The art of fine photography in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Appreciation

2012-01-31T23:55:00.003-06:00

My wife told me the other day

that she appreciates me.

Not for any particular reason,

just that she appreciates me.

That's why appreciation is such

a wonderful thing.

It goes full circle.

Whisper

2012-01-27T10:59:00.006-06:00

Almost silent

virtually never seen

vaguely distorting

beyond recognition.

Springtime images—seeing in a different way

2011-09-03T09:08:00.007-05:00

I'm revisiting some images made this past Spring (I like starting this year over again) and reworking them with my favorite Flypaper Textures. These not only provide texture, but adds colour as well - and by stacking them and using various blending modes in Photoshop®, this can result with unlimited renditions. I use the Spring, Summer and Edges packs, and learning how to master these is a project in itself. There is a Flicker group where users post their work as well.

These first two images were taken at the Northwind Perennial Farm west of Burlington, WI. These textures work especially well with cloudy day scenes - which this seems to be when Kathy and I go to Northwind. We typically find some things to add to our garden as well.

Reaching this way & that
to a sky unseen,
as if missing.
There is refuge
yet to be found,
for the pondering soul.

A meadow for quiet reflection located at Swan and County Line Road in Mequon. I like how the texture colours accented the green on the spring foliage.

Digital Scrap Booking

2011-07-12T09:35:00.016-05:00

There is an emerging market of "Digital Scrap Bookers" which has been popular among the hybrid scrap book and stamping enthusiasts for quite a while. Photographers can use their own images and now present them in an exciting and creative manner. Images are placed on a digital paper consisting of several layers to bring out the desired colours and graphics. Elements are added for an artistic quality. The papers and elements are provided by artists who offer their designs for others to use.

Digital scrapbooking is essentially paper scrapping with computer software. The software, backgrounds and embellishments are quite varied. With paper scrapping one goes to stores, but digital supplies are purchased on line. Individual kits are inexpensive but do add up.

One actually has the best of both worlds with digital scrap booking because pages can be tweaked over again without damaging the elements. If one decides to change the photos but keep the exact same layout, it’s pretty easy to do. Favorite layouts can be printed to share with family and friends - as long as the artists’ (who provide the backgrounds and elements) terms of use are honored.

Mequon Nature Preserve - April 18, 2011

2011-04-23T17:41:00.004-05:00

A cloudy Spring day may not be colorful or exciting.

This is one way to present it.

A vernal pond that will soon team with life.

Another view of nature.

Edge of the woods where one can find a pond.

Since this was a grey day,

these were converted to black & white, with increased contrast.

Various textures with color were overlaid for the final effect.

A recent snowfall...

2011-03-01T11:41:00.002-06:00

These were taken from my balcony porch last week with Kathy's PowerShot - processed in Lightroom and PS CS4

Lake Michigan Ice Volcanoes

2011-02-14T10:22:00.003-06:00

These were taken during late afternoon after the blizzard of February 2-3 passed over Milwaukee. The ENE winds were particularly strong during and after the storm. There were lake shore flood warnings posted, but I think the ice along the shoreline prevented that from happening.

The result however, gave Milwaukee a an experience often seen along the Lake Superior shoreline, as explained in this link.

This series was taken from the McKinley beach lookout point. The ice balls are typically formed in the lake and are thrown onto the ice shelf during the storms.

While a peaceful moment, you can see two people silhouetted against the wave action.

View from Klode Park in Whitefish Bay.

Winter sunset from Kletszch Park in Glendale.

The ART of Winter

2011-02-13T11:18:00.000-06:00

The February 2nd blizzard in Milwaukee was heralded by lake effect snow preceding the the storm. Strong ENE winds drove the biting lake effect snow onshore.

The twelve to eighteen inch snowfall occurred during the night time hours. The opportunity to venture out was possible by the middle of the following afternoon. This a a view of the skies over Lake Michigan.

A view of Lake Michigan from atop the bluff at Atwater Beach in Shorewood Wisconsin.

The lone Alphabet Man, a tree and a bench to sit on for enjoying winters view. The groundhog did not see its shadow in the morning, but did if he came out in the afternoon. So Spring arrival is any ones guess.

A cold Winter sunset.

Chicago Botanic Japanese Garden

2010-12-24T13:38:00.007-06:00

In a Japanesde garden, snow is appreciated for the patterns it makes and for its flower-like appearance when it gathers on the branches of trees.

From across the pond.

This red tailed hawk was enjoying the view, perhaps too early for supper. Wish I had a telephoto along for this visit.

