A Walkabout

Last night, my neighbor and I went on a quick photo walkabout. On my way to pick him up, our other neighbors were getting ready to go for an evening bike ride. They explained to me about the sunset over the Mississippi River at the Coon Rapids Dam.

We changed up our photo walkabout and headed for the dam. We caught the tail end of the sunset. Below is my result. Afterward, I wanted an evening image of our pedestrian bridge lit up for the evening. Photo walkabouts are quite fun with fellow hobbyist photographers. A good chance to share our art, get out and enjoy our city outdoors and improve our photography skills. The best part is the camaraderie of sharing a pleasant evening.

Mississippi River Sunset

Champlin's Pedestrian Bridge linking the east side of town to the west side of town across highway 169.

Birch Walk

The outhouse nestled in the birch. Unfortunately my first offical use of my new hoya R72 nfrared filter was on a winday day. The tree limbs and leaves were flapping in the 20 MPH breeze making it fifficult to capture a still image at an exposure rate of 45 seconds. This is the result after converting to black and white. Mitchster has done several IR photos, all are stunning images.

Shooting Mode: Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ): 45

Av( Aperture Value ): 9.0

ISO Speed: 100

Lens EF50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50.0 mm

Filter: Hoya R72 (infrared filter)

Flour Power

Across the Mississippi River From the old Gold Medal Flour Mill ruins and the Githrie Theater is the Pillsbury Flour Mill.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillsbury_Company

I like all the lights. There is nothing like taking a long stroll on a warm summer evening. Especially with camera and tripod.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure - Tv( Shutter Speed ) 6 - Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0 - ISO Speed 400 - Focal Length 44.0 mm - White Balance Mode Tungsten

Summer Wind

Make way for the cyclical winds of Autumn.

It has been very windy these past few days. More wind expected in the near future. Thankfully we now have the new 2008 football season and the upcoming World Series playoffs as a sanity break. A much needed break from all the hot air blowing across the land.



Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV

I am Dusty Lens and I approve this blog post.

Farmall Cub

One of my cousin's smaller tractors in the far north metro.

Canon PowerShot A710 IS - Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE - My Colors Mode Vivid - Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/20 - Av (Aperture Value) 2.8 - ISO Speed 200 - Focal Length 6.4 mm

Duluth Lift Bridge

Going up! No, not for this little speedboat. There was a large sailboat beyond approaching the bridge. Someday, I hope to capture images of those giant freighter and ore boats coming and going under this bridge. To learn more about the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, please see this site;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_Lift_Bridge

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 17.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

Structural support. The beauty of the Aerial Lift Bridge.
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 17.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

Monday Morning Blues

Sounds like somebody has the case of the Monday's.

I'm a bit envious of the person who owns this bike. I sure could go for a scoot around town.

2 Things Challenge - Hard / Soft

Soft focus with hard light. I really need an external flash. That pop up flash on my camera is, well, pretty worthless. It shines way too bright on the subject for these close ups. I don't care for this hard light from the pop us flash. Unfortunately, an external flash and the cordless remote transmitter is a bit pricey. Maybe for Christmas.

Speaking of which, I am dismayed to report that on Saturday August 16th at Costco, We witnessed our first Christmas display of Christmas gift wrap, ribbons, and Christmas cards. Those are the the hard sad facts of rabid commercialism.

Q-Tips in a glass jar. Soft pillowy cotton swabs inside a hard glass jar.

mm

The Stone Arch Bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls. An old railroad bridge back in the day, now a paved trail for bicyclists, skaters, and walkers alike. The St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail.

http://www.minneapolis-riverfront.com/gettingaround/walking.asp

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure - Tv( Shutter Speed ) 5 - Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0 - ISO Speed 400 - Focal Length 56.0 mm - White Balance Mode Tungsten

Titanium City

Not quite the Emerald City, but this look gives Minneapolis a Titanium look. Truth to the matter is I took the camera's metering as gospel. After I took the shot, I continued on. Sadly, I wish I would have previewed the image. I would have found out it was metered too bright. I spent time in Photoshop to bring out the details to save this image from being deleted. More of an artsy look. That's the joy of digital, you can save some photos otherwise to be deleted.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure - Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/6 - Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6 - ISO Speed 400 - Focal Length 38.0 mm

Harbor Cruise

Taking a spin down Duluth's canal.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/100

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 26.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

Anoka Ladder Truck

Fire Safety; most kids want to be a fireman when they grow up.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/320

Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0

ISO Speed 200

Focal Length 33.0 mm

Crash

PC Crash
Have no fear Geek Squad is here. I'm sensing double trouble in this new development. When was the last time anyone has seen 2 Geek Squad vehicles at a residence? Worse yet, the big vans were required. Usually the eye catching Geek Squad olkswagon Beetles are sent out on demand.

Cart Crash
A lone Cub Foods shopping cart far from the store. I feel for the kid that must corral this cart back to the store. Come to think of it, what fun it would be to spend your time outside on a beautiful summer evening searching for wayward carts. Do the kids a favor, corral you carts at the designated place. Most of us are tired of wayward carts banging into our vehicles.

full Moon

Saturday night I was enjoying some refreshing adult beverages on the backyard deck. To the east was the full moon rising, to the west above my neighbor's house was The Big Dipper constellation. I couldn't pass this up to try to capture each. I spent 45 minutes taking 50 some images trying to get a good image of the full moon and big dipper.

