Event Photography: Dillinger Days and Downtown Tucson Construction
January 26th, 2010This past weekend, I attended the annual Dillinger Days celebration in Downtown Tucson. This event commemorates the 1934 capture of "Public Enemy Number One," bank robber John Dillinger. The festivities centered around the Hotel Congress, where Dillinger and his gang of outlaws stayed when they first hit town.
The hotel boiler caught fire, forcing the evacuation of the hotel. The Dillinger gang got out safely, then they realized that they'd left a couple of suitcases full of guns, ammunition, and money inside. They asked a fireman to retrieve the suitcases, and, just to make the trip worthwhile, the gang gave the fireman a hefty tip. Then they found other places to stay.
After the firemen returned to their station, they spotted a photo of John Dillinger in True Detective magazine. Time for Tucson's Bravest to pick up the phone and alert Tucson's Finest. Who arrested Dillinger and his gang a few days later.
The 2010 edition of Dillinger Days happened right after a major rainstorm hit Tucson. Same storm left a lot of snow on the Santa Catalina mountains, which are "jailed" behind the Union Pacific railroad fence that's just north of the Hotel Congress...
If you're into antique cars, Dillinger Days was the place to be. Talk about fun for the whole family...
I was very impressed by the amount of work that went into the restoration and upkeep of these cars...
What's even more impressive is the fact that most of them are still working automobiles. And, as you can see, they are much loved by their owners...
On the other hand, some of them still need work. This 1939 Chevy Sedan Bus was used to transport University of Arizona athletes during the 1940s. That was its heyday. Its current owners acquired the bus after it had been left to rot in the desert for more than 30 years...
The highlight of Dillinger Days is the re-enactment of the gang's stay at the Hotel Congress. Abundant seating is set up outside the hotel, and here are some smart people who arrived early...
I didn't show up in time to get a seat. Hence, no re-enactment photos in this post.
One final point: Even though there's still a lot of construction Downtown, a lot of things are open for business. Take, for example, Maynards Market and Kitchen, which is across Toole Avenue from Hotel Congress...
I've done a lot of blogging about the weekly Meet Me at Maynards social run/walk around Downtown, and you can read those posts here.
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Abstract Photography: Sidewalk Footprint
January 21st, 2010Came across this "set in concrete" footprint at a restaurant near the University of Arizona campus. The pebble was a nice added touch...
Tip: You can view more abstract photography in my portfolio.
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Architectural Photography: West Chester, Pennsylvania
January 8th, 2010I grew up outside of West Chester, Pennsylvania. It's where I first learned to be a photographer.
After lo these many years of slinging a camera, it was nice to go back and see the old town through fresh eyes. Let's take a look at a couple of notable landmarks along High Street.
This bell used to hang in the bell tower of the Church of the Holy Trinity...
The church was constructed of local serpentine stone after the Civil War. The bell tower was taken down during the late 20th century.
Further up High Street, there's this ahead-of-its-time high rise office building...
When I was growing up, this place had a bit of reputation. On more than one occasion, pieces of the building would fall to the sidewalk below. To the best of my recollection, no pedestrians were ever injured.
Tip: You can view more photography in my portfolio.
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Travel Photography: Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
January 5th, 2010While I was back east visiting family, my father and I took a day trip to Washington, D.C. With Congress out of session and President Obama on vacation, Our Nation's Capital seemed a bit empty.
On the other hand, if you prefer to leave the people out of your photos, Capitol Hill was a great place to be...
If it wasn't for a few tourists braving below-freezing temperatures, Washington, D.C. would have been a ghost town...
Time wasn't too long ago when you could challenge your buddies to a footrace up the Capitol Steps. Can't do that anymore -- see that discreet little fence? Don't you even think of venturing past it. Unless you care to run your silly little hurdling story past the U.S. Capitol Police...
When I first ventured into the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, I thought, "Oh, goodie, another federal museum full of boring exhibits." (Yours Truly tends to avoid museums, federal or otherwise, like the plague.)
But, since it was so much warmer than the Great Outdoors, I decided to give the place a chance. First thing that got my attention was the full-sized replica of the statue that's on top of the Capitol Dome. Much bigger up close than off in the distance...
