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I've been taking photos, off and on, for a long time. My first camera was a Kodak Brownie more than forty years ago. An Instamatic, my Dad's Argus C3, and a couple of Konicas followed. My last film camera was a Mamiya RB67 with three lenses, two film backs and a Polaroid back. I sold the lot in 1991. A sixteen year hiatus from photography followed that sale. It ended when I bought a Nikon D80 in 2007. Now I have a Nikon D300 and an assortment of lenses. Such technical skills as I possess have been garnered from other photographers, books, and a whole lot of experience. Paintings are as important as photography to me, and many painters have influenced my photo compositions. Since images are to be had at any time of day and in any kind of light, I don't have a preferred time of day for shooting. The weather doesn't matter very much, either. In fact, I like cold, snow and rain the best. And so, welcome to a very tiny bit of the world as I see it. Take a look around. Thank you for your comments. It's great to know what you're thinking!

If you want to visit, send me an email: alleyraven@gmail.com.

Make a day of it, and thanks for stopping by!

Tim

Featured Galleries

New Work : Rooting around in the files revealed more images that deserved to see daylight. Here they are.

Find something beautiful and share it.

In due time, everything here will go to its proper gallery.

Rooting around in the files revealed more images that deserved to see ...

Updated: Nov 22, 2009 12:02pm PST

The Minnesota State Fair : The State Fair is a Minnesota institution. Meaning that it's quite popular. Well north of 1.5 million people attend every year. In fact, 2009 set a record with over 1.7 million people walking through the gates. Many of these folks go more than once. Vacations are planned around the twelve day run of the Fair. There's so much to do. Most of those things to do include eating food stuck onto a stick. One can find everything from cheese curds to Minnesota wine. There are FFA kids showing their poultry and livestock. They bunk at the Fair, too. There are 4H projects and an art show. Machinery Hill used to feature the latest agricultural equipment for farmers to examine and kids to climb on. That's largely gone, now. There are booths for every cause and purpose you can think of. People hawk gadgets that run from amazing to useless. Then there's the Midway with its lights, noise, games, rides, Barkers and Carni's. I could go on and on. The Fair used to be the high point of my summer when I was a kid. It was always exciting and always sad to leave at the end of a long day. But then I stopped going for better than twenty-five years. That changed this year, and here's the result of two afternoons and evenings at the Fair. It was so much fun that I'll go again next year! But I'll avoid the hot dish on a stick...

Nearly all my work has been of stationary, and often inanimate, things. Meaning photographing people was/is a bit of a challenge. But the State Fair is the closest I can get to real street life so it's a great place to practice. Every photo was shot handheld. The night shots were at high ISO's, making for some noise. Everything was processed with PhotoShop CS3 and assorted Nik Software products.

The Minnesota State Fair

The State Fair is a Minnesota institution. Meaning that it's quite pop ...

Updated: Sep 06, 2009 5:43am PST

Minneapolis, Minnesota: The Mill District, Saint Anthony Falls, and the Mississippi River : A young friend once asked, "Why is there Minneapolis?" Shortly after that question, we visited Saint Anthony Falls. In 1680, Father Louis Hennepin became the first recorded white person to see the only waterfall on the Mississippi River. He named it the Falls of Saint Anthony. By 1823, the falls were driving the industries that built Minneapolis. The first sawmill and grist (flour) mill were built here between 1820 -1823 to provide lumber and flour for Fort Snelling. As white settlement increased, the village of St. Anthony incorporated on the East Bank of the river in 1855, three years before Minnesota statehood. The settlement of Minneapolis, on the West Bank, was incorporated as a town in 1856. The two communities merged in 1872.

Logging and lumber production were the first industries. Minneapolis led the nation in saw milling to 1887. Lumber declined in importance as logging moved north, and the last saw mill in Minneapolis closed in 1904. Flour milling was the next big industry, and Minneapolis led the country in flour production from 1880 - 1930. Despite fires and a truly colossal explosion in 1877 that nearly destroyed the West Bank Mill District, flour mills grew in number and size. The Washburn Crosby Mill, on the West Bank, and the Pillsbury "A" Mill, on the East Bank were the biggest. For a time, the Pillsbury "A" Mill was the largest in the nation. The Washburn Crosby Mill closed in 1965. The Pillsbury "A" mill closed in 2003. It was the last working flour mill in the Mill District.

