Category Archives: Art

Art, Bethany, Black & White, Jesse, Music, Nora, Road Trip, Street Photography, Travel

Jagged Little Road Trip II

January 31, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Here is the balance of images from the quick road trip I took with Jesse up to see Bethany, Nora, and the musical JAGGED LITTLE PILL.

Some of these are at that art park. The others are from around the Orpheum.

Do you think this was left by Cindee and Randi or somebody that is doubling it up in their love life?

So how was “Jagged Little Pill” you might be asking?

It was okay. There isn’t much there-there as far as the story goes. Although that is a generic criticism that could be made of most musicals. It definitely feels like a stretch to make the songs fit the storyline. It is definitely worth seeing, but I don’t know I would go see it again. Once seems enough.

The Orpheum Theater is beautiful, but if you are of the female persuasion, the bathroom situation is a bit of a disaster. Go before you get to the theater. That is a Photography 139 Orpheum Theater Pro Tip! If you are a dude, it ain’t great shakes, but you are a dude, so it is still quite a bit better.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip! Go to see Rancho Deluxe. Got to hang with Bethany and Nora. Got to eat a great breakfast. Got to see a cool art park. Got to see a good musical. Got to hang with Jesse. 10 stars. Would recommend!

Art, Christianity, Road Trip, Self-Portrait, Street Photography, Tenderloining

I Scream: Winterset Field Work

January 28, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I am definitely starting to run low on food adventures, but I think that there are a few on my horizon. This food adventure took place in November. I cruised down to a state park near Winterset cause it was on my list of places I wanted to see in 2023. On my way home I stopped at a Mom and Pop ice cream shop called Frostee’s. It was the second to last day it was open in 2023. Here are some pictures:

This year I should go back and buy a Frostee’s shirt!

Even a gross Coke cup can’t ruin ice cream.

Got a raspberry malt as I’m trying to take more risks.

How was it? You know I have the Ted Lasso policy on ice cream:

Ice cream is the best. It’s kinda like seeing Billy Joel perform live. Never disappoints.
-Ted Lasso

Last year May 7 was the first day Frostee’s was open. I imagine it will open about the same date again this year.

Frostee’s is located:

101 East Green Street
Winterset, Iowa

There is one other picture to share from this trip. It wasn’t taken at Frostee’s but on one of the famous Bridges of Madison County. It made me laugh, maybe it will make you smile too:

Next Sunday’s food adventure. Will cover the food I ate on my recent trip to Memphis.

Art, Bethany, Candid Portrait, Jesse, Nora, Travel

Jagged Little Road Trip I

January 23, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Back in August Jesse and I took a road trip up to Minnesota to watch the musical “Jagged Little Pill”. It was a quick trip, but we did get to spend some time with Bethany and Nora. They took us to this fascinating art park. I took a few pictures…

Still one more collection of images to share from this day!

Art, Candid Portrait, Jesse, Road Trip

Rancho Deluxe – II

January 16, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

Time to share the rest of the collection from my trip to Rancho Deluxe with Jesse on our way up to Minnesota. Definitely something you should visit if you like art at all.

I definitely want to visit this place again… and again… and again!

Animals, Art, Baseball/Softball, Black & White, Calendar, Christianity, Drone, Flowers, Iowa State, Macro, Nature, Night, Slice of Life, Street Photography

2024 Photography 139 Calendar Rejects: The Ending

January 9, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

Time to share the rest of the images that were rejected for the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. Some of these are similar to ones included in the calendar. They come from a wide range of projects. From auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT to alternates for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE to some just good old flowertography

There is still one more post about the 2024 calendar left. Then we can put it to bed or up on some walls.

Animals, Art, Black & White, Calendar, Christianity, Flowers, Kim, Lensbaby, Macro, Nature, Night, Ruins, Street Photography, Travel

2024 Photography 139 Calendar Rejects: The Beginning

January 7, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

Time to share the final image for the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. The December image. It is an image of an abandoned (methinks) church I found in northeast Iowa on a THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT road trip:

DECEMBER

I chose this image for December because I usually like to either use a cold picture or some religious imagery for the December image. This picture might not scream “Christ is born!” but it is of a church. Not a lines are straight.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M4
DATE: August 20, 2022 – 12:34 PM
LENS: 28-75 f/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
EXPOSURE TIME: 1/5000
ISO: 100

It was converted to black & white in Photoshop.

That is it, that is the final image for the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. But while those 13 images were selected for the calendar, they weren’t the only ones considered. Not by a long shot. There were 73 other images considered and not included. But I would like to give them some love.

Here is the first collection of reject images:

There still another 36 images that didn’t make the cut. That doesn’t mean that won’t make the cut next year. The cover image for the 2024 Calendar was rejected for the 2023 calendar. Share the rest on Tuesday. Maybe Wednesday.

Andy, Animals, Art, Black & White, Calendar, Flowers, Formal Portrait, Naima, Nature, Ruins, Town Sign Project, WPC - Alternate

And They’ll Think that I am So Exciting

January 6, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

It is time to share the November image from the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar image. It is a picture of the redbud trees in Red Haw State Park.

NOVEMBER

I chose this picture for November because it had purple in it.

TECHINICAL DETAILS
CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M4
DATE: April 29, 2023 – 12:23 PM
LENS: 17-28mm f/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 17mm
APERTURE: f/6.3
EXPOSURE: 1/160
ISO: 100

Tomorrow I will show the last image from the 2024 calendar.

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Now is the time to clean up the May backlog. These images were taken in May, but never really fit into a previous “An Artist’s Notebook” post. Some of are Naima. Some were alternate images for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Hopefully all are of interest.

