Calatrava in Clouds

Rain, rain, and more rain. That’s what the weekend was like here in Milwaukee. And on Sunday, the storms brought low-lying clouds and low visibility.

These conditions can create some interesting photo opportunities, so I headed to the Milwaukee lake front. One of my favorite subjects is the addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum designed by Santiago Calatrava. The Burke Bries Soleil (the wing-like structure) was open, so the only challenge was to wait out the people entering and leaving via the bridge that leads to the museum’s entrance. The effect of the clouds was to complete obscur the background – normally you would be able to see the lake and a blue or gray sky – the clouds gave made for a white background, focusing all of the attention on the museum itself.

Burke Bries Soleil

It’s also good to look for different types of photos to take under the conditions. The close up of the Burke Bries Soleil on the right also works because the clouds obscur some of the detail that would normally be seen in the background, making this perspective much more dramatic than on a sunny day. Click on the picture to expand it and get the full view of the contrasting angles that make up this magnificient structure.

The overcast conditions made for great lighting at the lagoon in Veterans Park at the lake front as well. Mid-day conditions usually produce harsh shadows, but this weather produces great soft lighting that gives a peaceful feeling, as in this picture looking across the lagoon.

Milwaukee Skyline

The Milwaukee skyline is obscurred by the low-lying clouds, but the lagoon is very reflective. The light rain falling is just enough to keep the lagoon from being a perfect mirror surface – so the reflections have an impressionistic feel to them.

The viewer can tell that it’s a cloudy and foggy day, since the tops of the buildings fade into the clouds, instead of being crisply defined. In fact, you’d have to be from Milwaukee to know that the building in the center is Milwaukee’s tallest building.

This picture would be quite different on a sunny day.

Reflections

Finally, this last picture agains shows a close up view taken from a larger scene. The reeds in the lagoon form interesting shapes, and the reflections provide nice contrast.

The light rainfall can be seen in the drops of water that hit the surface of the lagoon, producing various types of ripples through the water.

So while the conditions made staying a home a tempting option, getting out offered up some unique picture taking opportunities.