Next Twin Cities Field Trip?

[Andy Cosgrove]

I may be a little over-zealous about the next outing because I missed
the first one, but should we start throwing some location ideas out
there?

Maybe downtown Mpls (night or day) or Red Wing?

[Michael Mingo]

Downtown Minneapolis would be great - I missed the first one also - if
this weather ever wams up to a little more to at least the low 30's!

[Minnesota Wild]

Either one I'm cool with -- literally, based on Saturday...

[Justin Holmes]

I'd be game. How far is redwing? The taurus's days seem to be
numbered....

I would also suggest maybe an indoor location, depending on the
weather. I shot at art in bloom at the Arts Institute earlier this year
and had a blast. It is a no flash situation though, which presents a
special set of challenges.

[joroho]

I was trying to think of some indoor venues that might serve as an
option. Here are a few that come to mind:

Lindbergh Terminal
Mall of America
Como Park Conservatory
(any sporting arena)

These are just a few possibilities, I don't pretend to know the best
ones.

.joroho.

[Justin Holmes]

The airport could be a real problem thanks to the TSA. I've shot at MOA
and not been hassled, but I'm not sure what their camera policy is
(malls can be really unpleasant in this regard). I like the
conservatory idea. maybe the walker also, not sure on their policy. I
know you can shoot at the weisman, except for special exhibits. Hmm,
what else inside? Maybe the capitol? perhaps a church tour? I think the
inside of the st. paul cathedral is fair game.

[Andy Cosgrove]

The conservatory is definitely an option for some plants and flowers.
I've done it a few times myself. Their Japanese Garden is pretty cool,
except it's outside, so I'm guessing it's closed this time of year.

[Matthew Kieren]

Here's another vote for the conservatory. I was there once many years
ago before I really started getting into photography. It's pretty nice
for being mostly indoors. It's too bad there isn't a zoo that is
completely indoors...

[Andy Cosgrove]

I like the capitol idea...

[Minnesota Wild]

I'll call Capitol security this morning and see what the security
situation is for photography groups...I went in before, but I'm
probably correct in assuming that they tend to get nervous about
cameras.

[Minnesota Wild]

OK -- I got the website for the actual Capitol Tour at:

http://www.exploreminnesota.com/attractions/8470.html

It's free and leaves ever hour on the hour on Saturdays in December.

The person I talked to said cameras were permitted and encouraged on
the tour -- and that we'd be able to go back to any of the places on
the tours afterwards that are normally open to the public. Taking
pictures on the grounds is permitted as well.

I'm still waiting for a call back from the Security Dept on making sure
that tripods, flash, etc. are ok...and how many people would be ok
without making them nervous.

[Andy Cosgrove]

Sweet! Thanks for the legwork.

[Alexander Wolsky]

I've brought all of my gear (three cameras, film, tripods, flash, and much more) into the Captiol before and their only response was that everything I was doing was permitted, nay encouraged, and I should feel free to shoot as much as possible. The only places you can't photograph are inside rooms when they're in use, but if they're not, it's fair game. Definitely a fun place to shoot, tons of winding stairwells and just great architecture in general.

Alex

On 12/5/05, Andy Cosgrove <cosg...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sweet! Thanks for the legwork.

--
-- Alexander Wolsky

[Joel Horn]

For any who are interested, I did the Capitol back in October with my kids and have posted the photos at:

http://www.joroho.com/album/October/State%20Capitol/index.html

One of my favorites is of my kids climbing the steps inside, as shown in this pic.  I'd love to go back, though, and learn from all of you.  The St. Paul Cathedral would be nice, too.

.joroho.

[Justin Holmes]

Hey Pat, thanks for doing the work on this. Do we have a date in mind?
Personally, I probably can't go before christmas at this point (and
should be getting some new toys then too...) but don't let that stop
you guys if people want to go earlier

[Andy Cosgrove]

I don't have a lot of available time on weekends before Christmas
either, pretty much only this Saturday. We'd probably get more
participation if we held it after.

Wish I could say I was getting more toys then too! :(

[Justin Holmes]

Andy Cosgrove wrote:

>
> Wish I could say I was getting more toys then too! :(

we'll see if various santas come through for me, but I'm hoping for an
SB-800 flash and a sigma 70-300.

[Matthew Kieren]

Wow, the Capitol looks better than I had imagined. Very nice photos
Joel. The St. Paul Cathedral sounds good too.

Hmm, well I'm up for any of them, as long as I don't have to stay
outside for long. :)

Sounds like sometime after the holidays would probably be best for
everyone. Perhaps the first weekend of January? (Jan 7th?)

[Ben Franske]

I like the idea of going to the Capitol. I've been meaning to get there
this year since it's the centennial and all but I just haven't made it
yet. I'm out of town at a convention Jan. 2-13 so my preference is
either to do it before the end of the year or after the 13th.

[Matthew Kieren]

January 14th (a Saturday) looks good for my schedule. How about
everyone else?

[Michael Mingo]

I've been to the capitol a couple times this year - it is nice - some
of my recent pics are here:

http://www.pbase.com/mmingo/state_capital

I was lucky this summer, there was a event for nationa guards troops
leaving for Iraq and I got some good pics of the troop and the Governor
- I also have some interior shots - would love to go back - it opens at
10:00 on Saturday's and you are free to roam around the halls - they
have hourly tours but you don't have to particiapte in those - I'd be
up for a trip there - it is a lot warmer inside than outside -

[Andy Cosgrove]

Those are great photos everyone has of the capitol. Certainly makes me
want to go.

Sounds like we're starting to settle on Jan. 14th. Is that cool with
everyone that's interested?

[Michael Mingo]

A little early to be sure - but shoudln't be a problem for me.