Love the color contrast in this scene.

Scenes of the Menomonee River...

2010-10-14T17:53:00.008-05:00

These are some of the images taken during the Plein Air Event earlier this October. This was taken from the 6th Street Bridge at the Harley Museum - looking east on the Saturday afternoon when we had the neat clouds. I procrastinated and started a little late.

Looking west from the 13th Street Bridge.

Looking east from the 13th street Bridge. I liked that cloud above the WE smoke stacks.

The 16th Street Viaduct - Father Groppi's bridge. This was taken from the Hank Aaron Trail behind the Marquette Athletic Fields.

Where the Menomonee River bends under Canal Street at the 27th Street Viaduct.

Sometimes I think that every picture that could be taken, already has been taken.

2010-10-08T08:06:00.002-05:00

At least by someone. I want to change that.

The art of digital photomontage and its various practices is offering exciting opportunities for expressionism. My work at this stage is quite simple when compared to others who have pioneered with this. The core of my work however, is based on my own photography and handled in a way to present an insight to the image at hand.

Some pieces blend several images that are quite evident, and are combined in a way to provide their own identity. This image is a combination of a late Fall day leading to the Mackinac Bridge connecting the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, and the Mission San Xavier del Bac (White Dove of the Desert) south of Tuscon, Arizona (yep, vacation photos). The brick pattern in the upper right background has meaning to the Matrix movie enthusiasts. I call it "Across This Country".

Most of this work includes an overlay of texture, in a colour that emulates a Rembrandt palette of deep warm colours. This is "Passage of Time" a side of one of the Pabst Brewery buildings.

This image was taken of a store window. It was important for me to remember a message on a poster inside. To make it my own, I added an appropriate portrait of mine over the poster, along with a flower in the corner for colour and contrast. The message is "Free Your Self".

A Third Ward street festival scene with added grunge texture - where someone was taken by surprise. "Invasion of Privacy".

I do a lot of people photography both on the "Street" and with portraits in the studio. I like to work with models for my personal work - preferably those with an education in theatre or dance. While the portrait of this model is excellent on it's own merit, incorporating it with a window form a greenhouse in Racine along with the texture, this gave it a whole new meaning.

This is the type of work I really enjoy doing!

The Chimneys at Chimney Park... within the Menomonee River Valley Project

2010-09-06T10:32:00.017-05:00

The chimney images are from a series I photographed in June of 2009. These smokestacks were part of the Milwaukee Road railroad repair shops and were referbished to remain as a monument to the valley's industrial heritage.

Since last winter, bricks have been falling off and preservation efforts are being dropped - because of public safety and the long-term maintenance would be substantial.

The smokestacks were demolished at 9AM on Saturday, September 4, 2010. The demolition was known - but the timing was not published.

The demolition was very well controlled, but rather sad at this point.

View from the 35th Street viaduct

From inside the parimeter

RIP

Link to 2009 posting.

Link to Milwaukee Road Redevelopment

Chicago Botanic Gardens

2010-08-05T08:28:00.010-05:00

Tuesday, August 3, 2010.

The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck.

Lotus flower seed pod.

The three stages, flower, seed pod and flower bud. Notice the seed pod develops while the flower is in bloom.

The beauty of the water lilies at the Gardens is endless.

Water from a rain shower earlier in the morning.

2010 Brady Street Festival slide show

2010-08-04T07:30:00.003-05:00

Brady Street Festival

2010-07-27T07:43:00.019-05:00

Brady Street is often associated with being once the heart of Milwaukee's Italian community. In the 1960s, Italians, Polish and other assimilated groups began to leave the neighborhood for the suburbs, while the hippies and other bohemians moved in. The 1980s saw blight, neglect and decay, but now the area has been revitalized and has become a model for New Urbanism. Starting in the late 1990s, gentrification has now forced out most of the bohemian population, many moving to Riverwest and Bay View as another option. But this neighborhood still exhibits a strong, albeit upscale, independent flair. For instance, the Annual Brady Street festival in July brings together the neighborhood in block party fashion.

Trash & Treasure - the streets are kept clean and shop owners present their best deals of the season.

Before and After - Head to Toe - Front to Back.

Making a Point

Water pipes at Casablanca are popular year around.

One with a long history on Brady Street

A pro wrestling exhibition provides entertainment for the young and the old alike.

The annual Drag Show is quite popular.

This event was also the Milwaukee location for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals Worldwide Photowalk. More than 50 participating photographers were on hand for most of the day and evening to capture the flair of the day.

New website dedicated to Black & White photography...