Just like the early saw mills, the flour mills used the power of falling water for much of their history. Tunnels and canals were dug to transport water to mills away from the falls. A horseshoe shaped dam was built above the falls between 1856 and 1858. It funneled water into these "power tunnels." Many of these tunnels still exist, though only one has been restored to carry water. These tunnels, and their water, were strictly controlled by two water power companies that eventually merged. Wooden and later concrete aprons were built over the falls to keep it from eroding into a rapids. The first hydroelectric plant in the country was built at Saint Anthony Falls in 1882. The lumber and flour mills supported a host of ancillary industries such as iron works that made mill machines and cooperages for making barrels. There were other mills, too, including the North Star Woolen Mill. All the unprotected spinning wheels and belts in the mills resulted in many injuries and more than a few deaths. That made Minneapolis a leader in another industry: prosthetic limbs.

Milling of any kind requires raw materials. Saw logs for the lumber mills floated down the Mississippi River each spring and were caught by a boom above the falls at Boom Island. Here they were sorted by marks and sent to the proper saw mills. Railroads developed and moved west to bring wheat to the flour mills and ship the flour across the country. Nine railroads served Minneapolis by 1918. The Stone Arch Bridge was finished by the Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railroad in 1883. The Manitoba was run by James J. Hill and later became the Great Northern Railroad. Other familiar roads in Minneapolis included the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault St. Marie (Soo Line), Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific (Milwaukee Road), and the Northern Pacific.

As milling declined, so did the Mill District. By the 1960's, the district was blighted. Many of the mills and other buildings had been razed. This unfortunate trend was reversed in the early 1970's and today the area has a new life. Parks line the river. Condos and businesses have filled many of the remaining mill buildings. The Mill City Museum occupies the remains of the Washburn Crosby Mill. An art festival, fireworks, and other festivities happen every year. The Mill District has changed time and again over the last one hundred ninety years, but the only waterfall on the Mississippi River is still there.

Links:

The Mill City Museum: http://www.millcitymuseum.org/
The MInnesota Historical Society http://www.mnhs.org/
The Hennepin History Museum: http://hennepinhistory.org/default.aspx
The Minneapolis Public Library: http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/history/
Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board: http://www.mnhs.org/places/safhb/index.shtml

Minneapolis, Minnesota: The Mill District, Saint Anthony Falls, and the Mississippi River

A young friend once asked, "Why is there Minneapolis?" Shortly after t ...

Updated: Nov 16, 2009 9:42am PST

Garden Flowers and Plants : I don't keep a garden these days, but I still love flowers. This is a collection of blooms and plants from private and public gardens.

Garden Flowers and Plants

I don't keep a garden these days, but I still love flowers. This is a ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2009 6:32pm PST

Most Popular Photos

Bateaux at the North House Folk School; Grand Marais, Minnesota

This beauty is the product of the North House Folk School. It's a great place that teaches just about any traditional craft you can think of.
http://www.northhouse.org/

Shore Ice; Duluth, Minnesota

Ice sheets are pushed around Lake Superior by the wind. Sometimes they pile up on shore.

The Stone Arch Bridge and the New 35W Bridge; Minneapolis, Minnesota

When it's illuminated, the new 35W Bridge casts a brilliant glow across the Mill District. I don't know that it goes with the rest of the district, but it certainly makes an emphatic statement.

March Snow, Minnehaha Creek; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Grain Elevator at Night 2; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Converted to black and white with some filtering and a bit of tint.

New Snow, Minnehaha Creek; Minneapolis, Minnesota

December Sunset; Grand Marais, Minnesota

I found this in a "dusty corner" while cleaning up old files. It dates from December 2007. I wasn't able to use it then, but my evolving interests and much better software gave it another chance.

The Edward L. Ryerson in Lay-up; Superior, Wisconsin

The Ryerson fitted out this spring and made a few trips. Then she went back into lay-up at the Fraser Shipyards. The Saint Clair can be seen behind the Ryerson. She, too, never came out of winter lay-up this year. By the bye, those holes at the Ryerson's bow are for the bow thrusters.

Bright Red Poppy 1, Peace Garden; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Seems the wind is always blowing a half gale when I'm trying to take flower pics. But these poppies were so wet and so exuberantly red that I had to get them. No telling if they'd last until next weekend, so I pushed the ISO. The noise might be a problem with a big enlargement, but it'll do for here.

Things In A Drawer

Painter friend Wayne keeps his charcoal in this drawer. I removed the charcoal to reveal some of the other treasures.

Winter Surf on Lake Superior; Cook County, Minnesota

A black and white retread of an image I posted in December 2008.

Autumn Tables; Minneapolis, Minnesota

These tables would be packed on a summer Sunday. On a chilly October Sunday morning...

Sunflower Field; Utica Township, Wisconsin

A friend showed me this field in the afternoon. I went back the next day for morning light. Thanks, Frank!

South Pier Light, Ship Canal, and the Aerial Lift Bridge; Duluth, Minnesota

Night Rain; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sometimes a photo is real close to home. I took this one from my balcony. And I was grateful that I hadn't gone looking for night shots. I like shooting in bad weather, but photography at night and in a downpour would be a bit much.

Kristen; Alma, Wisconsin

A bit of play on this one. The shot needed a person, so I dragooned Kristen and her espresso to pose. She cooperated, despite the cold wind, but it seemed best to make it a very short session. The photo was taken in the Italian garden behind Fire and Ice, a coffeehouse in Alma, Wisconsin.

Oliver

Oliver Tickletummy came to live with me in 2005. We've had an odd relationship since then, but we make do.

Rainy Night on Nicollet Island; Minneapolis, Minnesota

$Reading Glasses and Shadows The sun was streaming through a window this morning onto a napkin and my reading glasses. The shadows, refraction, and textures caught my fancy.$

January Twilight: Saint Paul and Ramsey County Courthouse; Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Ramsey County Courthouse was completed in 1932. The original tower is a perfect example of American Art Deco. This is a splendid building inside and out. I hope to get some interior photos at some point. The steam plume comes from the District Heating Plant. And yes, it takes a cold evening to get a good steam plume.

Frozen Spray near Lutsen, Minnesota

Rain-Wet Park Bench; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cathedral of Saint Paul; Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Cathedral of Saint Paul is one of Saint Paul's greatest landmarks. It looks out over downtown with a monumental presence. The church was the child of Archbishop John Ireland and architect Emmanuel Manqueray. Construction took eight years and the building was dedicated in 1915. Interior work continued through the 1930's. A very expensive exterior restoration ran 2001 to 2003. It included tuckpointing the granite facades and sheathing the central dome in 100,000 square feet of copper.

Drive Wheels and Side Rods on Northern Pacific 2153, Jackson Street Roundhouse; Saint Paul, Minnesota

NP 2153 is a Q3 Pacific Class steam locomotive. It was used to pull the North Coast Limited. She was retired in the 1950's when the Northern Pacific switched to diesel locomotives. The 2-6-4 locomotive is currently undergoing a cosmetic restoration. For more information: http://www.mtmuseum.org/jsr/roster/np2153.php

Brown Eggs in a White Bowl

Organic eggs, too! If anybody's interested, illumination came from a table lamp.

Memories

A couple of little friends and I used to go sliding on these old Flexible Fliers. That was several years ago. One of them is in college now, the other is in high school, and the sleds are gathering dust.

Kids at the Foot Long Hot Dog Stand; Minnesota State Fair

There are lots of kids running loose at the Fair. This pack of mixed ages and sizes caught my eye. Use the largest image size to see the detail.

Shoreline, Temperance River State Park; Schroeder, Minnesota

A snowstorm is coming and the sun grows dim through the thickening clouds. For a little while, the light takes on a silvery tone that I love.

Break Shoe and Drive Wheel, Northern Pacific 2153, Jackson Street Roundhouse; Saint Paul, Minnesota

NP 2153 is a Q3 Pacific Class steam locomotive. It was used to pull the North Coast Limited. She was retired in the 1950's when the Northern Pacific switched to diesel locomotives. The 2-6-4 locomotive is currently undergoing a cosmetic restoration. For more information: http://www.mtmuseum.org/jsr/roster/np2153.php

Mooring Spile and Barge; Red Wing, Minnesota

The Tower, Split Rock Lighthouse; Lake County, Minneosta

This view is looking down the tower stairs. I think this version gives a nice feeling of vertigo.

