Concrete Arteries of the City - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

This is just one of the most wonderful and unique views of the city. I am really drawn to the complex roadway system in this part of town - it is so much fun to drive at night when there is little to no traffic. The sunset was a TOTAL bust, but the cloud textures made the trip worthwhile.

PittsburghPennsylvaniaHighwayUrbanLandscapeSunsetcityscapethree riversalleghenyUPMCsteel cityVeterans BridgeCrosstown blvdFederated BuildingKoppersHeinz History CenterGulf TowerUS SteelBNY Mellon

Springdale Pennsylvania - near Pittsburgh

Colfax Street and Pittsburgh Street (and the few blocks around that intersection). This is looking north from across the river.

One of the neat and beautiful things about Western Pennsylvania is that all along the banks of the rivers are these really neat, beautiful, old mill (and mine) towns with these quintessential "Western PA homes". There is so much history represented in this image. If you currently live, or use to live in one of these homes in this image, I'd really like to hear from you. Message me via the contact button on top.

SpringdalePittsburghAllegheny RiverAllegheny ValleyColfax StreetPittsburgh Streeturbanneighborhood

US Steel Tower

If you don't mind dodging the traffic, this might be the best place to capture the entire US Steel tower and the its reflection. Add the Three Rivers Heritage Trail bridge to Herrs Island and it's a really neat image.

Allegheny RiverUS Steel TowerUPMCWashington LandingPittsburghPennsylvaniaHerrs IslandThree Rivers Heritage TrailBridge30th Street Bridgereflections

St. Patricks Day in Pittsburgh

It's been a while since I last photographed this view of the city. Between the green Highmark Building and the very colorful reflections in the Allegheny River, I think this one came out pretty good.

pittsburghalleghenyriverwashingtonlandinglongexposurecityskylinehighmarkUPMCPPGUSSteelSt Patricks DaySt PattyGreenLuck of the Irish

Springdale and New Kensington - near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The hills around Pittsburgh make for some really interesting imaging. In the foreground is Springdale (or at least a part of Springdale) on the bank of the Allegheny River. In the background is New Kensington also on the bank of the Allegheny River.

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Urban Pedestrian Bridge

Gerst Way is a pedestrian bridge over the Parkway North (I-279) just north of the city. While I've taken many images from the walkway of the city and traffic, this is the first time I've taken an image including the bridge itself that I was happy with.

PittsburghnorthI279Pennsylvaniaskylinecityskyscrapersbuildingbeautifulnighttime lapseVeterans BridgeEast StreetTrafficEast Ohio Street

The International Space Station Flying over Pittsburgh

The International Space Station flew over Pittsburgh this morning (March 12, 2019) at 6:11 AM and I managed to get out and capture the pass. Actually, the ground track put the flyover north of Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean somewhere north of Maine, but its as visible from Pittsburgh. Fortunately, the sky was clear enough it worked.

ISSInternational Space StationFlyoverPittsburghPennsylvaniaUrbanCity SkylineHighmarkUPMCBNY MellonSheratonStation SquareFort PittOhio RiverThree RiversSteel CityFort Pitt Bridgeskylineearly morning

Pittsburgh Skyline and Fire Sunrise

This is a HUGE panorama of the city skyline that is high enough resolution to print as large as you can possibly print.

sunrisedawnmorningPittsburghOhio Rivercity skylineurbanskyscrapersdowntownbridgescity of bridgessteel citytugboatport of pittsburghfire sky

Railroad Tracks

The rail lines lead into the heart of the industrial machine; while reminiscent of a bygone era of massively heavy industry, Pittsburgh has transformed itself into a vibrant knowledge based economy. It's best to know and honor your roots.

railroadrailtrainlocomotivecitypittsburghsteamfogurbanindustrialcity skylineUPMCHighmarkPPG PlaceNorfolk SouthernCSXBO

Fire Sunrise over Pittsburgh

The past two days have had really wonderful sunrises. I was unable to photograph yesterdays sunrise, but today I was. And I like it.

sunrisedawnmorningPittsburghOhio Rivercity skylineurbanskyscrapersdowntownbridgescity of bridgessteel citytugboatport of pittsburghfire sky

Partial Moon Setting - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Unlike last time I took a photo of the moon setting between buildings, this one was semi-planned. I like how it came out. I love the art deco architecture of both the Koppers and Gulf Towers.

moonwaxing crescentKoppersGulf TowerPittsuburghnightskyscraperbuildingurban architectureart decoearthshinedowntown

The Flow of the City - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The traffic was sufficiently intense to give the image a real sense of motion and flow - partially or mainly due to the curvature of the roadway. So many people going all over the place.

PittsburghnorthI279Pennsylvaniaskylinecityskyscrapersbuildingbeautifulnighttime lapseVeterans BridgeEast StreetTrafficEast Ohio Street

Roberto Clemente in Winter - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Winter is a magical time in Pittsburgh as long as it's snowing.

Roberto Clemente Bridge6th Street BridgePittsburghdowntownReed SmithHighmarkPPG Placebridgewinternorth shorenorth sideurban

Pittsburgh from the Hill - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The view of the city from the Hill District is really impressive. The wind was blowing directly in my face and was brutally cold.

PittsburghHill DistrictUPMCBNY MellonGulf TowerKoppersKL GatesFederatedPPG Placecity skylineskyscrapers

Legends of Pittsburgh - Mural on Ross St and Second Ave - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The mural by artist Michael Malle on Ross St. and Second Ave is really a wonderful piece of public art. The weather was quite cold and windy so I wasn't able to stay too long - there was too much traffic for me to get the real shot I wanted, I'll have to go back at 3 AM to get it I think.

Legends of PittsburghartmuralPittsburghRoss StSecond Avepublic artMichael Malleurban artPittsburgh PiratesHomestead GraysPiratesGraysPittsburgh CrawfordsForbes FieldCrawfordssportsbaseball

Roberto Clemente Bridge in Winter - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Winter is a magical time in Pittsburgh as long as it's snowing.

Roberto Clemente Bridge6th Street BridgePittsburghdowntownReed SmithHighmarkPPG Placebridgewinternorth shorenorth sideurban

Pittsburgh Skyline - Winter Afternoon

The skyline of Pittsburgh on a rare, sunny and beautiful (and unseasonably warm) winter afternoon.

PittsburghSkylineDowntownskyscraperskyscrapersurbanarchitectureKL GatesPPGHighmarkUPMCUS SteelBNY MellonGulf TowerNorthsideManchesterwinterafternoonpanoramaKoppers

Cathedral of Learning - University of Pittsburgh

I have been trying to find a neat and unique angle to photograph the Cathedral of Learning. Every time I would go to the Pitt Campus I would look and walk around and try and find something and it just wasn't what I wanted. I think this is it though. I'll be interested in seeing how this looks in the summer or during the daylight, but as far as finding a unique angle, I think this is as good as it gets.

CathedralCathedral of LearningPittUniversity of PittsburghPanthersOaklandPennsylvaniatower

From the Top of the Hill - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The view from the top of the Hill was really neat. The wind wasn't too bad, but it got pretty cold. I don't know if this location will work too well in the summer due to the beautiful, giant trees I had to shoot between.

PittsburghPennsylvaniaSteel CityCity of ChampionsHill DistrictUpper HillDowntownHighmarkUPMCGulf TowerPPG PlaceEQTKL GatesBNY MellonKoppersDuquesne InclineRobert Williams ReservoirRobert Williams Park

The Rachel Carson Bridge is Closed - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

I'm going to miss photographing this bridge for the next while.

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Wind Storm - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Photographs are by their nature static forms of art. Trying to capture the motion of the scene in a static image can sometimes be just as hard - or sometimes harder - then photographing the scene in such a way to eliminate the dynamic. So when the wind storm was predicted a few days ago I started to think about how to capture the motion of the wind in a static image and came up with something very similar to this: At the bottom of the frame is the city and ground which is absolutely static. As the eye wonders up toward the top of the image, the strong motion of the branches becomes apparent and then at the very top and behind the blurred branches, the clouds moving at extreme speed.

windwindstormPittsburghPennsylvaniawest end overlookWest End Elliott Overlook Parkoak treeOhio RiverThree RiversconfluenceUPMCHighmarkPPG PlaceBNY MellonGulf Tower

Penn Ave - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The city looks so different from this vantage point. The Duquesne Incline doesn't look nearly as steep as it does from the bottom terminus.

PittsburghPenn AveCourtyardMarriottGateway CenterConvention CenterDavid L Lawrence Convention CenterDuquesne InclineHighmarkFederatedGrandview AvecityscapearchitectureskyscraperSteel CityAllegheny RiverGolden Triangle

Andy Warhol Bridge Reflected

The Andy Warhol bridge reflected in the window of the Alcoa building on Pittsburghs Northshore. The sky was overcast and there wasn't really any interesting cloud textures or colors so I made it black and white.

Andy Warhol BridgePittsburghReflectiondowntownAllegheny River7th AvehighmarkstreetlampriverwalkAlcoa

The Rachel Carson Bridge is Closed

Last year the Rachel Carson bridge was outfitted with a light show with wind generators and it was really neat. This year (and next year) the bridge is now closed to all traffic to an overdue maintenance and rebuild.

I hope they put the lights back up.

Rachel CarsonRachel Carson BridgePittsburghDowntownUrbanFenceAllegheny RiverNorthsideAllegheny LandingCity of SteelCity of Championsurban maintenanceconstructionconstruction zoneclosed

Downtown from Slightly Upstream of the Smithfield Bridge

There really isn't anything as exciting as finding a new location to photograph the city from. I think this view works quite nicely.

PittsburghMonongahelaMon RiverSmithfield BridgePPG PlacePPGPPG TowerHighmarkGrand ConcourseStation SquareReed SmithMon Parking Wharf

The Castle of Pittsburgh

This might (MIGHT) be my new favorite view of Pittsburgh. I absolutely love the layered look to this image between the foreground of the road with the headlight trails and houses on the hillside with the skyscrapers in the background and then the hillside in the distance. I really think this one came out pretty good.

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Smithfield Bridge and Downtown - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The view of downtown, the Grand Concourse and the Monongahela River crossed by the Smithfield Bridge on a cold Friday night was magical. The city seemed to be much brighter than it has been in the past, I don't know if it actually was or it was just seeing something from a new perspective.

PittsburghMonongahelaMon RiverSmithfield BridgePPG PlacePPGPPG TowerHighmarkGrand ConcourseStation SquareReed SmithMon Parking Wharf

10th Street Pedestrian Bridge over the Tracks - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

I had originally hoped to get a nice shot of the skyline from the bridge. The apartment building and trees blocked too much and I figured this was a good consolation image. The pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and public stairway made for an interesting (I think) image with the city through the trees in the back ground.

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PPG Place under a starry sky

The weather was cold and windy. The sky was clearing. The towers were beautiful.

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PPG Paints: Pittsburgh Hockeytown (v.2)

I grew up in Detroit during the days of Scotty Bowman and the Russian 5, Mike Vernon, etc. Hockey in Detroit and Hockey in Pittsburgh share many similarities which I find wonderful and interesting and very me-at-home.

HockeyNHLPPG PaintsArenaPenguinsIglooSidney CrosbyPittsburghHockeytownSteel cityCity of ChampionsMario Lemieux

Highmark Lit Red for American Heart Month

I like this view a lot. I took an image very similar last October when the Highmark Building was lit in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. I took another one similar the month before when it was lit its normal blue. This was the first time I lowered the camera all the way to the ground and I like the strong pavement details quite a lot.

HighmarkPittsburghPennsylvaniaStanwixPPG Placeurbancity shotsteel cityAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Monthredpavementconcrete

Sandusky St - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

I was actually going from one location to another when I happened to glance over and see this street. I came back a half hour later and captured this.

NorthsideurbanPittsburghPennsylvaniaHighmarkKL GatesPPGquietSandusky StreetFountain Street

North Side and Downtown Pittsburgh

From the staircases behind Allegheny General Hospital the view of downtown is really magical and full of detail and color. The Rachel Carson bridge (which is now shut down for the next year for repairs and renovation) stands above the buildings and really adds a unique and wonderful detail to the incredible richness of the image.

PittsburghAllegheny RiverNorth SideNeighborhoodUrbanRachel CarsonRachel Carson Bridgeskyscraperarchitecturedowntownsteel citycity of champions

Bridge Reflections in the Allegheny River - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The reflection of one bridge and the shadow of the other (with contrasting colors) make this an interesting shot, in my opinion. Long shutter with moving water make for really nice lines.

Allegheny RiverAlleghenyPittsburghPennsylvaniaRoberto Clemente BridgeRachel Carson BridgeThree SistersfloodshadowreflectionAndy Warhol Bridge

Pittsburgh North Side at Night

This really might be my favorite overlook of the city. I just love all the buildings extending to the city in the distance. This is one of the many reasons I really enjoy photographing the city at night.

PittsburghPennsylvaniaSteel CityNorth SideHighmarkUPMCUS SteelRachel Carson BridgePPGKL GatesCitizens BankKoppersGulf TowerBNY MellonConvention CenterurbanskylinecityscapePittsburgh BeautifulAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Heart MonthFebruary

American Heart Association - Highmark Building, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

February is American Heart Month and the Highmark Building in downtown Pittsburgh was lit up red. Normally I don't care for selective color images, but occasionally (like in this case) it makes a lot of sense.

