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

Re-shooting: A nuisance but a necessity

The Barn Tavern, Portland, Oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Recently I have been working with a great guy and awesome photographer by the name of Glen Plam (he goes by mud_dog on flickr). Working to improve my technical skills. There's always room for improvement right?

I asked Glen for help with my shadows. Shadow detail hasn't been much of an issue when shooting the bridges but as I've branched out into other parts of towns and neon signs in particular, well...I had a hard time reconciling the highlights with the shadows.

Glen pointed out something that I had long forgotten: Expose for the highlights and develop for the shadows. Of course! This simple rule was deeply buried in my sub-conscious but yes, it was still there. It makes perfect sense. You can't recover information that isn't there and if the highlights are blown out by over-exposure, there's no way to bring them back.

Glen patiently demonstrated some simple post-processing techniques to bring up shadow detail and encouraged me to shoot raw. All of this led to the fact that I needed to re-shoot certain places. I didn't really want to but I forced myself.

I went out one night recently, sufficiently motivated to re-shoot, or so I thought. At first it felt awkward. The light wasn't right. I got there too early and it wasn't dark enough. The shop was still open and, worse, there were people lingering inside. Had I lost my mojo?


Deep breath.

Re-shoooting isn't so bad after all.



Here is the Immortal Piano Company, after it had closed for the night and the customers had gone home, re-shot and re-processed. It's a difficult subject...still. I deleted the original from flickr which was hasty of me. I have it somewhere in my archives. I'm still not sure if I got it right. I think what makes this shot so difficult is that the neon happens to be white instead of a color as in most of the neon signs around town and therefore a white, hot highlight.



What do you think?

Still experimenting with Portland at night

Barbershop, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

I'm still playing with the idea of a portfolio site and a new, "improved" blog. Based on some feedback I received regarding my last blog post, I've been re-thinking the whole idea. I hastily put together this viewer at my old, old (over 10 years) website, heavy duty design. As, always I'd love to know what you think.

Your feedback - good, bad and/or constructive - is always welcome. Thank you for your patience while I work things out.

Portland at night is moving

Mock Crest Tavern Portland Oregon, originally uploaded by alicethelma.
I've been working on a version of this blog in wordpress and you can check it out here. While it's still a beta version as I continue to tweak, I'm finding it a little difficult to maintain three blogs - I also have alicethelma - and continue to prowl the streets of Portland at night capturing digital images. There just aren't enough hours in the day...or night.

I hope you will continue to check the new blog often.
I enjoy your visits.
And, as always, your feedback is most welcome.

Let there be light

Lux, Portland Oregon
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I did a little window shopping in NW Portland recently and discovered two very illuminating shops – both on NW Glisan Street coincidentally. Hive sticks out like a little box of store but the lighting attracts the eye. The window display reminded me of an old, old Woody Allen movie. Sleeper I think. The futuristic movie he made - futuristic in that mod 60s sort of way. Know what I mean?

Traveling a little farther up Glisan I encountered Lux lighting. Lux’s lights sparkle like diamonds and it’s especially pretty at night, Check these two shops out next time you’re in the Pearl.

Portland at Night: Hawthorne Bridge

Portland at Night: Hawthorne Bridge
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I love the Hawthorne Bridge almost as much as I love the Steel Bridge. I love the Hawthorne Bridge because every night it 's a vibrant hub of human activity humming with the noise of human movement in all it's various forms. I say humming because the bridge isn't solid pavement. The deck is constructed of open steel grating, which is lighter, allows the rain to fall through and "sings" from the sound of vehicle tires. This information was gleaned from the Portland Bridge Book by Sharon Wood Wortman.

Yes, you can be entertained by this bridge all night long just watching the many cars, buses, pedestrians and especially bicycles cross it. More bikes now than ever before. Did you know that the bridge officially opening in 1910 - the same year the Boy Scouts of America and the NAACP were both founded? All true my friend. All true.

From Wortman's book, I also learned about Dr. J.C. Hawthorne (1819-1881) who moved to Oregon and founded the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in 1859. At that time the hospital was located on Asylum Street in East Portland, which was, renamed Hawthorne Street in 1888, five years after the hospital was moved to Salem. Dr. Hawthorne is buried in Lone Fir Cemetery in Southeast Portland. Bloc 8M, Lot 44, Grave One North.

Just thought you'd like to know.

What's happening with Pioneer Courthouse?

Portland at night: Pioneer Courthouse
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I made it downtown the other night and was surprised to find Pioneer Courthouse covered in scaffolding. I didn’t know it was being renovated. Or had it always been covered and I just never noticed before? Or had it been so long since I’d been downtown? I think the recent snowstorms have turned my brain to mush (or maybe it’s just old age).

Some internet sleuthing revealed that the Courthouse had been renovated as recently as 2005 when the Post Office was removed and five additional parking spaces were added to the basement. It’s been more than 10 year since I’ve been inside the Courthouse but I am saddened by the loss of the Post Office. The building still houses the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the chambers of the Portland-based judges on the Ninth Circuit.


The Pioneer Courthouse is the oldest federal building in the PNW and the second oldest west of the Mississippi and I should point out that the scaffolding covers only the west side of the building. The east and north sides were uncovered. I forgot to check out the south side.

If you know anything about the recent remodel, renovation or retro-fit, please let me know and in the meantime, you can learn more about the Pioneer Courthouse here.

