The Sherman Avenue Proposal

This photograph was taken in Indianapolis some 4 to 5 years back.  If memory serves, it was freezing cold and I was randomly approached by this guy who claimed to be an agent for local east side rappers who then asked if I could take his promo photos for the clients he represents.  He then proceeds to state in a roundabout way  that he can't really compensate me with currency per se, but the exposure he could provide, would make 'famous' in his scene.  Annoyed, I proclaimed that while I may take photos under a bridge, I don't conduct business under them and handed him my card.  He never called.

This phenomenon is a very old story.  I only freelance part time and have a different stream of regular  income, but artists of any kind are frequently propositioned in ways that relate much to panhandling.  Although the man in this story is not of the highers classes, but this is indeed how wealthy people beg.  Some upper class organization will offer you publicity, exposure, and a chance to socialize with them and all you have to do is hand over your hard work that keeps you sustained.

Triplets

Taken at the corner of Washington and College on the near east side of downtown Indianapolis, along the Pennsylvania Railroad viaduct.  The area of Washington Street has seen recent reconstruction.

Eastern Tracks & Silhouette

The Indianapolis skyline from the area near State and Southeastern on the near east side.  The Pennsylvania Railroad heading west…

Alone in Irish Hill

Formerly a working class Irish neighborhood on the near east side of Indianapolis, Irish hill is now no more than a ghost town where colonies of homeless people live under viaducts, much of it has returned to nature, or is populated with abandoned industrial buildings. Being so close to the Eli Lilly complex, Fountain Square, and Fletcher Place, I wonder if this area has a new urban future.

Nostalgia...Bitter Cold

I recall taking this shot, it was that viaduct over Pleasant Run near Christian Park in Indianapolis. The air was like ice, and my frozen fingers struggled to depress the camera shutter. Its now summer and the sweaty beads of reminiscence brings its appeal forth. Every year, I complain about every season, begging for the next one to make the scene...Repeat.

This location has been geotagged in Flickr, you may click the image to view it...

Pretendensity

Stand in the right place with the right amount of zoom, and you can squeeze the density out of an area that doesn't exist... Taken near at the corner of Southeastern and Oriental on the near east side of Indianapolis in a neighborhood known as Holy Cross...

Geotag information and larger sizes may be seen by clicking on the image...

Bar Detour Bar

Located on East New York Street in the Holy Cross neighborhood on Indianapolis' near east side...

Definitely best if viewed large...

Staging a Classic Car Chase Scene

I was going for a setting liking to a high speed chase scene in a 1970s movie or TV cop drama. Taken in the east side neighborhood Holy Cross.

Dwarfed in Spades Park

Along Brookside Parkway on the west end of Spades Park...

Burned Out House on the Left

At the corner of Tuxedo and North...Exact location is geotagged in Flickr.

View Large on Black

Near Twin Aire

Along Southeastern Avenue, near Rural Street...

Going Feral

A colony of feral cats dominating an abandoned house near the corner of Washington and Highland on the near east side... I had to take this one at 250mm, for getting anywhere near them was out of the question; just taking this shot from across the street made them pretty nervous.

I know l sound like a broken record, but this shot contains copious amounts of detail and is much better if viewed large...

10th and Dearborn

I took some shots of E. 10th Street this weekend with this intersection as the focal point. I went out in the early hours to make use of the morning lighting. Most of these shots have quite a bit of detail to them and are much better if viewed large.


The Rivoli was built in 1927 and is rumored to be haunted...

East Market

I did a brief walk of the newly opened stretch of East Market Street that was closed to remove the I-65/60 ramp. The area is opened up, completely connects to the near east side, and is much more walkable. I'm sure within the next couple of days or weeks, a much more qualified blogger will do a much more complete analysis of this project.

I have the highest hopes that this upgrade will help wipe away this image that this area has developed over the years.


The next two shots are taken at the intersection of College and Market...If anyone remembers how this place used to look, its quite an improvement. It was a dangerous intersection for pedestrians and motorists alike. Unfortunately, I do not have any before shots.

Some new sidewalks and modern homeless-proof benches...

This old railroad bridge received a face lift; rusted and crumbling no more!

It is also illuminated at night...

Market Street Blight

This is an area of Market Street that is placed between East and New Jersey Streets. I have great hopes that the recent revitalization of East Market Street will bring some much needed love to this neglected area.

The East Market Street section is now open and I have taken several shots of it; a post that will be coming within the next few days once I process and organize them all.

Interesting Murals

The first two are the same mural, which is located on E. 10th Street in Woodruff Place.

This shot provides a much better view of the mural, which I can say is the first mural I've seen that features a periodic table...


This shot doesn't really do the mural justice, but I like the angle...


These next three were taken on Palmer Avenue, near the Vollrath, which is close to Sacred Heart Church...


This roid-raging angel kind of reminds me of Fist of the Northstar...

This whole building is one large canvas...

These are much better viewed large...

On E. 10th Street

The Emerson Theater in an all ages venue and is located at the corner of 10th and Bosart on the east side of Indianapolis.

Michigan Street 7:00PM

Looking toward Emerson Avenue, near Ellenberger Park...

Sherman Sky

A pure Indiana-made afternoon sky. This was taken on Sherman Dr., close to 10th street.

On Southeastern Avenue

A few blocks southeast of Twin Aire...

These are best if view large, click the image to enlarge.