2007 Twin Cities Marathon

The marathon course goes right by my house, so I got my ass outta bed on a Sunday morning and got a few nice shots. These are all the front-runners leading the pack. They are probably just over a mile into the race at this point.

Christy Love and You Know Who

Christy Love and You Know Who, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Christy Love made Boogie Wonderland huge in the Twin Cites. She is a great singer and an energetic performer.

Big Check

Master of Ceremonies, Dark Star, presents a check on behalf of Canterbury Downs to 35W Bridge Relief Benefit Concert organizers for minnesotahelps.org.

35W Bridge Relief Benefit Concert

I recently participated in the 35W Bridge Relief Benefit Concert, as an event photographer, which took place at the Fineline Music Cafe in Minneapolis. It was a great success, raising $40,000 for affected families of the disaster. There were many local and national sponsors who donated items for the silent auctions and raffles. The Fineline donated a portion of bar sales. Canterbury Downs donated a check totaling $5,000, and was presented by the evening’s master of ceremonies, Dark Star, from WCCO radio.

I was truly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this cause with all the top-notch organizers and participants who made this event truly remarkable. Some of the bands were instrumental and at the forefront of organizing the event and making it come together in a very short period of time. The staff at the Fineline were more than accommodating in providing the venue. It was great seeing the nice turn-out and all the news coverage the event created. This was truly a testament to the real sense of community and genuine caring and humanity which we are all so very fortunate to have all around us in this great city and state. I am very proud to be Minnesota born and raised... I will always be a Minnesota boy, no matter where my journey’s in life take me.

If you are still wondering how you can help those affected by the 35W bridge collapse, please give a visit to www.minnesotahelps.org to find out more. I would also suggest looking for other benefits forthcoming in the Twin Cities area in which you can volunteer and participate in. It has made a huge impact on me and helped me deal with the difficulty I had accepting that something this devastating can really actually happen... right here, right now, and to me and you.

I took over 1200 photos during the seven hours at the benefit concert. Following are some of the highlights of the bands performances and also presentations from a few noted individuals. I will provide future links, when available, to view more of the photos.

Hairball

Hairball, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Headlining the 35W Bridge Benefit Concert at the Fineline Sunday night was Hairball. It was awesome to see all the great bands and be a part of such a great cause! Last tally was about $40,000 raised to assist families affected by the bridge collapse.

Jellybean Johnson

Jellybean Johnson, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Jamming the Uptown Art Festival on a rainy Saturday night.

I-35W in the Mississippi River

top_20070801_4047 copy.jpg, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Huge deck section at a 45-degree angle, jutting out from the east bank. You can see more sections of the bridge near the center of photograph and to the right, just below the drop created by the lock and dam. The bridge in the background it is the Cedar Ave. Bridge, which paralleled I-35W. The bridge support in foreground is old and left behind from a previous structure that was removed.

I-35W crushes freight cars.

top_20070801_4099 copy.jpg, originally uploaded by timophoto.

This shot is on the east bank of the Mississippi and you are seeing the south-bound lane of I-35W as it plunges down the river embankment, crossing the bike path.

I 35W Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis

top_20070801_4071 copy.jpg, originally uploaded by timophoto.

The look on this police officer pretty much summed it all up for me. I think he was kind of in shock, just as we all were. Maybe he was amazed at all the on-lookers who turned out to catch a glimpse of this tragedy. The whole north-bound section of the Interstate plunged into the Mississippi as it curls around downtown Minneapolis. I spent the better part of two hours trying to find a good location to shoot from, but the police and other rescue crews did a good job of setting up the disaster recovery scene. You can see all the pics on my flickr page by clicking the image. I will update more also, asap. Please say a prayer for those affected and remember the rescue crews as they are doing a good job under extremely bad circumstances.

silhouette

Made this dramatic little grab of a flamingo sculpture outside of a chiropractors' office the other night in NE Minneapolis while I was checking out the Musicopolis festival. The event and music really wasn't my bag, so I went out and about to see what else I could find.

Uptown Pizza

I had never gotten a pie from Uptown Pizza that I can ever remember. So, now that I am living in the area, I decided to give them a try (it also helped that I had a gift certificate). This was a big step for me because I grew up in St. Louis Park, where Beek's is the king of pizza! At any rate, I had heard that Uptown had a Thai Chicken pizza that was pretty good. The cool thing is that they actually use coconut on the pie, as well as on their Maui pie. I thought the pizza was great... nothing too special, but pretty good. The service was fine, as far as hole-in-the-wall pizza joints go, but I had also picked up for take-out. But, they do also deliver, and they cover a good part of Uptown and South Minneapolis. So check them out next time you don't wanna cook after a long day.

Camera Van

Camera Van, originally uploaded by timophoto.

I am back home in Minneapolis... and it's a good thing! I finally got to see the camera van! This guy is Harrod Blank, the creator of the camera van, who hails from Berkley, CA. Check out his website here.

Flowering Joshua Tree

Another shot at Joshua Tree National Park

Last one in is a rotten egg!

Last one in is a rotten egg!, originally uploaded by timophoto.

It's been a little dry this year in Joshua Tree National Park!

