Empty Docks

ISO 100, f/2.8, 8"

All the boats in McKinley Marina have pulled out of the harbor to either go south or lay dormant in a parking lot for the winter, leaving an almost serene emptiness behind. In turn, the empty docks allow for such an amazing feeling of isolation despite clearly being an integral part of the urban fabric.

Reflections on the LagoonISO 100, f/5.6, 15"

I'm not sure why, but I don't seem to make it down to Juneau Park Lagoon as often as I should. After all, the view across the pond is, at least for an urban nature lover like me, breathtaking. Milwaukee is by no means short on locales that provide such an urbanely natural oasis... which is one more reason to love this city.

the bow

ISO 80, f/2.8, 6"

Milwaukee was shrouded in fog a couple weeks ago and as a result, an eerie glow was cast over the city lights. Not one to miss a photographic opportunity, I strapped on my hiking boots, threw my camera bag over my shoulders and ventured out into the night. I soon found myself standing before the imposing "bow" of the art museum and couldn't help but have my camera lens point toward its inexorable beauty.

changing prospect

ISO 80, f/4, 1/750" - ISO 80, f/2.8, 6"

One of the most fascinating aspects of Milwaukee's skyline is the fact that it looks different from such an amazing variety of angles. One of my favorite views isn't seen often simply because the view is from the ninth floor window of an apartment but that's what I have a camera for! Here's the view... at day and at night.

the red one

ISO 80, f/8, 6"

Now I personally don't think this is one of my better photographs but according to flickr, it's one my most interesting. In a little under a month, 500 people have come to look at it. Anyway, given its popularity over there, I figured I should post it here. Merry Christmas!

MAM: November Series

ISO 80, f/3.2, 1/125" - ISO 80, f/4, 1/250" - ISO 80, f/3.2, 1/125"

The Milwaukee Art Museum is, without a doubt, one of my favorite buildings in the world and the fact that it's a short walk from my apartment is nothing short of amazing. While I no doubt go through phases of "I'm sick of taking photographs of the art museum," I inevitably revert back to eying out new angles and testing new approaches to capturing an old friend on film (or in this case, digital image).

Please click on the image(s) to see the larger version.

milwaukee: wide

ISO 200, F/8, 3"
(film scan)

I've been pretty much obsessed with the McKinley Marina breakwater ever since I discovered it three years back. I'll never get sick of the views so every time I venture that way, I'm always sure to bring my cameras along. Thanks to my 24mm wide angle lens, this particular section of the breakwater allows for a fantastic view of the skyline - everything from the Allen Bradley Clock Tower on the left to Milwaukee's "second skyline" at the far right. If you've never been, please do yourself a favor and make your way out there... you won't be disappointed.

milwaukee stars

ISO 200, 30", F/16
(film scan)

This photograph was taken at the very tip of the McKinley Marina breakwater, about a mile out into Lake Michigan. The star effect was made from a Cokin 8-point star filter screwed onto the end of my lens.

house of glass

ISO 80, 1/350", f/2.8

I was disappointed that they wouldn't allow pictures of artwork inside the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art but I found their lobby to be pretty interesting itself.

stephens' falls

ISO 80, 1.5", f/8

I spent a good deal of time this morning trying to find the perfect angle to photograph this waterfall. All the repositioning and moving around appears to have worked out though... I'm happy with the end result.

night willow

ISO 80, 8", f/2.8

All the snow that's become a familiar sight around here has been melting away and in the process, creating a swath of fog that's enveloped the entire city for days. Add a nighttime ambiance and it certainly makes for some interesting photos.

surfing and such

ISO 80, 1/90", f/3.1

I went out to take pictures of the skyline at sunset tonight and instead found myself snapping pictures of someone surfing on the lake. I was freezing with gloves, a hat and five million layers... and here this guy was, in the water with a freaking surf board. Awesome.

skating away

ISO 80, 1/4", f/2.8 w/ flash

This picture isn't exactly what I had intended simply because I meant to freeze the action with my flash. I didn't have an external flash though so my pop-up did the best it could. I'll be sure to revisit this shot in the future to get a better version.

