
Bicycles Exempt – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
I found myself last week in Boise, Idaho. I’d passed through Boise a couple of times before, staying overnight in a hotel traveling between Salt Lake City and Seattle. I’d seen very little of the city. This visit to Boise included a little longer stay and a chance to actually see the place, at least a little.
One thing I discovered is that downtown Boise is a very nice place! I had no idea. It’s colorful, clean and lively. It’s not as large as Salt Lake City’s downtown, which is no surprise as Boise is a smaller city, yet it feels large enough. There are interesting structures, green spaces, restaurants and local stores. It has plenty of character. It feels a little like a miniature Portland, minus some of the weirdness. It’s probably safer than Portland, too. This is to say that downtown Boise is much more interesting than I expected, and it was a pleasant visit.

Principal Property Pinnacle – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
Unfortunately, I only had the opportunity to walk around a few blocks. I wanted to explore more, but I just didn’t have the time. Downtown Boise seems like a place where one could come to over and over for street and urban photographs. There seems to be plenty of photographic opportunities. Who would have thought? Not me. Even though it was a short visit, I’m glad that I discovered this unexpected gem. I hope to return soon for more photography.
I used a Fujifilm X-T30 and Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens for these photographs. Some people might say that the 50mm-equivalent focal length of the 35mm lens is not good for this type of photography, that a wide-angle lens is a much better choice. While I do like wide-angle lenses for street photography, the nifty-fifty can still be used effectively. Use what you have to the best of your abilities and you’ll be surprised at what you create.
B&W:

We Recycle – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Steunenburg Statue – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

The Hart of Downtown – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Divergent Textures – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Aloft Windows – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
Color:

Hidden Dome – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Capital Dome – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Colorful Alley – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Alley Trash – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Strolling Alone – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Boise Idaho – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm
A cool short photo-essay which allowed me to have a virtual visit to Boise, ID. There is more colour than I expected. From your photographs, I can see that downtown Boise has a lot more colour than the dull red brick or beige I often see in the Princeton area. I like the photograph of the “colourful alley”.
I also would not shoot wide-angle for street photography. I prefer a FOV offered by a 40mm (full frame) which is much closer to the FOV of the human eye. The Fuji XF27mm F2.8 (or an Asahi Pentax SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5) lens works well in that regard.
Those would be great lens choices! I appreciate the comment.
An interesting place, hope you get to go back and show more of it.
Thanks, I hope so too!
Gorgeous shots!
Thank you!