American Heart AssociationHeart MonthRedHighmarkHeart HealthPittsburghdowntownurbanskyscrapertowerbuildingarchitectureMt Washington

Pittsburgh and the West End Bridge - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The Polar Vortex left the city and the temperature rose to the point where it seemed like middle spring. It was glorious. I went down to the West End bridge to try and get some images on the bridge during the beautiful weather and just had a really nice time. I like the layers of this image. Road-Barrier-River-City makes for an interesting composition I think.

daylightPittsburghOhio RiverWest End BridgeRoadwayStreet lightblue skycityurban skylineskylinePittsburgh SkylineUPMCHighmarkGulf TowerPPG PlaceFort Pitt BridgeCarnegie Science Center

Roberto Clemente Bridge Spanning the Allegheny - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The ice on the river had jammed up next to the River Safety Center near the Ballpark on the downstream side of the Roberto Clemente Bridge. The wind was blowing enough to make the steam from the steam plant really magical.
There is so much color and light in this image. I don't remember so much color as just brutal cold.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver Ice

Ice and the Roberto Clemente Bridge

While not the coldest weather I've ever photographed, it was darn close. The temperature was -2 ºF and the wind chill was near -20 ºF. The Roberto Clemente bridge with the city behind it is perhaps my favorite place to photograph. The addition of the ice makes it that much better. But wow it was cold.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver Ice

Crossing the River - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

While not the coldest weather I've ever photographed, it was darn close. The temperature was -2 ºF and the wind chill was near -20 ºF.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver IceAlleghenyRachel Carson BridgeCity of SteelSteel City

Southside Flats near Station Square - Pittsburgh Pennslyvnaia

The walk across the Liberty bridge was really brutal with the wind coming straight down the Mon from the Ohio River.

PittsburghPennsylvaniaSouth SideSouth Side FlatsStation SquarerailPPGHighmarkMt WashingtonLiberty BridgeMonMon RiverMonongahelamonongahela river

Hamilton at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

We were fortunate to see it earlier this month.

BenedumPittsburghPenn AveHamiltonHamilton MusicalStreetUrbanBenedum Center for the Performing Arts

Winter Dawn on the Roberto Clemente Bridge

After freezing out in the cold photographing the city from the north shore, the sun (still below the horizon) was illuminating the sky with fire. It was absolutely magical and only lasted for a brief minute before the light changed and was gone. What was not yet frozen of me managed to get this shot before I called it a day and headed to work.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver IceAlleghenyRachel Carson BridgeCity of SteelSteel Citydawnmorningtwilight

Downtown Pittsburgh during a Freezing Dawn

The sun was just about to emerge above the horizon. The colors and the reflections and the ice were perfect.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver IceAlleghenyRachel Carson BridgeCity of SteelSteel Citydawnmorningtwilight

River Ice on the Allegheny River - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The sunrise over the city was magnificent. I absolutely love the ice on the river.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver IceAlleghenyRachel Carson BridgeCity of SteelSteel City

Venus, Jupiter and the Roberto Clemente Bridge

There is something so incredibly special about photographing the city when the temperatures are THIS cold. The river ice is really beautiful and the CRYSTAL clear blue sky with the Venus and Jupiter conjunction was really gorgeous.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceIceRiver Ice

And the Snow Moved On - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

An hour after the snow stopped, I was at the Duquesne Incline. The temperature was at 17 ºF with a windchill near 0 ºF. The sky and clouds were beautiful and I love how the Ohio River is split down the middle with the Allegheny green water and the Mon brown water not mixing at the confluence.

PittsburghOhioRiverPointStateParkPennsylvaniaMt WashingtonHeinzHeinzFieldHighmarkcityskylineskylineurbancityrainweathercloudsCarnegie Science MuseumFortPittBridgeFortPittbargesriverwatercityscapeurbanscapecloudscapeDuquesne inclineGolden Triangle

Pittsburgh from the South Side Slopes

Pittsburgh during a cold rain from the south side slopes. There is nothing quite like it. Miserable weather usually results in good images.

Allegheny RiverNorthsidePittsburghPennsylvaniaRiverreflectionsnightRoberto Clemente BridgeBridgeInfrastructureHighmarkGulf TowersteamUPMCUS Steel TowerKL GatesPPG PlaceSteel CityCity of Bridges