nyes-smNye's Polonaise Room

The outside of the bar and restaurant is in need of a makeover and the daylight of a damp day is not very flattering.  The security camera doesn't help either.

But go inside Nye's Polonaise Room and revel in the perfectly preserved interior.  You won't be disappointed.




Read More

basilica-sm

Inside the Basilica of St. Mary

The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis is an icon on the skyline.

And when you are given the opportunity to go to the extreme top of the copper roof for a photo opportunity, you should probably go.


Read More
0 Comments | Posted 3/27/13 6:08 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local Fine art photography

BarnQuilt-sm-a

Creative placemaking in Iowa

"Pinwheel Square" - Mr. & Mr.s Dwight Colliver, Kalona, IA

Who doesn't love windshield time?

On a recent trip through Iowa, it was impossible not to notice the barn quilts.

Barn quilts are these beautiful and creative painted squares placed on the side of a barn that faces the most road traffic.  It is representative of a single quilt block that might be found in a fabric quilt.

They are typically 8'x8' (two pieces of 4'x8' plywood) and usually large geometric patterns.

Barn quilts are a wonderful example of creative placemaking.





Read More

Drive-in3sm

The Starlite 14 Drive-In

Part 3 of 3...

The Starlite 14 Drive-in is located in Richland Center, Wisconsin on the north side Wisconsin State Highway 14.

The Starlite is an authentic, old school drive-in theater that opened in the 1950's (anybody know exactly?) and can accommodate 500 cars.

It is scheduled to open this coming April 27, 2012 with no announcement yet what the season premiere movie will be.

Read More
0 Comments | Posted 3/20/12 11:53 AM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local Travel photography

Drive-in2sm

The Vali-Hi Drive-In

Part 2 of 3...

The Vali-Hi Drive-in is located in Lake Elmo, Minnesota on the north side of Interstate 94.

There really isn't very much remarkable about this theater outside of the amazing traffic visibility right off of a busy freeway.

What protects this theater is actually the freeway and the poorly developed urban sprawl in the immediate community. It is simply a difficult location to get to (easy to see, hard to get to).


Read More
0 Comments | Posted 3/19/12 1:16 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local Travel photography

Drive-in1sm

The Cottage View Drive-In

Part 1 of 3...

Drive-in movie theaters are in serious decline. 

At their peak, there were more than 4,500 drive-in theaters operating in the United States.  At the end of 2011, there were 370 drive-in theaters remaining in the United States. 

This entry is the first of three parts that documents three drive-in theaters before they are gone forever.


Read More
0 Comments | Posted 3/17/12 3:10 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local Travel photography

rt-sm-1

A cheap room and a full tank of gas...

The only way to be spontaneous is to be spontaneous.

Road trip photography has to be one of the most fun and creative genres of photography.  It creates lasting memories and new experiences.

One of the best parts of this type of photography is that the preparation is simple and most of the shots will come to you.


Read More
0 Comments | Posted 2/16/12 6:07 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Travel photography

RW-air-sm-1

Red Wing from the air

Red Wing is just as photogenic from the air as it is from the ground.

Photographs hardly do the 'Red Wing from the Air' experience justice, but here are a few tips if you have the opportunity to do some aerial photography.

A few simple tips can make your aerial photography experience a satisfying adventure.




Read More
0 Comments | Posted 12/17/11 12:18 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local

flaw-sm

The beauty of the flaw

Perfect is boring and uncreative.

Photoshop is a very well designed product and its influence could be directly attributed to the demise of creative photography.

Or it might be the salvation of creative photography.

A perfectly exposed photo that is razor sharp in focus delivers exactly what is presented without interpretation.  

A properly flawed image delivers emotion.











Read More
0 Comments | Posted 9/5/11 6:36 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Fine art photography

state-fair-sm

The Minnesota State Fair

Many people can hardly contain their excitement when they begin discussing the Minnesota State Fair.  

For some people it is the food.  For others, they enjoy the rides.  While others see it as the last opportunity for a summer holiday.

I take the position that I take when I visit Las Vegas.  I have hardly arrived and  I find myself mentally counting backwards for when I can leave.

it isn't that I don't enjoy the fair, but more a matter of not enjoying the full frontal assault on all of my the senses, simultaneously.

But if you can filter this sensory overload, you will discover all kinds of terrific photography opportunities.









Read More
0 Comments | Posted 8/31/11 2:32 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local