Photography 101

I've taken a couple of photo classes and researched photo tips online but my time behind the camera has been the best experience of all....which seems obvious but its easy to fear mistakes and retreat into books and websites.  Joining the 365 Project, where you post a picture a day was really the impetus to my moving from complete novice to more of an intermediate position in photography.  I find myself wandering around town looking for photo ops.  With the Mississippi River at my doorstep, this has been a great place to learn photography.  


I recently wandered through Riverside Park and International Gardens to explore the light and beauty of the day.  International Friendship Gardens (http://riversidegardens.org/Home.aspx) was established in 2007 as the first of four gardens for La Crosse's sister cities in Russia, France, China and Germany.  My husband and I had our wedding here, saying our vows in a gazebo that looks out on the intersection of three rivers, the Mississippi, the Black River and the La Crosse River.  There is a new waterfall in the gardens that held me in its trance some time.  The waterfall faces the River to Bluff trail where you can hike from the Mississippi River to the top of the bluffs without crossing a city street.  This trail leads into the riverfront area with a River Walk that leads along the banks of the Mississippi River and a  paddlewheel boat, The La Crosse Queen.  I like watching people find their space in the park...sitting on park benches at sunset, sitting in the grass helping their kids feed the ducks, dipping into the fountain and just watching the boat and barge traffic from day to day.  I think I'm going to have a mountain of photos coming from this park. 

View from Riverside Park--Cass Street Bridge

The La Crosse Queen is an authentic paddlewheel river boat that is run by a twin diesel engine that powers motors that then turn the paddlewheel. 

International Gardens