Gangsters in Wisconsin!

One of the more interesting assignments I have been on lately. NYT sent me to northern Wisconsin to shoot (photos) places that notorious Chicago gangsters used to frequent. When the heat was on, they would flee to the northwoods for some relaxation. I visited several spots and generally just toured the north woods looking for gangster related things. It was beautiful.

Go read the article, view the slideshow and maybe even watch the movie trailer ("Public Enemies", due out soon)- all accessible from the NYT site.

Capone, Saltis and Dillinger were the more familiar names, but many, many gangsters roamed around up there. The image with bullet homes in the glass was taken at the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, WI. Those are real! When the movie comes out you will see a shoot-out scene at this lodge. Can't wait to learn more about this. Very intriguing stuff, these stories. Go have a look.

Let's work out a deal.

Last month the NYT sent me into a prison to photograph inmates. Turns out that in order to save some dirt, Minnesota and Wisconsin are bartering with a few items. State budgets are tight and disappearing in some cases. Rather than close prisons and lay off officers and state employees, etc..., the neighboring states are coming together to make certain items cheaper. Think buying bulk, like some people do at Sam's Club, or Costco.

It makes sense. So, to show that in photos, they sent me into a prison to show inmates working on license plates. MN inmates will be making Wisconsin plates soon. It was quite an experience. I was shaking hands and rubbing elbows with some (formerly) dangerous dudes. Being a level 4 prison (out of 5) meant that these were not purse-snatchers. They were murderers (alleged, they' like you to remember), serial rapists, drug dealers, etc...

Guards had no weapons, as "whatever you have on you can be used against you" I was told. A weapon would be a liability to a guard. So, I was armed with nothing but my wit. Which luckily I did not need to use. These guys were all quite well behaved while I was there. Some of them were even gentlemen - for which I thank them.

It made me a little sad that a series of wrong decisions had landed these guys in a very hopeless situation. They could not see the beautiful pond beside the driveway into the prison- peppered with ducks feeding and red-winged blackbirds flitting around under a perfect, blue sky. The lucky ones would get a few quick minutes of sunshine each day, but not even that was guaranteed. They might have a job inside, but pay starts at 25 cents an hour. There are not enough jobs for everyone, so those without a position sit in their cells all day. It's a terrible existence, really.

Of course, I recognize that their actions were deemed unacceptable in our society and that they really ought to be punished. It is just sad that it has to happen that way in our flawed world. Too bad that anyone can find themselves in that situation. On the other hand, I would not rest easy knowing that one more murderer, or child molester, or rapist was out roaming my city waiting to unleash their terrible, uncontrollable habit on someone I know and love - or don't know or love... Just sad.

Just behave yourselves, all of you.

Read the Story

RIOT Minneapolis: Clothing

Friend and Teammate, Spencer (Dispencer) Haug has launched a new (and mega-rad) apparel line called RIOT. I helped him with photographing the t-shirt designs that he is selling so far. Have a look and if you see them as objects of desire, you may visit the site and get yourself one.

They are all bike-themed, or more specifically, bike-racing-themed. Perfect for you or the bike dork in your life. Every order comes with stickers!

Check it out.

Working with a legend.

Not sure that He's actually a legend just yet, but he is to some. Jeff Riedel, a NY based photographer was here this month shooting an ad for NIKE. I was called to assist him. Please understand that I took no photos on this job - I was there to help with lighting and what not. It was really great to watch him work. We photographed a Minnesota Viking running back in the Metrodome locker room. Don;t want to give away too much info just yet. I will post an image when I see it though. The shot above is an ad Jeff did for Adidas.

It was a pretty neat experience. Do people still use the word neat? I do.

Go see his work. He's shot a lot of athletes and celebrities. You have likely seen his work before. Oh, and on top of being immensely talented, he is a gentleman to boot. Do people still say "to boot"?

Jeff's Site.

The value of art.

I have a few sites/blogs that I follow each day. They are all art related, or photo related. Every morning I check them and get a little creative boost for the day. I used to check out art/photo books in college for the same reason. I feel like it is a duty of mine to stay sharp and find images/creations that inspire me or challenge me to think in a new way. Plus I like it. Some of the vintage photos are so great!

