This innocent fire hydrant spends it’s days guarding the Chanhassen Rec Center, but on this day is starred in my first assignment for the Tips From the Top Floor Workshop. TFTTF is a podcast produced by Christoper Marquart of Tubingham, Southern Germany. I started listening to Chris years ago when Podcasting was in it’s infancy. He’s a great guy, and a lot of fun to listen to. He’s right on with the ‘tips’ and I’ve learned oodles of things from him and have been inspired to spend thousands of dollars as well.

Back to the assignment. After our introductions and an overview of the upcoming four days, Chris sent us out for our first assignment: Take a Picture, time: 15 minutes. I great way to see where we were at and to get us thinking about the ‘work’ in workshop. When I wandered out of the clean, organized & safe suburban rec center, I was confronted with a clean, organized & safe suburban parking lot. Being a city kid, I went looking for something that reminded me of home, and the smooth lawns and perfect flowers didn’t cut it. I chose this little guy and chose my framing to isolate him from the background and to revel in his flaws. The gray Minnesotan sky adds a lonely starkness as well. I give you the mighty fire plug.