The Made in Oregon sign set to change soon

made in oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Some of you may have heard that a local landmark will be changing...again. The “Made in Oregon” sign, which once read “White Stag” will soon simply say “Oregon” in deference to the University of Oregon who happens to own the building on which the sign sits. There was a bit of political theater in the city of Portland and some debate but a compromise was reached. My fellow night photographer, Doug Richardson, also mentioned the upcoming change to the sign along with some of his signature black and white shots.

It's funny how two photographers can shoot the same subject and get completely different results. I'm constantly amazed. You wouldn't think that something as static as the "Made in Oregon" sign could yield such varied creative interpretations and yet it does.

Upcoming Movie Event: Pee Wee’s Big Adventure at the Bagdad Theater

bagdad theater portland oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Friday, May 29
Fleur de Lethal Cinematheque presents
PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE

10 p.m. | $5 per person | 21 & over
Bagdad Theater, Portland, Oregon

A rare 35mm screening of the Paul Rubens classic. We are going for a world record “Largest Amount of Pee Wee Herman Look-A-Likes On Bicycle!”

There will be a pre-show bar crawl on the way to the theater — and as with all Fleur de Lethal events, a costume and dance contest will open the movie. Yes indeed — buff up those white platforms because we are doing a “Tequila” showdown”!! The grand prize will be a retro inspired cruiser! More details will be available as they develop…

**It’s the first night of Rose Festival, so a post-film mass ride may have to take to Naito Pkwy.***

There will be a kid-friendly matinee showing on May 30th at 2pm. More details here.

One Year Ago

Portland at Night: Union Station, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

May 5, 2008 was the first time that I took photographs of Portland at night and it was reluctantly, at the invitation of my friend, Patricia. I was pleasantly surprised with my results that night but it wasn't until the Fall of 2008 that I became officially hooked on night photography.

The shot of Union Station taken from the Broadway Bridge is still one of my favorite shots. Someone on flickr commented that except for the skyscraper in the background, the shot could be from 50 years ago. It does give me the feel of a lonely Edward Hopper painting.



The Steel Bridge was shot earlier in the evening from the east side when it wasn't quite dark. Lately I've been feeling that I may have lost my night photography mojo. While there is still a long list of venues around Portland that I'd like to capture (Reed College, Ross Island Bridge from the east side, Tip Top Cleaners to name just a few) I seem to have trouble motivating myself.

As for Patricia, she recently moved to Arcata, California and I will follow her down to the California in another month. But I'll be moving all the way back to the Bay Area and maybe the change will jump start my passion for night photography. Here's hoping.

Five years ago

Portland at night, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Five years ago I moved into this apartment. It wasn't meant to be that long. This was only supposed to be a brief stop on my journey. How did it get to be five years!?!?!? Cwazy. And no, it wasn't snowing on that day either. All I have are these snowy night photos of the apartment complex.

I have decided to move back to the San Francisco Bay Area in June. I'm going to miss Portland, there's no doubt about that. For financial reasons, I have decided to pull up the stakes and head south. There will be plenty to photograph where ever I go.

One more weekend left to see the exhibit of Portland at night at Powell's City of Books

Powell's Books Portland Oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

If you haven't had a chance to get down to Powell's bookstore to see the Portland at night exhibit of black and white photography, it's not too late. The show will be there through the weekend and possibly the beginning of April. Nobody's contacted me about taking it down yet. So be sure and hop on down to Powell's at 1005 West Burnside in Portland, Oregon as soon as you can. The exhibit is in the Pearl Room on the third floor.

Discombobulated

Broadway Bridge Portland, Oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Daylight savings time has gotten me seriously discombobulated, even a week later. It seems to take forever to get dark these days. Or is it just me?

Patricia and I drove over to the Rose Quarter a few days ago in a quest to find the best vantage for the Broadway Bridge. All my shots of the BB were from the west side and slightly out of focus. In order to fit the planned bridge mosaic, I had determined that I needed the vantage from the southeast. So we got there at our usual sunset time and waited. And waited. Finally I had the right amount of darkness and the bridge did not disappoint me.

You are hereby cordially invited to an exhibit of my photographs at Powell's Books

Powell's Books Portland Oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

A few weeks ago I received a call from Powell's Books letting me know that my photographs had been chosen for an exhibit in their Basil Hallward Gallery located in the Pearl Room on the third floor of the Burnside location in downtown Portland. The exhibit will continue throughout the month of March and the opening reception will be held on First Thursday March 5, 2009 at 7pm. I hope you all can make it. I'm going to be featuring about 26 photographs of varying sizes, all black and white, all Portland, all night.

Remember: It's Powell's City of Books, 1005 West Burnside, Portland, Oregon