Joshua Tree Rock Formations

Joshua Tree Rock Formations, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Words cannot describe the amazing rock formations throughout Joshue Tree National Park.

Moon Over Joshua Tree

Moon Over Joshua Tree, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Found these stretching joshua trees near Barker Dam.

Mountain Bike Racing

Hurkey Creek, CA, originally uploaded by timophoto.

24 Hours of Adrenaline Race Series at Hurkey Creek Park, near Idyllwild, CA.

Trail marker

DevilsSlideTrail_02, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Pacific Crest Trail trail marker at Saddle Junction in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild.

Ranger on the trail

Ranger on the trail, originally uploaded by timophoto.

This forest ranger rescued me with a couple band-aids for the swelling blisters on my heels as I climbed the Devil's Slide Trail.

For Thomas

Pine Cone, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Today there was a wake for my cousin Thomas, back home in Minnesota, who passed away suddenly last week. I was very sad when I got the news. My memories of him are mostly from when we were kids, but we bumped into one another at family get-togethers and around town sometimes. I didn't know him real well, but I always had a sense that we were very much alike, mostly in the way we saw the world and tried to keep an optimistic attitude about life in general. He was a sort of quiet person, and was always quick to help others with a smile. I really wanted to go home for the service, but was unable to, for a few different reasons... I was very upset that I couldn't be there. My cousin had been to my father's funeral a few years ago, along with all his brothers and sisters... six in all, along with their parents. He was there for me and shared with me some reassuring words and wanted us to get together soon to spend some time together. It meant alot to have his support. It's so hard to accept life on life's terms when you suddenly realize it has slipped by you again.

It was after I got the news of Thomas' death on Saturday that I went to the mountains for a hike on Sunday. I went up to Idyllwild to be in my sanctuary of nature, to seek answers and be alone with my thoughts. I remember feeling very peaceful, even though the blisters on my heels were causing me a lot of pain, and I had only travelled just one-third the distance up the mountain. I would see the peaks ahead of me and I kept feeling the pull... the need to reach my goal. I wasn't even really thinking about it. I just know I was at peace, with myself, with god, and the pain of lonliness that I have experienced so much of the past few years.

I spent a good hour at the end of the trail, taking in the sights of the valley and the surrounding mountains. Thinking about my cousin, and also my father. I thought about getting older and how I was so far away from my family. My thoughts wandered as I scanned the landscape, the wind brisk in my face. That wind was talking to me, telling me I would always have to work for my bounty, but if I did with joy in my step, there would be many beautiful sights to behold.

I returned down the mountain once I knew I could look toward the next day... no matter what. And I feel that my cousin Thomas was there to let me know that it was okay to not make it home, because we had some time together right there, on that mountain top.

Contrail

Contrail, originally uploaded by timophoto.

This is what a contrail looks like when you are 8,000 feet up in the mountains.

Above Idyllwild

Above Idyllwild, originally uploaded by timophoto.

This was my turnaround point, at Saddle Junction, last Sunday when I hiked Devil's Slide out of Idyllwild. The last snow is melting just behind me on an unknown peak. Idyllwild is just below, in the lower-right corner of the frame. From where I am standing, I can see Mt. San Jacinto Peak, just another five miles or so on foot. Below me is a valley which reaches about 2,000 feet down! Very beautiful up here. I was able to recharge the batteries, despite the nasty blisters on my heels.

drum

drum, originally uploaded by timophoto.

I know I haven't posted anything in a while... I was messing around in the studio this afternoon and thought I would play with some light on this drum head. It has given me some ideas about a series, so keep an eye out

roadside attraction

roadside attraction, originally uploaded by timophoto.

There’s a small town just west of Palm Springs, along I-10, called Cabazon, near Banning. You may remember hearing about the Cabazon fires last fall when four fire-fighters were killed fighting the blaze. It was a very big story out here, and devastating to most, since the fire had been started by an arsonist, near Cabazon. The fire quickly spread to the Idyllwild area, engulfing many thousands of acres along the way, before being contained.

Every time I travel to L.A. I have to pass this giant T-Rex and brontosaurus at the Cabazon exit, on the north side of the interstate. It’s really just a roadside attraction, complete with restaurant, truck stop, and even a go-cart track. I had stopped in briefly once before, but decided against shooting as it was mid-day and the light sucked. I also didn’t want to come off as a tourist who stopped at stupid roadside tourist novelties. But, I finally broke down one evening, after doing a little shopping at the outlet mall just further down the road. You may have seen this big guy if you frequent many other blog sites, as I have seen it in at least two other sites.

At any rate, this is my rendition of the tourist-trap carnivore oddity.

There’s a small town just west of Palm Springs, along I-10, called Cabazon, near Banning. You may remember hearing about the Cabazon fires last fall when four fire-fighters were killed fighting the blaze. It was a very big story out here, and devastating to most, since the fire had been started by an arsonist, near Cabazon. The fire quickly spread to near the Idyllwild, engulfing many thousands of acres along the way, before being contained.

