File photos: Scenes from the Denver area, 2014-2015

Clouds in wildfire season
High clouds at sunset over the southern Denver metro area, haze and color influenced by smoke from wildfires attacking the western U.S. in the 2013 fire season. Nikon F2 with Kodak Ektar 100. (Daniel J. Schneider)

A selection of photographs from the last few years that don’t fit into any larger, coherent theme other than all being taken in Metro Denver.

A lot of these are the kinds of pictures you make when you just carry a camera every day and go about your business. That’s one of those habits you’re supposed to develop if you want to be a better photographer, and I’ve gone back and forth on it for years. Sometimes I’ll carry a camera every day for months; other times, I’m busy and I just leave them at home unless I have a specific photographic agenda.

The image above was from the first roll I shot with a Nikon F2 — in fact, it was the first Nikon F2 body KEH sent me, which didn’t appear to be able to infinity focus. I knew the lens was okay, having used it many times on my FM2n, so I knew something was messed up on the body. KEH replaced it without any hassle at all, and even provided me a return shipping label for the broken one. The second one they sent is still among my favorite 35mm cameras.

Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver
The Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood is a highly visible landmark with its golden dome. Nikon FM2 and Kodak Ektar 100. (Daniel J. Schneider)
Carriage house doors
Carriage house doors in an alley in Denver’s Highland neighborhood. Another from the very first roll of Kodak Tri-X through the Nikon F3. (Daniel J. Schneider)
The DCPA plaza
The covered plaza in the center of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, as seen from the sixth or seventh floor of the parking garage. Nikon FM2 with Kodak Ektar 100. (Daniel J. Schneider)
Magnolia Hotel atrium
Looking straight up the atrium of the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Denver. The First National Bank building was completed in 1911, but sat empty starting in 1981 before becoming a hotel in 1995. Nikon FM2 with Kodak Ektar 100. (Daniel J. Schneider)
First shot with the F3
The very first shot I took with the Nikon F3, from the parking lot of Englewood Camera, with a roll of Kodak Tri-X. (Daniel J. Schneider)
Equitable Building lobby
The historic Equitable Building in Denver contains this marble-lined, arcade-style lobby with mosaic tile ceilings and Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass. The early skyscraper was, at 9 floors, the tallest building in Denver when it was completed in 1892. Nikon FM2 with Kodak Ektar 100. (Daniel J. Schneider)
Union Station crane
A crane working on the restoration and remodeling of Denver’s Union Station in 2013. The renovation was completed in 2014. Nikon FM2 and Kodak Ektar 100. (Daniel J. Schneider)