Telling the story of Detroit one photo at a time. All of the pictures on this blog were taken by me. My only request is that they are not used for commercial purposes without my permission. If you have any feedback, please feel free to message me at: detroitlens@gmail.com var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-26401002-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Tumblr (3.0; @detroitlens)http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2izvfB9XF1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>It has been a while since I shared a photo.  I have been busy with school and not able to get down to the city.  I miss being able to get down there.  </p> <p>Here’s a pic I took the other day of my son.  He loves airplanes.  Each time one flies over he makes sure to point it out and often yells “hello airplane”.  He wanted to show his airplane to the one flying overhead and I was able to snap this picture. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/21147326796http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/21147326796Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:50:02 -0400airplanekidskidlavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0l150K7Xj1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>This is Chris. We spoke today in Detroit. Chris is unemployed and lost his wife, Barbara, to breast cancer last year. They were married for 20 years. </span><br/><br/><span>Chris currently lives in Dearborn and was in Detroit to see his current girlfriend, Dawn, who is battling breast cancer as well. </span><br/><br/><span>When I asked Chris what kept him going he said “coffee.”</span></p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/18958948230http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/18958948230Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:05:23 -0500DetroitDetroitLens.comMichiganlavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxp0n4IiuD1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This is Ali.  We met last Sunday while I was down in the city.  Ali is a Vietnam war vet and has the scars to show it.  </p> <p>If you are in Detroit or Pontiac (his hometown) say hello to him.  He was very outgoing and had a tremendous smile. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/15725073683http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/15725073683Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:04:15 -0500DetroitMichiganVeteranDetroitLens.comPortraitlavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwimcwgUnE1r51rl4o1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>The city of Detroit gets a bad rap.  We know what the media portrays us as, but we also know what we have and how lucky we are to live here. </span><br/><br/><span>You won’t hear about things like our ice skating rink or our Christmas tree in the heart of downtown from the national media because it doesn’t fit their stereotype of us.  You won’t hear about how safe it is in this area of town either, but it is.  </span><br/><br/><span>I took this picture on a Saturday night at around midnight.  There were people all over and everyone was having a great time.  There were no faces without smiles on them.</span><br/><br/><span>Sure Detroit has its problems and we won’t deny that we do, but so does every city.  There comes a time when it’s important to tell the whole story and not just the one that fits the viewpoint you create for yourself while sitting in some office in New York or LA.  </span><br/><br/><span>Detroit has so much to offer.  Come see for yourself.  We will welcome you with open arms and we promise you will love it. </span></p> <p>A very special thanks to Nick that works down at the ice skating ring near Compuware for cleaning up the ice to help with the reflection of the tree.  It was great meeting you and it’s time for you to pick up the camera again and get back at it.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14518189096http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14518189096Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:36:00 -0500DetroitMichiganChristmasBlack and WhitePhotographyDetroitLens.comlavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwggtiNs451r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Took this on top of a parking garage just off of Woodward near the Compuware building.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14456566744http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14456566744Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:41:41 -0500DetroitMichiganChristmasDetroitLens.comlavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw3s05O0x71r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Figured I would share my biggest fail as a photographer yet.  I took the above pictures last night.  I sat in a field for 3 hours (from 11pm-2am) and took 102 pictures at 30 second exposure and then stacked them today using some software available on the web.  </p> <p>Apparently I was pretty out of focus because the big ass white streak is a star that clearly wasn’t in focus.  It was the brightest star in the sky, but was not nearly this big.  </p> <p>I also have no clue as to why all of the stars in the sky are different colors (I am thinking white balance). </p> <p>It’s time to go back to the drawing board and figure out what in the hell I did wrong, but this goes down as my biggest fail to date. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14123575115http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14123575115Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:14:00 -0500Faillavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw3oqjzddi1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Spent a little time at Eastern Market this weekend.  If you haven’t been, it’s a must for anyone from Detroit.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14121326553http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/14121326553Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:03:54 -0500DetroitMichiganEastern MarketFoodDetroitLens.comlavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvyivbRhM71r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>One of the most incredible buildings you will ever see. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13983434711http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13983434711Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:09:10 -0500DetroitMichigan Central Train StationMichiganDetroitLens.comMichigan Centrallavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvsqsyzXLB1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I took this yesterday and wasn’t even going to process it, but a buddy of mine asked me last night to take some pictures of railroad stuff for his office.  It’s weird how life works sometimes.  </p> <p>I need to take some more pictures for him with a train theme.  Does anyone have any cool places in Detroit that they are will to share that will fit this theme?  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13834412494http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13834412494Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:14:57 -0500DetroitMichiganTrainsTracksRailroadHDRBlack and Whitelavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvr2b4RAf81r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Stop the Madness.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13792412128http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13792412128Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:28:00 -0500DetroitHDRMichiganDetroitLens.comBlack and Whitelavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvqzxg6Hjy1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>There are so many little spots in Detroit that don’t get enough press.  This is one of those spots.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13790076206http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13790076206Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:36:51 -0500DetroitHDRBlack and WhiteMichiganLighthouseRenaissance CenterDetroitLens.comlavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvdwsz4Zti1r51rl4o1_r1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>I love Google.  I love the search results.  I love Gmail.  I love Picasa.  I love Google+, but it was only today that I realized how customizable Google really is.  Google allowed me to use one of my own images as my background screen on my Google search page and I think it looks pretty cool.  </p> <p>If you are wondering how to do this, just head to Google, look in the bottom left hand corner of the screen and click “Change Background Image”.  You can then follow the simple steps. </p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13461008230http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13461008230Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:00 -0500DetroitGoogleSkylineDetroitLens.comGmaillavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv4iq4fYYy1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Another shot from the trip to Notre Dame.  #GoIrish</p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13209262653http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13209262653Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:18:03 -0500Notre DameFootballBandFighting IrishFisheyelavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv2tm6KIFw1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Went to the Notre Dame vs. Boston College football game with my Dad this weekend in South Bend, IN.  Couldn’t have had a better time. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13165890709http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/13165890709Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:18:05 -0500Notre DameDetroitLens.comFootballFisheyeFighting Irishlavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luo6z7v6ku1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Even in the toughest of times</p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12803559370http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12803559370Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:42:42 -0500DetroitLens.comBlack and WhiteHDRDetroitMichiganlavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luj1tvRzAv1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Detroit skyline on 11.11.11</p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12670930347http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12670930347Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:03:30 -0500DetroitDetroitLens.comHDRB+WBlack and WhiteMichiganCanadaSkylinelavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lubbd5AMas1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The Renaissance Center in Detroit.  It’s the heart and soul of the Detroit skyline.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12484650733http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12484650733Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:48:39 -0500DetroitDetroitLens.comRenaissance CenterHDRFallColorMichiganlavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu9ok2qutX1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Fall fun in Michigan.  </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12448853962http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12448853962Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:38:25 -0500MichiganFallLeavesDetroitLens.comSmileKidsBuddylavautem<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu5ansWsXG1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Took this picture of the Joe Louis fist in Detroit today.  It symbolizes the grit of everyone in Detroit.  You may knock us down for a little while, but we will keep getting back up. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12329773907http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12329773907Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:47:51 -0400Joe LouisDetroitDetroitLens.comHDRFistMichiganlavautem<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu0ne7gBhR1r51rl4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Bud and Buddy.  Bud is my Dad and Buddy is my son.  Two of the best people you could ever hope to know.  I love them both with all that I have. </p>http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12259426264http://detroitlens.tumblr.com/post/12259426264Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:05:06 -0400DetroitLens.comBlack and WhiteMonochromeGrandpalavautem