Category Archives: Family

Dignity, Always Dignity

January 18, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

Getting back to the backlog, here are some pictures on the way home from my trip to South Dakota with my Mom:

The stops included DIGNITY OF EARTH & SKY, The Corn Palace, and the Hungry Dog for lunch. I reiterate my love of The Hungry Dog!

I didn’t know anything about DIGNITY OF EARTH & SKY before the trip. It was just something we came across on the trip. It overlooks the Missouri River near Chamberlain, South Dakota. It is 50 foot high and I love it.

It also manages to be way less creepy than the Big Jesus statue in Sioux City.

Still probably about 4 or 5 more blog posts coming about this trip!

Andy, Carla, Logan, Pastor Sarah, Photoshop, Shannon, Tamara, WPC - Submissions

Weekly Photo Challenge – Week 122 – High Perspective

January 15, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

I usually start this blog post with a statement on how participation rates went this week, but this week I’m going to start the week differently.

A recent subscriber and often contributor to the WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Tamara Peterson’s husband Glenn recently got a tough diagnosis and they have a long fight ahead of them. They are legitimately 2 of the best people I have ever known. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Thoughts are good. Prayers are better.

Also, Jesse’s Dad has been going through some complications with his cancer treatments lately as well. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as well.

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Looks like HIGH PERSPECTIVE was not a super popular theme, but that is okay because we have a submission from Andy Sharp. His first submission!

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk tommyrot abut participation rates. You came to see the submissions:

Sarah Karber

Tamara Peterson

Christopher D. Bennett

Andy Sharp

Carla Stensland

Shannon Bardole-Foley

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:

FOOD!

FOOD! What a great theme! I don’t think I need to explain FOOD to you. Hopefully, all of you put enough of it in your mouth every day. If not, I know some people that can help you out.

As always, I’m interested in seeing your interpretations!

HOUSEKEEPING

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 RULES DIVISION

1. The picture has to be taken the week of the theme. This isn’t a curate your pictures challenge. This is a get your butt off the couch (my personal experience) and put your camera in your hands challenge. Don’t send me a picture of you next to the Eiffel Tower, when I know you were in Iowa all week. I will point out that I have let that slide some in the past. I will not in the future. Since it is literally about the only rule.

2. Your submission needs to be emailed to bennett@photography139.com by 11 AM on the Monday of the challenge due date. It should be pointed out that this blog auto-publishes at 12:01 on Mondays. So it wouldn’t hurt to get your picture in earlier.

That is it, them’s the rules.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DIVISION

Nothing new to report. I’ll try to do better next week.

Want your own Photography 139 email subscription? Call, email, or text me and I’ll get you the hook up.

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That’s all I got for today, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will commune right here again next Monday. Hopefully it will be a very foodie Monday!

Art, Black & White, Flowers, Grandma, Macro, Photoshop

Daisy, Daisy

January 11, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Dipping into the backlog again. These pictures were taken on June 4.

The majority of these pictures were taken at McHose Park. The other two were taken in my Grandma’s backyard.

Black & White, Dad, Photoshop, Railroad, Ruins, WPC - Alternate

Just Let Me Do What I Do Best; You’re Better Off Playing Russian Roulette

January 9, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

The world wasn’t ready for these alternates for last week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme RUINS. Not sure the world is ready yet, but I can’t hold them back any longer:

Most of these pictures were taken down at the Kate Shelley Museum in Moingona. For those of you from Minnesota, that is pronounced MON like the MON in MONtana. No MOYN like the MOINes in Des Moines. The Kate Shelley Museum is closed to the public while they try to raise money to fix it. However, considering the Historical Society’s current situation with the Eisenhower Birthplace, I can’t imagine it opening back up to the public at any point in the near future.

Sadly, even the outhouses (#outhousesofinstagram) are even closed. However, the trail to the Mill Creek Bridge seems to still be open.

The steps can be found near the intersection of US-30 and R18. Near there is where my Dad took his famous (if you ever went to the bathroom at 415 Greene Street) Mahaska Avenue Outhouse (#outhousesofinstagram) photo.

Carla, Kim, Ruins, Steph, Tamara, WPC - Submissions

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 121 – RUINS

January 8, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

There was another slight uptick in participation this rates for RUINS in this week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk tommyrot abut participation rates. You came to see the submissions:

KIM BARKER

TAMARA PETERSON

CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT

CARLA STENSLAND

STEPHANIE KIM

HIGH PERSPECTIVE!

