Independence Day

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My gal and I sat up by the Smith Bridge on Monday night to view the 4th of July fireworks over the Mississippi River in St. Paul. This was my first attempt at fireworks photos. Overall, I think I am pretty happy with the way most of them turned out. Although, next time I will work harder to NOT sit right behind a bush. Here are ten of my favorites. All of these were taken with a Canon 28-135mm lens set at f/8, ISO-100, focal length 47mm and the shutter was open for 6 seconds. 

Music in Mears

Again, I am not sure I really like manipulating photos after the fact but here is another attempt. This was a photo taken last summer at a Downtown St. Paul event called, Music in Mears. This is a friend of mine, Martin Devaney, and his long time band mate, Jake Hyer. You can catch these two playing at almost all of the many clubs around the Twin Cities. 

Harriet Island

I went down to the river to get some night pictures of downtown when I noticed this couple. Unfortunately, I was a little slow with these two. Seconds before I shot this, they were locked in a kiss. I would have liked to have gotten that one.

St. Paul sky

I woke up early to give myself extra time to get to a training session for work. I normally don't do this. I have a bad habit of cutting things down to the minute. I was waiting for the elevator when I noticed this sky. I was very fortunate that morning. I had time to go back to my condo to get my camera for a couple shots before I had to go. In the end, I made the training on time... barely.

I picked this photo because it shows two of my loves. Old Glory and downtown St. Paul. I was out taking photos of the river flood when I saw how beautiful this shot would be.