[Tosspot]

I gallivanted about the region in August - here are photos of my home city of Kansas City, photos from my trip to St. Louis in August, and photos from my trip to Chicago in early August. Please enjoy...

Kansas City:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12040-1/IMG_2858_7_6+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12046-1/IMG_2867_6_5+copy.jpg

Saint Louis:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12155-1/IMG_2963+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12167-1/IMG_2972+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12173-1/IMG_2977+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12193-1/IMG_2998+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12211-1/IMG_3013+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12231-1/IMG_3033+copy.jpg

Chicago:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13023-1/IMG_3660+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13035-1/IMG_3676+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13043-1/IMG_3688+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13047-1/IMG_3690+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13053-1/IMG_3695+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13071-1/IMG_3706+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13081-1/IMG_3714+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13087-1/IMG_3721+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13089-1/IMG_3723+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13119-1/IMG_3742+copy.jpg

Kansas City:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13273-1/IMG_4409+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13293-1/IMG_4428+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13297-1/IMG_4436+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13299-1/IMG_4440+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13313-1/IMG_4460+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13323-1/IMG_4469+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13327-1/IMG_4474+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13339-1/IMG_4492+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13341-1/IMG_4495+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13351-1/IMG_4513+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13355-1/IMG_4526+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13373-1/IMG_4562+copyBW+copy.jpg

Saint Louis:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12241-1/IMG_3048+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12253-1/IMG_3058+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12257-1/IMG_3064+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12301-1/IMG_3110+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12305-1/IMG_3114+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12311-1/IMG_3119+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12321-1/IMG_3126+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12323-1/IMG_3130+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12327-1/IMG_3134+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12331-1/IMG_3136+copy.jpg

Chicago:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13143-1/IMG_3767+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13153-1/IMG_3774+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13161-1/IMG_3789+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13203-1/IMG_3839+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13213-1/IMG_3849+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13217-1/IMG_3858+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13223-1/IMG_3864+copy.jpg

Kansas City:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12523-1/IMG_3351+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12541-1/IMG_3373+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12543-1/IMG_3381+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12547-1/IMG_3384+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12557-1/IMG_3391+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12571-1/IMG_3402+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12573-1/IMG_3404+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12615-1/IMG_3445+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12619-1/IMG_3447+copy.jpg

Saint Louis:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12341-1/IMG_3141+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12345-1/IMG_3143+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12351-1/IMG_3147+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12359-1/IMG_3156+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12361-1/IMG_3165+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12363-1/IMG_3166+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12375-1/IMG_3183+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12379-1/IMG_3189+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12387-1/IMG_3195+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12395-1/IMG_3202+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12397-1/IMG_3203+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12407-1/IMG_3210+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12409-1/IMG_3213+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12411-1/IMG_3216+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12417-1/IMG_3219+copy.jpg

Chicago:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13852-1/IMG_3902+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13755-1/IMG_3909+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13760-1/IMG_3922+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13762-1/IMG_3942+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13766-1/IMG_3954+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13770-1/IMG_3957+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13776-1/IMG_3987+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13780-1/IMG_3989+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13788-1/IMG_4000+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13794-1/IMG_4045+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13796-1/IMG_4048+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13808-1/IMG_4057-1+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13810-1/IMG_4058+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13814-1/IMG_4060+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13832-1/IMG_4086+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13834-1/IMG_4088+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13836-1/IMG_4089+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13838-1/IMG_4091+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13846-1/IMG_4102+copy.jpg

Kansas City:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13512-1/IMG_4893+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13514-1/IMG_4894+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13516-1/IMG_4896+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13528-1/IMG_4903+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13546-1/IMG_4921+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13548-1/IMG_4923+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13558-1/IMG_4932+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13564-1/IMG_4937+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13574-1/IMG_4946+copy.jpg


Saint Louis:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12425-1/IMG_3229+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12431-1/IMG_3245_4_3+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12433-1/IMG_3248_7_6+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12441-1/IMG_3265_4_3+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12443-1/IMG_3268_7_6+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12455-1/IMG_3289+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12459-1/IMG_3294+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12465-1/IMG_3336+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12467-1/IMG_3337+copy.jpg

Chicago:
http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14310-2/IMG_4110_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14236-1/IMG_4118_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14238-1/IMG_4124_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14240-1/IMG_4125_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14242-1/IMG_4133_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14246-1/IMG_4138+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14250-1/IMG_4148+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14252-1/IMG_4150+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14256-1/IMG_4157+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14258-1/IMG_4161_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14260-1/IMG_4172+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14266-1/IMG_4188+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14268-1/IMG_4190+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14270-1/IMG_4200+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14272-1/IMG_4207+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14282-1/IMG_4228+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14284-1/IMG_4229+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14286-1/IMG_4230+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14288-1/IMG_4246+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14290-1/IMG_4247+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14298-1/IMG_4306_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14304-1/IMG_4315+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14306-1/IMG_4335+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/14308-1/IMG_4340_CR2+-+Version+2And2moreEnhancer+copy.jpg

And just a little bit more from Kansas City before we adjourn:

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13674-1/IMG_5234+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13678-1/IMG_5238+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13680-1/IMG_5240+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13684-1/IMG_5244+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13686-1/IMG_5256+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13696-1/IMG_5270+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13698-1/IMG_5273+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13702-1/IMG_5277+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13706-1/IMG_5280+copy.jpg

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/13712-1/IMG_5290+copy.jpg

[UrbanSophist]

I love this thread! :cheers:

[BigKidD]

Great cities and photos Tosspot.

[OfCourse]

Ha. I'm blown away. You always do great threads.

[KCgridlock]

:cheers:

Your best photothread.


EVER.

[john_mclark]

OH GOD YES!!!! You made Chicago look even cooler.
oh ya the Gateway Arch pictures are awesome.

[Tosspot]

Thanks everyone! :notacrook:

[JivecitySTL]

You have outdone yourself. BRAVO!!

[mrherodotus]

What a great way to start my day, by seeing these.

[STLgasm]

Damn, you're good!

[Chicago3rd]

You are a fantastic photographer!

[VivaLFuego]

Great stuff, some postcard-quality shots in there. KC is definitely an under-rated city. Can I ask what camera and lens you were using?

[flar]

Great overview of some awesome cities.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Took this one to another level. You did all three cities proud.

[vodnik]

So here I am sitting at an outdoor cafe in the west end of STL and I see this photographer walking around taking some random shots and I think, I wonder if he posts photos on the Skyscraper Page, and voila...there I am in one of your photos.

You have a good eye. Thanks for sharing.

[PA Pride]

^Are you serious Vodnik? What are the odds?!?

This thread is incredulous-able. Whatever filter or lens you are using has the coolest effect ever. The midwest is looking amazing.

[Buckeye Native 001]

Un-friggin'-believable photography, Tosspot. I love how you toggled back-and-forth between KC, Saint Louis and Chicago. :tup:

[goldcntry]

Your colors are just breath-taking. Were these a result of lenses? Photoshop? Combination of both? Just spectacular!
:tomato:

[LAsam]

Mmm... chock full of US urban goodness.

[vodnik]

3rd set of STL photos, photo #12, middle of the photo, sitting under an umbrella. I'm wearing a black shirt so I'm hard to make out but you can see the head of my 4 year old boy. What are the odds??? I remember the photographer was meandering, heading north and had a nice camera.

[john_mclark]

Great stuff, some postcard-quality shots in there. KC is definitely an under-rated city. Can I ask what camera and lens you were using?

i have asked the same question and the answer is the camera is a HDR ( high dynamic rage) camera.

[Tosspot]

Thanks again everyone.

John, Viva, Goldcntry -- I was most irresponsible, and bought a Canon 5D, even though my old Rebel XT had nothing wrong with it -- I used my bellwether 24-105 mm lens for all of these.

I think all digital SLRs are capable of doing HDR in one form or another - all you need is a bracketing function and/or the ability to shoot in Raw format. HDR is actually performed in the post processing on the computer, not the camera - but having a fairly advanced camera certainly makes preparing for HDR a lot easier.

And, I make no guarantee that the HDRs in this thread are done perfectly; looking over some of them in this thread, there are some that I don't care for. I'm still learning...

Vodnik -
That is amazing -- this is a small world! Sorry it took me awhile to get around to posting them. :tup: Next time introduce yourself. :)

[LouisianaRush]

Good God!

[Magnus1]

probably the best ssp photos i've ever seen.

Midwest is the best!

[matguy7070]

Always underestimated! It isn't fly over country anymore...

Very beautiful.

[SuburbanNation]

Hell yes, the three cities drawing the western strongarm of the midwest and which are nearest and dearest to me! I see my past, distant past, present, and future in all of those photographs.

[OhioGuy]

Wonderful photo thread!

[WesternGulf]

Beautiful photos.

[Xing]

.................... *speechless

[volguus zildrohar]

TTC will kick copious amounts of ass. All nice, my friend.

Someone tell me more about this fountain:

http://www.valdorephoto.com/images/gallery2/d/12155-1/IMG_2963+copy.jpg

[JivecitySTL]

^Kiener Plaza fountain, central downtown St. Louis.

[vodnik]

I believe they're going to take the fountain out and redo all of Kiener Plaza. The area never really worked. It doesn't invite enough people in. It is also not always a fountain. The platform in back is used as a stage for bands, etc.

The green space actually is extended for approx. 20+ city blocks. The western part by Milles Fountain (very nice) is supposed to become a world class sculpture park. Very cool and very exciting.

[Tom In Chicago]

Neat photos. . . do you have any useful links for HDR processing? I've been tinkering around with that too, but haven't really sunk my teeth into it. . .

[erasercut]

Chicago: best skyline in the world

St. Louis: best neighborhoods that transport you to Europe

Kansas City: best looking arena (Sprint Center)

[Expat]

Tosspot, you are brilliant.

I love Chicago, St. Louis, & Kansas City.

[chrizow]

dude, nice!

[bnk]

You have some real gems in this thread. Great work.:tup:

[ColDayMan]

You brought out the best in all three!

[Tosspot]

Thanks again people...

Neat photos. . . do you have any useful links for HDR processing? I've been tinkering around with that too, but haven't really sunk my teeth into it. . .

Here's an HDR tutorial I like:

http://www.vanilladays.com/hdr-guide/

[Top Of The Park]

...and I don't even live there!

[ignatius]

Nice work Toss. Woulda been nice to show KC's pedestrian active hoods too, but I like the idea of a 3-city tour.

[Tosspot]

Nice work Toss. Woulda been nice to show KC's pedestrian active hoods too, but I like the idea of a 3-city tour.

Yeah, August was relatively busy photography-wise, and I wanted to squeeze in Chi and STL in my monthly thread. :)

[Kingofthehill]

You definitely did it.

[schmidt486]

good stuff!

KC and St Louis look amazing. You showed a great side of these cities.

[Tosspot]

Haha, thanks guys! When I peeked in here I sure didn't expect to see a thread I made 15 months ago on the front page. :)


:old:

;)

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Stunning. :tup:

I never had any Idea how St. Louis looked like besides the area around the arch. But your pics show it is a nice city.

[STLeric]

Excellent portrayal of all 3 cities!! Good job! :cheers: