Municipal Grain Elevator

This was too much fun.  The 4th of July was one of those muggy cloudy days with big dark clouds.  The photo is made from three bracketed  shots and I gave it the most extreme HDR treatment that I could without making a total mess.  . . or maybe it is a total mess but I had fun with it and that is all that really matters.  The photo was taken down in the River Park in St. Paul and is of the newly restored Municipal  Elevator.   We have the most beautiful parks in St. Paul.

Wescott Station

The recommended way to take photos for HDRI processing is to bracket and take at least three photos.  That isn’t always the best plan.  I know they make software that could even clean up my messy flag but I don’t have it. The photo is of Westcott Station an antique and used furniture store on the the corner of West 7th and Chestnut.  I must get more photos of it.

Golden Leaf Tobacco

Walking home one evening I had to stop and take some photos.  That might be why my ten minute walk took and hour but it was a nice night.  Golden Leaf Tobacco is located at 277 West Seventh street in St. Paul in the lovely historic Rochet building.  It was built in 1880 and I have to say they don’t build them like this any more.

Rusty Valve

I found this gorgeous piece of  urban hardware when I was downtown taking photos of the  massive destruction we call light rail construction.  I wasn’t sure how to approach my subject.  I wasn’t afraid it would run away or anything but I had to get the right angle to show that beautiful rust.  I had my wide angle lens on and decided that looking up at it instead of down would be best.    If you have an interest in valves just use the search and type in valve or click on the valve tag in the sidebar.

Indian Hunter and His Dog - By Paul Manship

Cochran Park is on Summit Avenue near the Ramsey Hill.   One of the many little neighborhood parks in St. Paul.  The best time to photograph this is in the morning in winter.  I figure if I keep trying I will get a good shot of it in the summer. Too many trees and shadows.

Conny's Cream Cone

The other night I went out searching for a picture of Summer and I found this one.  Summer isn’t until tomorrow but here in Minnesota the weather doesn’t always match the season so we call it summer when it is nice enough out to want to grab an ice cream.

After it rains

It was hot and muggy out and then it rained.  This is one of the bridges in Chicago crossing the Chicago river. I had a nice time with my friend Todd walking, talking and taking photos.

Red and rusty

Ok maybe there isn’t a valve hall of fame because no one takes pictures of them. If there was a hall of fame I think this one would make a good candidate for it.  it is read and rusty and corroded.  They don’t get much better but I will keep looking.

Red Pipes with Valves

I am very pleased to be able to add these two beauties to my valves or urban hardware collection.  They are not only red but they have such wonderful rust and corrosion on them no doubt from the street salt used in the winter.   I get some funny looks when I get down low on a crowded street and take photos of fire-hydrants or valves.

Simply Orange

This one was for my Sunshine Sunday group on Flickr.  Submissions for the group are supposed to be mostly orange, yellow or red and can only be posted on Sundays.  I am challenging myself to find subjects that meet the criteria but that are not flowers.  This is an ancient house on West 7th Street in St. Paul the a neighbor of mine who is an architect converted into an office.  I have not decided if I like the paint job or not.   I like it when people find new uses for historic homes. This one is very small and it makes a better office than home.