black tie greens

ISO 80, 1/2", f/3.2

The art museum had some sort of black tie event going on last night and I just happened to get close enough to notice the inside lit up by green lights. I've never seen the inside of the museum lit up like that so I'd imagine it doesn't happen very often. Pretty awesome though, hey?

downtown nights

ISO 80, 8", f/3.1

It was definitely chilly out when I took this photo but I had plenty of layers so really the only thing cold were my fingers. Worth it though cause this is one of my favorite views of east downtown.

UPDATE

Hey everyone! My apologies for a lack in posts but I've been concentrating most my efforts toward posting my pictures on flickr. I'll leave this blog up and running and post every once in a while but it won't be updated nearly as much as flickr.

So, from now on folks? Come on over to my flickr account and see all of my work!

Thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/milwaukeemark

ride

ISO 80, 8", f/7.1

I fear today could've been the last warm day of the season. Somethin' tells me I won't be seeing too many bikes like these for about four months... might as well take a picture while I can.

Take Off: Chicago

ISO 80, 1/500", f/5.6

I shot this photo from the window of an airplane as we took off from Chicago en route to Charlotte. The Chicago skyline just happened to line up perfectly with the shot and to be honest, I didn't think it was going to turn out nearly as good as it did.

second skyline

ISO 80, 1/500", f/3.2

This photo was taken from the newly constructed breakwater just east of Pier Wisconsin and Seven Seas restaurant. Across the Milwaukee Harbor is our "second skyline" - a grouping of residential highrises separate from the downtown cluster.

untitled

ISO 80, 1/90", f/2.8

Snapped this one along Kenwood Boulevard near UWM.

Todd & Ashley

ISO 140, 1/8", f/2.8

My brother's engaged! I couldn't be more happy for the two of them... Congratulations Todd and Ashley.

under the sea

ISO 80, 1/20", f/2.8

The space between the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Summerfest grounds just got a whole lot more interesting thanks to Pier Wisconsin. Showcasing fish from the Great Lakes to the Carribean, aquariums abound at the east section of the building.

Go ahead and stare at the fish swimming above the glass tunnel or make your way through and have a go at petting a shark or stingray. Either way, this is definitely something to see.

DNA

ISO 80, 7/10", f/8

I finally got to see Pier Wisconsin today! For those of you who don't know, Pier Wisconsin is the latest addition to Milwaukee's lakefront. Inside is the new Discovery World, an incredible array of aquariums, and the best views Milwaukee has to offer.

While the place still has a long way to go before it's truly ready, there's plenty to see. The DNA strand in this picture is over thirty feet tall and continuously shrinks and grows through the center of a three story spiral staircase.

street lights

ISO 80, 8", f/8

I snapped this photo from the passenger seat of a friend's car on my way home tonight. Cool how the raindrops give perspective while the streams of light give the picture an intense sense of motion, no?

cards

ISO 140, 1/8", f/2.8

I had some friends over at the apartment last night for a few rounds of merriment and cheer, aka cards and beer. My cards were beyond terrible the entire evening but that's alright 'cause bad hand or not, they still made for a good picture.

early fall

200 speed negative film, 1/60", f/4
(scan)

I'm a little torn whether to be excited about the coming of fall or sad about the loss of warm weather. Regardless, it's obviously here. The air's too cold to leave the windows open all night and leaves are already starting to fall from trees. The fallen leaves? Love 'em... but the barren trees and weeks of cold, cloudy weather before the snow? Ugh.

Kilbourntown House (part two)

200 speed negative film, 1/125", f/19
(scan)

This photograph gives a more intimate perspective of Benjamin Church's Kilbourntown House. While obvious that time's taken its toll on this historic building, it's still a fantastic sight. If you're ever in the area, the home is open to the public and is completely furnished with mid-nineteenth century art and furniture.

More about this home in the post below...

