2012, Day 31 - Building bridges

Many cities look better at night when the lights highlight what you are supposed to see and the shadows conceal neglect and decay.  Portland isn't one of those cities; it is clean, well maintained and very nice to look at by day.  However at night it looks so much more like a city than what it really is, a large town.

I posted another panorama a couple days ago and this one was taken further down the river.  On the left is the Morrison Bridge and on the right is the Burnside Bridge.  I like that you can also see the Fremont Bridge under the center span of the Burnside.  If you know what you're looking for you can also see parts of the Steel Bridge and the Hawthorne Bridge in the distance.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
35mm, f8, 3.2 sec @ 320 ISO

2012, Day 30 - Spires

Yesterday I shared a colorful panorama from the Portland Photowalk so tonight's photo is a little more muted.  My goal was to help you feel the weather as you look at this image, the wind off of the river, the light rain, the slight smell of oil and fumes, that faint smell of iron that lets you know you're in an industrial area.

What I like about a good photowalk is that you aren't constrained by a set plan.  I wandered off early because most of the group was going to cross the Burnside bridge but I like the Steel Bridge better.  Once I made it to the Burnside Bridge on the opposite side of the river I met up with Brian Matiash.  Although I hoped to meet up with people I didn't expect it, just one of life's happy accidents.  At that point I had the photos I really wanted so we both set a decent pace and used a smartphone to hail a cab so we could collect our vehicles before joining everyone else for a drink, a snack and a chat.

Good times!

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
32mm, f11, masked layers of 1/2 and 1.3 sec @ 500 ISO

2012, Day 29 - Photowalkin'

This afternoon was the first ever Portland Google+ Photowalk!  Although the weather was not cooperating there were over fifty people who braved the rain.  We made our way from Union Station to the Hawthorne Bridge and then on to Hair of the Dog for a few post-walk libations.

These kind of events are a lot of fun, you get to meet new people, catch up with old friends and take tons of pictures.  To make things even better we have a bunch of great prizes for a post-walk contest.  In the days to come we will be announcing the categories and I really look forward to seeing how many different perspectives fifty people can have when they look at the same things.

Well, I'm pooped, it is time for bed and dreams of adventures to come!

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
35mm, f22, 15 sec @ 320 ISO

2012, Day 28 - Passage

There are certain events that we use to demarcate time like the rising and setting of the sun, the changing of the season, and today, for me, the day of our birth.  Yup, it is my birthday and I feel no different today than I did yesterday or the day before but we still celebrate and it is nice to get notes and calls from family and friends with their well-wishes.  The funny thing is that when I am asked my age I have to think about it, age is such an arbitrary thing, it give very little insight into a person's qualities so I often disregard it as unimportant.  It is a strange thing to measure but we like to quantify everything and everyone so I suppose it makes sense in a reductive sort of way.

Oh well, you can tell I am getting older because I am rambling.  Thanks for indulging me in this post and all the others that have come before and the countless posts yet to come...

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f8, 1/25 sec @ 200 ISO

2012, Day 27 - Flecked

Evening walks are one of life's greatest pleasures even if it on a chilly winter evening.  The sky is clear, my ears are cold, my cheeks a little wind burnt, but the air smells clean and crisp.  As I pass by street lights the rays reflects with crystalline clarity off evening frost.  Somehow the approaching steps of strangers resonate in the night air and the twisted naked trees look a little ominous.  Yet peace remains and the walk is refreshing.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24/f1.4L Mark II
24mm, f1.4, 1/15 sec @ 1600 ISO

2012, Day 26 - Lethargy

It was one of those days, running to keep up and a million things to do but the only thing I really wanted was to take a nap.  That didn't happen but I did get to see some sunshine which was a wonderful treat...

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
140mm, f2.8, 1/400 sec @ 1600 ISO

2012, Day 25 - Tuck

I love border collies, they are a wonderful breed, but I don't know I could handle that kind of energy.  Fortunately for many owners there are great sports like agility.  At the dog show last weekend more than half of the dogs entered in the competition were border collies and the amount of time and energy their owners have devoted is clearly apparent and what is even more evident is the focus and concentration that these dogs possess.  There are some that get over-excited and don't follow directions but most are keenly aware of their owners and their surroundings.  It looks like a lot of fun!

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f2.8, 1/640 sec @ 1250 ISO