HIGH PERSPECTIVE! What a great theme! But what does it mean? A HIGH PERSPECTIVE photo would be the opposite of last week’s LOW PERSPECTIVE. Rather than getting low like one of God’s noblest creatures, the rat, think of getting high like one of God’s lowest creatures, the hawk. But how high is high? It doesn’t have to be way up in the sky. Anything spot where you can look down on your subject is good enough. That might just be standing on a chair. Get creative.

As always, I look forward to your interpretations!

HOUSEKEEPING

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 RULES DIVISION

That is it, them’s the rules.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DIVISION

I’m pleased to announce that Andy Sharp is the newest person to show taste, class, and sophistication by signing up for a Photography 139 email subscription. He did this despite the fact that his wife checks his email for him and he is very proud of his lack of tech savvy and social media-ness. You may remember Andy from such past adventures like Mission Trip to Martin or Mission Trip to Milwaukee. I’m sure he will be starring in my future adventure called Mission Trip to Houston. If you see Andy out walking the mean streets of Boone, feel free to give him a knowing look and show him the super secret Photography 13 handshake!

Want your own Photography 139 email subscription? Call, email, or text me and I’ll get you the hook up.

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That’s all I got for today, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will commune right here again next Monday. Hopefully it will be a very high Monday!

Art, Becca, History, Holidays, Monica, Photoshop, Sara, Work

2-10-08

January 6, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

The following pictures were in the folder 2-10-08:

The tin was made by Sara. It was product from her Etsy store. You may have noticed some of her tins around my house as decorations.

The painted fish bowl was a Christmas present from Becca. It was one of my favorite Christmas Presents I’ve ever received. Her design was based off of my 4 FLOWERS image.

The tragic part of this story is that I used the bowl as my loose change jar. When it was full I took it to the bank and it got broke. I don’t know that I’ve ever fully recovered. Hopefully some day I will get a replacement for it. Perhaps it will come the same day I get my replacement for my Monica Henning painting that was also tragically destroyed in a freak dog toy accident.

The last image is something I won at a Christmas Work Party. I sold it to a co-worker for $20.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that I did put my car in the ditch on Wednesday. It was the first time in my life I’ve put my car in the ditch… well during winter. (I’m sure many of you remember the skunk family story that lead to my relenting and agreeing to get cell phones.)

I need to point out (because of people like Amber of Youth Group fame) that I was not taking pictures (like I was in 2 of the pictures above) while I was driving. It just happened. Not by best moment.

One of my best moments was being able to restore 3 old timey blogs by adding these old timey photos to the Photograpy 139 Gallery:

EVEN WHEN YOU WIN
PRETTIEST PRESENT
ANGRY BRAD’S DESIGNS

On next Saturday’s walk down memory lane, we will have another look at some Little White Lye Soap pictures.

Basketball, Derrick, Football, Holidays, Jay, Jesse, Michelle, Mom, Nader, Photoshop, Road Trip, Russell, Scottie D., Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait Project, Shannon, Tenderloining, Teresa, Video, Willy

The Selfie Project – Denouement

January 5, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

It is over! The Selfie Project is over! But we should have a couple last looks at all that was “accomplished”!

Here are my favorite pictures from December:

December 2

December 4

December 6

December 7

December 9

December 11

December 12

December 13

December 16

December 17

December 18

December 20

December 21

December 22

December 23

December 24

December 28

December 29

December 30

January 1

Here is a photomosaic of the December 31 selfie:

This photomosaic consists of 3000 tiles. 1 images is used a maximum of 10 times. If you would like to see the image at full resolution, click on the link below to download:

FULL RESOLUTION PHOTO MOSAIC

I also made a video featuring all 367 images. You can watch it below:

Of course, if you subscribe to this blog via email or RSS Feed, you will have to physically go to this blog entry to view the video!

It was a good project and while at least Michelle is sad to see it go, it is time to put it to bed. Maybe I’ll bring it back in 2019.

Animals, Art, History, Iowa State, Naima, Nature, Night, Politics, Road Trip, Travel, WPC - Alternate

That Last Album Was Heavy, That Last Album Was Gritty, How You Gon’ Match That?

January 2, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

The world wasn’t ready for these LOW PERSPECTIVE pictures on Monday. I’m not sure the world is ready for them now. But I can’t hold them back any longer:

Most of these pictures were taken in Memphis. Others were taken in my backyard. One was taken in my kitchen.

You’re welcome world.