2010-07-05T12:12:00.009-05:00

My new website is dedicated to fine art genres of figure, portrait and street photography.

These bodies of work are exclusively black and white. One of the reasons for this is, well that's how photography began, and that has worked for quite some time. But more importantly it is the compelling way black and white photography engages the viewer with the essence of the image - it's very spirit.

Remember the Marquette Interchange Construction Project?

2009-12-29T09:15:00.000-06:00

A revisit of the demolition days... but with a different vision. A limited edition of these as metallic prints are offered.

This first image is a new favorite of mine. One of the project managers wrote about how proud he was to be part of this project and how he felt when he came to work in the morning and saw these towering booms. He said "It’s what all of us in this business have looked to do all our lives—be involved in some really significant work. This is a job we’ll be able to tell our grandchildren about.”

This image has 11 crane booms and depicts various phases of demolition and new construction - all while traffic through the interchange is kept moving.

The Milwaukee Courthouse Parking Annex was built over the northbound lanes of I-43 and has served it's time. It was demolished as part of the project.

These next two views are scenes that first got me interested in photographing and learning about the project.

A snow fall during the Holiday break. This is all new construction now and is a view from St. Paul Avenue looking south. The 160 page book with over 300 images can be found here.

Images selected for the 3rd Annual CoPA Juried Show

2009-11-08T15:58:00.000-06:00

Interactions in the urban environment… a found image which embodies the mood or character of the time. These images not only document and portray, they also arouse a viewer’s senses, emotion and intellect.

The “L” – one of the seven wonders of Chicago. Since 1892

Post season cruising at the Crown Fountain, Millennium Park, Chicago Illinois – since 2004.

More information on the show is here.

Sydney Hih...

2009-10-24T21:43:00.000-05:00

It's character remains hidden inside...

This montage was made from Images of posters inside Sydney Hih when it was open to the public during the last week in August, 2009. Neil Gasparka prepared several rooms in Sydney Hih as an information center and museum of the Park East public art exhibit, which was funded by the Milwaukee Arts Board and arts group IN:SITE. I'm happy that I had the opportunity to take interior photos of this Milwaukee landmark.

The original building was the first brick commercial building in Milwaukee, built in 1876 by a pioneering surgeon, Nicholas Senn.

In 1971, the Cream City brick building was purchased by Sydney Eisenberg and painted its (locally) famous multi-colored patchwork. But Sydney Hih’s real value is not in its architecture — it’s in the fantastic cultural scene that lasted for decades.

It’s a place of legend for local artists and musicians, many of whom lived in makeshift apartments and shared bathrooms to get by. Nirvana, Soundgarden and The Smashing Pumpkins played the Unicorn before hitting it big. Theatre X had some of its earliest rehearsals in the building. Artists like Prophet Blackmon made and sold his art there, too.

(Information from JS Online articles by Mary Louise Schumacher.)

At this time, Sydney Hih still stands and the Palomar is no more. Across the street, the planned 30 floor Moderne is working out a deal with the City of Milwaukee to complete its financing. Sydney Hih remains empty, void of any sustainable infrastructure - an enigma in the Park East Corridor.

The New Fall Collection...

2009-10-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

We took a ride last Sunday with several stops in mind, along with a final destination.

At the Neiman apple orchard store.

Covered bridge park in Cedarburg

The Horicon Marsh.

Chicago, and the last day of summer weather in the midwest.

2009-10-06T23:36:00.000-05:00

September 27, 2009.... A group of photographers from CoPA took a bus trip to Chicago and spent about 5-1/2 hours on Michigan Avenue and the Millennium Park area. There was no particular objective but to photograph and enjoy the camaraderie. The Chicago architecture is particularly impressive - I enjoyed the lines and reflections.

Trump Tower, the second tallest building in Chicago...

Chicago Civic Opera Center from the Water Taxi on the Chicago River...

The Crown Fountain in Millennium Park ...

IN:SITE Park East Corridor Public Art Project

2009-09-15T07:54:00.000-05:00

This video is a collection of images created from the recent public art project brought to Milwaukee by IN:SITE. Many of the involved artists installations are represented as well as some rare views from inside Sydney Hih.

"Disinterment" by Gary John Gresl, a faux archaeological dig site embellished with objects. This is a High Dynamic Range image processed in Photomatix.

"cede" by Annushka Peck, a billboard map of the Park East.

"Uniting the Fence" by Kasia Drake, a community volunteer effort to alter a chain-link fence with fabric. The image was rendered in Corel Painter®.

