Tom Gill (lapstrake)'s photostream

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The world has so many beautiful things hidden away in plain sight, if you only take a moment to look for them. I'm constantly bombarded by things that beg to be photographed, and I tend to observe my surroundings as if through a lens - always looking for the perfect angle. I simply want to share the beauty that I encounter as I wonder around this world, and that results in over 20,000 photos each year.

My photography concentrates on landscapes, primarily Indiana and Illinois shorelines, dunes, canyons, and waterfalls.

I have a passion for lighthouses, and enjoy visiting and photographing them in all seasons - especially during the icy winter months.

Old barns and historical places such as the Illinois and Michigan Canal, also hold my interest.

I am formally trained in Industrial Design, have earned a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and enjoy oil and watercolor painting, woodworking and of course, photography.

I'm a Chicago native, currently living in the suburbs with my wife and three boys.

I don't keep many contacts - only those who's photos I enjoy viewing, and who take the time once in a while to comment on my photos. Please feel free to critique my work, the standard "nice photo" doesn't help me develop as a photographer!!

Visit My Blog for some stories behind and about some of my photographs.

or visit my portfolio web page for more information on how to contact me about my photography.

Recent Gallery Exhibits

Tom Gill (lapstrake)'s favorite photos from other Flickr members (1,254)

Contacts (116)

Traud No real name given
PM PHOTOGRAPHY 2 Paula M O'Hara
gstevens12 No real name given
ETCphoto No real name given
Scott Glenn No real name given
xantiflagfreekx No real name given
aimeeern Amy
Father Hinie No real name given
Jeka World... Jeff and Kalitha Rose
Michigan54 No real name given
KT of Lake Orion Katie
Monika Thorpe Monika Thorpe

Groups (50 50)

Your Best Shot 2011 13,857 photos, 16,237 members
Project Weather 10,743 photos, 2,777 members
Lighthouses worldwide 6,886 photos, 615 members
I&M Canal Fans 222 photos, 15 members
Michigan Cottage Life 74 photos, 11 members
Indiana Audubon Society's Flora and Fauna Gallery 4,084 photos, 121 members
Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs 1,701 photos, 206 members
The Lighthouses of Wisconsin 662 photos, 98 members
*******LUIZA'S LIGHTHOUSE GALLERY******* 4,202 photos, 306 members
Kapok Tree Restaurant 81 photos, 8 members
Digital Photography School 164,580 photos, 14,851 members
Montrose Point 1,912 photos, 34 members
Visit Indiana 11,973 photos, 417 members
Tinley Park, IL 229 photos, 24 members
Visit Northern Illinois 2,330 photos, 46 members
Traditional Skyscrapers 4,745 photos, 422 members
Railroad Coaling Towers 405 photos, 107 members
Naturally Indiana 6,605 photos, 508 members
Not a lighthouse photo 893 photos, 127 members
Fairport Harbor 338 photos, 23 members
A Christmas Story- the movie 377 photos, 95 members
**A Big Fave (Invite Only)-Post 1/Fave or Comment 2 504,275 photos, 63,373 members
Ohio lighthouses 760 photos, 112 members
Panoramic Lighthouses 262 photos, 93 members
Florida Lighthouses ~ Beautiful Beacons 758 photos, 167 members
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 986 photos, 81 members
Lake Michigan Weather 4,710 photos, 404 members
Flickr 5.25 1,133 photos, 1,417 members
Tulip Time Festival 974 photos, 185 members
Holland, Michigan 4,476 photos, 286 members
CreativeClouds 1,346 photos, 384 members
DANGER! 5,123 photos, 781 members
silhouette 230,958 photos, 31,176 members
Explore Northeastern Illinois 9,682 photos, 158 members
Abandoned Illinois. 4,429 photos, 287 members
Lemont IL 408 photos, 41 members
FlickrCentral 4,941,035 photos, 167,976 members
Awesome Snowflakes 2,210 photos, 417 members
Lighthouse Trek 9,668 photos, 1,174 members
Drifted Snow 338 photos, 44 members
North Central Illinois 3,050 photos, 134 members
Indiana's Lake Michigan Beaches 410 photos, 32 members
Geotagged: Illinois 5,515 photos, 79 members
Illinois Wilderness 11,141 photos, 405 members
Picture a Creation....( art from within us)... 2,105 photos, 241 members
Marshall Field's 125 photos, 44 members
AROUND ILLINOIS 24,038 photos, 347 members
Intrigued by ICE 2,906 photos, 734 members
Enjoy Illinois 20,699 photos, 538 members
Chicago, South Shore, & South Bend Railroad 1,045 photos, 84 members

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Testimonials (5)

D. Rogers Photography says:

"Tom is an amazing photographer ! Not fraid to take risks for that perfect shot! He has a great eye! He is also a great role model for his little photographer :) Tom is definately a fun guy with a great spirit and love of photography and life!"

15th January, 2009
Gregor Halbwedl says:

"Thank you Tom for showing your amazing world. In your huge stream I like especially the seaside and of course the lighthouse pictures. Here I am fascinated on the beauty of natural forces. The natural touch is your trade mark. And I like it that you are uncompromised beside new techniques like pattern layers or hdr.
Have a good light, Gregor"

9th August, 2009
aplseed photography says:

"Tom is a great supportive contact. he sees th world much as I see it, making the ordinary scenes stand out and seem so much more interesting.

I imagine his family will grow to also enjoy the family time spent on these photoshoots. There are many beautiful images that will be timeless and family treasures over the years. I can't wait to see his young boys start to take on his artistry when they begin to take up cameras of their own."

13th April, 2008
zooeybat says:

"Lapstrake's midwest images are pure Americana. He's capturing the sights we don't pay enough attention to and are in danger of losing. Remember, Tom climbed rocks, and waded in river beds for those shots!

Tom's a great guy to go shooting with; his mix of kindness and humor make him a true friend. I feel like I've known him forever."

4th April, 2008
muledriver says:

"Tom has a great eye not only for the obvious,but for all those little snippets of things most of us do not see. He stops at nothing to get the shot! His knowledge of many different subjects is amazing,and that shows in his shots. Easy going to a fault, he's a lot of fun to go out and shoot with. I'm glad I have him as a contact and a friend!!"

24th March, 2008