The Wandering Photographer

1812 Privateer Replica Sails the Great Lakes

Stern view of the Privateer Lynx docked at Frankfort, MI.

 One of the great thinks about Historical milestones is the chance to attend various reenactments and replicas. The coming 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is no exception. I previously wrote a post about the 1812 Militia Muster at the Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. Today I'm going to introduce you to the replica ship the Privateer Lynx.

The original Lynx received a letter of marque from President Madison. The letter allowed the Lynx to trade with the allied and neutral countries of Europe in support of the American war effort. The Lynx was armed, largely for self-defense. You can learn more about this replica and the original privateer here.

The Lynx was armed with 4 six pounders (cannon) and 4 swivel guns (shown here).

One of the great ways to get remembrances of the ship is to take photos of details of the ship. Concentrating on rigging, flags, bells and ropes presents a great feel for the ship.

Note that the flag has only 15 stars and it has 15 stripes. This was the second official flag of the United States and remained so until 1818, when the flag reverted to 13 stripes and 5 stars were added to represent the states admitted between 1792 and 1818.

Detail of the ship's rail and lines.

Lamp in the area immediately below deck

As you can see from the detail this is a working vessel.

As you can see some of the jobs on board are as dangerous as they were 200 years ago. Imgine climbing this rigging while underway.

If you get a chance, be sure to check out any War of 1812 reenactments or replicas in your home town.

© 2011 Tim Marks

Basque Country Images III

After Leaving Bilbao we spent the next week walking the Basque Country with small guided walking tour offered by Country Walkers. The Guides were Basque natives and they were knowledgeable, informative and fun. this is a great way to take a tour.

The Basque Country, known as Euskal Herria in the Basque language,  is set in the Northwest corner of Spain and the Southeast corner of France. Beautifully set in the Pyrenees Mountains, the Basque countryside offers mountain views, lush vineyards, and ancient villages. A perfect place for photography.

Basque shepherds tend their flocks in the mountains. Walking down the well worn footpaths, you often come across centuries old farm buildings. Still in great shape ans still in use after hundreds of years.

One of the real joys of walking the Pyrenees was coming upon the towns and villages of the region. The architecture, much of it dating back to the 16th, 15th and even 14th centuries, is colorful and photogenic. The people are extremely friendly and the food in the cafes is delicious.

A school in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. The school complex is surrounded by a (now) dry moat.

Another view of St. Jean Pied de Port.

Hotels like this one are common in the small villages of the Basque countryside.

This is a view of a private home. The Crosses cut into the shutters are called a Lauburu, an ancient Basque symbol. Historians still argue about the meaning and origin of the symbol. 

So ends our sojourn into the Spanish/French lands of the Basque people, for now anyway. Come back next week for something completely different.

© 2010 Tim Marks all rights reserved

Walking Bilbao II

Last week I posted some photos from a walking tour of Bilbao in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. Today I thought I would post a few more.

While walking in the old sector we came across this wedding party. Since they were posing for pictures anyway I thought I'd snap one of my own.

Windows and doorways, especially in old cities, make for fascinating subjects. The rich detail and workmanship is always worth photographing.

Leaving the old sector we came upon this scene. This is the Universidad de Duesto a Jesuit institution of higher learning founded in 1886. The Jesuits wanted to bring a center of learning to the Basque Country, home of their founder, Ignatius of Loyola.

Finally, after all of the old buildings, we come to the river and the spectacular Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum. This museum of modern art has helped to revitalize this post-industrial city. It draws visitors from around the world. 

Bilbao is a city of wonderful contrast. Old and new as well as industrial and artsy. All-in-all this is a city worthy of a visit.

Next, more images from the Basque Country of Spain and France.

© 2010 Tim Marks all rights reserved

Walking around Bilbao

Bilbao, in the Basque region of Spain, is a major seaport and industrial city located on an estuary leading to the Bay of Biscay. Most recently steel and iron making have been the major economic engine for Bilbao. The steel industry in Bilbao, like in the US and the rest of Europe, has fallen on hard times.

Fortunately Bilbao has been able to re-invent itself as a tourist destination. Opened in 1997, the Guggenheim Museum has helped transform the economy and save this wonderful old city. See my earlier post about the Guggenheim here.

In 2005 we had the opportunity to visit the Basque Country of Spain and our journey began in Bilbao. We were able to take a walking tour of the city  before setting out on the rest of our tour of the country side. Over the next couple of posts I'll be offering some views of the city taken during that walking tour.

As you cross the river, leaving new Bilbao behind, and enter the "Old City" you view the old market place building and this beautiful old church. The Church of St. Anton was build about 1366 and is an appropriate welcome to the old section of town.

The neo-baroque, Joaquin Rucoba designed opera house, el Teatro Arriaga, was built in 1890 and is an important part of the culture of Bilbao. The unusual flag flying in front of the building is the banner of the Basque Autonomous Region. The flag is the symbol of Basque nationalism and many of the people consider themselves Basque rather than Spanish.

