Category Archives: Family

Animals, Candid Portrait, Gretchen, Jay, Naima, Night, Photo Journal, Photoshop, WPC - Reminder

A Photo Journal – Henry Carroll – Page 118

August 31, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

It is your weekly reminder that this week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is CANDID PORTRAIT.

A great theme! One of the best ever! But what is a CANDID PORTRAIT? A CANDID PORTRAIT is a portrait where the subject isn’t posed. They probably don’t even know that they are being photographed.

CANDID PORTRAIT

Happy photo harvesting!

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A few weeks back at FNSC Jay stopped by to enjoy the firetub. I found it a perfect time to knock out Page 118 of THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT:

Page 118 – Sit opposite someone for two hours. Chat, have a cuppa, but only take pictures when you see something revealing.

Let’s face it. My friends aren’t the sit and “have a cuppa” type of people. But we do like fire. Almost to a fault. But we don’t want to talk about that.

Only one picture can be physically adhered into the physical THE PHOTO JOURNAL. However, I did take a couple more Page 118 photos I think are worth sharing:

I got at least 4 more pages for THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT shot as well. Just got to get them to the editing hole!

Animals, Art, Candid Portrait, Fisheye, Flat Earth Joe, Jay, Naima, Work

2017 Cleanup

August 29, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 3 Comments

As I power through the 2017 backlog, there are several days that included a few pictures here and there.

This entry is throwing some of those rando images together to bring the 2017 backlog into the homestretch.

I think there are about 6 photo sessions from 2017 left to publish, but some of them are BIG ones!

Art, Bethany, Black & White, Dae Hee, Flowers, Logan, Nora, Photoshop, Travel, WPC - Submissions

Franconia: Part II

August 28, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

One photo from last week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE came in late, but I thought I would share it anyways.

The picture below was submitted by Logan. It was taken at Vinton’s fireworks competition.

I didn’t know such a thing existed, but it does. I might have to check it out next year.

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Time to answer the question I left you with in last Tuesday’s blog.

Going back to my trip to the Franconia Sculpture Garden with Bethany, Dae Hee, and Nora from back in August of 2017:

I only have 3 car payments left. While it isn’t a ton of money that I will be not have to lay out every month, I have spent it over and over and over in my head. One of those things i think about buying is a piece of art for the yard. I think that lizard would like great in my yard.

There is one more collection of photos from Franconia next Tuesday.

Candid Portrait, Ernie, Logan, Photo Journal, Photoshop, State Fair, Teresa, WPC - Reminder

A Photo Journal – Henry Carroll – Page 52

August 24, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

It is your weekly reminder that this week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is COMPETITION.

A great theme! One of the best ever! But what is a COMPETITION photo? It is a picture that shows any kind of COMPETITION. COMPETITION can be between teams or individuals or with the self. A COMPETITION photo could show the results of a COMPETITION. Interpret the theme any way you see fit!

COMPETITION

Happy photo harvesting!

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A few weeks back, Ernie was in town visiting Teresa. I felt he would be a good subject for Page 52 of THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT:

Page 52 – Capture someone’s subconscious.

The idea of this picture was thus:

“By giving your subject something to do they become less aware of the act of being photographed.”

Ernie is playing solitaire. I setup my camera on a tripod and triggered the camera with my phone, while I was pretending to look for something on my storage shelves. Hopefully Ernie didn’t realize I was taking the pictures. I told him the purpose of the project after the photo shoot. When I told him we were done, he did seem a bit surprised.

My one regret is that I didn’t give him a toothpick. It looks like he could have used a toothpick to chew on.

Here are a couple of other photos from the photo shoot:

I’m not sure what page we will hit up the next time that we hit up THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT. I have about 4 or 5 of these done and ready to roll. I mean they aren’t edited yet, but I’ve taken the pictures.

I’m trying to include as many different people as possible in this project. If you’re looking to volunteer, you know where to find me. Right now, I could use a person that does yoga.

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Incidentally, part of the reason that Ernie was back was to help get Teresa’s house on the market. Click on the link below to see’s Teresa’s real estate listing:

BUY TERESA’S HOUSE

Logan took the photos for the real estate listing.

Art, Bethany, Black & White, Dae Hee, Nora, Road Trip

Franconia: Part 1

August 21, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

In what feels like forever ago, but was actually only a year ago I went up to the “bold” North to visit Bethany, Dae Hee and Nora. One of those days we headed towards the Wisconsin border and visited a sculpture park called Franconia.

It was about an hour drive from Burnsville, but it was 100% worth it. I think it is my favorite sculpture park that I have ever visited.

Here are some pictures:

I love this sign on many levels.

I know what you’re thinking:

“In that last picture, is that a penis sculpture?”

I guess you’ll have to wait until the next time we visit Franconia to find out!