Watching the fabric dance
on a chain-link fence.

Sydney Hih - a Milwaukee landmark and location of several IN:SITE projects including photographs by several CoPA members.

Closed doors...

2009-08-26T23:17:00.000-05:00

I wonder what closed doors are all about. More later.

More from the Chicago Botanic Garden

2009-08-04T12:57:00.001-05:00

Paintings:

Pencil sketch emulation in Photoshop®

Pier Wisconsin on Lake Michigan...

2009-08-03T06:22:00.000-05:00

Discovery World, connecting innovation, science, technology and the environment with exploration and learning through interactive exhibits and experiential learning programs; and the S/V Denis Sullivan - the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner.

This first image is a 48" x 16" panoramic image made from six different images approximately 11" x 17" (vertical) each and stitched together in Adobe Photoshop® Photomerge. Each image was photographed with a Canon 5D (full frame sensor) and a 50mm lens at 6 AM on August 2, 2009.

This image is a 20" x 10" (cropped) wide angle view of a single image photographed with a Canon 20D and a 16-35mm lens at 16mm, at 6:20 AM on August 2, 2009. While the buildings appear larger in this image, the image itself is about 1/2 the size of the panorama.

Here is another panoramic view (50" x 15") featuring the S/V Denis Sullivan, but not the full depth of Discovery World. The lower east side Milwaukee skyline is in the background.

Discovery World.

Chicago Botanic Garden - a panoramic view.

2009-07-31T08:20:00.000-05:00

Kathy & I took a day trip to this Gem in the Cook County Forest Preserve. The Japanese garden is one of the 23 gardens on the 365 acre site. Sansho-En, the garden of three islands, is a tribute to simple beauty and form. Click on the image to see a (much) larger view.

Brady Street Photowalk

2009-07-20T10:26:00.001-05:00

Brady Street is filled with coffee houses, nightclubs, restaurants, vintage clothing and thrift stores. Saturday, July 18th from 4 - 6PM saw over 50 photographers descend on the area to put Brady Street on the photo enthusiast map.
Brady Street duplex.

In the 1880's, Brady Street became a commercial district of Yankee and German shops. In the 1960's, Italians and other groups began to leave the neighborhood for the suburbs, while the hippies and other bohemians moved in. The 1980's saw blight, neglect and decay, but now the area has been revitalized and has become a model for New Urbanism.

Scattered showers.

New business on Brady Street.

Flood Control Basin on the Milwaukee County Grounds...

2009-07-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

A six-year journey by the MMSD is well underway at the Milwaukee County Grounds to help reduce the risk of destructive floods along the Menomonee River. As with all MMSD flood management projects, the County Grounds basin is designed to protect against the one-percent probability flood, commonly called the 100 year flood.

This view is across the Underwood Parkway from the Hanson Golf Course Clubhouse.

The new Marquette Interchange profile...

2009-07-01T10:04:00.000-05:00

... like it's always been this way. This panorama view is taken from the 6th Street Viaduct over the Menomonee River.

Riveredge Nature Center panorama images...

2009-06-29T21:29:00.000-05:00

Riveredge Nature Center is one of the premier nature centers in the Great Lakes Region, widely recognized for providing innovative environmental education to learners of all ages for 40 years. Their goal is to build a self-discovered awareness that we are part of nature, and to empower people to act on that knowledge.

These panoramas are created from a series of digital images shot with a vertical orientation. These are then opened in Photoshop® CS4 and blended with Photomerge.

Menomonee Valley Park - Chimney Park

2009-06-28T05:03:00.001-05:00

See the 2010 update - the chimneys have been demolisherd.

Chimney Park runs along either side of the 35th Street Viaduct, on the northern half of the site.

This is one of the central features of the area - there are two tall smokestacks, the only remnants of the site’s long history as one of the nation’s largest rail yards.

Chimney Park also offers more passive uses, such as unprogrammed turf areas organized around naturalized stormwater management ponds and meadows.

RenewTheValley.org is a broad group of partners working to restore the neglected river valley at the very heart of Milwaukee. Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc. envisions a redeveloped Valley that is as central to the city as it was in the past.

Kletzsch Park Falls

2009-06-25T21:32:00.000-05:00

Glendale is an area once inhabited by Potawatomie Indians, it has been said there are burial grounds along the Milwaukee River as it winds through the park. Kletzsch Park had become one of the most popular parks in the county park system during the early 1930’s – with a river swimming beach and picnic area.

Kletzsch Park was also greatly improved with the use of relief labor. A Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established in Kletzsch Park in May of 1935 and discontinued in November of 1935.