When we arrived at the town square it was time for lunch. The Basque Country, like the rest of Spain, is full of Tapas bars. In the Basque country however the small plate fare are called Pintxos. Wonderful bite-size morsels often made with aged/cured ham, cheese or seafood. Just what the doctor ordered after a morning of walking and photography.

Come back next week for some more views of this great old city.

© 2010 Tim Marks all rights reserved

Everywhere You Look, There's that Eiffel Tower Again

Hi everyone, I'm back. My posts fell off (and then ended) after I returned to school last September. I just couldn't find the time to write these short missives. I also developed some serious health problems this Winter, that put me in the hospital for about a month. Well I am on the mend and my Profs at Wayne are working with me to try to figure out how to make up for this lost semester, so I have some time on my hands. I hope to write one of these about once a week or so. It's good to be back.

Turnaround anywhere, in the any of the central arrondissements (districts) of Paris and you are likely to have a view of Paris' most well know architectural feature, the Eiffel Tower.

Our First view of the iconic tower was from the entrance to our hotel. The tower was just a few blocks away.

Our hotel was the second building deep in the photo, right next to the one having its facade repaired.

One of our first nights in Paris we decided to take a walk over to the tower to see it lit up and watch the hourly "light show."

This was captured while walking down the Rue St. Dominique, probably about 10:00pm. It is a bit grainy since I was shooting my small sensor equipped Nikkon Cool Pic 8800 at 400 ISO. Even with the grain I think it captures the feeling that we had walking down the street.

As you head across the River Seine from the 7th Arronddisement to the 1st you get a different view of the monumental tower.

This one is shot from the middle of the Pont (bridge) Alexander (see my earlier post). I found that the young man's torch drew my eye right to the tower.

Here is a Black and White shot from the same bridge

It seems that no matter where you look in the central area of Paris the tower is there.

This was taken from les Tuileries, the garden that runs along the right bank of the Seine.

Here is another one taken from les Tuileries. I think it gives a sense of place to the gardens and the sculptures.

You know the image was made in Paris if the ubiquitous Tour Eiffel or Eiffel Tower can be seen in the background.

See you all back here next week for another look at my world.

© Tim Marks 2010 all rights reserved

Happy Halloween

There is nothing like a walk through an old graveyard on Halloween. Here's some ghostly inspiration.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France

Pere Lachaise in Paris again

Church Yard in Old Charleston, SC

New England Grave Yard

The Old Yard, 1725 - New England

Happy Halloween. Beware of ghosts!

© 2009 Tim Marks all rights reserved

Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim: Bilbao, Spain

Some buildings are just plain hard to photograph, others look pretty good from one view or another, then there is any building designed by Frank Gehry.  I think it may be impossible to take a lousy picture of a Gehry building.  Ok, yes; mediocre, yep; but really bad – no way.

Such is the renowned Guggenheim art museum in Bilbao, Spain.  This Gehry-designed building in the old steel town is a stunning architectural achievement. Built with the intent of jump starting the moribund economy of this industrial city, the titanium sheathed building opened to the public in 1997.  It houses a collection of modern art in its 11 thousand square meters of exhibition space.  For me the beautiful and unusual building outdoes the art collection inside.

Nikon Coolpix 8800,  Zoom @ 37mm,  ISO 100,  1/290 @ f/8

Here is the view as you stand on the opposite side of the Nervion River.  The building is supposed to remind the viewer of a ship in harbor.  Boats, shipping and fishing have always been an important part of the Bilbao culture and economy.

Nikon Coolpix 8800,  Zoom @ 64mm,  ISO 100,  1/260 @ f/8

As you cross the bridge to get to the museum this is the view you see.  The bright titanium shell reflects the sun and gives an unusual look to the city skyline.

Nikon Coolpix 8800,  Zoom @ 35mm,  ISO 50,  1/85 @ f/5

As you turn the corner to the front of the building you confront American artist Jeff Koon’s giant floral sculpture of a dog.  The Spanish affectionately call the big dog “Puppy.”  Of course using the Spanish pronunciation of “u” it comes out “Poopy.”  Let’s not go there!

Nikon Coolpix 8800,  Zoom @ 35mm,  ISO 50,  1/125 @ f/5

This is a shot of the walls taken from near the entrance to the museum.  It’s a good view and for that reason you will see many variations of it on the web and in books and card shops.  I think it is still a great abstract view.  It screams “Gehry!” in my opinion. 

Nikon Coolpix 8800,  Zoom @ 35mm,  ISO 100,  1/170 @ f/7

This final image is of the Louise Bourgeois sculpture Maman that stands outside the museum along the river. 

Return on Wednesday when I write about some architectural photography I did in McCarthy, Alaska

© Tim Marks all rights reserved

History Blogs: My Favorites

Monday I listed the Detroit area blogs that I especially like.  Today I will present blogs related to history and historical research.

