Snow, Smoke and Sun (Friday Photos)

This week winter has come back to UB. After a brief "warm-up" (it got above 0F in January, people!), we're back to the typical winter pattern. Cold, Smoke and Sun. 

"Spring" starts here a week from Monday, as the new Lunar year traditionally marks the start of Spring. 

My guess, however, is that we will have more of this for several more weeks.  

Here's the Friday Photo Gallery for your viewing pleasure: 

Friday Photo: A Week of Music

This week, after another full "Open Mic" night, we invited an expat friend of "The Grain of Wheat" and UBean, and an Open Mic night favorite, to do a weeknight acoustic set. It was a roaring success. 

I love bringing together the beauty of music and the beauty of the Gospel. 

This week's Open Mic night should be another interesting one. We've invited a very popoluar Mongolian Rock band to join us. A lot of kids are planning to be there tonight! 

Cliff brought it. Great night of covers and original music

"Open Mic" continues to draw in lot's of kids every week

Friday Photos: Long Winter Exposure

While walking home this week, I was experimenting with a tripod and some long exposure shots in the UB streets. The problem this time of year is both the cold and the smoke. The cold makes it uncorfortable to stay outside for too long (and starts freezing camera equipment!) and the smoke somewhat distorts many of the night-time exposures (causes unwanted lens flares, etc.) 

In any case ... here are a few that I don't mind sharing with you this week!  Happy Friday! 

Photography and Friday Photo

Last week during our camera club we got some very interesting Fall shots around the Grain of Wheat Center in UB. You can check out the photo album from last week on Facebook. The shot below is one I was particularly pleased with. This old grandpa allowed me to take his picture, which is pretty unusal here. He was in the city from the countryside. A lot of lines. A lot of character. Stories to tell - and a cool hat. 

This week (today, as a matter of fact). Our camera club will be participating in the 5th Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk.  Our UB branch will meet at the Center today at 3:30 to hike through the UB City Center and take lots of interesting pictures of our city. So far we have about 25 people signed up to do this. Hope to get all 50 slots filled up. Check back here for photos from the walk!