Every time I travel to L.A. I have to pass this giant T-Rex and brontosaurus at the Cabazon exit, on the north side of the interstate. It’s really just an attraction, complete with restaurant, truck stop, and even a go-cart track. I had stopped in briefly once before, but decided against shooting as it was mid-day and the light sucked. I also didn’t want to come as a tourist who stopped at stupid road-side tourist novelties. But, I finally broke down one evening, after doing a little shopping at the outlet mall just further down the road. You may have seen this stupid dinosaur if you frequent many other blog sites, as I have seen it in at least two other sites.

At any rate, this is my rendition of the tourist-trap carnivore oddity.

pink fence

pink fence, originally uploaded by timophoto.

This is the fence outside my back door. Textures, lines, color make this shot work well for me.

Jeni

Jeni, originally uploaded by timophoto.

Model shoot I did for a friend last winter... with a little photoshop for fun.

Venice painter

I came across a few guys painting this wall right on Pacific Ave., and I mean right on the street... cars and buses and bikers whizzing past just a couple feet away! Didn't faze this guy at all!

Venice, CA on Speedway

In L.A. for the long holiday weekend, staying with friends. Beautiful 80-degrees at the beach today. Wandered around Malibu and Venice. Just a nice relaxing day, me and my camera. This shot was as I was leaving the Venice boardwalk, heading back to the truck, near the canals.

sculpture fountain

monkeying around...

Here's something you don't see everyday at your local shopping mall. I shot this at an outdoor kinda antique strip mall called The Corridor. There are all kinds of cool and whacky artsy-fartsy stuff everywhere. Hell, it's Palm Springs, dontcha know?

Pink Dot

This is a shot from last summer on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. I think I am unconsciously in the process of building an archive of store fronts and marquees.

I have been lying low since the holidays. I have this sciatic nerve condition which has flared up again recently. I have just begun the old therapy regimen of core exercises and cardio... because I have also gotten too fat again... which contributes to the condition. I believe I fall into the thirty-percentile group of men between 30-50 who are afflicted with degenerative disc disease, which causes the pinching of the sciatic nerve in the hollow of the hip joint. At any rate, it's a pain in the back and hip that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, if I had any.

So, between work and a bad back, I haven't had much time or energy to do much shooting. Pretty ironic when you consider my new years resolution of getting out there and shooting more.... figures!

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

Not a great shot with the camera phone, but I just wanted to share my day at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic... Hosted by George Lopez. It was fun wandering around the course, watching the celebs carry-on, getting autographs, and having a few laughs. The studio I work for handled all the advertising for the event and I actually met George a few weeks back when he came to the studio to work with us. I know George will do a great job as ambassador to the long-standing tradition of golf's season opener in the desert. It was fun being a small part of it and I look forward to more opportunities in the future!

I spent a good five minutes chatting with Alice Cooper about the demise of radio because of corporate interests. I had a chance to hear Alice's radio program as I traveled through northern Arizona over the holidays. Alice is an awesome dude! Very, very personable. Check out Nights with Alice Cooper! You can hear all the old rock you wish you could hear on radio. Thank you Alice!

I also met Oscar de la Hoya, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Pesci, Tom Johnson, Taylor Hicks, Scott Hamilton, and Cheech Marin. Everyone was great and pretty crowd friendly. I was disappointed that I couldn't get a hello in with another of my favs, Clint Eastwood. Security was pretty tight around him and he "wasn't signing."

Unfortunately, I didn't get a media pass and cameras weren't allowed in, and I only got a few shots with the camera phone. The 60-degree weather was a bit chilly on the links, and the wind gave me a pretty good burn. But, all-in-all, it was a fun day.

firescape

Haven't posted in awhile... soo busy! Here's a past shot from a building in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. I love the building overall... it has a lot of character. But I shot most of this north-facing wall and there's just too much information, so it needs a crop. This is one of those situations where I get indecisive about how to crop, because there are really so many options. I think I kinda dig this crop... it creates some dynamic lines, angles, and shapes. You be the judge...

Scout

Today I went out to Painted Canyon to scout for a client. Actually, it was the second visit I made this week to the popular hiking area. I had to return because the client originally chose to shoot on part of an Indian Reservation and was unable to obtain the necessary permits. Unfortunately, I wasn’t made aware of this, or else I could’ve saved everyone some time.

Near the end of the afternoon, I came across a large wash and decided to take a few last shots, even though was I confident I had more than enough options for the client to get his permit. I even thought I might be on reservation land again, but something was urging me to get out of the truck just one last time. I had seen a small coyote earlier, crossing the road ahead of my path, so maybe I was unconsciously hoping to see something cool before I set off for home. It was neat seeing the canyons and learning that I was actually right on the San Andreas Fault (and kinda creepy, too!), but I guess I was just looking for something a little more. The desert has a way of being kinda blah, especially if you breathe a lot of dust.

So I wandered off the road and into the wash, and I found this old, abandoned, weathered, and mud-crusted couch half buried in the mud-caked floor. I sat there wondering about the history of this couch... who sat in it last, who was the first family to buy it, where it was abandoned, how far it traveled in the torrent of water which brought it to its current resting place. Then I took this shot.

street musician

This street musician had a a tough go of it performing outside Starbucks on UCLA campus in Westwood.