Angie, Carla, Cathie, Kim, Shannon, WPC - Submissions

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 120 – LOW PERSPECTIVE

January 1, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

After last week’s disaster of participation, participation rates took a slight uptick. Even as temperatures in central Iowa dipped to below -10.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk tommyrot abut participation rates. You came to see the submissions:

CATHIE RALEY

CARLA STENSLAND

KIM BARKER

SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY

ANGIE DEWAARD

CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT

RUINS!

RUINS! What a great theme! But what does it mean? Find something that is falling apart. Something that isn’t in the best shape. Something that is rusty. Something that’s best days are behind it. Photograph it.

As always, I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

HOUSEKEEPING

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 RULES DIVISION

That is it, them’s the rules.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DIVISION

Nothing new to report. I’ll try to do better next week.

Want your own Photography 139 email subscription? Call, email, or text me and I’ll get you the hook up.

**************************************

That’s all I got for today, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will commune right here again next Monday. Hopefully it will be a very ruinous Monday!

Alisa, Animals, Iowa State, Jesse, Naima, Road Trip, Self-Portrait Project, WPC - Submissions

2017 – Year in Review

December 31, 2017 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

Time for a look back at 2017. While it was a disaster for our country and for the world, it wasn’t so bad for me personally.

Here are the 5 Most popular Photo Galleries on my website:

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – YEAR 4 (96932 VIEWS)

SELFIE PROJECT – 2017 (58566 VIEWS)

2007 – JULY-DECEMBER (30046 VIEWS)

2007 – JANUARY-JUNE (21923 VIEWS)

9 EMOTIONS PROJECT (21752 VIEWS)

The 5 Most Popular Blog Entries (BASED ON COMMENTS):

YOU CAN CALL IT A COMEBACK (15 COMMENTS).

YOU, YA JUST GET IN THAT HEAD SPACE, YA KNOW (15 COMMENTS)

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 76 – GOVERNMENT (14 COMMENTS)

I LOST MY NERVE (11 COMMENTS)

“THE WRONG GUY GOT ELECTED” (11 COMMENTS)

The 5 Most Popular Photos on my Website (BASED ON VIEWS):

Alisa & I at Winter Jam – 9565 VIEWS

Ground Squirrel – 4349 VIEWS

Me and Naima – 2619 VIEWS

Sidewalk Chalk – 1862 VIEWS

Jesse and I at the Pep Rally Before the Big Men’s Basketball Championship Game – 1800 VIEWS

There were 400 blog posts in 2017. Pretty sure that is a record.

In 2017, I got to see Beale Street, Mount Rushmore, The Civil Rights Museum, and the Badlands. All places I’ve wanted to see for years.

In 2017, I got see Iowa State win a Big 12 Championship in Men’s Basketball and win a bowl game and watch Iowa State beat the #5 team in the country.

In 2017, I got to be President of the Methodist Men, serve on the Administrative Council for my Church and go on a Mission Trip with the Youth Group to Saint Paul.

In 2017, I attended birthday parties, birthday dinners, 4 weddings (I think), and too many funerals. Even though, there weren’t many.

In 2017, I went on vacations to Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota, and Tennessee.

In 2017, I established a new tradition of The Union Street Movie Theater Movie Night.

In 2017, I didn’t spend enough time with friends and family.

In 2017, I watched too much television and read too few books.

This brings me to my goals for 2017:

1. I’m gonna step my game up and get what’s coming to me. (My standard goal.)
2. I’m going to read at least 20 books in 2018.

I don’t have any new photo projects for 2018. I’m not continuing the Selfie Project. My Instagram account is going to go 100% black and white in 2018. I will finish the Photo Journal Project.

These are the things that I will do in 2018.

HOUSEKEEPING

HOUSEKEEPING

HOUSEKEEPING

YOU CAN CALL IT A COMEBACK (15 COMMENTS). YOU, YA JUST GET IN THAT HEAD SPACE, YA KNOW (15 COMMENTS) WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 76 – GOVERNMENT (14 COMMENTS) I LOST MY NERVE (11 COMMENTS) “THE WRONG GUY GOT ELECTED” (11 COMMENTS)

YOU CAN CALL IT A COMEBACK (15 COMMENTS).

YOU, YA JUST GET IN THAT HEAD SPACE, YA KNOW (15 COMMENTS)

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 76 – GOVERNMENT (14 COMMENTS)

I LOST MY NERVE (11 COMMENTS)

“THE WRONG GUY GOT ELECTED” (11 COMMENTS)