Kilbourntown House (part one)

200 speed negative film, 1/60", f/19
(scan)

This home was relocated to Estabrook Park in the early 1900s but was originally built by Benjamin Church in 1844. Back then, Milwaukee was seperated into three settlements; Juneautown to the east of the river, Kilbourntown to the west, Walker's Point to the south. Two years after this home's construction, the rival towns grew too large to retain their independence and in January of 1846, they merged to form the city of Milwaukee.

On a semi-side note, if you'd like to learn more of Milwaukee's history, click here.

invasive species

ISO 80, 1/125, f/8

Just north of Milwaukee, 125 acres of fantastic park land straddle the Milwaukee River. It's an interesting combination of natural scenery and the human need to dominate the land. On all sides of Estabrook Park are enormous towers that cater to modern day necessities and while there, I can't help but be taken aback by how much we've changed this planet.

city gloom

ISO 80, 1/1500", f/5.6

This is an older photo from last Spring taken during a cold, dreary day with a low cloud line. Although the tallest building in Milwaukee (US Bank) stands at just over 600 feet, rarely is the top shrouded in clouds.

construction

ISO 80, 1/750", f/4

Cranes are everywhere in the city these days. Apparently word's gotten out that Milwaukee is a fantastic place to call home. The building going up in the background is called First Place on the River - one of an impressive array of new condos going up everywhere from the third ward to the east side.

cincinnati

ISO 80, 1/1000", f/2.8

Last March I took a trip through the Appalachian Mountains and stopped in a few cities along the way. This picture was taken in Cincinnati early one morning while I desperately drove around in search of a coffeeshop.

light war

ISO 80, 8", f/2.8

Some of my favorite photographs come from long exposures. For this shot I had the camera on a tripod and left the shutter open for eight seconds while one person with a headlamp stood still and the other jumped around.

urban canyon

ISO 80, 8", f/3.2

Water plays an important role in Milwaukee. Pictured here is the Milwaukee River as it cuts a path through downtown. Further south, the river drains into one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world, Lake Michigan.

rock bottom

ISO 80, 8", f/3.2

An extremely popular hangout, Rock Bottom Brewery's riverwalk patio plays host to hundreds of patrons each day. The restaurant is one of many small micro breweries in the city... all of which have fantastic and unique beer selections.

merry go round

ISO 80, 3", f/8

This photograph began with me goofing around with the camera but I soon realized that the combination of twilight, motion and an old playground staple served to create a strange but fun composition.

the creation

ISO 80, 1/500", f/2.8 - ISO 80, 1/750", f/2.8 - ISO 80, 1/90", f/2.8

I feel as though I need to provide some sort of explanation for this one. It's a series of pictures showing a work of art my friend Blake and I created that was inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy, a British artist who lives and works in Scotland.

Wanna read the story behind this? Read Blog of the Mark.

grit

ISO 100, 8", f/3.2

This photograph was taken during an extremely cold night in late February of this year. The mound in the foreground is simply a pile of gravel left over from the tearing down of the Park East Freeway. In the distance, gray clouds threaten snow but the Pfister & Vogel building stands unimpressed.

valley road

ISO 80, 1/750", f/2.8

Here's another photograph from a trip through the Appalachians. It was taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at place called Cades Cove.

the woods

ISO 80, 1/45", f/2.8

Last March, while exploring the deep woods of the Appalachian mountains, I walked through endless patches of forestland. I visited this particular patch often though because my only source of water came from the stream in the foreground.

seat's taken

ISO 80, 8", f/8

rocky shore revisited

ISO 80, 1/60", f/6.3

dark passage

ISO 80, 1/2", f/2.8

big bang

ISO 80, 8", f/3.2

urban glow

ISO 80, 8", f/4

popcorn

ISO 80, 4", f/2.8

the social

ISO 80, 3", f/2.8

not open

ISO 80, 7/10", f/8

walk

ISO 80, 1/60", f/2.8

palisades, palisades

ISO 80, 8", f/8

lava pond

ISO 80, 8", f/8