St. Paul, MN Photos

uncovered wagon

This wagon has been parked in this parking lot on west 7th street, in St. Paul since the 1800′s.  Not  really but it seems like it.  There is a story . . . but not a very interesting one. It was once stolen from the West End Business nd Professional association.  They used it as a float in the local parade . . . which has not been held for years . . and there is a story there too.  The association eventually got the wagon back and then they parked it here.  I think the building is owned by a member. At one point they tried to sell it but I don’t think they ever did. I guess there are some things that are fun to steal but people don’t want them if they have to pay for them.

Also see “The legend of the covered wagon“

Oak Tree

I took this same shot last Fall.  The tree is close to a home that I had for sale. The people who live there saw me out in the street pointing my camera at the tree.  I should have stopped and talked to them when I took this photo. I used my 50mm 1.8 lens.

Under the Oak Tree

I suppose January doesn’t look the same all over the world.  Here it is cold but it can be beautiful.  Photos with a lot of snow in them provide some challenges.  There is a lot of contrast and if the sun is shining the snow can be blinding.  Sometimes it helps to use a polarizing filter.   I didn’t use a filter for this photo there was enough shadow in it so I didn’t have to. I processed it in HDR which is another challenge with snow pictures.  it is easy to mess them up and end up with grayish black snow.  I have months to practice and hope to go out and shoot some farm scenes this winter.  Fields of snow . . . and cold.