David R. Francis

This is a monument marking the grave of David R. Francis. Francis is one of many prominent people buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery. He was Mayor of the City of St. Louis, Governor of Missouri and Secretary of the Interior. He may be best known as President of St. Louis’ 1904 World’s Fair.

See more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_R._Francis

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Wainwright Tomb

St. Louis’ Bellefontaine Cemetery is a great place to explore our country’s history.   In 1891, Ellis Wainwright, a young St. Louis millionaire brewer, commissioned Louis Sullivan to design the tomb for his beautiful young wife. Sullivan had just completed the Wainwright Building in St. Louis, one of the masterpieces of architecture and generally considered to be the first skyscraper in the world.

In the mausoleum, Sullivan combined two ancient forms: a half circle with a cube. The only ornament is a border of stone richly incised with tulip and leaf motifs. The double doors are bronze grills, framed by delicate stone carvings in a snowflake pattern. This unique tomb is considered the Taj Mahal of St. Louis and in 1970 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bellefontaine Cemetery

Mississippi Landscape

This retreat facility sits on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in South St. Louis County. The campus has beautiful buildings with a stunning view (a perfect place for a retreat). However, it was pointed out to me that showing the buildings and the view at the same time was difficult to do. Taking this as a challenge, I use my 10 – 20mm Sigma lens to provide a sweeping view. Also I used a three shot HDR effects to add contrast. The 10mm setting and the HDR effect in the clouds added drama to this sweeping view.

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Daffodils in early Spring

More Springtime Daffodils. This time from St. Louis’ Forest Park. As I have stated before, this is one of America’s largest and most beautiful urban parks. Be sure to click on the links to see more photos of the park if you have not been there before!

Here is a scene of the Park’s suspension bridge with the St. Louis Art Museum in the background. This bridge makes an interesting subject for photographers (click here for another view).

Suspension Bridge

See my complete portfolio of Forest Park photos: http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Forest-Park/

Sunrise

This area of St. Louis County sits high on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and allowing for scenic views and spectacular sunrises. This is a three shot HDR photo that eliminates the high contrasts that you get when taking photos of sunrises and sunsets.

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Holy Week

Religious buildings offer great subjects for photographers. The gothic structures and interesting settings offer lots of opportunities.

This is the bell of retreat house in St. Louis County. Easter weekend will bring a large group to celebrate their faith.

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Spring in the Garden

In an urban area in St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden offers beautiful floral settings, interesting gardens and fantastic landscapes. Here are some Redbud trees with the Climatron in the background.

http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-rMJp4RM/A

The Boathouse

This is a favorite pace to hangout in St. Louis. It is in the center of Forest Park and is a great place to meet friends, have a cocktail and watch the sunset. Also, dogs are allowed so we bring our Basset Hounds as they are into people watching. Forest Park is the largest urban park in the United States so it is not a bad place for landscape photography. Since in is full of lakes, trails and abundant wildlife it is a great place for all sorts of photography.

Here is a photo taken after sunset (ISO 200, f11, 36mm, 8/10 sec). Also this is a three shot HDR.