March Variety

It has been a few months since my last post so I thought now is as good a time as any to get a few more pics out there.  As you can see, there isn't much of a theme to these pictures, just a collection of this-and-that.  The first couple were taken along the Vermillion River in Hastings, and they were processed using some trial software I ran into.  Each of the first two photos started as 3 photos that were merged into one.  The process is called HDR or High Dynamic Range. 

These next two photos were also processed using HDR and were taken in Hastings as well.

This was taken at the Minneapolis Photo Center where I recently took an HDR class.

On March 3rd, I watched some guys I work with play a hockey tournament benefiting cystic fibrosis.  They played 3 games that day.  Just the thought of it makes my legs sore.

Sunset and a planet.

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!