Photos
Ghosts of the French River: the book
My friend Erin Tope (now Sola) and I collaborated on these pictures in the French River a few years ago. From the first they suggested characters and supernatural narratives, which I initially put to a series of four wordless short videos set to music. That sparked years of subsequent imagining about who these ghosts are. Words have now been joined to pictures to form the final iteration of the project. In the absence of an actual physical publisher, I have posted them at their own site where I consider it a free 16-page e-book. I post them here as well for your enjoyment — although you may want to leave the light on.
Fish I Have Met
In my years of recording every moment in the lake (and the rivers and streams), I have encountered many fish. Here are some highlights.
Noodles the black bear visits Miller Hill Mall
Ryan Carlson, a security officer at Duluth’s Miller Hill Mall, shot this image of a black bear trying to pay a visit to the Noodles & Company restaurant at the mall’s main entrance around 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Katie Altrichter Kaz, the mall’s general manager, posted the image on Facebook and wrote that she’s named the bear Noodles and considers it the mall’s new mascot.
Selective Focus: StayHomegrown
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fg3IQnh61/
The glamour of big crowds, long nights and sloppy hugs were missing, but the Homegrown Music Festival virtually carried on. Here are a few select images from Instagram of the Homegrown that wasn’t, but sort of was. (more…)
Homegrown Photo Banners
Happy StayHomegrown. This week, as in past years, we will be displaying banner photos related to Homegrown at the top of the page. (Those of you looking at PDD on a smartphone, by the way, will not see photo banners at the top of pages. They clutter things up too much on the tiny screens.) (more…)
Postcard from a Foreign Vessel at the Aerial Lift Bridge
This undated postcard from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography depicts a “foreign vessel going under famous Aerial Lift Bridge,” according to the caption on the back.
Mystery Photo #105: October House
These two buildings still exist in Duluth, in slightly altered form. They are significant for different reasons. One of them is one of the oldest standing buildings in Duluth.
What are they currently used for? What was the October House? Hint: A baker named Bergetta Moe was involved at one point.
Lake Superior Aquaman: Top 30 Photos
My favorite captures from a billion years of posting at Perfect Duluth Day. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram. (more…)
Postcard from Duluth’s Lighthouse Lot in Canal Park
This undated postcard from the Gallagher Studio of Photography shows the parking lot near the Duluth Shipping Canal, which is known as the Lighthouse Lot.
The caption on the back of the card reads:
Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota
Westerly Terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway
Selective Focus: St. Louis River Alliance Virtual Art Show
The St. Louis River Alliance is posting photos, poems, illustrations or other art inspired by the St. Louis River and Lake Superior to its Facebook page. The organization will have a virtual art show on its website on April 21.
Artists and writers can submit creations until Wednesday, April 15. Send submissions to stlouisriveralliance@gmail.com. Include the image, along with your name, title of the piece, location of the piece and any further details you want shared.
Links:
Facebook page with more info
St. Louis River Alliance website
Mystery Photo #104: Mustached Dude with Fat Tie
Who is this handsome Duluthian? Was he actually a Duluthian at all or just passing through and feeling photogenic? (more…)
Masonic Temple, Duluth, Minn.
The Duluth Masonic Temple at 4 W. Second St. opened 115 years ago — March 24, 1905, and continues to operate today as the Duluth Masonic Center. (more…)
Eight winter sunsets over the harbor
Presented in order from my Instagram account @lakesuperioraquaman. These chronicle the freezing over and thawing out of the harbor, from 12/31 to 2/7. Each picture was taken from out behind Vikre Distillery after one Salty Dog.
Kip’s Grand Marais Photo Walks
Explore the great northern Minnesota city of Grand Marais with photographer Kip Praslowicz in this video shot in January. Prints from the photographs captured during this video can be purchased at shop.kpraslowicz.com.
Selective Focus: #perfectduluthday
It’s been a tough week – daylight savings, changing seasons and lots of ice and mud, Friday the 13th, not to mention current events. Take a step back from it all, and we’ll enjoy a few recent #perfectduluthdays.
Mystery Photo #103: Girl with Curls
What’s the deal with this curly haired lass? Was she a Duluthian? (more…)
Selective Focus: Twin Ports Terror
If you’re into spooky stuff, horror, or Halloween, you may be interested in a new project, Twin Ports Terror: A Haunted Duluth publication. It may seem a bit out of season as Spring approaches, but organizer Brooke Zarn fills in the details, and explains that they’re hoping to gather written and visual material before Halloween.
What is it?
Twin Ports Terror is an effort by the curators of the Haunted Duluth website (Matt Rasmussen, Sean Zarn and Brooke Zarn) to provide a platform for local writers and artists to share their stories, poems, artwork and photography within the horror genre. These items will be published on the Haunted Duluth website starting on Half-Halloween (the end of April), and continuing on as the Halloween season approaches. We’ll also look to host some story-telling events and perhaps publish a printed zine if there’s enough interest.
(more…)
Ophelia Prowls the Chapel
Model: Cam Rose. Mask by Jill Holmen. Photos taken at the Embassy, the art church at 2701 W. Third St., the new home of Embassy 35 (the pop-up at the Catalyst fest last fall). Watch for events there soon.
Upcoming Duluthy Projects
This Duluth Canal Cam screenshot viewed in Austin, Texas suggests a worldwide performance staged here is not only possible, but desirable
1.) The Duluth Canal Cam Dancers and Marching Band. This is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 29, at 4:30 p.m.
Lake Superior Aquaman Interview with DailyPlanetDC.com
The comic book fan site interview
Lake Superior Magazine 2020 Photo Contest Winners
Duluth photos took first and second place in the Artsy/Altered category of Lake Superior Magazine‘s 25th Annual Photo Contest. Lou Nicksic of Bellingham, Wash., shot the first-place ship image in Canal Park. Dan Lee Vander Ark of Duluth shot the second-place image with the Bong Bridge in the background. Numerous Duluth photos received honorable mention in various categories.
Galleries of all the winning photos and runners up can be seen on lakesuperior.com. The winners are featured in the magazine’s February/March issue.
The overall grand prize went to Shannon Hart of Williamston, Mich. for an image of Lake Superior at Miners Castle in Munising.
View of Duluth from Skyline Parkway
This undated photo of Downtown Duluth, Canal Park, the Aerial Lift Bridge, etc. is from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The biggest clue to when the photo was shot is the scrapyard where the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center stands today. So we know the image was captured prior to construction of the Duluth Arena in 1966. Are there any other clues in there? (more…)
Selective Focus: Another Snow Bomb
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7d7JJPnDoR/
Select Instagram photos from the latest powder drop. (more…)
Jessica Lange: Behind the Lens (in Duluth)
A CBS feature on Jessica Lang’s photography and her roots in Minnesota. She gives a tour of the area with emphasis on Highway 61, the title of her book of photography.