WPC – WEEK 340 – ABSTRACT

I want to start today by giving congratulations to Rebecca Peterson. She has become the latest person to show extreme good taste, class, and sophistication by becoming the latest Photography 139 email subscriber! Thank you Rebecca!

If you want to become such a subscriber you can either fill out the form that can be found a couple of different places on this website, or you can just let me know and I will add you manually.

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A quick PSA. A reminder, if you will. The deadline to submit your pictures is 11 AM Central. I leave for lunch then and often don’t have access to my computer until I return. Sometimes if you submit after 11 AM but before 12:01 PM, you might get lucky and I will have time to get your submissions added to the “An Artist’s Notebook” entry, but usually I won’t.

Thanks!

The theme of ABSTRACT is tough one. It is very conceptual. I’m pleased that so many people gave it a shot.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 21, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Jodie Cue – 1 week
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 4 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 8 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 8 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 8 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 8 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 9 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 10 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 11 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 12 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 16 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 17 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 19 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 22 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 12 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 23 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 10 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 20 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 13 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT -  TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 9 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT -  TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 5 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - HARRISON GORSHE
Harrison Gorshe – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 11 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 17 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 18 weeks

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – 1 week

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning

WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning


29 submissions from 20 participants. That is a great week!

Congratulations to Michelle who joined the double digit streak club! WooHoo!

There were only 3 streaks snapped. Jodie couldn’t make it to two weeks. Jesse’s streak of 3 weeks is history. Suzie’s streak of 4 weeks is also now something that only exists in legends.

Stephanie submitted for the first time in a long time. I’m super excited to have her back. It might be a one time thing. I guess time will tell. But I don’t have any other friends that globetrot going to trendy art gallery openings. At least not yet.

Harrison Gorshe is a first time submitter and probably the youngest ever. Kid is like 2 years old. But he knows ABSTRACT when he sees it.

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 22 weeks
2. Shannon – 19 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 17 weeks
4. Cathie – 16 weeks
5. Bill – 12 weeks

I don’t know that Kio will ever give up that top spot, but if he slips up just once, there is a group on heels waiting to take it over.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 341 - SHADOW
SHADOW

SHADOW! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a SHADOW picture? A SHADOW picture is simply a picture where one of the major compositional elements of the image is a SHADOW. The SHADOW can be on the ground. It can be on a wall. It can be across somebody’s face. A silhouette picture is a SHADOW picture, for example. And of course, there are other types of less literal SHADOWs out there too.

While considering possible subjects for your SHADOW picture, meditate on the following quote:

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
-Aesop

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of SHADOW in this place that is definitely one of my cyber shadows next Monday.

2011-06-04

The pictures in the folder 2011-06-04 were taken of the Challenger Program for the Boone Little League. I did the photography for the event for 3 years and then I believe, they stopped having the event. The Challenger Program was a program where kids that might not ordinarily have the opportunity to play baseball/softball are given that opportunity. It was a great program and I hope that I’m wrong that is doesn’t exist any more. Kids from all over central Iowa came to participate. It was one of my favorite events I’ve ever had the privilege to photograph. It is certain that somewhere a long the way the Boone Little League lost its way. I don’t know that it will every get it back, because unfortunately I don’t know how long the Little League will even continue to exist. However, that is an outsider’s perspective. Maybe it is doing great, it just doesn’t look like it from the cheap seats.


Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

Boone Little League Challenger Program - 2011

And yes, you did see both the Melhaus sisters in these pictures.

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entry to its original glory:

CHALLENGER

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve flowers.

Happy

Here is a collection of flower pictures I took in my yard back in June:


Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Last Penny - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

I have plenty more flower pictures from last year to share.

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This is your reminder that ABSTRACT is this week’s theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:


WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT

But what exactly is an ABSTRACT image?

Here is a definition from the Wiki:

Abstract photography, sometimes called non-objective, experimental or conceptual photography, is a means of depicting a visual image that does not have an immediate association with the object world and that has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials. An abstract photograph may isolate a fragment of a natural scene in order to remove its inherent context from the viewer, it may be purposely staged to create a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects, or it may involve the use of color, light, shadow, texture, shape and/or form to convey a feeling, sensation or impression.

In a nutshell, an ABSTRACT image would be an image that doesn’t necessarily look like the object that is being photographed. Or at least it concentrates on shapes and forms. It isn’t a picture of a flower that looks like a flower. There are several ways to do this:

+ Move the camera while taking the picture.
+ If you are using a camera with a zoom lens. Zoom the lens while taking the picture.
+ Move a light in a dark room.
+ Take a picture of smoke or steam.
+ Take a picture that is out of focus. Lights work as great subjects here.
+ Reflections in water.

The theme reveal image is a picture of the sun, taken in my alley. With a wide open aperture and completely out of focus.

Another option is to find a piece of ABSTRACT art and take a picture of that.

Happy photo harvesting!

Did You Think To Pray

This is the final collection of pictures of flowers from my Mom’s yard that I am going to publish. They time is apropos as today is the day that the new owner will do their final walk through and on Friday they will take possession of the house.


Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Did You Think to Pray

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2021

I’m not sure what I’m going to do with Thursdays going forward. Maybe it will just be various flower pictures. It is too soon to know.

Bremer County Auxiliary Images

Don’t forget, that if you want to enter Roundball Oracles – Year 17, click on the link below:

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

So far I think about 15 brackets have been filled out. The first ones filled out were by Sara and Shawn Lockner. I was very impressed!

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A few months back, I toured Bremer County harvesting its town signs. But I also spent a little bit of time in Black Hawk County and Fayette County. I also stopped in Marshalltown for a shake and to photograph their Freedom Rock. Here is a collection of the auxiliary images I took on that trip:


Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

Bremer County

In Plainfield, I came across the most fascinating park. There was this weird rock formation that was a memorial to WWI Veterans. But it was built before WWII, so it just references The World War. Then there was the strangest collection of rocks set up for display.

In the shelter area, sitting on the picnic table I found this:


Bremer County

It said “FREE GIFT” right on it! I was pretty sure it was probably left there by the Baptist church that preaches “Christ Coming Again”. I still don’t know if that was the case, but I will hold on to that theory until I’m proven wrong.

I texted a couple people, people who I only consider to be slight fun haters, on if I should take this free gift.

Shannon responded:

“I don’t think so…”

“But it is a free gift.”

“What is it?”

“Copy of the New Testament.”

“Pretty sure you already have something like that”

“But do I have one that I found randomly in some small town in one of the weirdest parks I’ve ever seen?”

She had no response to that.

I also asked Elizabeth. Her response came way late, well after I had already taken it:

“I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. But no.”

“Too late. But I might regift it. 47 counties done.”

“You took it??”

“Of course.”

As you may have figured it out, of course I took it. But where it ended up, well for that you will have to wait for another day. A day far enough into the future that you will probably have already forgotten about the Free Gift I picked up in a strange park in Plainfield, Iowa.

Town Sign Project: Palo Alto County

A couple months back I cruised around Palo Alto County harvesting their town signs.

Here are some facts about Palo Alto County:

+ Population is 8,996 making itthe 82nd most populous county in Iowa. Below Davis County and above Greene County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Emmetsburg.
+ Named after the battle from the Mexican-American War.
+ Major highways are US-14, IA-4, and IA-15.
+ Adjacent counties are Emmet, Kossuth, Pocahontas, and Clay.
+ Population peaked in 1940 at 16,170.

The Palo Alto County Courthouse is pretty awful looking:


Palo Alto County Courthouse
The Palo Alto Courthouse located in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

The Palo Alto Freedom Rock is located in Ruthven, Iowa:


Palo Alto County Freedom Rock

Palo Alto County Freedom Rock

With Palo Alto County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 62 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

62 counties completed. 62.6% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Palo Alto County:


Emmetsburg, Iowa
Emmetsburg, Iowa
EMMETSBURG
Cead Mile Failte
100,000 Welcomes
Population: 3,706 (-198)

Graettinger, Iowa
Graettinger, Iowa
GRAETTINGER
Population: 832 (-12)

West Bend, Iowa
West Bend, Iowa – Partially in Kossuth County
WEST BEND
EST. 1856
Population: 791 (+6)

Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven, Iowa
WELCOME TO RUTHVEN & LOST ISLAND LAKE
Population: 725 (-12)

Mallard, Iowa
Mallard, Iowa
Welcome to MALLARD
WE’RE FRIENDLY DUCKS
Population: 257 (-17)

Ayrshire, Iowa
Ayrshire, Iowa
AYRSHIRE CITY HALL
ESTABLISHED 1882
Population: 133 (-10)

Cylinder, Iowa
Cylinder, Iowa
Welcome To CYLINDER
Population: 87 (-1)

Curlew, Iowa
Curlew, Iowa
Welcome to CURLEW
Est. 1884
Population: 37 (-21)

Rodman, Iowa
Rodman, Iowa
RODMAN City Hall and Community Center
A Small Town with a Big Heart
Population: 31 (-14)

I think is is pretty obvious that Ayrshire has the worst town sign in Palo Alto County. It isn’t even a town sign. It is the sign to their town hall. Rodman’s isn’t much better.

I also think the purple ribbon for Palo Alto County is pretty obvious. It is very clearly Mallard.


Mallard, Iowa
Mallard – Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Ruthven is the only town in Palo Alto County with alternate town signs:


Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven – Alternate

Ruthven, Iowa
Ruthven – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

Storm Lake, Iowa
Best in Show – Buena Vista County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Low Moor, Iowa
Best in Show – Clinton County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Modale, Iowa
Best in Sow – Harrison County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Millersburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Iowa County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Walnut, Iowa
Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we will hit the open road THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Jackson County.