These are the best result for each. I had to increase the contrast in post processing, and even darken the image a touch.

Full Moon rising

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/8

Av( Aperture Value ) 45.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 300.0 mm

The Big Dipper, Ursa Major
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 30

Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0

ISO Speed 400

Focal Length 41.0 mm

2 Things Challenge - Window / Shop

In Macy's downtown Minneapolis, Winston's Barbershop.

I wonder what sweet treat is in here.

No Parking

Are bicycles exempt?

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/250

Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 26.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

Yesterday's question about which movie the post title and top two lines were from was answered by Lara , Twister.

Cow! 'Nother Cow!

"Actually I think that was the same one".

"I gotta go Julia, we got cows".

At my cousin's 20 acre farm in the far north metro.

Here's looking at you kid.

Triplets
The grass really is greener on the other side of the fence!

Would you look at that biped taking our picture.

Simple quiz, the post title and top two lines are a quote from a movie. Can you name this movie?
In the past, I add movie quote, song titles or lyrics in my posts. For a fun prizeless competition, try and find these quotes. Yes I am easily amused.

These 3 photos were taken with our little Canon A710 IS point and shoot camera.

Berry Feast

And now for desert!

Nothing better than a platter of fruit; especially if they are raspberries and blueberries.

North Metro Food Network

I'm hungry.

I think it is about time to post some food photos.

Spaghetti with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and fresh home grown basil. Recipe by Giada De Laurentiis, our favorite Food Network show host. A creation by Mrs. DL and myslelf. Here is the link to the Food Netowrk should you wish to try this recipe; http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/angel-hair-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-goat-cheese-recipe/index.html

Mississippi Coloringbook

Can you spot the Heron in the Mississippi River?

(Hint, think red)

A rivers edge view of downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Last Saturday evening, I met up with felow Twin cities photographers, Werner (from http://photoblog.twincityphotos.com/ ), Jonathan, Matt, Jessica, and Leng. A few beers at Pracna and a bit of confusion, we were off on our city walkabout photoshoot. A lot of fun bouncing ideas with each other and sharing tips and general photography information. I called it quits at 11:30 PM and headed for the 20 minute drive home.

Exposure: 13 sec - Aperture: f/11 - Focal Length: 38 mm - ISO Speed: 400 - Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV

Here the Heron stands in the red light.

Werner spotted this Heron in the red light. Thanks, Werner, this shot is for you. This photo was difficult to shoot as it was dark, thus the long exposure. And auto focus does not work in the dark. I had to manually focus this shot. I should add, the red light is from the neon GOLD MEDAL FLOUR sign. The sign blinks on and off. Timing for focusing and snapping this photo was difficult at best.

Exposure: 13 sec - Aperture: f/5.6 -Focal Length: 300 mm - ISO Speed: 800 - Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV

Free Parking

Priority Parking

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 44.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

2 Things Challenge - Over / Under

Our typical walk that takes us past the now closed Dunn Brothers coffee shop and on to the 'Bou for my caffeine fix. This particular Saturday morning we heard this droning humming sound. Looking up, we saw this brightly colored sail glider. You might say we were under this flyer as he was over the trees. Ha, a two fer one special. Also, I must add that I over saturated the red and blue channels while under processing the rest of the image using my humble PS Elements 5.0.

Dueling Towers

Perhaps hot and cold running water? This is located near Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800

Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 85.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

August Bloom

Summer draws on, the lillies have exploded in an array of colors.

Hills of Duluth

The harbor side, Duluth, MN.
Beyond the blue lift bridge is the William A.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_A_Irvin

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 79.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

Andiamo

Come on, let's go! Before Mr. Bigglesworth gets upset

Winston is anxious for a boatride and patiently waits on the dock.

Canal Park

The lighthouse on Canal Park, Duluth, Minnesota

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 35.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

The beach at Canal Park on Lake Superior.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/160
Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 24.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

Reflection of a Piano

Is it live or Memorex?

Mirror finish on the inside lid of this piano reveals it's inner beauty.
Exposure: 1.6 sec (8/5)
Aperture: f/5
Focal Length: 38 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV

Bonus Photo

A photo just for Mr. Kakeroo. Reflected T-Bone on the keys.

2 Things Challenge is Up / Down

This week's 2 Thing's Challenge, up and down, comes to you from Duluth, Minnesota. Canal Park in Duluth to be exact.

No diving down, stay up.

All along the canal between Duluth harbor and Lake superior are these No diving and No Swimming signs. Here, you are not allowed to dive down; you must stay up on the causeway.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/160

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 85.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

The up/down ladder. The orange ladder leading up/down on the waterside from the No Diving sign. This canal leads into the canal from Duluth Harbor to Lake Superior. These ladders I believe are for safety reasons in case somebody falls in. Life rings are also present. Of course a Duluth resident will have better knowledge of all this as the North Metro is located 160 miles south of Duluth, Minnesota.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125

Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 17.0 mm

White Balance Mode Daylight

For more information on 2 things Challenge; http://2thingsphotochallenge.blogspot.com/

Tickling the Ivories

Ebony and Ivory

Together in perfect harmony

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/8

Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6

ISO Speed 100

Focal Length 56.0 mm

White Balance Mode Tungsten

Steamer

1916 Avery Steam Engine
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV