Alma "M"ater (photo intensive)

astroNikon · Nov 24, 2013

Yesterday I visited a place for the first time in over 15 years that I spent 4-1/2 years of my life at. I'm not sure the pictures do it justice.

Other than trying to capture memories I also tried to improve my photographic technique. So, if you want to do any C&C go ahead. But this is more of a stroll down memory lane and of the enormous changes (many, many new buildings).

It was frigid .. 28 degrees, at times the wind was making the snow come down horizontally. I was starting to wonder if 1/8000 was fast enough to prevent the blur from my shivering hands. I didn't take quite enough photos, but I plan on going back when it's a bit warmer.

But enjoy.

Before the trip, picking up a friend I saw this. I figured it was a good photograph at the start

Upon arriving to Ann Arbor, from M14, you first see the railroad tracks that have been there for ages. Then going around a corner I saw this .... wowser

Old (rail car) versus New (building architecture). You can't tell, but the sky was all white from the snow clouds. I'm not sure what to do in photography to make things more distinct from a building like this, which was white/silver to such a dark rail car to a white sky.

I heard a train in the distance coming. I briefly though of going to the tracks and taking one of those zoom, tilt pictures like our Admin took of the fall colors on a rail track, I figured anything up to when the lens started cracking from impact would be good. But I decided against it and just took this split second photo of the train rolling past.

Just down the road was the train station and the Old train station, now a resturant / club.
I can see how architectural photos is difficult. I had a great framed of the building then this delivery truck came and parked on the right edge of the building. ugly. So I cropped it out.

astroNikon · Nov 24, 2013

So moving on the campus is just immense now. Totally gigantic. And it was big when I was there. But the medical campus is so large. When it's warmer I'll take many more pictures of the area but I was surprised and impressed by the enormous sprawl of the medical campus.

Below is a Graduate auditorium. I can see how problematic photos like this can be with people and cars drivings past constantly.

I have no idea what building this is but it was a very nice design as it fits in the area with the carillion just 2 buildings down

and a look down the diag to the Graduate Library

astroNikon · Nov 24, 2013

This next set of pictures has more emotion to it than I think the pictures do.

This door, I don't know if it is photographically nice. But one day in 1987 while walking to my class at the language building next door I was surprised, for lack of better word, of coming across an incident that I'll always remember. So this door reminds me of it. I won't go into the gory details but just read this link at the end of the first section (referencing 1987 incident). Burton Memorial Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and looking up from the spot

This tower is much taller than it looks. To get the proper perspective you either have to be at the top of the tower, or to look at it from North Campus a few miles away. Luckily at one time I was able to go up in the bell tower and go through the small door to see the carillion bells. An awesome sight back then. It brings back memories.

astroNikon · Nov 24, 2013

My hands have about had it now. I plan on going back to get the Law Quadrangle which is one of the most architectural beautiful buildings around, the medical campus, the old historic buildings, churches from the turn of the previous century, Huron River, museums, and the list goes on and on. If anyone is every in Michigan and wants a guide around AA to see everything I'd love to take them there.

The UM "Big House" Stadium. What a change from when I went there. I was in the Marching Band and the tunnel entrance isn't as quite noticeable anymore