Wednesday, January 21, 2026

In the Garden #32

This Moment is Always 


In the Garden: Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum). Nikon N80, Sigma 105MM F/2.8 MACRO, #11 green filter. Kentmere Pan 400 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
A shaft of sunshine meets the arrowhead’s thick mass of leaves. 
 
-Troy

Saturday, December 13, 2025

On Photography #5

Front to Back


On Photography: Hippeastrum (3) (Amaryllis). Nikon N80, Sigma 150MM f/2.8 MACRO, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 100 developed in Pyrocat HD.
 
This composition is the same as In the Garden #29. Camera is on a tripod with the same lens and film. Different lighting. Front light/back light. I like this back lit version though it is not my first choice to display. Comparing the two photos allows a better understanding of the flower and the setting for the photograph, of the impact of a simple lighting choice; the drawing of a curtain.
 
-Troy

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Skyway City #41

The Lane


Skyway City: On 7th Street (2) Olympus XA2. Kentmere Pan 400 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
A painted bus lane catches what light makes it through the skyscrapers and down to the street. The camera catches that and the skyway walker in the light above.
 
-Troy

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Potted Plants #13

Summer Home 


Potted Plants: Umbrella Plant (Schefflera arboricola). Mamiya M645 1000S, Mamiya-Sekor 210mm f/4, #15 orange filter. Fomapan 100 developed in Pyrocat HD.
 
The potted plants travel twice a year. To the outside in spring and then to the inside in fall. The big ones, like this Schefflera, grow like crazy while outside. It’s a good time to make their portraits.
 
-Troy

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Skyway City #40

Track Walkers 


Skyway City: Over 5th Street (2) Track Walkers. Nikon N80, Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 100 developed in Pyrocat HD.
 
A couple of maintenance workers walk the tracks near the center of the frame. No trains in site. This quiet moment gives the first photo of the day.
 
-Troy

Saturday, August 2, 2025

In the Garden #31

Into the Circle


In the Garden: Asiatic Lily (Lilium Hybrid) Into the Circle. Mamiya M645 1000S, Mamiya-Sekor 150mm f/3.5 N, +1 close-up filter, #60 green filter. Fomapan 400 developed in Diafine.
 
For years the Asiatic Lilies lived across the path from the circle garden. We moved them into the circle, a journey of 4 feet, and they have rewarded us by growing stronger and taller; producing twice as many flowers as they ever had before.
 
-Troy

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Travels #12

Flare Fall  
 
 
Travels: Saint Louis River Flare Fall. Olympus Stylus Zoom 115. Kentmere Pan 400 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
When they were cheap I would pick up and try out a point and shoot camera now and then. I never found one that gave me good, consistent results. Just a lucky keeper now and then. Here is a photo that I like despite (or because of?) the huge amount of lens flare.
 
-Troy

Friday, July 18, 2025

Skyway City #39

Virtual Lobby


Skyway City: 9th Street at LaSalle Virtual LobbyMamiya M645 1000S, Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f/2.8, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 400 developed in Diafine.
 
A lobby seating area gets reset into a new space by reflections off the skyway glass.
 
-Troy

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Travels #11

Seabird
 

Travels: Lake Superior (5) Seabird. Nikon N80, Nikon Nikkor 45mm f/2.8 P, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Kentmere Pan 400 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
Early morning, Duluth. A lone gull flies through the frame heading towards the harbor.

-Troy

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

In the Garden #30

Open Early 
 

In the Garden: Blood Root (1) (Sanguinaria canadensis) Open Early. Nikon N80, Sigma 150MM f/2.8 MACRO, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 100 developed in Pyrocat HD.
 
Spring is here, or nearly so, when the Blood Root blooms. The leaves will unfurl later and last into summer.
 
-Troy

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

In the Garden #29

Knight’s Star
 
 
In the Garden: Hippeastrum (2) (Amaryllis) Knight’s Star. Nikon N80, Sigma 150MM f/2.8 MACRO, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 100 developed in Pyrocat HD.
 
A stem of amaryllis blossoms is one of the final acts for the winter garden. We are all moving outside for the summer now trading long nights for long days.
 
-Troy

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Skyway City #38

In the Grid


Skyway City: Over Marquette Avenue (2) In the Grid. Nikon F80, Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Kentmere Pan 400 ei 800 developed in Diafine.
 
Rectangles all around.
 
-Troy

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Skyway City #37

Looking Up


Skyway City: On 7th Street (1) Looking Up. Nikon F80, Nikon Nikkor 45mm f/2.8 P, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Ferrania P33 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
Photos like this are all over the city if I just remember to look up once in awhile.
 
-Troy

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Travels #10

December Surf


Travels: Lake Superior (4) December Surf. Nikon F80, Nikon Nikkor 45mm f/2.8 P, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Kentmere Pan 400 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
Winter waves bring surfing season to the North Shore. 
 
-Troy

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Skyway City #36

This Way


Skyway City: Middle of the block (Hennepin and Nicollet and Fifth and Sixth)
This Way. 
Mamiya M645 1000 S, Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f/2.8 N, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 400 developed in Diafine.
 
A quiet passage where I often find beautiful light. 
 
-Troy

Monday, February 17, 2025

City of Lakes #2

Where All Paths Lead


City of Lakes: Bryn Mawr Meadows (1) Where All Paths Lead. Mamiya M645, Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f/2.8 N, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 400 developed in Diafine.
 
Another winter scene while we are still here in it. 
 
-Troy

Sunday, January 19, 2025

City of Lakes #1

Winter Sky, Wirth Park


City of Lakes: Theodore Wirth Park (1) Winter Sky, Wirth Park. Seagull TLR, 75mm f/3.5, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Kodak Tri-X  400 developed in Pyrocat HD.
 
Along the edge of a woods, an excellent view of the winter sky. 
 
-Troy

Saturday, December 14, 2024

In the Garden #28

Evergreens Everywhere


In the Garden: Holiday Time
Evergreens Everywhere. Nikon N80, Sigma 150MM F/2.8 MACRO, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Kentmere Pan 400 developed in D-76 1+1.
 
The Christmas trees and every kind of cut evergreen are up in the winter garden and we are waiting for snow.
 
-Troy

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Skyway City #35

Up Escalator Down


Skyway City: Ninth and Nicollet Up Escalator Down. Mamiya M645 1000S, Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f/2.8, #8 (K2) yellow filter. Fomapan 400 developed in Diafine.
 
We are at the Thanksgiving holiday and thinking about all that comes after. Stores and escalators…
 
-Troy