Steve Murphy Photography

See Gallery Here Having grown up in Minneapolis, I have always felt safe there. Although, it has been decades since I actually lived there. Last Saturday was a balmy summer night and I got the urge to photograph some of the scenery and night life. There is no more life downtown than Block E, that's for sure. Mrs. Dodger, ever the trouper, let me drag her along with for her role as Lovely Assistant. Thanks, Karen! You ever notice how comical it is when it seems like you are the only sober person in a room full of drinking people? There was a Twins game that day, which might have accounted for a lot of the crowd. Our first stop was at this restaurant on Washington, next to the Milwaukee Road depot: I wanted to be sure to get at least one shot at dusk, before it got completely dark, because I love the deep blue hue of the sky at that time. It can be more dramatic when there is a small cloud or two, but I like this look. The second shot, taken facing east, actually has the

Your Photographer, with Karen, Liliana and the villainous Blackrapid strap See the Gallery here Nice day today with Karen and Family.  The Painters & Tapers union annual picnic at Lake Phalen.  It's scaled back from previous years - no face painters, no clowns/jugglers.  Attendance more sparse than before, too.  Oh well, it was fun anyway and we had the Little Lady Bug there to keep everyone entertained. Catastrophe:   I was fiddling with the Blackrapid strap and let go of the camera.  I felt that sick feeling as my very expensive pro camera clattered to the concrete deck.  Bent the hot shoe bracket.  Mike Z helped me pry it open.  I was able to operate the SB-800 speedlight that night but that bracket is going to have to get replaced. Karen's Mom is going to put some stiches in the strap so this never happens again. I used the Gary Fong Lightsphere on the speedlight to soften and spread the light around.  Another thing I like about those is that I can use the TTL se