Sightlines

Science Pub

Tuesday, July 29, 2008. OK, so "Science" and "Pub" don't go together quite as naturally as say, "Brew Pub." But they did last night at the Mission Theatre and Pub. On the last Monday of each month, OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) sponsors The Science Pub. 

The theatre/pub is part of the McMenamin's chain of pubs and it doubles as a theatre. Instead of rows of seats, tables and chairs are scattered across the main floor. There's also a balcony, which looks like the prime viewing zone. 

Last night's forum was on the Port of Portland. As a newcomer to the city, I thought, Why not learn some stuff about the Port? And sure enough, I was treated to an informative slide show by the Port's Director. And I had a couple of beers along the way. 

Of course I had the camera, but it was quite dark. Cranked up the "film speed" to 1600, which is why you see "noise" (formerly known as grain) in the photos. Yes, I should get Noise Ninja as a noise removal tool. 

Anyway, here are some factoids that I noted:

- Waste paper is the largest export from the US

- The average distance that your evening dinner travels to get to you: 1,500 miles

- Fred Meyer / Kroger is the largest importer in Portland

- Those big cranes that load and unload containers cost about $11m each.

- About 40% of all truck and train traffic goes through Chicago.

The picture below give additional stats.  It was an appreciative and well-informed audience. In sum, a good time was had by all. Cheers, 

Great Photography in Portland

Sunday, July 27, 2008. Photolucida is a big deal in Portland--and for photographers from around the country. At least that's what I gathered at the "Portfolio Walk" last evening. Actually, I first learned about Photolucida from Seattle photographer, Doug Plummer. The event brings photographers together with curators, dealers, publishers and gallery owners. Over the course of four or five days, the photographers sign up for portfolio reviews, each 20 minutes long. 

The Portfolio Walk is free and open the public. What a great way to see a lot of work and to talk with photographers. I learned that this year was a scaled-down event; ordinarily the event is every other year. Although it's very popular with photographers, there's a rather steep admission price: $725 for next year. The photographers I talked with said the reviews had been helpful, but the reviewer's opinions varied widely. One guy said, "I just watches their eyes; if they light up, I know I hit the mark." 

Such variety of work: one guy had nondescript landscapes which turned out to be a series of location shots where serial killers had murdered their victims. There were lots of gorgeous landscapes--in color and in black and white. One photog made tintypes, another made her own cameras. Here are postcards of three photographers--one of whom, Erik Boker, takes pictures of dissected toothpaste tubes. Really. Ah, the variety of art... Cheers.

 

Tour de Brews

Saturday, July 12, 2008. My latest project--I've always liked having "projects"--is to take pictures of all the brew pubs in Portland. And of course I need a guide, and so who better than Will, my 23 year old son and beer connoisseur. 

The only criterion: the pub must brew its own beer. 

In the heat of a late afternoon last week we hoofed it down to our first spot--The Bridgeport Brewery where we repaired to the shaded and breezy deck. Will took the measure of a Bridgeport IPA and I sipped on a refreshing Haymaker. The verdict: two thumbs up. The pub is in the Pearl District, an industrial area turned art gallery / high-end condo and retail zone. Construction all around. 

One beer was plenty, so we turned our attention to the interior. Couldn't take a tour (Saturdays only), but I took some pictures of paraphernalia and beer handles. 

Last Friday it was brewery #2--the Lucky Labrador Brewery.  It immediately struck me as the quintessential Portland Brewery: bikes outside--and inside; picnic tables outside, beer kegs converted to flower containers, tattooed waitresses. And a bartender graciously agreed to show us the brewing tanks. A bonus, and Lucky Lab scores points! We sat outside and took in the scene. An after-work group, guys from construction jobs, a few couples with their dogs. A retriever nuzzled up to Will. An altogether entertaining scene. And the beer--a Super Dog IPA for Will and a Long Day Lager for me--was excellent. 

Will's the tour guide, so in this beer and bike town, we have lots more exploration ahead. Cheers.

Photoshop, You Make My Heart Sing

Thursday, July 3, 2008. Dear Photoshop, you make my heart sing (remember that  line from "Wild Thing" by the Troggs?) You finally arrived, and you're the right version for the Mac. First, you went to Seattle, because your parents at Adobe didn't know I was in Portland. But the new owners of our house kindly sent you here. Meanwhile, I called your parents and they sent another copy of you.

So yesterday, in an embarrassment of riches, both of you arrived. I loaded one of you into the Mac and now we're up and running. Your sister application, Bridge, is up too, and I downloaded close to 500 pictures that had been sitting on my 4 gig flash card. 

Without new photos I had to resort to sending old images on my Daily Sightings. No one complained, but I was so ready to process new work. 

Just one glitch that puzzles me: many of your keyboard commands that involve the function keys don't work--at least not yet. It looks like the Apple functions trump you. But no doubt your mysteries will reveal themselves soon. 

We won't get technical here. I just wanted you to know that I'm glad you're back in my life. By the way, you helped me make this picture which I took the other night, looking out over Portland. Cheers.