Category Archives: Andy

WPC – WEEK 395 – ODD CAMERA ANGLE

Before we get into the submissions for this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE I want to say that I’m starting to work on the 2023 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. There are a couple of changes from last year in the photo classes. I split NATURE into ANIMALS and PLANTS. The majority of images submitted last year were for the NATURE class. This way these are split into two categories. I also eliminated the class HIDDEN TREASURES OF BOONE COUNTY and replaced it with PLACES. The amount of classes went up from 5 to 6.

There are still 3 Age Divisions. Youth (7-12), Teen(13-17), and Adult (18+).

Another change is that the photos are not going to be displayed at KWBG this year. The Pufferbilly Days Committee is pushing to have all the activities centered around Story Street on Friday and Saturday. Details are still be worked out, but the current plan is to display the photo amongst various downtown retailers and then Sunday at Art in the Park at McHose Park.

Here is a look at this year’s entry form:



More information will be released as it becomes available. This is just the beginning of the journey. Also thanks to Michelle for updating the entry form!

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ODD CAMERA ANGLE! A great theme! But were there a ton of oddballs out there to give this theme a spin? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 3, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Porter Degeneffe – 1 week
2-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
4-Sabas Hernandez – 2 weeks
5-Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks
6-Mindi Terrell – 7 weeks (3)
7-Suzie Brannen – 11 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 11 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 12 weeks
10-Mike Vest – 12 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 32 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 36 weeks
14-Sarah Toot – 37 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 41 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 45 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 50 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 52 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 53 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 63 weeks (3)
21-Carla Stensland – 63 weeks
22-Micky Augustin – 64 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 66 weeks
24-Bill Wentworth – 67 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 71 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 72 weeks (2)
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 73 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 76 weeks (3)

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 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 51 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 42 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Colorado) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Missouri) – 72 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 37 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Michigan)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 23 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 33 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 68 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CHRISOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 53 weeks

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 46 weeks

WEEK 355 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 77 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE -KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 38 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) – 13 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (North Dakota)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (South Dakota)

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 54 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 13 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Iowa)

31 participants! That is the most this year for sure and possibly the most ever. Maybe tied for the most ever. I would have to check the books and I don’t have last year’s Ledger in front of me right now. We will just go with tied for most ever participants for now.

First ever submissions from Funk and Alexis. I don’t expect Funk to keep contributing, but I knew she was in Colorado doing her mountain climbing thing again, so I hit her up for a submission. But maybe she will find it addictive. One never knows about such things. I do expect big things from Alexis though. She has that good Bennett photography blood flowing through those veins. After all, there are consistently 7 regular participants with that good Bennett photography blood flowing through their veins. Your humble narrator, Linda Bennett, Teresa Kahler, Carla Stensland, Sarah Toot, Brandon Kahler and Logan Kahler. Alexis would be the 8th.

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Colorado
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Michigan
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas

Four more states have been filled in on the map this week, thanks to Nathanial’s long road trip we get to fill in North Dakota and South Dakota. Thanks to Funk’s mountain climbing exploits, we also get to fill in Colorado. Also, Mary took her submissions in Michigan. WooHoo!
Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin

21 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

Thanks to Nathanial’s super long road trip, we also got another submission from outside of the United States. Canada is on the big board now!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 3 miles from my front door. So I continue to contribute nothing. There were no major milestones this week. But Kim is closing in on joining the 1 Year Club.

While there was, maybe, record participation this week, it wasn’t all great news. Porter and Becky couldn’t extend last week’s submissions into a 2 week streak. Maybe the pressure of being the youngest contributor this year got to him. Maybe when school’s out, I’ll start hitting up Evie and Layla for submissions. They need to start getting their entries for the Story County Fair (I honestly don’t know if they still do 4-H) and the Pufferbilly Photo Contest taken sometime soon. Jen’s 2 week streak is also history. She ghosted me after I sent her a picture of a matchstick sculpture of the set of BACK TO THE FUTURE. I might have accidentally blown her mind.

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 396 - SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH
SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH

SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH?!? That seems like an odd theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

This theme was suggested by Angie. It was meant to be subversive. If you have read the rules for (and there aren’t many rules, but they do grow a little by little) THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, you may remember the this line:

“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.”

Here is your chance to not get your butt off the couch. You can literally sit on your couch. Take a picture of whatever you see from your couch and submit it to me. Now, you don’t have to take the picture from your couch. You can pile a bunch of your favorite people on your couch and take a picture of them. You can take your picture from behind the couch. It actually doesn’t even have to be your couch. You can find somebody else’s couch you like better and take your picture from there. It could be a couch in a store or a hotel or a bar. Doesn’t matter. It just has to be a SCENE FROM A COUCH.