Animals, Formal Portrait, Kio, Photoshop, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Reminder

A Photo Journal – Henry Carroll – Page 96

August 17, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Before anything, I want to ask for your prayers for the Herrick family. Today we put to rest Earl Herrick. He was my Dad’s best friend, so we are close to the family.

I would like to share the poem that the pastor read at the graveside service. You may have heard it before. It is called “What God Hath Promised”.

WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love

Author: Annie Johnson Flint

I took a picture of one of the program from Earl’s funeral because it included several “Earlisms”. I’m sharing that so you can have an idea of what kind of person Earl was:

Earlisms

“It takes a mighty big dog to weight a ton.”
“They’ll get happy in the same pants they got mad in.”
“I wouldn’t shit you – you’re my favorite turd.”
“Pet and Repeat sitting on a fence… Pete fell off – who was left? Repeat…. Pete and Repeat sitting on a fence…”
When asked, what’s that? “It’s cat’s fur to make kitten britches.”
“Don’t do anything I would do – just don’t get caught.”

Keep Linda, Wendi, Amy, and Mike in your prayers. Thanks.

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Here is your reminder that this week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is ANIMAL.

ANIMAL!

An ANIMAL picture is any picture that features an ANIMAL or an ANIMAL by product.

Happy photo harvesting!

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2 days before I left for the mission trip, Kio commissioned me to do the graduation photography for the Boone Area Humane Society’s Dog Obedience Class. It was a perfect time to knock off Page 96 of THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT:

Page 96 – Photograph an animal as if it were a human.

Although I took several pictures of many amazing dogs, only one can physically be adhered into the physical PHOTO JOURNAL. The physical PHOTO JOURNAL is housed at the Photography 139 Studio. It can be seen by appointment. It is protected by the Photography 139 security dog (who did not graduate from any dog obedience program) when I am not there.

Here are the one that won’t be in the book:

It is hard to tell what page we will check in with the next time we check into THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT. But quite possibly Page 52.

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Also,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERESA!

You are definitely a top 2 sister!

Andy, Animals, Kim, Naima, Photoshop, Shannon, Tamara, WPC - Submissions

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 152 – FEAR

August 13, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Don’t forget that tomorrow, Baby Got Rack will be competing at the Iowa State Fair Barbecue Competition. We can be found on the grand concourse somewhere. Also, I have 2 pictures on display at the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon in the Cultural Building.

Both are worth supporting, at least I think…

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I knew that FEAR was one of the toughest themes in this set of 52 themes and the steep drop in participation this week bore that out. I promise that this week’s theme is much, much easier.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates, you came to see the submissions:

Tamara Peterson

Kim Barker

Tamra Peterson

Andy Sharp

Christopher D. Bennett

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:

ANIMAL

ANIMAL! What a great theme! An ANIMAL photo is pretty self-explanatory. An ANIMAL photo is any picture that includes an ANIMAL. Or an ANIMAL byproduct.

For anybody that wants to book an appointment to photograph Naima. She charges $500 and hour and she takes frequent breaks.

As always, I look forward to 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

Nobody showed class, taste, and sophistication this week by signing up for a Photography 139 email subscription. I’ll try and do better next week.

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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 animalistic Monday.

Alexis, Baseball/Softball, Elainie, Event, Jason, Jaycees, Music, Night, Shannon, Tenderloining

06-22-08 & 06-23-08

August 11, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

There is a bit of variety in the folders 06-22-08 & 06-23-08.

There are pictures of Elainie playing softball.

There are pictures of an Ames on the Half Shell concert. Vivace I believe.

There are pictures of Scottie D. and I tenderloining.

Have a look:

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Photo Gallery, I was able to restore the following “An Artist’s Notebook” journal entries to their original glory:

Royals Win!

Tenderloin Quest: The Beginning

Vivace

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve more Ames on the Half Shell, tractors, the most accurate nickname I was ever given, and a wedding. The wedding if I’m feeling ambitious.

Baby Got Rack, Bethany, Boone FUMC, Carla, Contests, Flowers, Football, Movies, Nature, Photo Journal, Photoshop, Vest, WPC - Reminder

A Photo Journal – Henry Carroll – Page 86

August 10, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

First of all, thanks to everybody who voted to determine what pictures I will enter in the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. I have the 6 entries determined and will be ordering them this weekend.

Pufferbilly Days is September 7, 8, and 9 this year. You can see the photos at the new KWBG Building. That is located on the corner of 9th and Keeler. I don’t know for certain, but my sister Carla will most likely be entering photos as well. She did last year and did very well. There is also a fair chance that frequent WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE contributor Mike Vest will be entering as well.

Other Pufferbilly Days activities you might enjoy watching. Bethany will be running in the 10K. I don’t that Willy is, but I bet he does.

I normally don’t recommend going to parades. They are boring. Too long. Also, they are boring. However, you might want to give some consideration to going to the parade this year. While it isn’t a certainty, there is a pretty good chance I’ll be in the parade for Boone First United Methodist Church. Represent!

Also, on September 8, I’ll be opening the doors of the Union Street Theater* for an Iowa State-Team Out East Game Watch. All Cyclone fans are invited! Hawk fans, I think I can find an old analog television I can set up for you to watch in the garage. Kickoff is 4 PM. There will be snacks. You never know, I might have a popcorn machine by then. Probably not though. I have an electricity thing that I need done and all my electrician type friends have fallen through.

There is a rumor that Baby Got Rack will be competing in a barbecue contest on the Sunday of Pufferbilly Days, but they don’t list such a contest on the Pufferbilly Days website, so stay tuned for more information on that. Otherwise, you can come down to the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday to support us as we compete in the barbecue contest down there. Although, admittedly, we won’t be going all out down there. If there is a Pufferbilly Days contest, we will be bringing out the Cow. Probably Sir-Pigs-a-Lot as well. Stay tuned!

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This is your reminder that this week’s WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is FEAR!

FEAR!

I would describe the difference between a FEAR photo and a SCARY photo as a SCARY photo is a picture of something SCARY while a FEAR photo is a reaction to something SCARY. However, feel free to interpret the theme any way you see fit.

Happy photo harvesting!

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A week or so back, a nice little storm ripped through Boone. I used it as a good opportunity to knock out Page 86 of THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT:

Page 86 – Use Exposure as a Metaphor

This is the water tower that is about a block from where I live. The exposure compensation for this picture was set at -2.3.

Although I took several pictures, only one can be physically adhered into the physical PHOTO JOURNAL. The physical PHOTO JOURNAL is housed at Photography 139 Studio. It can be seen by appointment. It is protected by the Photography 139 security dog when I am not there.

Here are the ones that won’t be in the book:

-4.3

-3.0

-2.7

-3.0

-4.0

-2.3

-2.0

-2.3

-3.7

-4.0, but this one also had a lot of Photoshop tinkering done to it.

Next time we check into THE PHOTO JOURNAL PROJECT, we will probably visit Page 52, but nothing in life is certain, but death and taxes and Iowa football players getting arrested. For mistaking a police car. For an Uber.

*The Union Street Theater Movie Club’s August meeting will be August 26. Projector rolls at 6 PM. This month the double feature is bird themed. The B movie will be BIRDEMIC 2: THE RESURRECTION. The feature film will be the Alfred Hitchcock classic THE BIRDS. Snacks may also be bird themed. Or not. I have to talk to a guy.

Animals, Becky, Blogging, Commercial, Contests, Derrick, Event, Jaycees, Mom, Music, Shannon, Shorty, Vest

06-14-08

August 4, 2018 Christopher D. Bennett

REMINDER

It is once again time for me (and by me, I mean you guys) to pick out my photos to enter in the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Once again, I am going to leave it up to a popular vote.

The Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest allows you to enter up to 6 photos.

There are 4 Categories:

1. Nature
2. Photojournalism
3. Photoshop Enhanced
4. Hidden Treasures of Boone County.

I have selected 60 images for you to consider. To simplify things, I have split the 60 photos into 6 sets of 10. If you wish to exercise your enfranchisement, clicking on the link below will take you to Poll #1. Vote for one of those pictures and then move onto the next poll, until you have voted in all six polls.

The winner of EACH poll will be entered into the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest.

Click on the link below to start voting:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Nominees

Voting will end at midnight, August 8.

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TRIGGER WARNING!!! TRIGGER WARNING!!! TRIGGER WARNING!!!

If your name is Micky and you are a purpose of a cowardly disposition, be warned, snakes lie ahead!

Normally I don’t like to warn people that there might be something they find scary or offensive ahead. However, I know Micky is particularly scared of snakes. So much so, that he brokered a deal with his wife that she handles any snakes that they come across along the path of their wedded bliss.

The hype about him being a great outdoorsman might be a little overhyped.

Now that little bit of unpleasantness is out of the way, the images that come from the folder 06-14-08 are mostly from Ames on the Half Shell. However, some involve a snake. Some involve the Ames Party Bus.

Here are the pictures:

The snake was in Shorty and Doris’ flowerbed. The band that was playing Ames on the Half Shell was Burnin’ Sensations. They are still together and still playing. I haven’t seen them in several years, but back in the day, they used to be a real fun band to watch play.

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

Flowerbed Buddy

Burnin’ Sensations

There are more pictures from the Burnin’ Sensations that I didn’t include in this blog, but you can peruse them by clicking on the link below:

AMES THE HALF SHELL – 2008

Next week’s walk down memory lane will involve more Ames on the Half Shell, some Little League, and maybe, just maybe some tenderloining.