Snow Fatigue

Portland at night snowstorm
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

The snowstorm that began a week ago is finally starting to melt. The temps rose to a balmy 45 degrees today and I removed the chains from my tires. Besides the slushy streets, we are left with the rain that is our norm. Both snow and rain will temporarily hamper my efforts to get out and capture the sights of Portland at night. In the meantime, I thank you for your patience. Have a Happy New Year.

Happy Solstice

Portland at night
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

The reports on the news are saying this is the severest storm the area has seen in 50 years. The most snow. The lowest temps. It’s shattering all records. Crazy in light of the fact that winter officially began today. At first I cursed this storm. Such a struggle trying to stay warm. Max stuck in Minneapolis overnight trying to fly home. The constant anxiety of dollars going out without the comfort of dollars coming in. The economy is in the toilet and just getting worse. It looks bleak. Honestly, a storm like this a nuisance to say the least.

And yet…how does the saying go? It’s always darkest just before dawn?


So today I’m quietly celebrating the darkest day of the year. Starting tomorrow the light will increase ever so slightly; imperceptibly until June when I’ll celebrate another solstice. Rejoice I say. Things can only get better.

baby, it's cold outside

Portland at night
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

It’s been frightfully cold around these parts. Ice, snow, bitter wind. You name it and we've had it these past few days. It's been too cold to venture out at night. But I did anyway. Last night. And almost froze my fingers off. Seriously. I got an inkling of what it must be like to suffer frostbite. I thought my newly knit fingerless mitts would be sufficient but my fingers were close to numb in a matter of minutes.

Adding to my little adventure I was actually stalked for the first time. I was by myself, P. having been hurt in a fall and unable to accompany me. A car drove slowly by, stopped, drove in reverse and then thick head, with the car window down, stared at me. Frozen. We both froze.

I thought to myself should I ask “Can I help you?” No. That’s a stupid question to ask my would-be rapist. Finally I asked, “What do you want?”

“Is my truck” he said in a thick accent.

I collapsed the tripod and moved on. My fingers were frozen solid at that point anyway.

while you were sleeping

Portland at night
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I scored free tickets to a press screening of the movie Valkyrie coming out on Christmas Day. Seriously, the Oregonian’s own Shawn Levy was sitting right behind me. Tom Cruise plays *gasp* a Nazi – albeit a good Nazi who tries to save the day but we all know how that story ends. Tom didn’t even pretend to put on a German accent. Just Tom Cruise playing Tom Cruise. And the rest of the Nazi officers had lovely English accents because they were all English actors. I say, wait for the dvd. It’s certainly not the feel good movie of the year if you know what I mean.

Walking back to my car I noticed an exceptionally well-lit scene up ahead along with the fragrance of raw sewage. Although it looked like it could be a movie night shoot it was in reality a couple of good natured guys working on the pipes of Portland. Pipes of Portland…hmmm…another blog perhaps? I think not. But it got me thinking about the people who toil away while we sleep, safe and sound in our warm beds.



Do think about the people who work at night?

Portland at Night: Marquam Bridge

Portland at Night: Marquam Bridge
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

Last month I wrote a post about the Steel Bridge and I have decided to feature one Portland bridge per month (and quite possibly other bridges around the world). This month I present to you the Marquam Bridge, the busiest bridge in Oregon carrying I5 and over 135,000 vehicles per day. I never really appreciated the Marquam Bridge until I stood directly underneath it at OMSI. What a behemoth – a real workhorse of a bridge.

I love this quote by former mayor Vera Katz in her state of the city address in 2001: “It’s like having the Berlin Wall dividing east and west, with all the subtle charm of the Daytona 500 smack dab in the middle of our city.”


The Marquam Bridge offers by far the best view of the city but it can be quite distracting if you’re the driver. However if are lucky enough to be driven across it, from west to east, you’ll be treated to a stunning panorama (the upper deck carries northbound traffic and the lower deck, southbound). Unlike the Fremont Bridge which is closed to traffic during the annual Bridge Pedal, the Marquam is never closed to traffic. At least not to my knowledge. You might know something that I don’t.

I love trees

parking lot portland oregon
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

Fall is obviously a great time for trees especially here in Portland, but I am drawn to trees the year round and the word wide. Not that I actually travel much these days. I’m sticking pretty close to the West Coast. Akthough I always take notice of the spectacular foliage during the fall season, this year the trees have taken on an almost supernatural glow at night. Perhaps it’s the translucent quality of the leaves that makes them radiate eerily. I’m not exactly sure but they are profoundly beautiful to me.

This tree looked so majestic and intricate to me, so solid and wise that I just had to capture its nighttime glory as we were wandering along Waterfront Park.

Which reminds me: I need to get down to the Reed campus post haste. Spectacular trees to be found there.

Do you have a favorite tree? Favorite tree time of year? Do tell.

come to the cabaret

bagdad theater portland oregon
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I think I mentioned last month (is it December already!?!?) that I had attended a sing along Moulin Rouge at the Bagdad Theater with my friend Evelyn aka evymetal. It was a blast and now Evelyn's daughter Nico is producing a similar production with the film Cabaret on Saturday, December 6 at 10pm. I'm going to be really dating myself here when I say that I actually remember when Cabaret first came out and Liza Minnelli was still a cute young thing.

But I digress. Here's a quote from E. regarding the event: "Attached is a flyer for my daughter Nico's next event. This is a sing-along, burleque, circus, dance in the aisles screening of Cabaret!! It promises to be a fabulous time! ONLY $5!!!" 

Hope to see you all there!