Three Guys and a Mountain

Carol Freshley January 31, 2017

Steve, Greg and Tom decided to check out the sunset . . . but waaaaay out at the Superstition Mountains. Sky Fire, my sunset app suggested there might be some color, but mostly to the south of the area. They were not daunted. Am glad they went and here are their best to share.

Barret Jackson 2017

Carol Freshley January 27, 2017

Tom would rather photograph hot rods but when that is not possible he will grab his gear and head to just about any car show. Barrett Jackson is an auto show that he enjoys attending if it is close to wherever we are. This year there was a 'special' car, one that Tom actually owned in 1971.

First attempt at a compact car by an American company, Bantam.

This was Tom's 1963 Corvette Stingray that he owned for a brief time in 1971.  He purchased it at a bargain basement price.  It had been neglected and Tom sold it when he decided it would require more repair than he was willing to put into… — This was Tom's 1963 Corvette Stingray that he owned for a brief time in 1971. He purchased it at a bargain basement price. It had been neglected and Tom sold it when he decided it would require more repair than he was willing to put into it. It has been restored by subsequent owners, including the Peterson Museum. It was sold at the auction for $62,000.

Rare Ford Cobra Daytona Coupes built for the road racing circuit.  First car to challenge Ferrari's domination of that type of racing. — Rare Ford Cobra Daytona Coupes built for the road racing circuit. First car to challenge Ferrari's domination of that type of racing.

Collection of Indian motorcycles, an old brand (1901 to 1953) During that time it was the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. In 2011, Polaris purchased the bankrupt company and resumed production. The motorcycles above are new.

McLaren were built to race for the road racing circuit.  There were several being shown in the McLaren boot at the show.  While original McLaren are very expensive, the company now offers a 'less expensive' version. — McLaren were built to race for the road racing circuit. There were several being shown in the McLaren boot at the show. While original McLaren are very expensive, the company now offers a 'less expensive' version.

Take the Train

Carol Freshley January 23, 2017

We are very pleased to be parked right at the beginning (or end) of the 26.3 mile Valley Metro Rail System. What better to do than take this train from end to end and just photograph whatever looked interesting (or challenging). We planned to enjoy a brunch at N-Counter that is right at the Tempe and Mill stop, and then walk to Tempe Camera. From there we would re-board the train and check out Main Street in Mesa. We were surprised to find that the Mesa Center for the Arts was an interesting stop. We finished the day at Tempe Town Lake.

Each stop along our route has plants, artwork, shade and benches.  Weekday ridership averaged 43,543 people in 2015, making it the 13th busiest light rail system in the USA. Both income and ridership has exceeded initial plans and expectations. — Each stop along our route has plants, artwork, shade and benches. Weekday ridership averaged 43,543 people in 2015, making it the 13th busiest light rail system in the USA. Both income and ridership has exceeded initial plans and expectations.

There is an area at the Mesa Arts Center where you can step on small disks in the tile and various musical sounds are emitted from speakers in the ground.  I tried creating a mixture of beats by jumping around on different combinations of the d… — There is an area at the Mesa Arts Center where you can step on small disks in the tile and various musical sounds are emitted from speakers in the ground. I tried creating a mixture of beats by jumping around on different combinations of the disks. I needed partners to really get something good going but all they wanted to do was take pictures!!

Right ch away we realized that we could each look at the same 'scene' and interpret it so differently.  I kept thinking of sailboats.  Which side of the pole gives a better composition?  Lens? — Right ch away we realized that we could each look at the same 'scene' and interpret it so differently. I kept thinking of sailboats. Which side of the pole gives a better composition? Lens?

We had quite a good discussion going on about how to capture the depth of field that we wanted.  Can you tell where I focused?  f/7.1 — We had quite a good discussion going on about how to capture the depth of field that we wanted. Can you tell where I focused? f/7.1

Greg must have liked the individual profiles.

OK Tom!!  Go fisheye! — OK Tom!! Go fisheye!

Steve had purchased a great 'oldie' 2X extender while at Tempe Camera, a 'real find'.  I would say he got his money's worth! — Steve had purchased a great 'oldie' 2X extender while at Tempe Camera, a 'real find'. I would say he got his money's worth!

Have to stop for mud at a Mill Street coffee shop.

Old Main Street offers some interesting photo opportunities.

Drainage from Tempe Town Lake provides a small reflective stream.

I don't know what these items are on the left.  Perhaps a buttress as they form the new dam for the Tempe Town Lake.  They reminded me of artillery on some battleship!! — I don't know what these items are on the left. Perhaps a buttress as they form the new dam for the Tempe Town Lake. They reminded me of artillery on some battleship!!

Aha!  Greg used the infinity edge of the water pool to create this composition suggesting the rail goes into the water. — Aha! Greg used the infinity edge of the water pool to create this composition suggesting the rail goes into the water.

Lots of fun just playing around with ND filters.

The Golden Hour collides with blue lights on the bridge.  Just so many compositions possible. — The Golden Hour collides with blue lights on the bridge. Just so many compositions possible.

There are so many photo opportunities using the train. Consider that the route runs past such wonderful stops: ASU Sun Devil Stadium, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, the Chase Baseball Stadium, US Airways Center, Sky Harbor Airport rail, Tempe Mill Avenue, Main Street in Mesa and more!!! Not to mention downtown Phoenix and all the wonderful restaurants along Central Avenue. We found the vehicles to be clean and the fares very reasonable. The system uses a 'step on' access system but keep your ticket because they randomly check for fare compliance (reported to be 94%).