Because I have a tiny new camera (a Canon SD1100IS), I have lots of excuses for taking photos of familiar things.   It’s amazing how taking photos forces me to see.   It makes me appreciate many of those sights that I otherwise take for granted.  With this new little camera, then, I had an excuse to go see.  

BTW-my new camera, a Canon SD1100IS is a small moderately-priced consumer-level camera that is incredibly packed with features.  It has so many features that I would bet that I’ll never use half of them.  It’s an 8-megapixel, 3x optical zoom camera that measures only 3 1/2″ x 2″, small enough to take everywhere.  Some of its features (including image stabilization) allow it to handle existing light photos fairly well (for those of you who haven’t yet sworn off cheap flash units, you might want to consider turning off your flash and noticing the difference).   The problem with turning off the flash indoors is that many digital cameras do not offer a fast enough ISO to allow for a sharp image.

I admit that I processed these photos a bit, but only a bit.  The only processing I used were a few of the features offered by Picasa, a well-designed (and free) photo organizing program from Google.

Here’s a good way to start a weekend day in St. Louis.  It’s called “City Diner” (It was formerly “South City Diner”).  Located within walking distance of my home, this is where you must order the “Greek Omelet” for breakfast.  If you have young children, they will try to eat your omelet, no matter what they have chosen to order.

On the way back home from breakfast, one might happen to pass through Tower Grove Park, a large and  incredibly beautiful Victorian city park. This stern fellow is one of the many composers surrounding the Composer’s Gazebo.  

This is Busch Stadium.  I suspect that it’s some sort of church.

I needed to go to work today, even though it was a Sunday.  But that burden led to this opportunity to watch the evening descend upon the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River.  In the foreground is the “Old Courthouse,” where Dred Scott was tried and given his freedom (before his victory was taken away by the United States Supreme Court).

Here’s a view west from my office during the sunset (St. Louis is often referred to as the “Gateway to the West”).  The large building in the center is the “Civil Courts Building,” where Missouri state circuit courts are located.  

Here’s another “institution,” my feet.  Yesterday, I went to my appointment to see my physical therapist (for what appears now to be a pinched nerve.  I’ve whined about this frustrating problem here and here).   My two young daughters went with me.  I asked them to take a photo or two to show what it’s like to get cervical traction.  They did that, but they also got this shot, which was fun because I don’t think I’ve ever before seen the bottoms of my shoes so well (this is a good illustration of the kind of no-flash photo you can get indoors with the SD1100IS).    Handing a camera to a child is often a hoot.  The resulting photos remind you what the world looked like when you were small. 

Regarding the therapy,  they basically attach your head to a rope and pull (gently) for 20 minutes.  The theory is that the pulling apart of the vertebrae (gentle!) relaxes the pinched nerve a bit.  It seems to be helping . . .

Here’s the last photo for today.   On the way home, when I noticed this sunset I stopped to take this photo.  It occurred to me that this streak of colorful light was more impressive than many of the fireworks we admire each summer.   This was an extraordinary sunset, yet is a common occurrence.  

Which brings me back to my original point.  It’s amazing how having a camera in your hands allows you to really and truly see those things (and people) that you so often take for granted.