How I Shot That - See the New Orpheum and the Capitol

How I Shot That - See the New Orpheum and the Capitol

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Camera: a6000 / Lens: 50mm f1.8

Street style photography isn't something I get to do all the time.  I might not get all of the finer points of Street Style (I have much to learn), but it is so enjoyable to do.  And if you live in Wisconsin, one of the greatest places to practice this art is Madison.  State Street to be specific.  

 

 

This area has a great mix of people.  The University of Wisconsin is very close.  This is the state Capitol area.  It is an area right between two large lakes.  Government offices and government related businesses are every where to be seen.  You will find people from every part of the state and the region coming to this street.

 

 

UW is probably responsible for much of the night life, but being the state capitol it is a little above average.  That means besides bars and sandwiches, you find classy restaurants and even theater.  It is a great place for anyone starting out in street photography.  For myself, I wanted to include the buildings of the area in my photos.  

 

 

Besides the buildings in this photo, we have a mix of the area's people.  Young professional, college students, and tourists.  The young professional near the optometrist isn't going the way of the crowd. The college kids are heading up the street to their next destination.  Then the theater is lit up and just viewable past the trees.  It is a slice of Madison.
 

How I Shot That - Neat Stuff True Value

How I Shot That - Neat Stuff True Value

Get this photo
Lens - Sony 50mm f1.8 - https://amzn.to/2qsKH6W
Camera - Sony a6000 - https://amzn.to/2veYxyW

In La Crosse, WI, there is this downtown 'hardware store' that most people think of as either the Downtown Kroner's or Kroner's Really Neat Stuff store.  It is one of those things that makes a downtown of a small town feel like a part of a small town.  La Crosse is one of those cities that has a hard time with that identification. 

Almost bipolar in that aspect.  Some ways a small town... the next block over, you realize too big to be small.  Overall, it tries to keep the façade of a small town.  This is one of those places where you feel it keeping those roots. 

The building keeps a white wash on the front with a black and white art deco style to it.  Obvious with it's run against time.  It has a need of fresh paint.  But the building otherwise keeps the clean lines and great signage.  I liked this because you have a newer car to date the time, even with being a black and white to keep the age of the setting.

There is another element of rule breaking here.  I took this in broad daylight.  Must have been between noon and 1pm.  The light is harsh, but I think it accentuates the sharpness of the building.

From where I was, is also a common location where people eat in downtown La Crosse for lunch. 

That is the other reason I took this, anyone from this town will instantly recognize this spot, that store, and why you would be there.  It has a connection to a local that others won't have.  But on it's own, you can connect with any one from a small town with a downtown hardware store.

This was with my Sony a6000 and a 50mm f1.8 lens.