Kress Building, St Pete, FL

Architectural Detail on the Kress Building in St Pete, FL

Yesterday, I took part in the Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk. This is one of the shots I took while on that walk. I've always been fascinated with this building. It has mixed architecture styles and I love how ornate it is.

If you'd like to know more about it, you can check out this link: http://www.stpete.org/historic_preservation/historic_landmarks/local_landmarks/docs/Kress_Building.pdf

Causeway Memorial Bridge 2

For some reason, I happen to be attracted to bridges. That's strange since I'm afraid of heights and water, you'd think I wouldn't go near them. Of course, my photos are usually made under them.

I like this second version of this bridge. It seems this is the first time I've ever had a successful shot when looking at a bridge from directly under it. It could be the wide-angle shot, I'm not sure why.

If they hadn't built that pier right next to the bridge I'd have never started to look for different angles. I'd have kept on making the same photos in different light. How boring! It could be that I just need to be challenged.

The settings used to make this shot are exactly the same as the photo I posted last night. The only difference is the time. This one was made at 9:38 pm; about an hour later. In case you missed them, these are the settings: shot in aperture priority mode for 1/4 sec at F7.1 using ISO 200 to minimize noise, with partial metering off the bridge at what looked like about 18% gray about 1/3 into the shot to maximize depth of field with my Canon 20D and an 18-55mm lens at 27mm.

Memorial Causeway Bridge

I've photographed this bridge many times, each time trying to do a better job with it. This is one of my favorite images shot last night during one of my teaching sessions.

It was shot fairly late and we had been waiting for a sunset that never happened, so we decided to wait a while longer to see if we'd get anything in the sky besides clouds. Even lightning would've been great after waiting so long.

Sunset was supposed to happen at 8:10 pm, but with the heavy cloud cover, we got nothing! No sun; actually, no sun all day which is unusual in Florida.

Last year, the City of Clearwater had planned to build slips along the beach just under this bridge. Everyone was disappointed because this is such a nice, quiet area. People from all over come by to sit on the benches and watch the sun set at this spot. Something must have changed the city's plans, because they built this fishing pier instead. While it does change the view quite a bit, we were trying to find an angle where we could work with it. I think this may be the best angle, but I'm not so sure. It's so close to the bridge, it's impossible to get the bridge by itself from this location. I don't think this is so bad; but we'll just have to work a little harder to get a nice view. I'll keep trying, though.

Techs are: shot at 8:18pm, in aperture priority mode for 1/4 sec at F7.1 using ISO 200 to minimize noise, with partial metering off the bridge at what looked like about 18% gray about 1/3 into the shot to maximize depth of field with my Canon 20D and an 18-55mm lens at 27mm.

The Oswego County Courthouse

I lived in Oswego for nearly 4 years and never got around to photographing this beautiful building even though I was always drawn to it. It's a shame that we all feel that we need to travel to photograph things that fascinate us until we move away and think about all the lost opportunities.

There is so much old and beautiful architecture in the City of Oswego, but this is one of my favorite buildings. It is the Oswego County Courthouse and it is located in downtown Oswego, NY on Oneida St. It was built in 1860 and made the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

The Oswego County Courthouse at Oswego, built between 1859 and 1860, is historically significant for its association with the development of government in Oswego County in the nineteenth century and architecturally significant as an outstanding example of mid-nineteenth century Renaissance Revival public architecture. Designed by the noted Syracuse architect Horatio Nelson White, the stylish and expensively built courthouse reflects a period of extended prosperity in the county based in great measure upon the success of the Oswego Canal and the port of Oswego. Joining several other distinguished public buildings of the period including the Market House (1836), the United States Customs House (1858), and the Gerrit Smith Library (1855), the Oswego County Courthouse reflects Oswego's mid-nineteenth century stature as an important center of shipping and commerce. Continuing in use for 140 years, the Oswego County Courthouse stands out as one of Central New York's finest examples of historic civic architecture.

Tampa Convention Center Detail

This is another shot from yesterday's trolley tour shoot. My friend showed me a photo he took of just the center corner showing the disco balls, and of course, I had to one-up him. This is my version.

I like the way the curve of the dome on the ceiling mimics the curve of the disco balls, while the sharp angles of the corner and the posts mimic the squares in the design on the bottom of the wall under the window cut-outs.

Although it's slightly asymmetrical, I'm happy with the way it turned out. I didn't want to include the whole dome, just a little hint of it. I think had I included the dome, it would've taken away from the rest of the design.

There's a lot to be learned when several photographers go out together to shoot. We not only share tips and techniques but we challenge one another and ourselves. If you're into photography, give it a try and see what you can come up with.

Worthy Building, Springfield, MA

During my vacation, my son and I spent 1 afternoon in Springfield, MA, about 20 minutes from Hartford, CT.

We photographed downtown architecture from the top floor of a garage (we later got stuck in; but that's another story).

This building is the Worthy Building, 1571 Main St, Springfield, MA. It was originally the Worthy Hotel built in 1905 in the Renaissance architectural style. It was designed by Gardner, Pyne & Garner. On 2/24/1983, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is now used for various businesses and low income housing.

Here is a more detailed view. For a 100+ year old building, this one is in beautiful shape.

Hernando deSoto Bridge

Yeah, I know, another bridge picture. :) This one is of the Hernando deSoto Bridge in Bradenton, FL.

I wasn't able to find any information on it on the net, but it is part of a series of bridges crossing the Manatee River.

I was covering Manatee Memorial Hospital while a girl was out and I noticed the beautiful sky on my way home from work. I just had to stop and shoot it.

Downtown Tampa From the UT Campus

This is only one of many beautiful views of downtown Tampa that can be seen from the University of Tampa campus.

The buildings, from left to right are, the Sykes building, the Bank of America building and the Regions Bank buildings.

Arch Detail

Arch detail and reflections in window of Regions Bank, which is in downtown Tampa. The University of Tampa campus is one of the preferred places to create "out of the box" images of downtown Tampa.

These arches are over the main doors in Plant Hall at the University of Tampa.

Minarets Atop Plant Hall at University of Tampa

Well, it's been a while since I've updated my blog. I've been on an extended vacation.

This photo of the Moorish minarets atop Plant Hall at the University of Tampa is only a small part of the beauty of this campus. I went there about two weeks ago and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the beauty of this place.

Plant Hall was once the old Tampa Bay Hotel. "On June 14, 1898 Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and the first United States Volunteer Calvary, known as the Rough Riders, embarked from Port Tampa for victory in the Spanish-American War: The Tampa Bay Hotel was used as headquarters for general officers who came to organize an invasion force for Cuba , and it gained national attention. Lt. Col. Roosevelt and his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, were hotel guests for a brief stay. Later, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States 1901-1909." - as stated on a plaque in front of the entrance to Plant Hall.

As you can see it is only fitting that this beautiful building is now used as one of the main buildings on the University of Tampa campus.