Photos

I shot this one at the corner of 9th and Arsenal streets in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch, now InBev, owns a very large chunk of this neighborhood - this is part of one of the old buildings there. I believe it was built in the 1880's. It has had a few modifications here and there, like most buildings that have been around that long.

It wasn't a real long time ago that these windows were glass and open just about all the time - I lived a few blocks from here back in 1976-77 and remember coming by here and seeing the workers inside. Now the windows are bricked up, with one remaining that is apparently able to open. It gives me a feeling that reminds me of how I felt when Anheuser-Busch sold out to InBev. A little shut out, a little cold...

AB has been a main employer in St. Louis for about 135 years. It was actually a symbol of St. Louis, every bit as much as the Arch or anything else. The first AB brewery was right here, not far from the spot I stood to shoot this photograph. There was uncertainty and doubt (we called it the FUD factor when I was in the Navy - fear, uncertainty, doubt) throughout the entire St. Louis region before the sale, especially since the recession started. I couldn't tell you how many folks lost their jobs, but this action had a world-wide effect, considering AB has breweries all over the world.

One thing I do like about it is that I will probably get the Stella Artois beer I have grown to like on tap a lot more fresh, now. Yeah, I'm selfish that way. Bud Light and those are ok if you need something cold and refreshing after cutting your lawn or some other hot, sweaty work, but I prefer something a little heavier and full bodied if I am planning on enjoying a beer.

Anyway, enough of that.

This was taken on the same morning as the beer brunch at the Lemp Brewery Stables and my visit to the Cat's Meow Tavern. St. Louis is steeped in beer history. You can enjoy everything from the locally-produced "microbrew" to the corporate behemoth product, all in the same neighborhood.

I shot this particular shot for the symmetry and texture of the rocks and bricks and I liked the contrasting red & green colors in the windows. I did have to do a little distortion removal and straightening, but I planned for that and left plenty of disposable space around the area of interest so I could crop it away when ready. A little unsharp mask after that and it was ready!