Much of the exhibit space was devoted to the history of the United States Congress. I was impressed with the honesty that was on display. We talk about partisan bickering these days, but the 1800s were downright vicious.
The Visitor Center took that on, including a detailed account of the 1856 caning attack on Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, an outspoken Abolitionist. This incident happened on the Senate floor, and the attacker was Sumner's fellow Congressman, Preston Brooks of South Carolina. Three days earlier, Sumner made an anti-slavery speech that disparaged Brooks' uncle, South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler.
Brooks took umbrage and set upon Sumner in the almost-empty Senate chamber. Sumner was so badly injured that he didn't return to the Senate for three years.
I was thinking that, of all the Congressional history topics that wouldn't be mentioned, the Sumner caning would be at the top of the list. But it was there.
Then there was the political cartoon that showed Andrew Jackson having his mouth sewn shut. Much nastier than anything I've seen recently.
Tip: You can view more travel photography in my portfolio.
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Travel Photography: Vermont State House
September 8th, 2009My recent visit to Vermont included an afternoon in Montpelier, the state capital. It's more like a small town than anything else. Population's just over 8,000, which makes Montpelier the smallest capital city in the United States.
My Montpelier afternoon centered on the Vermont State House, where my Aunt Jean is a volunteer tour guide...
Here's Aunt Jean leading a tour. She's showing the group what the State House has looked like during various periods in history. The current State House is version 3.0...
Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen towers over the State House entrance walkway...
In the State House lobby is a marble floor made of two types of Vermont granite. The dark granite has imprints of fossilized creatures...
Tip: You can view more travel photography in my portfolio.
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Architectural Photography: Marist College
August 7th, 2009The Marist College building used to house a Catholic boys school. After 1968, the Diocese of Tucson used it for office space. These days? Well, let's just say that it's just sitting there.
What's worse, the Marist College building is in danger of collapse. There is exterior bracing, not shown in this photo, but no one knows how long it will continue to support the structure...
Tip: You can view more photography in my portfolio.
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Event Photography: Another Monday Evening Walkabout
July 15th, 2009Since mid-April, I've been blogging about Tucson's weekly Meet Me at Maynards Social Run and Walk. And here I go, I'm doing it again.
This past Monday marked the 14th running (or walking) of MMM. And, once again, I went walkabout with my camera.
I'm not going to be one of those Downtown Tucson cheerleaders who goes on and on about all the great things happening. There's still a lot of work to be down Downtown. But, at the same time, I can't help but be impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that I've found there.
For starters, how would you like to start your MMM run (or walk) with a musical sendoff? Here are Dusty Squirrelfisher and Fiddlin' Uncle Phoenix from the Dusty Buskers...
Since this is an urban event, MMM-ers have to wait for the light before they can run across the street. They also have to watch out for that Downtown construction...
A few weeks ago, the MMM course was changed to include the almost-renovated Scott Avenue streetscape. It's a tantalizing blend of new and old...
Buy Meet Me at Maynards photos
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Construction Photography: Katrina Plus Three
July 29th, 2008Just returned from another week of post-Katrina reconstruction in Mississippi. Although much appears to be back to normal, there's still quite a bit of work to be done.
Take, for example, this house. Almost three years after the storm (local people rarely call it Katrina), the owners are still living in a trailer.
Since drywalling is one of the final steps to completing a house, they should be able to move in soon.
When my work team wasn't on the job, we were staying in Caswell Springs United Methodist Church, which is located in Wade, Mississippi...
The church pastors and numerous members of the congregation saw to our every need -- and I mean everything from hearty meals to hot showers and fresh towels. We were also welcome to roam the church property, which included a walkway out to Caswell Springs...
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
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Architectural Photography: Used to Work There
July 17th, 2008Went past a former place of employment a few weeks ago. The place has been out of business for almost eight years, and it's been six years since any other business occupied the space.
The landlord's attempts to lease aren't going very well. It's been for rent for a couple of years...
Before it rents, there's some serious repair work to do...
I can remember the boss telling me to clean these doors and windows 'til they gleamed. Those were the days...
Tip: You can view more photography in my portfolio.
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Stained Glass and Shadows
May 23rd, 2008
Stained glass window, Catholic Newman Center, Tucson, Arizona
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