Twinkle Bus

Nothing says Holiday Spirit more than the Twinkle Bus. Dan, Mitch and I made our way downtown Minneapolis again to photo-shoot the 2009 Target Holidazzle Parade. Near the queue of parade floats, we came upon the Twinkle Bus that begged to be photographed. Next, we braved the crowds of parade spectators and evening chill to photo-shoot the parade. Afterward, as a reward for our photographic triumph, we sought refuge in The Local for adult Irish refreshments and warmth. If you haven't sen the Holidazzle Parade, don't miss the fun on Nicollet Mall. And remember, there are plenty of places to duck into to get warm and enjoy refreshments.

This blogsite will end on December 31st, 2009. A new updated blogsite is now available. Please change your links and visit my new address - northmetrophoto.com. I thank you for your support!

Tough Times

Times are tough as the economy continues to be unsettling. Despite this fact, our elected do-nothings in office are doing what they do best; diverting their attention elsewhere. Typical wag the dog policies.

Skipping Down Nicollet Mall

Heading north on the Nicollet Mall

Perforation Set

Tables are set for the lunch rush on the Nicollet Mall.

Morning on the Mall

Before the snow fell, we all enjoyed a bright and cheery morning on the Nicollet Mall.

Vertigo?

I am not so sure I could wash windows from a height like this. No, I am not afraid of heights; it is gravity that I fear. Gravity and I are highly compatible.

Envy of the Little Dish

The little dish has big shoes to follow.

Lollypops

Midnight on Nicollet Mall

Monochrome Weekly

Two Things Challenge - Urban / Art

When urban scenes becomes art. Art is in the eye of the beholder.

The Foshay Tower peeks between a parking ramp and another building. Taken from Nicollet Mall.

No Bicycles

Bicycling Anarchist
The street is blocked for bicycle use. Just say no to no bicycling on Nicollet Mall.



Bicycle Salvage

Street Art

The artist on Nicollet Mall
Shooting Mode: Manual Exposure
Shutter Speed : 1/30
Aperture Value : 5.6
ISO Speed: 200
Focal Length: 73.0 mm

Mall Lights

Night lights on the Nicollet Mall

For Virginia as she jumps up and down on her suitcases, trying furiously to get them to close. Watch out Virginia, they may explode open in Paris!

Golden Blues

Autumn continues in November on the Nicollet Mall
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Shooting Mode: Manual Exposure
Shutter Speed : 1/400
Aperture Value: 5.6
Metering Mode: Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed: 200
Focal Length: 70.0 mm

Newspaper

The news in print

How we used to get real news.
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Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 140 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Nicollet Mall Girls

This is a first for me as I typically do not have portrait shots on my photo-blog. Why? I am not confident in my portrait skills.

Last Saturday I was downtown Minneapolis with 7 photographer friends shooting city scenes. As I was capturing a moment on the Nicollet Mall, I was approached by these young ladies to have me take a group photo.

Not knowing the ins and outs of portrait photography, I agreed to give it my best shot, (sorry for the pun). I hope you enjoyed your day downtown.

Street Market

Fresh home grown produce and stand on the Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis.

Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Bus Que

The Nicollet Mall.

Open to bus and taxi traffic only. Bicyclists too. A cold Saturday we see here as we pedestrians get around downtown via the skyway system. As I have said, the Nicollet Mall is closed to all vehicles except mass transportation. Yet there are the occasional wayward automobiles that turned the wrong way.

This reminds me of a story years ago in the early 1980's. I was driving with a good buddy of mine, scoping out restaurants for our prom dates. Frustrated and lost, he says take a left. I did so without question. Yep, you guessed it, right, (or left as it were) onto the Nicollet Mall. I dodged a couple busses while cruising 3 blocks down the Mall before we realized our error. I escaped the incident, ticketless.

Ah, the good 'ol days.

Free Parking

For two wheelers. Seen on the Nicollet Mall.

Skyway Blues

Skyway over the mall in detail. The skyway system in Minneapolis is an elevated enclosed connecting "bridge" from one building to the next above traffic. This is a great way to get around the downtown area without stepping outside when the temperature has warmed up to -25 F, -31 C.

Sidewalk Hydrant

As seen on the Nicollet Mall from the skyway above. This photo is from a photo shoot I was on with 13 other fellow photographers for our Tips From The Top Floor Minnesota Get Together (TFTTF MN TGT #3).

Our venue, the skyway system of downtown Minneapolis. Six times building security asked us to either please leave the premisis, stop taking photos, or both. We complied spending more time in the skyways.

I had a great time meeting fellow photo enthusiests and spending the afternoon with eachother. I am looking forward to future photoshoots. Until then, enjoy my version of the Minneapolis skyways.