If you have looked at my bio you know that I am returning to Wayne State University this fall to complete an MA in history.  It follows, of course, that I would read a number of history blogs on a regular basis.  Here are a few I enjoy

The American Historical Association publishes a blog called AHA Today.  The AHA is a national organization of historians and the blog keeps the membership up to date on the latest in resources and policies affecting historical research and teaching.  Recent titles include, “The Teachers Page – From the Library of Congress” and “Grant of the Week: Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.”  This blog will interest those that would like to follow the latest trends in historical research and pedagogy. 
Read about the AHA at AHA Today

Seeking Michigan Look is a place to go to learn about the Michigan’s past.  Sponsored by the Library of Michigan and the Archives of Michigan, Michigan Look has general interest articles about our state’s past and present.  This site is well worth some exploration by anyone with even a passing interest in Michigan History.  The articles are aimed at the general public but the blog does not “talk down” to its audience.
Seek Michigan at Seeking Michigan -- Look

Dr. Suzanne Fischer writes the Public Historian, a blog that brings us the latest information about museums, public history and the dissemination of historical information.  Most of us think of historians as teachers and professors.  Museums are changing and Dr. Fischer keeps us up to date with the latest advances in presentation technology.  If you love museums this blog is well worth a look. 
Explore what’s up with museums at Public Historian

Sandusky History is presented by the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center.  This is what a local history blog should be.  Interesting stories about events and people Sandusky, Ohio’s past are presented in a readable and entertaining way.  If you are interested in Northern Ohio or just want to see what is possible in a local history blog, this is the place to go.
Learn about the history of Sandusky at Sandusky History

I hope you’ll enjoy the blogs I’ve noted and I would love to know what blogs you especially like. See you on Photo Friday.

© Tim Marks 2009 all right reserved

Americans in Paris: A Jazz Band on the Bridge

As a follow up to Wednesday’s blog about Paris, I wanted to share these photos with you,  After visiting and photographing the Cathedral of Notre Dame on the Ile de Cite in Paris, we decided to walk over to the Ile Saint-Louis to find a place for an early dinner.  As we left the grounds of the cathedral, to our surprise, we came upon a jazz quintet playing in the middle the street on the Pont (bridge) Saint-Louis.  To our even greater surprise we found out that they were an American jazz quintet.

Nikon CoolPix 8800,  Zoom @ 140mm,  ISO 50,  1/65 @ f/4.8

We decided to stay and listen for a while.  Almost felt like we were in an old movie, especially the way the guys were dressed.

Nikon CoolPix 8800,  Zoom @ 350mm,  ISO 50,  1/60 @ f/5.2

After listening to a few tunes and dropping a few Euros into the guitar case we continued on our way.  Dinner ended up in a very nice little Moroccan restaurant on the small island.  Let’s see, American jazz then Moroccan food, sound good to me.  Tastes good to!

Thanks to Debbie of Delicious Baby for organizing Photo Friday and spreading such wonderful images across the Web.

See you back here on Monday.

© Tim Marks 2009

Pont Alexandre III: Paris, France

In 2005 we took our first (and so far, only) trip to Europe.  We spent about a week in the Basque Country of northern Spain and a second week in Paris, France.  You can see some examples of the pictures I took during the Spanish portion of the trip in last week’s Photo Friday.  

Today I’d like to showcase one of the iconic Paris bridges, the Pont Alexandre III.  This is the bridge that crosses the Seine leading from Les Invalides.   It is considered one of the most beautiful and interesting bridges in Paris.

This is a shot of the bridge from the right bank of the Seine.  It is a not particularly good “record” shot but it will have to do since it is the best overall shot I got. 

I decided to walk across the bridge and get some shots of the wonderful detail that lines the span.  The art work is tremendous and varied and, as you can see above, you get some very nice views of Paris from the bridge.  This one shows the Grand Palais (a great exhibition hall) in the near distance with the French tri-color flying atop it.

The Pont Alexandre was built between 1897 and 1900, and was named in honor of Tsar Alexander III of Russia.  The cornerstone was laid by Alexander’s son, Tsar Nicholas II.  Nicholas was the tsar overthrown and executed in 1917 by Bolshevik revolutionaries.

This view shows one of the many sculptures on the bridge.  As you can see, in this view, his torch is pointing the way to the Eiffel Tower.  I decided that this fellow deserved a close-up.  You can see the result below.

Because of space and weight considerations, I did not want to carry my dSLR and three or four lenses with me.  I traveled with a Nikon CoolPix 8800 advanced compact digital camera and a Nikon CoolPix 7900 point and shoot.  All of these photos were shot with the CP8800, likely with the camera set on auto or aperture preferred.

Come back on Friday when I show you some American Musicians in Paris.

© Tim Marks 2009