In late March, I posted a “draft” of my contribution to my Picture Story class’ project on Broadway, one of the main arteries of Columbia, Mo., which was a “think piece” about Stephens Lake Park.

This Monday, I had the opportunity to sit down with Steve Saitta, Parks Development Superintendent for the city of Columbia, and ask his thoughts about the relevance of Stephens Lake Park for the community, and the significance of the park’s location on Broadway.

I believe this to be a significant improvement upon my original idea, and I hope you’ll agree. Comments and criticism always welcome!

Tags: Broadway Project, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 7D, photojournalism, Stephens Lake Park, video
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Elizabeth looks out onto her yard (completed drainage on the right), Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens; exposed 1/160 sec. @ f/3.2, ISO 100.

Elizabeth | Panasonic Lumix G1 and Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens; exposed 1/50 sec. @ f/4, ISO 100.

Completed French drain, with drain-pipe re-covered with landscape fabric and clay soil. Fescue grass seed will be laid this fall to fill in the (expansive) work area that destroyed the previous grass.

Tags: Lumix G1, Thirty Days
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Gravel in the drainage ditch, Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens; exposed 1/4000 sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

At long last, the French drain project that Elizabeth and I started last March is finally close to completion.  Together, we hauled one ton of gravel from her driveway, up the hill to the back yard, and then scooped it into the trench.  We’re both tired.

Another view of the French drain (near completion)

Tags: Lumix G1, Thirty Days
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Gloves and Boots, Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens; exposed 1/400 sec. @ f/8, ISO 100.

A year ago, Elizabeth and I set out to build a French drain in the back yard of her house to alleviate some drainage issues.  The problem is that the weather a year ago was that, in the process of digging the trench for the retaining wall and drain, we encountered an enormous tree stump that had been buried.  That, and wet weather, led us to abandon the project, leaving her with a swale in the mean-time.  This summer, we contemplated working again, but the heat and humidity were not ideal conditions.  The fall?  Sure, but I needed to be in Columbia, Mo. for graduate school.  Winter break?  Um, no.  So, that leaves now as the ideal time to work.

Tuesday was attempt number one at building the retaining wall.  Yesterday was the successful attempt.  Today?  Gravel, drain pipe, and more gravel.  Just one ton.  Literally… to be updated tomorrow.

Completed retaining wall...a year late.

Tags: Lumix G1, Thirty Days
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One angry baby, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and 45-200mm f/4-5.6 lens @ 189mm; exposed 1/80 sec. @ f/7.1, ISO 100.

Tags: Lumix G1, photojournalism, Thirty Days
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2nd Thirty Days - Day Twenty-six - Cobwebs in the garage, Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and 45-200mm f/4-5.6 lens @ 61mm; exposed 1/250 sec. @ f/8, ISO 100.

Tags: Lumix G1, Thirty Days
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2nd Thirty Days - Day Twenty-five - Weeping Higan Cherry Tree, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and 45-200mm f/4-5.6 lens @ 200mm; exposed 1/200 sec. @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

Tags: Lumix G1, Thirty Days
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Daybreak Yoshino Cherry tree, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham, N.C. | Panasonic Lumix G1 and Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens; exposed 1/40 sec. @ f/6.3, ISO 200.

Tags: Lumix G1, Thirty Days
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