WPC – WEEK 339 – GOVERNMENT

The theme of GOVERNMENT was not nearly as popular as HOBBIES.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 14, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Kim Barker – 1 week
+ Monica Henning – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Layla Gorshe – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 3 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 3 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 3 weeks
+ Mike Vest – 3 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 7 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 7 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 7 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 7 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 8 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 9 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 10 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 11 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 15 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 16 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 18 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 21 weeks

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 10 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 11 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -
Teresa Kahler – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 17 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 22 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 9 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 19 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 12 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley – 16 weeks


Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 4 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 8 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 3 weeks

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JODIE CUE
Jodie Cue – 1 week

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JODIE CUE
Jodie Cue

WEEK 339 - GOVERNMENT - JODIE CUE
Jodie Cue


23 submissions from 17 participants. A pretty good week, but not like the last couple of weeks. That is okay, a regression to the norm is to be expected.

All sorts of streaks dropped this week. Becky, Kim, and Monica could not extend their streaks to two weeks. Evie and Layla’s streaks ended at two, although that might be my fault. Linda’s streak was snapped at 3, as was Logan’s and Vest’s.

Congrats to Micky for becoming the latest person to have a double digit streak! WooHoo!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 21 weeks
2. Shannon – 18 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 16 weeks
4. Cathie – 15 weeks
5. Bill – 11 weeks

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 340 - ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT!

ABSTRACT! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is an ABSTRACT image?

Here is a definition from the Wiki:

Abstract photography, sometimes called non-objective, experimental or conceptual photography, is a means of depicting a visual image that does not have an immediate association with the object world and that has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials. An abstract photograph may isolate a fragment of a natural scene in order to remove its inherent context from the viewer, it may be purposely staged to create a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects, or it may involve the use of color, light, shadow, texture, shape and/or form to convey a feeling, sensation or impression.

In a nutshell, an ABSTRACT image would be an image that doesn’t necessarily look like the object that is being photographed. Or at least it concentrates on shapes and forms. It isn’t a picture of a flower that looks like a flower. There are several ways to do this:

+ Move the camera while taking the picture.
+ If you are using a camera with a zoom lens. Zoom the lens while taking the picture.
+ Move a light in a dark room.
+ Take a picture of smoke or steam.
+ Take a picture that is out of focus. Lights work as great subjects here.
+ Reflections in water.

The theme reveal image is a picture of the sun, taken in my alley. With a wide open aperture and completely out of focus.

Another option is to find a piece of ABSTRACT art and take a picture of that.

When thinking about possible ways to make your ABSTRACT image, meditate on the following quote:

Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes….Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas.
– Arshile Gorky

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of ABSTRACT in this place that is little more than an abstraction of my thoughts next Monday.

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

It is time once again for the greatest sporting event of year. It is that time known as March Madness. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Once again, I will be sponsoring a pool. There is no cost to enter the pool, except for pride.

The winner gets a trophy. The dead last place person gets a trophy known as The Sara*.

By winning, you get your name etched on the list of immortals:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS

2021 – Micky Augustin
2019 – Becky Parmelee
2018 – Paul Golden
2017 – Paul Golden
2016 – Michelle Haupt
2015 – Derek Dohrman
2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

But I said that there are 2 trophies. The 2nd trophy, The Sara, goes to the adult that finishes dead last, while trying. A person can not tank on purpose and win The Sara. The reason The Sara winner has to be an adult is that I don’t want to mock children, to their face. Does that mean I have no problem mocking children behind their back? Does it make me a bad person if I say yes? Probably a better rule would be that to “win” The Sara, you have to be at least a teenager. I have no problem mocking teenagers to their face. At least, back when there was a Youth Group.

Past “The Sara” Winners:

2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

The Sara doesn’t have the long storied history of the championship trophy, but it will get there. I have no doubts.

These were the final standings from last year:

ROUNDBALL ORACLES – YEAR 16

1. Michael Augustin – 275 points
2. Jorge Rios – 252 points
3. Jordan Toot – 240 points
4. Corey Faust – 233 points
5. Tim Peterson – 229 points
6. Mike G – 228 points
7. Dawn Krause – 216 points
8. Joey Randazzo – 210 points
9. Elizabeth Nordeen – 204 points
10. Kio Dettman – 203 points
11. Humble Narrator – 202 points
12. Angie DeWaard – 202 points
13. Brandon Kahler – 199 points
14. Bill Wentworth – 194 points
15. Toby Sebring – 191 points
16. Carla Stensland – 188 points
17. Andree Jauhari – 187 points
18. Lowell Davis – 184 points
19. Dylan Groves – 179 points
20. Jesse Howard – 177 points
21. Derek Dohrman – 174 points
22. Joseph Duff – 170 points
23. Robert Henning – 168 points
24. Jackson Faust – 167 points
25. Sarah Karber – 151 points
26. Michelle Haupt – 143 points
27. Rachel Gildersleeve – 142 points

If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:

Roundball Oracles – Year 17

The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed

The Play-in Games (AKA the First Four) don’t matter. You can wait for those games to complete before filling out your bracket. The deadline to fill out your bracket, is tip-off of the first game on Thursday. Roughly 11 AM. Yes, there are no Thursday games this year.

Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no.

There were 27 competitors in 2021. A 15 person drop from 2019. (There was no tournament in 2020.) Hopefully there is a slight rebound in participation this year, but it is possible I have 15 less friends than I did in 2019. It is possible I have lost even more friends since 2020. I might not be that great of a person.

*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.