The CCC projects completed included a new dam built across the Milwaukee River with CCC labor. The new structure, built of reinforced concrete in a serpentine design to lengthen the crest, provided increased discharge capacity without widening the river. Models prepared by the landscape design section of the planning department served as guides in erecting the stone facing and the fish ladder built into the face of the dam. The dam has the appearance of a natural waterfall.

Historical information from the “Friends of Kletzsch Park" website - and click on Kletzsch History.

Brewers Hill project...

2009-06-22T09:38:00.000-05:00

Milwaukee River East Bank view of the Gallun Tannery unoccupied building. The Holton Viaduct Marsupial Bridge is at the far right side. View is from the EdgeCondo River Walk. This version was overlaid with a B & W infrared layer in Lighten mode in PS CS4 to bring out the evening light on the trees. Full resolution image is 50" x 10". The first in a series photographed in the Brewers Hill area.

Milwaukee's Park East Corridor

2009-06-08T20:17:00.000-05:00

Click on this image to see a larger view - this is created from four separate images.

The Park East Corridor is comprised of 64 acres and 29 blocks. The area became a focus of development after Milwaukee took down the 1971 Park East Freeway spur in 2002-2005. You can access maps of the area, its history, and lots of information about the development plan for the Park East Corridor at the Milwaukee Department of City Development website.

Precious Lands... views from the corridor.

Milwaukee's City Gulls

2009-05-25T08:23:00.000-05:00

Beautiful to watch flying over the Lake Michigan shoreline.... sometimes creating a mess when they establish a community in a downtown parking lot or public buildings. During the past few years, the gull community at the McKinley Street bridge over the Milwaukee River has been a sight to behold. While noisy and not without an odor, one can view the community, as if on display. Baby gulls can be seen right now.

Edited June 29. 2009
Growing up!

Inner voice and other rambling...

2009-05-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

I was recently asked if I had found my inner voice - this was of course, within the context of photography. I suppose I was being asked this in an effort for me to find the direction my photography was taking me, and possibly narrow my photographic vision towards a specific course. This seems to be what many fine art photographers do, and those who are most successful enjoy gallery representation because of their specific vision.

On a spiritual level, I found this on spirithome.com "Where there's a swinging pendulum, there's a 'paradoxical tension', where the different approaches correct each other. On one hand, you find yourself through the inner voice - that is, through exploring yourself. On the other hand, you find yourself through order, place, work, authority - in short, through other people. "

This probably explains where I am at because I photograph what I am drawn to - be it portraiture, documentary, figure, street photography, city and landscapes and whatever else moves me. Each offers their own particular challenges for me to address.

With this in mind, I am taking the opportunity to partner with other photographers on photo walk-abouts to share in photographic camaraderie. These images were taken on a recent hike with Eddee Daniel in the Riverside Park area adjacent to the Urban Ecology Center.

While I have photographed early spring landscapes in the past, I did not enjoy the results due to the lack of color and interest - Eddee is quite happy with it however, which is why I welcomed the opportunity to shoot with him. I am particularly drawn to the bare tree limbs against the sky, and converting to black and white infrared completed these images for me.

I am quite focused on such excursions, and reminded of the Bob Dylan lyrics "Ain't talkin', just walkin'" and let my mind wander with what I experience - what this scene was and what it might become - and portray it for it's aesthetic and spiritual value. [/ramble]

The second day of spring...

2009-03-23T21:41:00.000-06:00

I drove around this last Saturday to check out locations in the downtown Milwaukee area, to use for high school Senior portraits this summer. Of course, it was also an opportunity to do some things I thought about doing for some time. This image was not on my agenda. It was on my way home on a seasonally pleasant day when I was passing Bradford Beach and decided to stop for a 'look see'. I took a variety of images... this was my favorite after finishing it in Photoshop®. I believe Man Ray said he never knew what he was doing untill he was done. That was one of those days for me.

Photoshop® services - retouching and image enhancement...

2009-03-21T07:02:00.000-06:00

Click on image to see an enlarged view...

I offer my services for Photoshop® work done on images after they have been captured correctly in a digital camera. I have been educated in photography and have continued with workshops both in photography, digital imaging and Photoshop®. I am a member of NAPP (the National Association of Photoshop® Professionals) which offers continuing education with Photoshop® techniques and practices.

This service is offered to consumers and professional photographers who own the copyright to their images. If you do not own the copyright, I will need a copyright release from your photographer (this is between myself and your photographer - and not a "says it's OK), giving me permission to work on your images. Pricing is by quotation after I have reviewed your images and have an understanding of the work you require.

Basic retouching for portraits includes exposure and contrast adjustment, colour neutralizing and simple blemish removal - $25.00 each image. Services for scenic and art images also includes exposure and contrast adjustment, colour neutralizing and conversions such as black and white, toning and edge effects - range from $25.00 and up.

Click on image to see an enlarged view...

My take on Pop Art....

2009-02-07T08:10:00.000-06:00

.... is far from that of the Pop Art movement. My rendition, of course is from a photograph, but using Photoshop® in place of the screen process for creating various renditions. A future interpretation will utilise Painter® to more closely resemble the Warhol palette. This image is of Ali, a model/actress who styled this image in the likeness of Marilyn Monroe.

History

Andy Warhol (1928-1987) was a key figure in Pop Art, an art movement that emerged in America and elsewhere in the 1950's, to become prominent over the next two decades.

Unlike the Fauve colours, the non-representational colors of Pop Art do not depict the artist’s inner sensation of the world. They refer to the popular culture, which also inspires Warhol to experiment with the technique of silkscreen printing, a popular technique used for mass production. In doing so, Warhol moves away from the elitist avant-garde tradition. Initially, many spectators received this new marriage between art and commodity culture with little enthusiasm.

Using photo-stencils in screen-printing, Warhol uses photographic images for his screenprints. The screen is prepared using a photographic process, and then different color inks are printed using a rubber squeegee to press the paint onto the painting through the screen.

Citation and additional info here.

Remember when?

2009-01-22T09:22:00.001-06:00

This image was dated in the late 1800's - I believe it was taken in Germany. I purchased it in an antique frame at a flea market some 20 years ago. It needed restoration, which I completed recently. I thought it rather nicely depicted the early days of my profession. The space occupied by this studio is not unlike the space I currently occupy... sans the skylight.

Portrait studios like this found their way in to society as photography technology advanced - prior to this, painted portraits were generally regarded as the privilege of the wealthy. Regarding the emerging portraitists, Lady Elizabeth Eastlake wrote in 1857: "... were it not a half a generation ago the existence of such a vocation was not dreamt of; tens of thousands are now following a new business, practising a new pleasure, speaking a new language and bound together by a new symphony". These words, written more than 150 years ago, could also be spoken about the changes in photography just during the last decade, or so.

That was a period in which portraiture was perhaps more characterised for the quantity of production, rather than by its quality. Some photographers were more concerned with making a quick profit than to "portray" the sitter. The lighting for many of these was uninteresting, the setting so often stereotyped that one can almost date the photography by the props. Some of these images show evidence of very fast impersonal photography, where the practitioner was out to make a quick kill and had little or no time or interest for the sitter as a person. In some cases again, not to different from today.

The purpose for this discussion is to point out how little things have changed for the portrait, as far as art is concerned. Prior to photography, the creation of a hand painted portrait was time consuming and relied on the extensive experiences and talent of the artist. Only the wealthy could afford this. Today, with the advent digital photography, the portraitist has not only their camera and lighting, but also the computer palette to create a portrait that is again, personal for the subject. It is also a lot more affordable.

More can be said about the value of classic portraiture as opposed to contemporary portrait photography... I believe it starts with the understanding, practice and knowledge of classic photography, that can then transcend to the contemporary realm. Regardless of the style, the most important value is that the portrait is timeless...

HERE is an interesting read regarding the history of photography.

The Milwaukee Public Museum has a replica of a turn of the century portrait studio in it's "Streets of Old Milwaukee" display. The photographers studio is a "walk-up" at one of the buildings.

It's New Years Eve, it's winter and it's cold...

2008-12-31T09:43:00.000-06:00

A prosperous New Year to all !
Well, at least a safe, healthy and loving one.

There has been a little more snow than the usual here in Milwaukee and we had much more than a "White Christmas". These images were taken right after the snow stopped falling on the Friday before Christmas - it was a twelve inch snowfall. The winds were quite strong over Lake Michigan, which kept the snow from accumulating on this bluff at Klode Park in Shorewood. These brave young souls liked it that way though - damn, it was cold there when in the wind.

The park was protected from the wind beyond the top of the bluff - there was no snow on the top of the trees, but leaving it's artwork below the wind line.

A little more "artsy" image, view is looking to the east - the bluff is behind the taller trees. Go ahead, click on it to see a larger view.

There was rain and 50 degree temperature the following weekend, so these scenes are all but a memory.

