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