I am trying to get better about this - once things warm back up again, I'll try to get back into the habit I started of carrying my camera with me full time. For now I feel the repeated heat/cold wouldn't be a good thing for the camera. Anyway...

Sometimes you don't need to travel to far off locations to get great shots. Remember - look for creative photos in what you see almost every day.

Technical Data: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II at 27mm, 1/250 sec at f/11, ISO 400. No post production. Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA.

Why This Shot: I've always liked the architecture of the Mellon (I still like to call it the Civic) Arena. As Anya and I stood in line to get in to a game (actually on the same day we got engaged over 200 miles away in Niagara Falls), I looked up at the large steel support structure and decided I should click off a couple shots.

What Works: Strong composition of the photo seems to draw the viewers eye through the shot. The repeating patterns of the support structure and the roof tiles allow for a lot to look at in an otherwise simple composition. The bright blue sky finishes things off nicely.

What Doesn't Work: The shot is ever so slightly off level - though easily fixed with some minor rotating and cropping. The sky is just a bit over exposed, and the position of the clouds is somewhat distracting - had they been in the open area of sky, they may have been more pleasing.

This image might actually be better done as a bracketed set or HDR image to be able to gain the crisp detail in the arena and yet get the best pop out of the blue sky. Perhaps some day I'll head down there to try this one again. Though I guess I shouldn't procrastinate too too long - it will be sad to see the arena go away. It has so much character and I for one will miss the Igloo!

I hope to get to start collecting more architectural images in the future. It is an area I am interested in and so often overlook. I just need to remember what amazing photos I can get in my own backyard.

- Bill