architecture

For years I’ve wanted to get into telephoto photography. Since I mostly do landscapes, my Canon 17-40 f4 L was my workhorse lens. I recently got a Canon 70-200 f4 L IS and have been really excited to explore the possibilites that the new perspective will give me. A week ago I was driving into work and spotted a window washer on the side of a building. I was so excited, a perfect opportunity to use my new lens. I parked my car a good distance away from him and zoomed in, first framing the building, window washer and the sky, but then deciding to just frame him, against the windows. I ultimately chose this capture, shot at 144 mm, a reach I definitely didn’t have before.

I also wanted to take a moment to bring something to your attention, especially if you’re reading this post via an RSS reader. In July, Google will be shutting down Google Reader. In the past week I’ve been trying out Feedly, another online news reader. It will import your Google Reader feeds, has a modern interface as well as excellent iOS and Android apps. All free too! Check it out at www.feedly.com.

PDX, Rip City, Stumptown, City of Roses — Portland has a number of nicknames, one of the most appropriate being Bridgetown. All in all, eleven bridges cross the Willamette River, eight of them entering the downtown area. A little over a year ago, I had a chance to take a walk on the Broadway Bridge around dusk and get some great night shots of the Steel Bridge and the Freemont Bridge. Ever since, I’ve wanted to get back and walk more of the bridges.

Last week, we caught a rare break of sun and blue sky on a 45 degree afternoon. We walked the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges, slowly enough that the afternoon turned to evening, allowing me to catch some night shots of downtown.

Looking north up the Willamette River to the Morrison Bridge 20121227_2136