What do you know about Detroit? I knew a city had a strong automobile industry, GM and Ford (Chrysler) has a headquarters here, diverse culture in Detroit influenced some music styles and that few years ago city filed for bankruptcy. Which in my opinion didn’t go far even today. You can sense this while wandering around the downtown. There are tall buildings in the middle of Detroit that are abandoned, people look sad and depressed. I wished I could be teleported back in 1940-50s when the city was booming.

Downtown area has lots of beautiful buildings, lots LOTS of churches and a huge Institute of Arts where I spend most of my time. It was worth it! :) The other thing that I loved was open roof parkades where I could go up and take some downtown skyline photos!

Detroit Institute of Arts(DIA) is a huge museum where I spent 4hours of exploring and wandering around. Sounds crazy but you could easily stay there for a whole day! I’ve seen art from ancient cultures to today’s contemporary art. It felt so good. Just to walk and observe all this. Some galleries were more empty then the other ones so it felt like I am there just by myself :) Didn’t mind that!

In the photo above you can see Mushhushshu-dragon, Symbol of the God Marduk. According to the card next to this mosaic it was made in 604 - 562 BCE.

When I saw these rings at first I could not believe my eyes! These are humongous and done with skills :)

DIA has a huge collection of Diego M. Rivera’s work. The scale of some of his works are really impressive. He was born in Mexico, early in his life went to Spain. This is where he got surrounded by European Art. He is known for showing every day people doing their work. This was a fave thing for Soviet propaganda ‘art’. He got commissioned to paint a mural for Red Army Club in Moscow. Shortly after authorities canceled his contract because D. Rivera got involved in anti-soviet politics. A year later he was expelled from a communist party in Mexico as well. That didn’t really affect his career. He got huge contracts in States and was constantly working artist. To add on top of that had lots of lovers and probably enjoyed his life :)

So this little gothic chapel back in the day which is XVI century (If my memory is not lying) did belong to a wealthy family in Belgium for a private devotion. It was a trendy thing to have your own chapel(!) The image below shows the same chapel on the right side corner. In 1923 the chapel was gifted to DIA and piece by piece taken apart, numbered and put together again. This just blew my mind!

Bye bye Detroit! :)

First time visiting Las Vegas. A city full of lights and always having a vibe of easy life. Why we end up there? Not to see more lights or to have easier life this is the first time we went to WPPI :) It’s a conference for a wedding and portrait photographers for learning new/old stuff. It’s a wonderful place to get to see your favourite photographers and of course to attend EXPO show where lot’s of worldwide known brands present their newest things :)

From this learning week I really started to admire Lindsay Adler, Susan Stripling and Justin and Mary Marantz. They are wonderful photographers and the way they teach and talk about photography is really that inspired me again to do more than just click a button.

I bought a posing book written by Lindsay Adler and it’s absolutely great. All the information you would need to improve your posing and feel more confident while directing your subject :)

Susan Stripling impressed me by the way she works in her studio, by using fake walls to make a little room and this is how she controls the light. Seems so easy and effortless :)

Justin and Mary Marantz are photographers who respect photography in knowing that it will stay with us more than a day. They create to maintain a family history and this is important. Especially now when everyone can take photos so easily.

First evening we end up visiting the old strip. It’s like a boulevard for pedestrians full of casinos and people who shows lots of tricks to get your attention.

Overall we didn’t have much time to go out and enjoy the city, but Vegas is all about casinos. You can spend the whole day just staying inside or travelling through underground passes and get into different casinos. It feels like there is no end just for doing this :)

Enjoy :)