A Purple Enger Tower

Enger Tower turned purple this week as a show of support for the Alzheimer's Association Walk this Saturday (Oct 4th) in Duluth.

Photo by Matthew Moses/Moses Images

2014 Duluth Air Show

Photos and text by Matthew Moses

After being grounded on Saturday due to a low cloud ceiling the 2014 Duluth Air Show finally took to the air for an abbreviated low ceiling performance in front of the thousands of fans in attendance.  Spectators were treated to several acrobatic pilots putting their planes through awe inspiring maneuvers, a brief display of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor and finally the star attraction the US Navy Blue Angels.  It wasn't the same show we would have seen of the weather had been nicer but everyone was happy when the Blue Angels took off in their signature formation.

Portrait of a Leader: Duluth Mayor Don Ness

Photos and text by H. Brian Rauvola

 

With no hint as to the motive, the question was posed to the Mayor, "What are your most cherished accomplishments?" With little hesitation, the reply was twofold: 1) reducing the City's retiree health care unfunded liability by $186 million, and 2) stopping the sanitary sewer overflows into Lake Superior (the plan, according to the Mayor's official website, went under budget and ahead of schedule.)

The reason for this question was to gain insight and inspiration for a unique, high(er) end portrait session encompassing aspects of the Mayor's tenure of which he is especially proud. The obvious choice seemed to be down in the storm drains!

It was posed to the Mayor as "Ultimate Portrait," and through a bit of scouting and negotiations, you are seeing the results. The top image is a 6 image composite, 5  light-painted images stitched into the background panoramic captured before the Mayor arrived, and one of the Mayor once he got on scene. Lighting was one mini soft box on a Q-flash with a reflector camera right.

 



The next image is also a composite of light painted background images plus separate exposure of the manhole and light from it. Mayor Ness was lit with the same Q-flash/softbox located high camera right with a reflector camera left, plus 2 speedlight kickers, one directly behind the Mayor and one at an angle from camera right.

Thank you to Matt Moses for the initial contacts with the right people and the City of Duluth employees who made this session possible, especially my main contact Program Coordinator Todd Carlson.

A big thank you also goes to the assistants during the session: Dick Anderson, Deb Carroll, Crystal Detlefsen, Matt Moses, and Joni Tauzell.

Local videographer Al Skomers of www.sanguinepictures.com was also on hand throughout the process and has produced a video of the experience (shown below.) A special, "thank you," goes out to Al for volunteering his services to capture this!

Tall Ships have Arrived

Photo and text by H. Brian Rauvola



The 2013 Tall Ship Festival is underway in Duluth and what a majestic sight it is! Here, crew members of the Peacemaker hoist up a sail in the morning hours today. This is the first trip this Tall Ship has made to a festival in Duluth.

The "Bottom Line" Diaper Drive

The "Bottom Line" Diaper Drive, was a Leadership Duluth service project organized through the Duluth Chamber of Commerce annual leadership program.

The team raised over 7,000 diapers and $1140 in donations for their project which benefited CHUM.

"Bottom Line" Team: AJ Axtell, Bruce Webb, Jennifer Glanville, Jenn Moses, Mary Juunila, Steve Burgress

Valentini's Restaurant

The Photo Twin Ports group got into Valentini's restaurant recently for a shoot. Here is what I captured. One of the owners, Carol, and her neice Alix, graciously volunteered to model for us, and, yes, the primavera dish was fantastic!

Photos by H. Brian Rauvola

Dogs, Skis and Sleds at the Snowflake Skijor/Sprint Classic

Photos and Text by Matthew E. Moses

March 2nd and 3rd is the annual Snowflake Skijor and Sprint Classic held at the Snowflake Nordic Ski Center in Duluth, MN.  It's a two day dog powered event organized by the Midwest Skijorers.  Each team is racing against the clock with the times from each of their runs on Saturday and Sunday added together to determine the final outcome.  Here is a few photos from the Saturday racing.

Love at the Snoodles V

Snoodles Ceramics Studio

A vase that was made by a local artist and it was not fired yet as Tonya asked her guests to  add to the design!

Love was the theme for this art exhibit. These are a couple of pieces of artwork that local artists created for the event.
There was also fire dancers and an opportunity to paint ceramic hearts and have them fired and sent to you. 

Love at the Snoodles V

Pictures by Tammy Udd

Stained Glass by Collette

Stained Glass by Collette

Photos and text by Deb Carroll

Artists and crafters Jim, Barb, and Leah Collette fabricate a variety of unique works of art in their home-based Duluth glass studio. 

They offer items such as panels, lamps, and fused art in addition to teaching classes to individuals and groups.  Their custom design service helps insure that personal visions become creative masterpieces.

Barb is also a member of Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Marketplace where people look forward to her many varieties of Lake Superior fused fish!

Rock Solid Robotics: Rookie Team Going to the World Competition!

Photos and text by H. Brian Rauvola

The rookie team impressed the judges and competing teams enough not only to be picked on an alliance for the regional finals, but also chosen as the region's rookie team representative at the First Robotics World competition in St. Louis April 24-27.

Above, members and mentors of the Rock Solid Robotics team from Two Harbors High School finish up preparations of their robot for the next qualifying round. Below, the robot (named Sarah) is placed in its starting position before the beginning of a match.

Repair work needed to be done as a belt came undone and a wheel broken during the previous matches. The design of the robot impressed the judges since it could be taken apart in less than 3 minutes.

In the finals, the Rock Solid robot was chosen due to its speed and agility as a defensive robot to thwart opponents plans.; Below, Sara spars with the potent Prior Lake's King Tec robot in an attempt to block it from accessing a feeder station to fill up with flying discs shot into slots for points. The King Tec team ended up with the match and won the Region with its alliance. The two teams may meet again in St. Louis.

An Exciting Ride!

(Photos and text by Nancy Lindberg)

It was a beautiful Sunday on the Ariel Lift Bridge with a camera in hand.  Two ships went under the structure:  The Barker left the port and the Oberstar came in.  The view of the Duluth Superior harbor from the high angle of the bridge is an unusual sight for most people, but one bridge operators see while on duty.  Included here are photos of the Barker leaving, the Oberstar coming into the port, the Minnesota slip,  Canal Park, and one of the operators of the lift bridge, Dale. There are two 125 horse powered motors that raise and lower the span which allow ships and boats to enter the Duluth/Superior harbor through the Duluth entrance. Thank you Dale for giving us the opportunity to visit the bridge house and learn about the workings of Duluth's famous landmark.

The Barker leaving the Port of Duluth in the canal.

The Oberstar Entering the Duluth Harbor

Dale, one of the operators of the Ariel Bridge. outside his office door.

The Minnesota Slip with Duluth Hillside in the Background

Canal Park From the Raised Span of the Ariel Bridge and Eastern Duluth in the Background