Split Rock Lighthouse opened for business in 1910. Its existence was the result of the Great Storm of 1905 when 17 ships were wrecked on Lake Superior. One of these, the barge Midiera, went ashore quite close to Split Rock. Split Rock was given a Third Order Fresnel Lens that produced a 100,000 candlepower beam of light. The light floats on a liquid mercury bearing and was originally powered by a clockwork drive whose weights dropped down the column in the photo. The fog signal was discontinued in 1961 and the light was decommissioned in 1969. The lighthouse reservation is now administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Empty Storefront; Harmony, Minnesota

Harmony is on the edge of Bluff Country in Southeast Minnesota. It's also part of Minnesota's Amish country. Meaning that the Amish, and their buggies, are an unremarkable sight here. I pass the edge of town on trips to Decorah, Iowa, and a few years have gone by since I last stopped for a look around. I remember the place as having lots of tourists come to gawk at the Amish and buy Amish kitsch at the gift shops. This day, the place was nearly dead. Maybe it was the cold cloudy July weather, (60 degrees F), but the empty shops and storefronts suggested otherwise. So did the almost desperate sounding owner of an Amish shop I visited. It all made me think the recession had more to do with the paucity of traffic. The experience was rather melancholy.

A note on color and composition: This one really is better in black and white. The light was so flat that color version failed utterly. Somehow, I don't think that the Harmony Chamber of Commerce would like this one...

Bright Red Poppy 2, Peace Garden; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Seems the wind is always blowing a half gale when I'm trying to take flower pics. But these poppies were so wet and so exuberantly red that I had to get them. No telling if they'd last until next weekend, so I pushed the ISO. The noise might be a problem with a big enlargement, but it'll do for here.

Early Spring Morning, Upper Iowa River; Winneshiek County, Iowa

River Road winds along and over the Upper Iowa River west and north of Decorah, Iowa. It's a lovely stretch of road. I took this one from a bridge.

Fountain; Saint Paul, Minnesota

Eggs, Parsley, Rock

This one feels a bit more like a garden than food to me. Maybe the piece of basalt does that.

No food was wasted. The eggs went back into the refrigerator and I ate the parsley.

Boom Island Footbridge; Minneapolis, Minnesota

An island no more, Boom Island took its name from the log boom that used to span the Mississippi River. The boom caught saw logs that were floated down the Mississippi. These logs were sorted and then cut into lumber by the various saw mills. The 1893 Fire destroyed the saw mills and then the Wisconsin Central Railroad moved in to build a roundhouse and freight yard. This old truss bridge crosses a channel between Boom and Nicollet Islands. It's about all that is left of the railroad days.

Fog at Minnehaha Park; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Early morning fog turned Minnehaha Park into a ghostly and moody place.

Wooden Passenger Coach, Jackson Street Roundhouse; Saint Paul, Minnesota

There's a weedy, almost abandoned, part of the Jackson Street Roundhouse yard. It's where the rotting and rusting rolling stock and motive power ends up. The wooden passenger coach in this image is rapidly succumbing to spores. It's not something you'd want to climb on...

Sunflower Field; Utica Township, Wisconsin

A friend showed me this field on a hot humid afternoon. It was perfect sunflower weather. I went back the next day for hazy and warm morning light. Thanks, Frank!

Fuel Oil Tanks in Black and White; Minneapolis, Minnesota

A nice industrial looking scene at night.

Frost Smoke and the Ship Canal Piers; Duluth, Minnesota

Frost smoke is caused by cold dry winter air flowing over much warmer water. In this instance, the water was close to freezing, while the air temperature was minus twenty Fahrenheit.

Mushrooms on Black

Three button and two shiitaki mushrooms on black velvet. Lighting came from a living room window.

Towboat J.W. Hershey and the Robert Street Bridge; Saint Paul, Minnesota

Here's a view of the Hershey's bow and knees. The Robert Street Bridge is in the background. It dates to 1926.

Saint Paul is the historic head of navigation on the Mississippi River. A great deal of industry has flourished here. Most recently, there were several grain elevators and a coal-fired power plant along the city's waterfront. During harvest season, towboats and their barges would haul coal upriver for the power plant and take grain south. it was common to see several towboats moored at Lambert's Landing (aka The Lower Landing). The elevators are nearly all gone now. The coal-fired power plant was torn down this year (2009). So catching three towboats at the same time is a rare thing these days.

Amity Creek; Duluth Minnesota

Here's another one from a Duluth trip in June of '08. Don't know why I didn't put it up the first go around...

Gallery Categories

2 galleries with 119 photos

Updated: Nov 22, 2009 12:02pm PST

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Lake Superior: Landscapes, Cityscapes and Ships

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Along the Mississippi River and Its Tributaries

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Updated: Nov 13, 2009 9:21am PST

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Butterflies, Bees, and Other Critters with Six Legs

1 gallery with 18 photos

Updated: Aug 15, 2009 6:57pm PST

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