to be all the rage. This is the second creche I saw last night.

Creche Where The Star Has Rainbow Colored Rays, 2009

Creche Where Jesus Needs A Pillow

2009-12-06T20:17:00.003-07:00

I went looking for a creche on the way up to the school tonight, but the one I found didn't have it's lights turned on. After I was done at the school I cruised a couple of neighborhoods and found two different ones. This was the first.

Creche Where Jesus Needs A Pillow, 2009

Creche For Sale At Lowes

2009-12-05T22:18:00.004-07:00

We were doing some shopping today and I knew I'd see a creche at Lowe's. I'd seen it around Halloween and knew I could go back and get it anytime. Today was the day.

Creche For Sale At Lowes, 2009

Creche I Found In Orem

2009-12-04T22:38:00.002-07:00

I was in Orem on my way to buy a Trinitron monitor for the digital lab when I saw this one. I was relieved...I didn't want to go into the 'vault' just quite yet.

Creche I Found In Orem, 2009

Two-Dimensional Creche Made Of Plywood

2009-12-03T21:39:00.005-07:00

I was heading to shoot a creche I had been told about when I saw this one on the way. This is a totally home-made creche, made out of plywood, with an actual three-dimensional manger complete with straw and Baby Jesus doll. After shooting this creche and the creche I was tipped-off to, I actually saw yet another creche on the very same street. I turned around to go shoot the third one and when I got close I saw that Jesus hadn't been placed yet. I will return.

Two-Dimensional Creche Made Of Plywood, 2009

Creche Where Joseph Is Distracted

2009-12-02T20:12:00.007-07:00

This is a revisit to a creche I photographed last year. I have been watching this house all year hoping to go back and re-photograph it for this year's blog. I noticed that the figures were put up about a week ago, but decided to shoot it tonight since I was kind of running out of daylight and I needed a 'sure thing'. Here is the post from last year.

Creche Where Joseph Is Distracted, 2009

Ironically this year, just like last year, Joseph has been placed on the opposite side of Mary and Baby Jesus. Just like last year Joseph is pointing away from them. Just like last year he hasn't learned his lesson. When, Joseph...when will you learn? Is this the reason why we don't hear much about you in the New Testament? Is this the reason why you dissappear? You seem to be slowly moving away from Mary and Jesus...a little more each year. Were you distracted?

Creche In Reflecting Pond With Temple

2009-12-01T21:14:00.004-07:00

First creche of the year. Ironically taken exactly one year after the first creche shot of last year was taken. It is interesting that this is the first vertical panorama I've shot for this project.

Creche In Reflecting Pond With Temple, 2009

Click on the image to make it larger.

If you haven't been on my 'Creche-a-Day' blog before, you might want to go back to the beginning and read just why it is that I'm doing this project. Off and on all year I've thought about doing it again, and I am actually a little nervous about it this year. I will have to look harder for new creches to photograph, although I am very interested to return to several that I can remember from last year and see how they have changed. I also want to try to photograph someone setting up their creche, perhaps even taking it down when the time comes.

In any case, if you are in the northern Utah area and find a creche that I haven't photographed, I'd LOVE you to drop me an e-mail. You can reach me at: sladephoto@yahoo.com

Epilogue

2009-01-05T08:27:00.002-07:00

I've been thinking about this project quite a bit while I was doing it, and quite a bit after the New Year. I had figured that the 31st of December would be the last time I posted a new Creche, but I continue to see them. I may keep photographing them and use them next year. I want to do this again for several reasons, most of them are personal, some of them aren't.

I have a lot of thoughts and am planning to write a longer piece to wrap up this year's project.

Thanks to all of those who stopped by, commented, made suggestions and even went out photographing with me.

Most of all, thanks to all those who display outdoor Nativity Scenes for us to enjoy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Creche I Didn't Focus On

2008-12-31T22:00:00.002-07:00

This Creche was between Hyrum and Paradise. It was DANG cold and the light was fading fast. I forgot to focus on the Creche...but I liked it enough to include it anyway. I guess the moral lesson is 'Don't forget to focus on the Creche'.

Creche I Didn't Focus On

Creche Near Geneva

2008-12-30T18:17:00.002-07:00

I was driving near Geneva Steel today and saw this creche. They actually had two at their house. There was a deflated inflatable creche in the front yard and this one with figures and a star on the side of the house. Their neighbor came over and asked what I was doing. It told him about the project and asked if he would tell them 'thanks' for having a Nativity scene. He said he would.

Creche Near Geneva

Creche At Nielsen's Dairy

2008-12-29T18:26:00.006-07:00

Up the street from where I grew up, on the road heading toward Hyrum is Nielsen's Dairy. I stopped there early in the morning to shoot their Creche. As I was setting up a woman coming from the milking barn with a fresh pitcher of milk stopped to talk. She told me that she took Jesus back in the house when it started to snow. "I couldn't bury Jesus!", she said. I completely agree.

Creche At Nielsen's Dairy

Creche Around The Corner From My Parent's House

2008-12-28T19:26:00.001-07:00

I like the light in this one. The title explains the rest.

Creche Around The Corner From My Parent's House

Snow Creche

2008-12-27T19:58:00.003-07:00

This is a Creche that was made entirely out of snow...hence the title Snow Creche. I am assuming that it looked a little better before another six inches of snow fell on it and obscured the features. My mother found it about four days ago. I was hoping it would still be standing when I got to Logan.

Snow Creche