So this is what happens when you live on a large body of water. When the lake is colder than the air temperature, you get fog. Conversely, in winter when the lake is much warmer than the air temperature you get these amazing little wisps of steam curling up off of the lake. (I’ve written about that phenomenon before (HERE).

It has been fairly warm the past few days in Milwaukee, and somewhat humid, too. (As measured by the amount of frizziness in my hair, which I have found to be the most accurate and precise hygrometer around!😂)

The area closest to Lake Michigan this morning was blanketed with fog. You basically couldn’t see the top half of any office buildings east of the river. This building, the same one I posted a picture of the other day, is right on the river, literally on the eastern bank. So, close-ish to the lake but several blocks away.

As I walked down the hill next to MSOE’s Campus Center around 10:30, I noticed the very striking way that sunlight had pierced the thinning fog to illuminate the building’s upper reaches. The light reflecting off of those pointed caps looks like little searchlight beams, don’t you think?

I need to get out more. The academic year is ending, so that should help. I love taking pictures, but lately no pictures have been coming my way.

What a silly idea, though, right? Like good photos are going to walk up to my door and knock?

Cool things are happening all the time, but they’re OUT THERE and I need to go out there, too, and meet them where they live. If I want to get good pictures, I need to be there when they happen.

I’m not really talking about taking my nice camera out on an intentional “photography walk.” What I mean is I just need to spend more time getting out of my office.

It was a sad day for me as an amateur photographer when they closed the Red Arrow Starbucks down the hill from my office (kitty-corner to the building shown in today’s photo, in fact). I used to run down to Starbucks for coffee twice a day every weekday for years. Lots of fresh air and exercise and lots of fun photos happened for me during these little jaunts.

Moss in a sidewalk crack, for example 😂

You know what I mean. I need to be in the world and ready, with my phone handy, for those chance moments when good photos reveal themselves.

Kind of my own little iPhone corollary to the famous Arthur Fellig quote: “f/8 and be there.”