Tom Ratchkauskas Photography: July 2014

North Shore-Summer Concerts (PNC PARK)

A shoot of Point State Park Resulted in a few captures of the Jason Aldeen concert at PNC PARK and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette printing presses.

Arches of Steel - Birmingham Bridge - Oakland to the South Side

The Birmingham Bridge, crossing the Monongahela River, connects Oakland and the Hill District with the South Side. Opened in 1977, the tied-arch bridge connects centers of education and business with a center of culture and nightlife. Similar to the Fort Pitt and Fort Duquesne Bridges in design, it is the most notable bridge east of the Golden Triangle. Its height, color scheme and contrast to other bridges along the Monongahela make it stand out. The bridge supports a high volume of pedestrian traffic as it passes close to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and connects two extremly biker friendly sections of the city. With such a high volume of foot traffic, the bridge has become covered with street art. The graffiti and assorted stickers make a fantastic foreground for a sprawling view of downtown, Just up the hill from the South Side end of the bridge sit the South Side Slopes, where old staircases have street signs and the elevation allows for another unique view of the city. The old blue collar feel of the slopes matches the color scheme and rust of the bridge that brings you there.

Birmingham Bridge

Views from the Bridge

Street Art

South Side Slopes

Arches of Steel - 16th Street Bridge - Troy Hill to Strip District

Two neighborhoods sit along the banks of the Allegheny River, both gaining fame for their blue collar roots. From the hilltop above the H.J Heinz Plant, mill workers made their way down inclines and staircases to work in Pittsburgh's booming industry. Troy Hill is home to a widely unknown and glorious view of the Pittsburgh Skyline, stretching along the expanse Golden Triangle and showcasing the city's unique architecture. the Directly across the river, Pittsburgh's industry also flourished in the Strip District with its proximity to the river making for easy transportation of goods. The high volume of mills invited various merchants to move into the area, bringing the Strip District to what it is today, a vibrant street market housed within historic buildings. Both neighborhoods are filled with history and are connected by Pittsburgh's most unique bridge, the 16th Street Bridge. Repeating arches and ornate stone and iron work make it the most noticeable Pittsburgh Bridge as it sits just past the Golden Triangle. Crossing the bridge will either take you to the historic North Side, or in the opposite direction, the Strip District and the Cultural District.

View from Troy Hill