2008-11-27T09:23:00.000-06:00

Trust that everyone is having a great Thanksgiving.

I will be in the East Town Holiday Market in the Atrium of Chase Tower at Water and Wisconsin Avenue on Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM. I will be offering Art Photography, books, portrait photograpjy and gift certificates. The Holiday Market will bring together unique Wisconsin artists and craft people with the business community in East Town. The event will showcase the extent of offerings that are available in the immediate area for all holiday needs. From unique gift items to gift certificates to downtown Milwaukee restaurants, this event will be a one stop shop. More info here.

Remember the Milwaukee Circus Parade?

2008-10-25T13:30:00.000-05:00

Just Clowning Around...

This was July 17, 2001 and could have been one of the the last Circus Parades to roll down Wisconsin Avenue, if it wasn't for the support to bring it back next summer.

In this year's "state of the city" address, Mayor Tom Barrett called for the parade's revival, adding that 2009 would be an ideal date because it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Circus World Museum and would be the 30th time the parade would be held in Milwaukee. Could be a CoPA photo Op!

This was taken with my first digital camera - the Canon D30. I'm reviving some images to work with in Painter X. This one was kind of cheating by using an auto-clone method to create the abstract under painting. The face of the clown was hand painted to bring back detail.

Change is a good thing...

2008-10-22T23:54:00.000-05:00

Change is a good thing, especially if things aren't working to well. Maybe thinking outside the box is a better thing. Like, what if?

Well, I'm getting out of the box and going out on a limb with this by pursuing a painterly approach to my portrait photography. This is something I've had on my mind to do for quite a while - it requires learning the Painter software, and study of art history and contemporary art. I will also promote this on my portrait photography website.

The couple in this image are two people I've been working with to help them promote their modelling and professional careers. It's certainly a romantic image, and rendered in a way to heighten the perceptual experience that can be emulated more closely in a painting than in a photograph. Hope you like it - vote for me. This is a change that is good for America! I endorse this message.

Go ahead, click on it...

Self-published books

2008-10-20T13:27:00.000-05:00

CoPA members had an introduction to self-published books earlier this year. This aroused my interest, as I had quite a collection of images already taken of the Marquette Interchange Construction Project. I had planned on continuing with this photography through the completion of the Project this last August.

I decided to use blurb.com for my books and sampled their work with a few smaller projects. The quality was great, turnaround was adequate and the price was right!. I have been in regular contact with one of the Project Managers from Marquette Constructors - who said that he would be interested in seeing a proof of the book when it was ready.

Long story, short... I gave him a soft cover and a hard cover book with a dust jacket, he showed it around - and the consortium made an initial purchase of 140 books! It was the top seller on blurb.com for the week it was sold. Those involved with the Project, do like the images as well as the book form. Thought others would like to know that. Here's the book on blurb.

Creating virtual paintings from photographs...

2008-10-20T06:52:00.000-05:00

I like to tinker.

I do enjoy creating a technically sound, well composed and enjoyable photographs. But sometimes that's just not enough. I'd like a little more excitement.

These images were digitally captured with my Canon 20D and a 100mm f2.8 macro lens. The files were adjusted in Adobe Camera RAW for colour and contrast. The images of the leaves were opened in Corel Painter X and rendered in Color Pencil. This last one was layered in Photoshop with the bare tree limbs image and a texture.

I call it "After the Fall". Go ahead... click on it!

The 105th Anniversary

2008-10-19T22:51:00.000-05:00

The Anniversary went on from Thursday, August 28, 2008 to Sunday, August 31, 2008. I photographed the public street parties, Veterans Park and the parade of motorcycles in downtown Milwaukee, celebrating the 105th anniversary of the worlds premier motorcycle.

This four day event featured musical entertainment, workshops, dealership, plant and museum tours, and of course the gatherings—to share stories, meet new people and renew past acquaintances—what better a place for this than in Milwaukee, a city known for it's gemütlichkeit.

BIG Bikes. BIB Party. BIG Parade is offered at Blurb.com.

The Marquette Interchange construction is now completed.

2008-10-19T22:05:00.001-05:00

Above is the "Skyline Bridge" which carries I-94 traffic from the south over the Marquette Interchangs.

The new Marquette Interchange has gained national recognition in engineering and management practices - and finished three months ahead of schedule and under budget. With a lifespan of 75 years, the new interchange will be a permanent part of the Milwaukee cityscape - as an architectural element standing amongst other Milwaukee landmarks such as the Milwaukee County Courthouse, the Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, the new Harley-Davidson Museum and the Marquette University Campus.

