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I Love Taking Pictures in New York City

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Three of us were intent on going to New York City last weekend during a trip to New Jersey.  We got in to NYC at 3:30 in the morning – a bit later than we had hoped.  We took a walk from 57th Street to Times Square.  On the way back to our hotel the sun was coming up as we walked north on 8th or Broadway.  The morning light was reflecting off the buildings and I couldn’t resist.

I was glad to have brought my camera in less than ideal circumstances.  The next day we started out on a walk and taxi ride around mid-town.  At 1:00 in the afternoon you’re tempted to pack in the photography gear due to less ideal light – well I’m glad I schleped it around for our visit to the Empire State Building.

Mid-day sun created some terrific contrast to the clouds from a day threatening storms.  I really am pleased with the effect a bit of post-processing did to enhance the look.

From the top of the Empire State Building, the architecture of the city takes on a totally different character.  The shapes and colors of the buildings become individually strong….

…and collectively a single pattern of light and shape.

A spotlight on the building itself is the focus of busy, dissimilar shapes and angles:

Dead Tree

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It’s late spring – there are many signs of nature’s regeneration.  The world around me is dabbled in green and colors of seasonal flowering plants.  Yet, no matter the season, I’m a real sucker for a photogenic, dead tree.

Swamp Things

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I can’t say this it’s universally true for all swamps/marshes, but I have found that springtime at the Horicon Marsh is especially welcoming and photogenic.  Not only are bug levels low, but the vegetation is cropped closer than in mid-summer and the new-growth reeds create interesting lines and patterns.

The patterns and reflections from these silhouettes look like a cross between some sound oscillation scope and Asian character sets.  More open water reflects evening colors for more drama.

When Less is More

Photography is simply the capturing of light….right?.  Sometimes what makes a photograph appealing to me is not the light captured but the mood or suggestion created by the selective use of darkness.

Strong contrast or embellished dark space can create interesting patterns or strong focus on light areas.

Snoqualmie Falls

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Seattle has so much going for it.  The city offers most everything you’d like including great food, an interesting cultural diversity and a downtown area  I find attractive in many of the same ways as San Francisco.  On top of all that, you can drive 40 minutes east of downtown Seattle and you’re in the mountains and temperate rainforests.  Here are two pictures of Snoqualmie Falls, a short drive from Seattle.  The falls is outside of Snoqualmie, a town that seems too cute to be able to afford.  If the falls look familiar, you may remember them from the intro to David Lynch’s  Twin Peaks television series in the early 1990’s.

Railroad (image 4)

I recall this being off Pittsburgh street in Milwaukee.  You can see the Allen Bradley clock tower in the background.

Railroad (image 2)

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There are interesting gear and equipment along the tracks.  These traffic light towers are one of my favorites.  I honestly don’t know if they work, but they sure look retro-cool.

The Railroad (image 1)

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I often have an urge on a weekend morning to get up early and shoot something in the best light of the day.  If I don’t have an already targeted destination I’ll just drive to some urban rail yard and walk.  I’ve got a collection of found beauty, the forgotten, lost and tagged.  Here’s the first.

Quiz-time

These two photographs share something in common.  The photo above is of an apartment at 900 Lombard.  The building below is the Legion of Honor Art Museum.