These are a few images that I really liked. Being a bike dork, I obviously loved the bike sculpture. I want it. James Micheal Starr built it. Graham Hobart shot it.

The kid is just amazing! I dare you to find a cooler photo! I want to hang out with this guy. He's probably old enough to be my dad by now. This image captures little boy behavior so well. Yep, amazing.

I'm also a big fan of graphic art - especially older stuff. It boggles the mind that people did such great work so long ago. Really dig this "Umph" piece. Good motto for all of us, eh?

Our new president seems to value art, as he has pledged a great deal of money to it. Read about it as well as the first ladies thoughts HERE.

Not saying tax money should go to it - nobody lambaste me. I like to see it valued though. food for thought, peeps. Enjoy the images.

Is this a sign?

So, I took 4 days off of work to go on a turkey hunting this month. I awoke early, well before the sun was up, and hiked into the valleys and ridges of southeastern Minnesota. I was wearing camoflage from head to toe, and carrying a 12ga shotgun. I looked pretty official. Truth is, I am not so official. I have taken on a quest to kill and eat a wild animal to see if I can truly deal with the realities of what it means to be a carnivore.

You see, the meat we eat is almost always prepackaged in a bloodless styro-foam tray, or maybe it comes already cooked. It looks nothing like the animal is was pulled from. So, I am seeing if I have what it takes to do the "dirty work". If not, then I think it is hypocritical to eat meat. I like meat, so I am not wanting to give it up, and have no real intention to. I just want to prove to myself that I can do it.

So, I've entered the woods for 2 seasons now, hunting both turkey and deer. So far nature is kicking my butt. No creatures have fallen under my hand.

However,while hiking those bluffs this year I did stumble across another of natures bounty. The illusive morel mushroom. I in fact stumbled across several. Now, I am not sure what to do to them to transform them into the delicacy they are rumored to be, but I will certainly find out. For now they are dried in a canning jar. If any of you have a great recipe for them, drop me a note.

Here is an image of the ones I found. So far, it seems that perhaps all the woods wants me to have is plant life. I'm no quitter though. Watch yer back wildlife!

I lied, and more Velodrome.

Well, I didn't so much lie as spread a rumor. Escapes (NY Times travel) will continue, but will do so in a shrunken form and will be located in another section of the paper. So, it will not be the same, but will not actually go away. So, please forgive my hasty comments about its disappearance.

Also, I shot the National Sports Center Velodrome promotional stuff this last Sunday afternoon. We had beautiful weather and cooperative volunteers and it went quite well. I do not know exactly how they will be used just yet, but it should be fun.

I got to realize a dream of mine that I have had since 2006. I was able to shoot from the back of a motorcycle while racers rode inches away from me. It was great! I loved shooting this way and it helped us create some unique images.

Here's a sample.

4,600 mile hiking trail!

I'm a bit misty eyed as I write this. Today may mark the last day that my photos run in the NY Times "Escapes" section. I have heard a nasty rumor that the section is slotted for removal by the paper. [ Curse you economy! ] I'm not really too upset. If this is the end of 3 years of getting paid to sail, camp, mtn. bike, climb, hike, ski, mountaineer, snowboard, etc... I think I can learn to cope. It has been absolutely amazing and I am grateful for each of the dozens of assignments I have been called on to shoot. So, farewell, old friend... you will be missed.

Today the article on the North Country Trail ran. This trail is kind of amazing. It will be all the more so when it is completed. I'll give it to you in a nutshell, but you need to go read the article for yourself. The trail starts in NY and (at this point) ends in North Dakota - making it twice as long as the Appalachian Trail (also the grandfather of N. American trail systems). Lace up yer boots!

Go read: NY Times article

Velodrome Season is back!

Of all the new things I have tried in the last few years ( yoga, criterium races, archery, maple syrup-ing, blogging, to mention a few) racing on the velodrome in Blaine, MN is among my new favorite things to do. If you have never seen it, I urge you (again) to visit the velodrome on a Thursday night sometime this summer.

I will soon be neck deep in a new photo project at the track. Stay tuned for shots from that. Till then you will have to make do with these regurgitated images from last summers' Fixed Gear Classic race weekend.



Seriously now, go watch some track racing.