Category Archives: Family

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 43 – SUNRISE/SUNSET

Participation took a little bit of hit this week. I’m sure it probably had to do a bit with the fact that there are only 2 times a day somebody could take a picture for this theme. If they were taking the theme literally. Or maybe something else caused a dip. I don’t know. I can’t read minds. I can barely read social media posts. I’m only human.

However, the submissions we did get were solid. The submissions for SUNRISE/SUNSET:


WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - CARLA STENSLAND 1
Carla Stensland 1

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - CARLA STENSLAND 2
Carla Stensland 2

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - CARLA STENSLAND 3
Carla Stensland 3

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - KIM BARKER 1
Kim Barker 1

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - KIM BARKER 2
Kim Barker 2

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - JOE LYNCH
Joe Lynch

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - JODIE BENNETT 1
Jodie Bennett 1

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - JODIE BENNETT 2
Jodie Bennett 2

WEEK 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET - JODIE BENNETT 3
Jodie Bennett 3

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 44 - SMOKE
SMOKE!

Also, perhaps not the most easily accessible subject. However, if you have to, go hang out with a smoker. Some of them don’t even smell that bad. Like the ones that smoke ribs on their decks. Those smokers smell delicious. Yes, I’m saying that Scottie D. smells delicious. I’m comfortable with it. Are you?

Personally, I’m hoping to get caught up in the middle of a protest this weekend. #BLACKLIVESMATTER If that doesn’t work out, I’m looking forward to having an excuse to start a fire. It really is a win-win! Social justice or pyromania!

If you think this is a difficult theme… 2 things:

1. Next week’s theme will be almost painfully easy.
2. It is probably a good time to leave suggestions for next year’s themes in the comments section of this here blog. To date, the only suggestion is GLITTERY.

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. 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.

MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DIVISION

Nothing new to report. Nobody new has displayed their class, taste, and sophistication by signing up for a Photography 139 email subscription. I’ll try to do better next week.

That’s all I got, 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 smoky Monday.

Time Killer

A few weeks back, while I was waiting for some people get ready for a photo shoot, I took a couple pictures of my Grandma’s rose bush.


Grandma's Rose Bush

This rose bush is one of my favorite plants. A top 5 plant I tell ya!

PARTICULARS

CAMERA: SONY SLT-A65V
ISO: 100
FOCAL LENGTH: 60mm
APERTURE: f/4
EXPOSURE: 1/100
DATE: 05/28/2016 – 18:19
LATITUDE: 42.06305°
PHOTO ASSISTANT: Time
EDITING SOUNDTRACK: The quiet murmur of world class support.

Car Ride!

Took this photo of Naima as we were cruising for one of our walks on the backside of McHose Park.




I don’t recommend you attempt this photo, unless you are as skilled of a driver as I am. Just sayin’…

Great hands also help. Big hands wouldn’t hurt either.

PARTICULARS

CAMERA: SONY SLT-A65V
ISO: 100
FOCAL LENGTH: 20mm
APERTURE: f/6.3
EXPOSURE: 1/80
DATE: 07/02/13 – 17:05
NO GPS DATA RECORDED
PHOTO ASSISTANT: The Camry (I don’t name my car. I’m not a teenage girl.)
EDITING SOUNDTRACK: “Country Man” by Buddy Guy

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 42 – TRANSPORTATION

Considering that today is a holiday of some note, I’m pleased with the number of submissions.

Since today is a holiday of some note, I’ll make this quick. Here are the submissions for TRANSPORTATION:


WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - KIM BARKER 1
Kim Barker 1

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - KIM BARKER 2
Kim Barker 2

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - ANGIE DEWAARD 1
Angie DeWaard 1

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - ANGIE DEWAARD 2
Angie DeWaard 2

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - ANGIE DEWAARD 3
Angie DeWaard 3

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - STEPHANIE KIM 1
Stephanie Kim 1

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - STEPHANIE KIM 2
Stephanie Kim 2

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - CHRISTOPHER D .BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - SHANNON BARDOLE
Shannon Bardole

WEEK 42 - TRANSPORTATION - MONICA KEWER
Monica Kewer

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 43 - SUNRISE/SUNSET
SUNRISE/SUNSET

Since Naima is waiting patiently to go on a walk, I’ll just point out that you don’t have to take this theme literally. Also, my quick advice is as follows. Think about what you put in front of the sunset or sunrise. That might make the picture. The other advice is don’t necessarily take a picture looking at the sunset. Turn around and look at what the light has done behind you. Finally. Wait at least 5 minutes until after the sun has gone down until you quit your scene. At least 5 minutes.

No Housekeeping today. Giving it the day off.

4 Generations

When Elainie was back for Alexis’ graduation, Carla got Mom and Grandma together for a 4 generations picture. A Majors. A Paris. A Bennett. 2 Stenslands.


4 Generations

With Alexis leaving for the Navy in less than a month and Elainie already in the Navy, organizing pictures like this in the future may come close to impossible. Glad we got this one when we did.

PARTICULARS

CAMERA: SONY SLT-A65V
ISO: 160
FOCAL LENGTH: 70mm
APERTURE: f/5.6
EXPOSURE: 1/160
DATE: 05/28/2016 – 19:29
LATITUDE: 42.06308°
LONGITUDE: -93.93079
PHOTO ASSISTANT: Grandpa’s Horse
EDITING SOUNDTRACK: “Stardust” by Louis Armstrong

Fuzzy Cuteness

As I promised, after two days of having to look at disgusting Coca-Cola products, I would reward you with fuzzy cuteness. If I am nothing, I am a man of my word!