There are two things I love about this theme. First, it means that there is somebody that actually reads the rules. Second, this picture can be the easiest one you take for this year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE or you really take your creative juices for a walk to figure out how make this picture, let us say different. To really stretch the boundaries of the theme.

All sorts of stuff happens on a couch. I can’t wait to see what happens on some of yours.

While considering possible subjects for your SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a fascinating submission:

I stick to simple themes. Love. Hate. No nuances, I stay away from psychoanalyst’s couch scenes. Couches are good for one thing.
-John Wayne

John Wayne might have been a racist, draft dodging prick*, but the guy knew couches.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH in this place that was probably dreamed up on a couch next Monday.

* I still love quite a few John Wayne movies. I can separate art from artist. Also I don’t blame him for draft-dodging. I blame him for acting like he didn’t hide behind his marriage to dodge the draft in WWII so he could cheat on his wife with Marlene Dietrich, probably on a couch.

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

I need to start the day off by wishing Andree a happy birthday. Happy birthday Andree!


Photo Journal - Page 56 Reject

I hope your birthday is filled with joy, or at least as much joy as one can feel when they are in Houston, Texas.

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Yesterday was the end of the college basketball season, which also means it is time to crown the winner for Year 18 of the Roundball Oracles.

The winner was Will Baier. Congratulations Will! Making it back to back championships for Baier brothers! It seems like almost everybody in the Baier family has won, except Jason. Hmmmm…

His name is now on the List of Immortals.

ROUNDBALL ORACLES CHAMPIONS
2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2020 – Tournament Canceled
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

Also “congratulations” goes to “The Sara” winner… Ben Baier. It was a close one this year and came down to the tie-breaker. It was so close to going Shawn. Then he would have had a “The Sara” trophy and the actual The Sara living in his house. Maybe next year.

Ben Baier went from the penthouse to the outhouse in one year. Maybe next year he will be back in the penthouse and his brother will be in the outhouse. It will be interesting to watch.

THE SARA “WINNERS”

2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2020 – Tournament Canceled
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Here are the final Roundball Oracles Standings:

1. Will Baier – 204
2. Toby Sebring – 200
3. Sarah Karber – 193
4. Tim Peterson – 189
5. Cathie Morton – 188
6. Elizabeth Nordeen- 185
7. Andy Sharp – 184
8. Russell Kennerly – 184
9. Linda Bennett – 183
10. Micky Augustin – 183
11. Carrie Baier – 180
12. Dawn Krause – 178
13. Corey Faust – 177
14. Jesse Howard – 176
15. Jason Baier – 173
16. Angie DeWaard – 171
17. Michelle Haupt – 170
18. Carla Stensland – 170
19. Jackson Faust – 168
20. Frank Meiners – 157
21. Lowell Davis – 155
22. Andree Jauhari – 154
23. Christopher D. Bennett – 154
24. Robert Henning – 154
25. Nader Parsaei – 147
26. Logan Kahler – 145
27. Rachel Gildersleeve – 145
28. Joey Randazzo – 144
29. Olivia Baier – 141
30. Jordan Toot – 141
31. JJ Baier – 141
32. Brandon Kahler – 136
33. Becky Parmelee – 131
34. Derek Dohrman – 122
35. Sara Lockner – 112
36. Shawn Lockner – 111
37. Ben Baier – 111

Congrats to everybody that did better than me this year. And there were a lot of them. Cherish the feeling, cause it won’t happen again. Okay, it probably will.

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A few weeks back I took Rodan139 out for a couple test flights. The second of those flights was a spin above the Pilot Mound State Forest. Here are a few pictures from that flight:


Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Next week I will share the pictures from the final flight I took on the battery test flight day.

WPC – WEEK 394 – BLUE

BLUE! A great theme! Everybody loves the color BLUE. But did a bunch of people love it enough to submit a photo? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 27, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Sabas Hernandez – 1 week
3-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
4-Mary Green – 2 weeks
5-Mindi Terrell – 6 weeks (3)
6-Suzie Brannen – 10 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 10 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 10 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 11 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 11 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 31 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 35 weeks
14-Sarah Toot – 36 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 40 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 44 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 49 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 51 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 52 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 62 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 62 weeks (2)
22-Micky Augustin – 64 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 65 weeks (3)
24-Bill Wentworth – 66 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 70 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 71 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 72 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 75 weeks (2)

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 394 - BLUE - PORTER DEGENEFFE
Porter Degeneffe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 22 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 32 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 36 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Washington D.C.) – 36 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New York)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 45 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 52 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 53 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 66 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 67 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Missouri) – 71 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa) – 498 weeks

First, I have to say I find it interesting that Kio took a picture of grape juice for PURPLE and also one for BLUE. Makes me wonder what… what color does Kio think grape juice is?? Or maybe Kio is color blind. Or slightly color blind. I know a few people who are color blind in the blue range. But on the same side, I’ve never understood how you make red wine out of purple grapes. It is a mystery.

