Night Play

Recently, I bought a new 35mm lens.  The majority of these photos were taken with that lens, which is a very "fast" lens, meaning it collects light very well at wide-open apertures and allows me to more easily take nighttime photos without using a tripod.  With the exception of the 2nd and 3rd photos from the end, all of these were hand held.  I hope you enjoy them.

Kellogg Park downtown St. Paul

Trying to take it all in with her camera phone.

Evening Stroll

Photographing the Wedding Photographer

Lens Change

5th and Wabasha

Landmark Center

Minnesota Peace Officer's Memorial

The Thin Blue Line

State Capitol with tip of dome under construction.

St. Paul skyline.

Facing North from Cherokee Park

Gelly's Pub in Stockholm Wisconsin

On the same October evening I shot Gelly's Pub, we parked the motorcycles and took this picture of the remnants of the sunset and the Big Dipper over Lake Pepin.  This shot is facing northwest towards Old Frontenac.

Thanks for looking!

A Taste of Two Cities

Recently, I spent some time walking around Saint Paul and Minneapolis looking for interesting people to photograph.  Despite the summer heat and humidity, I found there was no shortage of people out and about, taking in what remains of summer.

A woman and a little girl seem to share a moment of reflection at the fountain in Rice Park, downtown Saint Paul.

A Gentleman watches from the cool of the shade as an impromptu yoga session starts in Kellogg Park.

Meet Detrick, the Shoe Shine at Heimie's in Saint Paul.  He's been shining shoes for most of his life and he loves his job.  Temps were in the mid 90's while we chatted, but looking at him you would have thought it was a perfect 72 degrees - not a bead of sweat on him.  Dietrich is definitely one cool guy!

At first I wasn't sure if this gentleman was okay, but he was just napping in the shade.

This is the "Scattered Light" art display going on at Upper Landing Park in Saint Paul.  Very neat to see and "experience".  

Making a Wish

Tour de Fat, a 1 day event held in Loring Park in Minneapolis, is designed to raise money for and raise interest in bicycling for reasons that are generally green.  While not a huge event, it attracted quite a large number of interesting folks.  Most attractions were bicycle themed, and this photo shows 3 "bikes" which are welded together in small merry-go-round fashion.

Here a bicycle rim is used to make a kaleidoscope of sorts.

The view through the kaleidoscope.

A lot of people wore costumes - many with wings.  I'm not sure why the wings...

...but if you didn't get the photo fast, off they would fly!

A couple fellow photography enthusiasts. The guy on the left, (lets just call him Mr. T.) says Mustard goes real good with pizza.

Thanks for looking.  I hope you enjoyed my photos!

April 2011

Welcome to this month's photo blog.  With the exception of one photo here, all were taken within the past month or so.  With the Spring melt in full swing, I found myself gravitating towards areas where the rivers and streams would provide ample opportunity for good photos.  But, in addition to finding lots of moving water, I also found several things in close proximity that were also interesting to photograph.  I hope you enjoy them.

The Mississippi River, looking upstream from atop the Coon Rapids Cam.  Deceptively calm and serene looking.  Quite the opposite on the other side of the dam.

Hidden Falls:  Taken in March 2010. (This is that one exception I mentioned!)

Vermillion River - Hastings

While not the apple of my eye, it did catch it.  Perched on a beam under the Hwy 61 bridge over the Vermillion River.  Pentax K-5, Pentax 18-135mm lens at 135mm, 1/100 sec. at f/11, ISO 200.

A bit further downstream along the Vermillion - Remnants of an old mill.

Sharing a Laugh

Footbridge over Vermillion

A hint of Spring

Memory Lane

I hope one of my pics made you smile!

Thanks for looking!

March 2011

Here are a few photographs I've taken over the past few months.  The first few were taken at the Como Conservatory and Como Park, while the others were taken in East (Old) Cottage Grove, Saint Paul, and parts between.  I hope you enjoy them.

"Attention Seeker"

"Blush"

"Couch Potato"

The sign on the front of this building says it was Washington County's first library, built in 1855.  It also served as Cottage Grove's "Lyceum Hall".  It is now located in the Cottage Grove Cemetery. 

This served as a school in the Dayton's Bluff area of Saint Paul in the early 1900's until around 1960.  It has since been renovated as apartments.

"Stairway to Liffey"

Downtown Saint Paul.  In the 60's and 70's, this was 7th Street, which has since been relocated one block north.  Back then, there was a small store about half way down the block called 3 Acre Wood.  The store was operated by hippies, and they sold waterbeds, black light posters, incense, candle holders, and of course drug paraphernalia.  It was the 60's and 70's after all...

Thanks for visiting!  Don't forget to check out the archives.