Baby Possum
Fuzzy Cuteness

A week or so back, I was in the backyard with my legendary hunting pooch Naima. We were in the process of putting away a tarp that I was drying out. As I picked up the tarp, Naima started going crazy. After I moved the tarp I uncovered one of her favorite toys. I naturally assumed this is what she wanted so badly. I pointed it out to her, but she ignored it and she kept barking.

I turned around to see what she was all jacked up about. Turns out having fallen out of the tarp was this cute little baby possum.

After snapping a few photos, I placed the tarp over him and let him be. Despite the advice of legendary outdoorsman and animal lover Micky Augustin to just hit it with a shovel and throw it in the garbage.

When Naima woke me up at 5:30 in the morning the next day (as is our custom), I went outside and removed the tarp. Baby Possum was gone. Having moved on to spread his fuzzy cuteness to the rest of the world.

I hope our paths can cross again and and if they do I’m sure he will give me a knowing glance that says, “Hey pal. Thanks for not hitting me in the head with a shovel and throwing me in the garbage. That was doing a brother a solid.”

PARTICULARS

CAMERA: Sony SLT-A65V
ISO: 500
FOCAL LENGTH: 60mm
APERTURE: f/4
EXPOSURE: 1/100
DATE: 06/09/2016 – 19:50
LATITUDE: 42.05525°
LONGITUDE: -93.87058°
PHOTO ASSISTANT: Naima
PHOTO EDITING SOUNDTRACK: “My Name Is” by Eminem

THE CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT TRIVIA QUIZ

QUESTION 20

Even though I can’t find a good glass of it in Kansas or Minnesota or anywhere else I may travel outside of Iowa, what do I always drink with my breakfast?

ANSWER: CHOCOLATE MILK

BONUS

What decidedly Iowa food item do Scottie D. and I travel the backroads of the Cyclone State to eat, rate, and seek out the best of?

ANSWER: Tenderloin

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 39 – SKY/CLOUDS

This week’s theme seemed to really inspire lots of people. Including first time contributor and conspiracy theory enthusiast Joe Lynch. Who wanted it known that those aren’t clouds in his picture. They are chem trails. Dropped by “them” on the “masses” to dumb us down or make us easier to control or more violent or something. Wake up people!

Here are the submissions for SKY/CLOUDS:


WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - JOE LYNCH
Joe Lynch

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - CARLA STENSLAND 1
Carla Stensland 1

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - CARLA STENSLAND 2
Carla Stensland 2

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - JODIE BENNETT
Jodie Bennett 1

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - JODIE BENNETT
Jodie Bennett 2

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - STEPHANIE KIM 2
Stephanie Kim 1

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - STEPHANIE KIM 3
Stephanie Kim 2

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - STEPHANIE KIM 1
Stephanie Kim 3

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - STEPHANIE KIM 4
Stephanie Kim 4

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - BECKY PERKOVICH 1
Becky Perkovich 1

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - BECKY PERKOVICH 2
Becky Perkovich 2

WEEK 39 - SKY/CLOUDS - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest

An impressive collection of submissions methinks.

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!


WEEK 40 - BLUE
BLUE!

This should be easy enough. Almost everybody has access to something BLUE. Blue is even an emotion. My inbox should be just packed full of BLUE submissions.

If you normally don’t pay attention to HOUSEKEEPING, you might want to this week. Or you might be disappointed next week.

HOUSEKEEPING

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. 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.

MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DIVISION

Nothing new to report on this front. However, if you are reading these words and don’t have a Photography 139 email subscription. Let this guy know. I’ll get you hooked up!

MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SCHEDULING DIVISION

I will be in Milwaukee next Monday for my church’s Youth Group Mission Trip. The deadline for BLUE will not change. However, the submissions will not be published next Monday. More like Friday night or Saturday when I return. However, at 12:01 PM next Monday, the week’s theme will publish and you can begin working in earnest on it.

MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 FACE BOOK IS THE DEVIL DIVISION

Just a heads up that I probably won’t be publishing a link to this here post today. Any time there is a mass shooting I stay away from Facebook for a couple days. Considering the nature of this latest symptom of our country’s disease, I’m sure Facebook is even worse than normal with posts that are racist, homophobic, scapegoating the mental health system, and highly inaccurate with its interpretation of the Second Amendment. These types of incidents always just make me sad. I don’t need anger pile on top of it.

I like to think that humans are mostly decent people. Even if most of the evidence seems to suggest otherwise. Seems like the timing of the Mission Trip is perfect.

That’s all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will commune again next Monday.

THE CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT TRIVIA QUIZ

QUESTION 17

How many biological siblings do I have? Be very specific.

ANSWER: 2.5

BOUNS

What are their names?

ANSWER: TERESA, CARLA, & JODIE

Don’t Believe Everything that You Breathe

Here lieth a few PERSPECTIVE attempts that weren’t quite up to snuff.


PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

PERSPECTIVE - LOSER

Such a sad and pathetic bunch.

THE CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT TRIVIA QUIZ

QUESTION 14

This year I will be going on my 5th Mission Trip with my church’s Youth Group. Name the 4 places I have already gone: (Hint: 1 place twice)

ANSWER: KANSAS CITY, MINNEAPOLIS, KANSAS CITY, MARTIN (SOUTH DAKOTA)

BONUS

Where is the Mission Trip going this year?

ANSWER: MILWAUKEE