For example, yesterday Fran sent me a chat with a picture of a drink with the question, orange or yellow. It so happened that I was having a little post-church and pre-theater lunch with my sisters and so I showed them the picture. We all came back that the liquid in the glass was clearly yellow.

I sent that message back to Fran and she let me know that she thought it was orange.

Maybe I don’t sit and thing about color that much, but Monica sent me a message a couple weeks back about how she is “fascinated by how people interpret color… is it pink or is it purple!?!”. I hope Monica gets just as a big of a kick at seeing the interpretations of BLUE.

All this to say that if I use grape juice in my picture this week, it is because imitation is the highest form of flattery.

29 participants! Another great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Arkansas
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Missouri
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.

Technically, Washington D.C. isn’t a state, but let’s face it, it should be. Sarah’s picture crosses off another place on the map. I need to make that map someday. Today isn’t that day though.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin

17 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about a mile from my front door.

Porter had his first ever submission. I’m pretty pumped for that. He is the youngest to submit this year and I hope that he continues to submit in the future. Welcome aboard Porter!

The big accomplishment this week was Joe Duff joining the 1 Year Club. WooHoo! Congrats to Joe! Who isn’t too big time to work the night shift. Take notes Suzie.

But unfortunately it was not all good news. Mary’s 2 week streak bit the dust. Jesse’s 10 week streak is only a distant memory now.

Hopefully they get back on that horse again this week.

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 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE
ODD CAMERA ANGLE

ODD CAMERA ANGLE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is an ODD CAMERA ANGLE photo? Simply put, it a picture taken from an angle that is different than normal. The grand majority of pictures are taken from the eye level of the photographer. This theme challenges you to look down at your subject. Or look up at your subject. Or look at it from an angle where something small looks big and something big looks small. Or try out a Dutch angle. Put yourself on the ground or in a hole or in the air. Just don’t take your picture eye level. That’s all we’re asking here. The world is your oyster. You just have to look at it askew.

While considering possible subject for your submission, meditate on the following quote and you will no doubt come up with a great image:

I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect – they are much more interesting.
-Marc Jacobs

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of ODD CAMERA ANGLE in this place that is more than a little different next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 393 – COMPETITION

EDITOR’S NOTE: MY WORK SCHEDULE HAS TEMPORARILY CHANGED DUE TO EXTREME SHORT STAFFING AT THE COMPUTER MINE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE PUBLISHING OF THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE POST MIGHT GET MOVED BACK AT LEAST 30 MINUTES UNTIL THE STAFFING SHORTAGE HAS PASSED. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

It is the last Monday of the month, so it is a good time revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

What skill level photographer can participate?

THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is open to photographers of all skill levels. From award winning photographers to professionals to the highly ranked amateurs to those that are just beginning to those who don’t even know how to focus a camera. All skill levels are encouraged and welcome. You can’t be too bad and you can’t be too good! Everyone has room to learn and be challenged!

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 5 photographers that participate regularly that have won a photography award of some kind.

Is this a competition?
No.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

Yes. That limit is 3. If you send me more than 3, I will post the first 3 that you send. I’m not trying to harsh your photography buzz, but any more than that start to overwhelm the other submissions and it takes me about 5 minutes to take a picture from my inbox to code it on the website. So I have to manage my workload.

If participation rates climb, that limit of 3 is subject to lower.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough to me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their largest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

Suggestions are closed for next year’s list. It will be a minute before they open up for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

+++++++

COMPETITION! A great theme! But did it fire up the competitive juices of a ton of people? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 20, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Scott Degeneffe – 1 week
2-Mary Green – 1 week (3)
3-Sara Lockner – 1 week
4-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
5-Mindi Terrell – 5 weeks (2)
6-Suzie Brannen – 9 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 9 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 9 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 10 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 10 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 30 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 34 weeks (2)
14-Sarah Toot – 35 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 39 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 43 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 48 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 50 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 51 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 61 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 61 weeks (2)
22-Micky Augustin – 63 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 64 weeks (2)
24-Bill Wentworth – 65 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 69 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 70 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 71 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 74 weeks (3)

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 393 - COMPETITION - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 40 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 66 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 62 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 51 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 75 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 35 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 21 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 44 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 62 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 49 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 31 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 36 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WPC 393 - COMPETITION - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 393 - COMPETITION - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 52 weeks

29 participants! That is a great week.