I offer a 160 page book with over 300 images of the construction project at Blurb.com.

Springtime....

2008-05-24T17:53:00.000-05:00

Spring has come to Wisconsin- along with the cooler near the lake. The festivals will come and go - always enjoyable.

Books offered at Blurb.com

2008-05-18T12:26:00.000-05:00

I now have books available at Blurb.com. One is on my Identity project. This is a 62 page book containing 28 emotive portrait images.

A second is on the I-43 Leg of the Marquette Interchange construction project. It is a 36 page book of approximately 60 images. And a third is The Tannery, a 40 page book of the demolition of the Pfister & Vogel Tannery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

These books are for sale at reasonable prices, and are offered as Soft Cover, Hard Cover with an illustrative dust jacket or an Image Wrap Hard Cover edition. Complete descriptions of these books are on those websites. I am currently working on the Core Project portion of the Marquette Interchange - this will be available sometime in September.

Marquette Interchange Construction Project

2008-04-28T07:24:00.000-05:00

These images were taken on April 6th, 2008. There are galleries of 2006 and 2007 images on this page of my website.
Enjoy!

The Marquette Interchange Construction Project is an ongoing photographic opportunity. I started photographing around the job site soon after the demolition of the Court House Annex had commenced.

One reason to chronicle this project was the complexity of rebuilding the Marquette Interchange – and photographing the old while being replaced by the new. Another reason is the plethora of detail and abstract opportunities to photograph – from wide-angle views of towering piers and roadway to close up views of materials and workers.

I feel the historical value of these images, are well worth my while to chronicle. Their fine art value will be determined in the years to come. I am compiling a collection of individual pieces and triptychs – photo books and montages will soon be offered.

Tears of Joy …

2008-04-17T12:19:00.000-05:00

Passion is... “a thing arousing enthusiasm”.
Some say they have a passion for photography.
I say… they’re missing the point.
Passion lies before us, in the people we meet and the things we see.
Life... is a passion consisting of our experiences.

I have photographed many weddings over the years.
There was a grandfather of the Bride present at one of these occasions.
It was quite apparent that he was much loved by his family and all those who knew him.
He was a widower and riddled with arthritis, cataracts and many other maladies that aging presents.
People were very supportive of him, as I’m sure he was to others during his lifetime.

His violin was brought out to him after dinner.
The room was hushed while he played, save for the wait staff clearing the tables.
Even that was muffled by the melodies that filled the room.
I told him later that I enjoyed his music and asked him how he was able to play so beautifully.
He replied that when he played his violin, all his pains and sadness disappeared during those moments.

I took photographs of him and some of the family members while he was playing his violin. It wasn’t because of my passion for photography - it was because of my passion for the moment and all it represented. Those are very precious images in the Bride’s album.

Unfortunately, I no longer have those (film) images to share with you here.
They are however forever etched in my memory to be recalled when something reminds me of that occasion.

The image above is of a higher calling - a scattered shower over Lake Michigan - perhaps "Tears of Joy".

Identity project…

2008-04-15T20:49:00.000-05:00

Identity is our sensory perception of a physical awareness and the resulting transfer to one’s memory. These are retained as mind pictures to be recalled, sometimes unexpectedly and other times as aroused by current phenomenon. The intent here is to explore quiet introspection, by engaging reflective contemplation. These portraits need not to be considered a collection of pretty or sensual images, but as a means to tap awareness thoughts. The journey starts with the image and a tag line—it continues from that point as visual poetry.

Solitude

Likewise, these portraits are identities unto themselves—a distinct individual who thinks, feels and who have human experiences to share. Studio portraiture and controlled lighting is preferred, where the model may be just one’s self or acting out a role. Encouragement and rapport is established—to overcome the artificiality of posing in front of the camera. These images are created in an emotive and poetic manner, and are directed to portray a variety of feelings, behavior and experiences.

It takes a little effort

The original digital images are rendered in Photoshop® and layered with a texture and other objects in a unifying manner, then finished with a stylized vignette. Some are rendered in black and white; others are toned and reveal hints of muted color. Both chromogenic prints and pigmented ink prints are offered.

Ripple Effect

2008-04-13T10:36:00.000-05:00

Well, here we go. Just getting started to see where this takes me. This is an image from my "Identity" project.

This and several other images will be displayed, along with the images from 70 other member's, at the CoPA annual members show during Spring Gallery Night. The event is taking place on Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th on the second floor of the P & H Dye building at 320 E Buffalo Street. Gallery Night is presented by Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward and the East Town Association.