Stone Arch Bridge Reflection Print: Minneapolis Minnesota Wall Art

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I picked up a camera with manual controls for the first time in high school in a photography class. I was quickly hooked and continued to take photography classes in college. But as I moved into the profession of architecture after graduating from college, I very seldom picked up my camera for pleasure, only really using it when I traveled. And even then it was almost always set on automatic, which resulted in photos with mixed results. Fast forward to the beginning of the pandemic as I began to wind down my architectural career. After sorting through the many film images I had taken through the years and scanning them, I decided to submit a handful to a stock photo site to see if I could make a few bucks. I was very surprised when most were rejected. I thought I was a pretty good photographer because not only had I gotten all As in my photo classes, but I had become a yearbook and college newspaper photographer, had my own darkroom, and photographed a wedding while still in high school. This rejection was the the first step in my improvement as a photographer, as I began to consciously learn more from other photographers I admired and examine my past photos with a more critical eye. The more I started learning, the more I realized that I didn't know. As I spent more time examining the photographs of others that excited me, the more I vowed to create photographs for myself that excited me. But when I started going out to take photos, I was almost aways returning home disappointed. Usually what I thought would make a good photo didn't really work out when I tried to take a photo. I would often return home from a photo outing without having taking any photos since I couldn't find shots that seemed worth taking. When I read about the stories behind other photographs I admired however, I discovered that often the best subjects were not the original intended subjects. I began to realize that my impatience and not wanting to waste time was really holding me back. Usually if my first idea or subject wasn't panning out, I left without any photos instead of taking the time to look around and see if there might be something more interesting to photograph nearby. I realized that If I wanted to create photographs that excited me I needed to give myself permission to take my time and look around. After a number of failed attempts at this I started to wonder if I would be able to change. At times I really started to question if I could take photos that were up to my standards but I guess when I focus on a goal I can be pretty persistent. I kept seeing these incredible photos that others had taken and knew in my heart that I really wanted to be able to do that. I think that having a goal that really excited me helped me persist and keep trying even though at first I wasn't getting any different results. On the night of this photo I arrived on the Minneapolis riverfront about an hour before sunset. I thought I might photograph the bridge but I chose this spot because it is an interesting area that includes some ruins of mill buildings and the Mississippi River. It was a beautiful September evening. The air was fresh and crisp and the setting sun sparkled on the river. I could hear the joggers and tourists who congregated there as well as the sounds of traffic on the nearby streets. I the wandered around for quite a while, stopping to take photos of anything that seemed interesting to me. I tried photographing across the mill ruins back at the downtown buildings. I then tried photographing the bridge from certain angles and finally across the river at the buildings on the other bank. As it got darker I could see that the interstate bridge was now illuminated and I tried various vantage points for photographing that. However not of these shots really seemed to be working for me. The last remaining daylight was disappearing fast. Soon the last traces of blue in the sky would be gone and the sky would be an unappealing black. If I didn't find the right subject and vantage point soon I would once again return home without any photographs to feel excited about. I started wondering again if I really could create photos that I was proud of and that excited me. I got the idea to walk down a metal, industrial stairs that led to the remains of the mill traces. I had never been in this exact area before and for some reason it hadn't struck me as having much potential for an exciting photograph. I walked about a bit at first not seeing the potential. But then I went back and looked again and saw the shot I had missed. I set up for a shot and reviewed the image on my screen. It was close, but not quite right. I grabbed the tripod with camera attached and moved a few feet back. This time when I looked through the viewfinder I liked what I saw. The last light was in the sky and a passing cloud was present. I had only minutes left. I took the shot as the last light faded. I had it! A couple weeks later one of the local photographers who I really admire posted a photo that at first glance seemed very similar to my shot. I admired his photo, as I did with almost all of his work. I pulled out my photo to compare the two. I discovered they were not as similar as I thought. Further, I realized I actually like my photo better than his. I couldn't recall ever thinking that before. And it was at that moment that I knew that I could not only see shots that were unique to me but that I could also create photos that brought me excitement. I couldn't wait to do it again. Production and Shipping Time: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping. There are 4 ways to print these images. 1). Premium Photo Paper • High quality, professional paper-prints • Sharp, vivid and rich color sets this apart from a casual photo print • Long lasting • Intended to be placed in a frame • Optional framing is available. Contact me directly for options and prices. 2) Ready to Hang Canvas • Ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required • Gorgeous finished look • Well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs • 1.5 inch thick wooden stretcher-bars give it shape (similar to a traditional painting) • No staples or ugly lines visible on the sides • Optional framing available. Contact me directly for options and prices. 3). Acrylic Prints • Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth • Premium polished, best-in-class, 99.9% optically pure acrylic 1/8” thick • Superb image quality from edge to edge • Absolutely stunning, brilliant color! • Back mount frame with lip ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box. • Optional framing available. Message me for options and prices. 4). Metal Prints • White Gloss Chromaluxe Aluminum • Texture and shine of the metal creates depth and dimension so your photos truly stand out • Incredibly durable and long-lasting • Scratch-resistant, waterproof, and resistant to fading • Lightweight, extremely robust and durable • Back mount frame with lip ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box • Optional framing available. Contact me directly for options and prices.

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