It definitely feels good to get some of the backlog cleared out!

Art, Automobiles, Black & White, Calendar, Movies, Pufferbilly Days, Street Photography

Pufferbilly Days Car Show – 2023

January 5, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

Time to share the October image from the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. It is a picture of a mural of Jack from THE SHINING near Graffiti Alley in Des Moines.

OCTOBER

I chose this image for October since it is an artistic depiction from THE SHINING, one of the 5 best horror movies every made.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M4
DATE: September 30, 2023 – 1:23 PM
LENS: 17-28mm f/2.8
APERTURE: f/5
EXPOSURE: 1/100
ISO: 100

Tomorrow I will share the November image from the calendar!

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Seems like a good time to start sharing pictures from Pufferbilly Days that aren’t related to the Photo Contest. I’m not a car person, per se, but I do like attending the occasional car show. Partially cause old cars are cool looking and partially because I have a few friends that display cars at car shows.

Here are some pictures:

Next Friday I will share some pictures from the Pufferbilly Days Parade.

Art, Calendar, Candid Portrait, Drone, Jesse, Road Trip

Rancho Deluxe – I

January 3, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

It is time to share the August image from the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. It was a picture taken with Rodan139 of RAGBRAI east of Luther.

AUGUST

I chose this RAGBRAI picture for August because RAGBRAI is a summer activity.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

CAMERA: Hasselblad L1D-20c
DATE: July 25, 2023 – 4:30 PM
LENS: 28mm f/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
APERTURE: f/4.5
EXPOSURE: 1/200
ISO: 100

Tomorrow I will reveal the September image!

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High up on my list of things to see in 2023 is that kind of private art garden in Mason City known as Rancho Deluxe. Jesse and I stopped there on our way to Minnesota and it didn’t disappoint.

There is another collection of images from this sweet place left to share.

Art, Calendar, Flowers, Kim, Macro, Movies, Street Photography, Travel

Lost Stars

December 28, 2023 Christopher D. Bennett

Time to share the March image for the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. It was taken in Chicago while I was there for a work trip for the Computer Mine:

March

I took this image of Chicago’s The Bean after having a meal of Chicago Style Pizza with Kim and Lowell and Tony. The Bean was one of those rare touristy things that doesn’t disappoint in person.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M2
DATE: April 19, 2023 – 6:48 PM
LENS: Tamron 17-28 f/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 17mm
APERTURE: f/2.8
EXPOSURE: 1/60
ISO: 8000

Tomorrow I will share the April image.

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Please, don’t see
Just a boy caught up in dreams and fantasies
Please, see me
Reaching out for someone I can’t see

Take my hand
Let’s see where we wake up tomorrow
Best laid plans
Sometimes are just a one night stand
I’ll be damned

Cupid’s demanding back his arrow
So let’s get drunk on our tears
And, God, tell us the reason
Youth is wasted on the young
It’s hunting season and the lambs are on the run

Searching for meaning
But are we all lost stars
Trying to light up the dark?
Who are we?
Just a speck of dust within the galaxy
Woe is me

If we’re not careful turns into reality
Don’t you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow
Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer
Turn the page
Maybe we’ll find a brand new ending

Where we’re dancing in our tears
And, God, tell us the reason
Youth is wasted on the young
It’s hunting season
And the lambs are on the run

Searching for meaning
But are we all lost stars
Trying to light up the dark?

And I thought I saw you out there crying
And I thought I heard you call my name
And I thought I heard you out there crying

Just the same
Oh yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah
God, give us the reason
Youth is wasted on the young
It’s hunting season and this lamb is on the run

Searching for meaning
But are we all lost stars
Trying to light up the dark?

-Written by Gregg Alexander, Danielle Brisebois, Nick Southwood, Nick Lashley
-Performed by Keira Knightley or Adam Levine (depending on the scene)

The song “Lost Stars” comes from the John Carney movie BEGIN AGAIN. The song is in some ways the center of the movie, even though the character that performs it at the end of the movie is not one of the main characters.

BEGIN AGAIN is the only John Carney movie that has famous actors in it. And it is loaded with famous actors… Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, Catherine Keener… But also plenty of famous musicians like Mos Def, CeeLo, Adam Levine… Even James Corden who is kind of both.

BEGIN AGAIN is the story of Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a music producer that is an alcoholic that has lost his job and his family. He has decided to kill himself when he hears Gretta (Keira Knightley) playing her song “A Step You Can’t Take Back” at an open mic night she was drug to by her friend Steve (James Corden).

This is Gretta’s last night in New York City. She is planning to return to England after she has broken up with her newly minted rock star boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) who was cheating on her.

When Dan hears the song he decides he wants to sign Gretta to a record deal. He convinces her to go audition for Dan’s old partner Saul (Mos Def) at his former record label. When Saul decides to pass on Gretta, they decide to just record the album themselves in the elements of New York City. Partially because they have no money to rent a studio. Partially because they want the city to be part of the music. They record on a roof top, in Central Park, in a subway station and some other interesting places.

The song “Lost Stars” is central to the movie. When Gretta was still with Dave and she was too poor to buy him a Christmas present, she writes the song “Lost Stars” and gives it to him. He in turns the ball into stadium pop. Dave comes back into Gretta’s life after she has recorded her album and plays for her his version of “Lost Stars”. She is mortified because he has “lost the song in the production”.

Dave tries to win Gretta back and begs her to come hear him play the song at the Gramercy. She tells him not to play it like that.

For the rest of the movie, well… you’ll have to watch that yourself.

I won’t pretend I love BEGIN AGAIN like I love ONCE, but it still is a great movie that I highly recommend.

But Thursdays are for flowers. These flowertography images were taken in my yard: