8th St. Tunnel - 9th St. Incline

I had the chance today to see something not many people even know exists. A hundred-plus years ago when Kansas City's west bottoms was a more happenin' place than it is even today, getting in and out of it wasn't easy. That is, until the 9th Street Incline was opened in 1888. The idea was to build a tunnel beginning just west of Broadway and angle it down through the bluffs into the west bottoms, creating a direct rail link to downtown and Quality Hill. It worked quite well, albeit a bit scary for those first passengers, some of whom bailed off as the train began to descend.

(Below photos courtesy of the Kansas City Public Library's photo collection.)

You can see streetcars coming in and out of the tunnel in the lower center of this photo (above), and the track as it emerges from the bluffs. (below)

Fast forward to today . . About 100 yards of this tunnel still exists and is occasionally opened for private tours. For an architectural photographer and history buff like me, it was a REAL thrill!

Goodbye BMA

It's been about ten years since I was first hired to photograph BMA Tower for a National Register of Historic Places nomination. Since then I've photographed the building for pre and post-rehab documentation for historic tax credits as often as several times each year. Last Monday, however, was my final trip to BMA, now One Park Place. A lot has changed with the building in that time, but it's still my favorite job and has produced some of my best work. I'm sad to be finished with it.

Here are a few shots done for the nomination ten years ago which are not on my main website.

Here's how it looks today:



The view from the 19th floor is spectacular, and can be yours for just under $1 million!




So long BMA.

Dreary day in the studio . .

Nothing going on, no pressing projects, nasty weather. Perfect for experimenting in the lighting studio; something I don't do enough of.

Simple enough setup . . Three halogen lights, home-made soft box, heavy tripod, a black vinyl notebook for a background and my watch. Here goes . .

35 years ago . .

While sorting through all of Dad's boxes in his basement, my brother and I found this! This is the camera I learned photography with 35 years ago. It's a c.1950 Voigtlander Bessa 1, 6x9cm (2.25x3.25 inches) format.

Dad was always into photography when he was younger but had pretty much given it up a few years after us kids came along. When I reached 14 years old I asked him to teach me. Dad had better cameras then this one, but he figured this was the perfect learning tool. Everything on it is manual. There is no built-in exposure meter and no range-finder for focusing. You have to estimate the distance from the camera to your subject and understand depth-of-field if you want sharp pictures. You have to know how to use a light meter and how to set the exposure. You only get eight shots per roll of film, too, so you better be sure what you're shooting is worth it. There's no double-exposure lock out either, so if you're not paying attention you'll end up with eight shots on the same frame.

Dad's axiom for good pictures was, sharp lenses, big negatives and smart photographers. This camera had two out of three with me, but I learned.

Here's one of the first images I made with it, processed and printed by me.

What material says "Plumbing"?

Copper, of course!

Yesterday I photographed the newly remodeled Reeves-Wiedeman Company building ("Plumbing Supplies For Contractors and Industry") at 3635 Main, KCMO, for their tax credit application. Helix was the architecture firm involved, and I really like their work.


A spectacular feature is this skylight/atrium lined with copper located over the order counter.




The entire elevator bay is clad in copper as well.


The elevator bay is mirrored by a copper wall in the office lobby.



A stairway surrounds the elevator bay providing a dramatic blast of sleek copper color. Nice!

Real Estate? Sure, I do that.

I was recently asked by a friend of a friend if I would be interested in shooting a home for a real estate listing. "Sure! " was my response. This is one of those things I wish I could do more of. Photos on real estate websites are generally pretty sad, and that's the point of first contact for any potential sale.

Anyway, are you in the market for a nice house in North KC? Contact Jeff Johnson and ask him about this beauty!

Cooool School

WAY past due for a new post here . .

Last week I photographed an elementary school in southeast Kansas built in 1951 for a National Register of Historic Places nomination. Many would not consider a building of this vintage to be historic, but it qualifies in every respect. And, I like the style.

The job was fairly unremarkable, except for the fact that on this day it was 28 degrees outside and 32 degrees inside!