I’M NO FAN OF METRO TRAFFIC. But then who is, I suppose?
A view of downtown Minneapolis on a foggy Saturday afternoon from Interstate 35.
I try to make the best of it, though, to focus on details of my surroundings rather than on the crazy drivers weaving in and out of traffic or the tailgater or the road construction or the sudden flash of brake lights.
As you can tell from that second paragraph, my attempts at distracting myself are not all that effective.
My primary distraction tool is my camera, typically at the ready to photograph whatever unfolds before me from the front passenger seat.
Why are the interstates around downtown Minneapolis so curvy?
On Saturday, while traveling Interstate 35 into Minneapolis, I missed two photo ops because my Canon DSLR sat at my feet, zippered inside the camera bag. What was I thinking?
After my husband noticed a dog with his head hanging out a truck window (why do dogs do that?) and after I spotted a woman texting while driving, I snatched my camera from the bag. I wasn’t about to miss more such photo opportunities.
One of the few scenes I shot while traveling Interstate 35 into Minneapolis.
As Red Wing, Minnesota photo blogger Dan Traun advises, “You always have to be ready.” And Dan is. Among his photographic specialties are shooting streetscapes and everyday slices of mostly metropolitan Minnesota life. He’s good, no great, at what he does. His timing is uncanny as is his ability to notice a scene worth documenting. Most shots are taken from his vehicle.
Approaching yet another curve, this one under a railroad overpass.
Dan shows you buildings and everyday life and streets and alleys and all those subjects folks see daily, but perhaps don’t notice like they should.
We should all slow down and appreciate life. Even those crazy drivers in the metro.
PLEASE CHECK BACK to see the craziest subject I photographed along Interstate 35.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Crazy drivers are not just limited to the metro area, unfortunately. 🙂 I do love to take shots on drives as well but quite often I am the driver so it really isn’t all that safe to do it. So I refrain and take pictures in my mind. It’s getting quite cluttered up there….
You’re right on the crazy drivers not being limited to the metro. Just more traffic there, so more likely to run across them. And the congestion…
So your mind is cluttered with photos, too. Interesting.
I remember traveling with Tom in the semi, many years ago, on roads that cut through the mountains in Utah……a shear drop-off on my side and, with my elevated position, served to put me totally on edge. That’s when I, too, discovered the advantage of viewing the world through a camera lens. The downside was that those were the days of film only!!!! I never bothered to develop most of those rolls (called “sanity rolls/film”)….LOL!!!!!
Do you still have those rolls of film? If so, you ought to get them developed.
I love how digital has opened up the world of photography without the restrictions of thinking about how much film you’re using.
Didn’t keep them. They served the purpose of occupying my mind so I didn’t totally “freak out”! I kept enough of the scenery to be saved for albums but I just kept “snapping” that shutter…..or I crawled back into the sleeper and watched TV or went to sleep (my fave “escape”!!!).
Whatever it takes…
🙂 Thank you. You never know what you are going to run across these day. I am continually surprised as the scenes that come into my view (and viewfinder). Things come about via a simple equation, timing+opportunity+(luck x50). My camera sits in its bag slung over the passenger seat constantly in the ready.
And yes…what is up with all those curves on 35W? Can’t wait to see the craziest subject.
Your equation is pretty much spot-on correct. I would add that you need a photographer’s eye, too (which you definitely possess). You see scenes as photos and that’s for sure part of the reason for your photographic success.
I love capturing the every day when I travel, adventure and explore 🙂 Happy Week!
And you do a fine job of it. Happy Thanksgiving, Renee!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too 🙂
I can see why you’ve been telling me Minnesota is grey and bleak at the moment. There’s so much sunshine in my world at the moment so we seem to be experiencing polar opposites. Do wish you could pop down for a visit for a little respite. Happy Thanksgiving Audrey and I do hope all your children will be celebrating with you xx
We did have some sunshine this morning, when I was out shoveling snow. I’ll see only one of my kids for Thanksgiving. But we will all be together in a few weeks to celebrate Christmas and I am beyond excited about seeing my son for the first time in six months.
My bag is almost always sitting at my feet ready for quick removal from it’s padded home. You captured some good shots Audrey, Love the train shot.
At my feet, too. Ready. But sometimes not soon enough.