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

There were no new states added to the map.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

17 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about 15 miles from my front door. So I didn’t add to the map, yet again.

There were a couple of big milestones this week! Suzie, Monica, and Jesse both reached double digit streaks. Logan reached the One Year Club!

But it wasn’t all sunshine and happiness! Scott, Sara, and Becky couldn’t build on their submissions last week to get to two week streaks!

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 394 - BLUE
BLUE

BLUE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a BLUE image? It is simply an image where the subject or a major compositional element of the image is the color BLUE. That is it! Almost too simple!

While thinking about a possible subject for your submission, meditate on the following quite and I have no doubt that you will come up with a great image:

She had blue skin, And so did he. He kept it hid; And so did she. They searched for blue; Their whole life through, Then passed right by – And never knew.
–Shel Silverstein

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of BLUE in this place that hopefully never gives you the blues next Monday.

Viva Las Vegas: Day 2

Day 2 in Las Vegas for the CMC was a long one. I only had a chance to take pictures before I went to the Planet Hollywood conference rooms for what would end up being an almost 13 hour work day. I’m a little bit embarrassed to say that I was about halfway through Day 2 before I realized that there was a 2 hour time difference between Las Vegas and Iowa and not a one hour time difference.

I started the day by walking down to a nearby CVS to look for some Las Vegas stickers and postcards. Maybe some breakfast. I didn’t find any stickers but I bought some post cards and a package of Zingers for breakfast. That was about $3.00.

After walking around a little bit I went to Planet Hollywood. Once there I stared at the walls of the same conference room for pretty much forever. It didn’t help that the temperature in the room was approximately 120 degrees.

After we finally got done with the setup, Lowell and I ended up back at the Linq Promenade and had supper at In-n-Out. Supper cost about $15 and was much better than Bobby Flay’s burger from the night before. It was so packed inside we had to eat outside in the cold. It was cold pretty much every day in Las Vegas.

I think we might have went back and hung out with some other miners in the Heart Bar, which is the bar in the middle of the Planet Hollywood Casino floor. It was this bar that became my marker for figuring out how to get out of the casino and how to find the elevators to my room.

I started the day with an estimated $258 in the Per Diem Fund.

Breakfast: $3
Lunch: I’m not allowed to talk about it.
Supper: $15

Estimated Per Diem Fund Balance: $240

Here are some of the pictures I took that day:


Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunrise from my room.

Las Vegas, Nevada
Paris

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada
Seriously so hot and such terrible carpet.

According to the highly inaccurate fitness app on my phone, I walked 14,843 steps for a total of 6.93 miles on Day 2.

More pictures from this trip still to come.

+++++++

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


WEEK 393 - COMPETITION
COMPETITION

COMPETITION! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a COMPETITION image? It is simply an image of beings engaged in some kind of contest. Or it can be a picture of something that is used in a COMPETITION. Like a bowling ball. Or it can be a picture of the result of a COMPETITION. Like a trophy. There are so many possibilities!

This isn’t the first time COMPETITION has been a theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Here are some examples of previous submissions:


WEEK 154 - COMPETITION - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 154- COMPETITION - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley (Morton)

WEEK 154 - COMPETITION - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 154 - COMPETITION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 154 - COMPETITION - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

Hope this provides some inspiration for some people.

Happy photo harvesting!

WPC – WEEK 392 – PURPLE

PUPRLE! An important color in my life, but did it inspire a ton of submissions? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 13, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Mindi Terrell – 4 weeks (3)
2-Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks (2)
3-Jesse Howard – 8 weeks
4-Monica Jennings – 8 weeks
5-Nathanial Brown – 9 weeks
6-Mike Vest – 9 weeks
7-Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
8-Brandon Kahler – 29 weeks
9-Linda Bennett – 33 weeks (3)
10-Sarah Toot – 34 weeks (3)
11-Angie DeWaard – 38 weeks
12-Dawn Krause – 42 weeks
13-Kim Barker – 47 weeks
14-Joe Duff – 49 weeks
15-Logan Kahler – 50 weeks
16-Teresa Kahler – 60 weeks
17-Carla Stensland – 60 weeks
18-Micky Augustin – 62 weeks
19-Andy Sharp – 63 weeks
20-Bill Wentworth – 64 weeks
21-Cathie Morton – 68 weeks
22-Elizabeth Nordeen – 69 weeks
23-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 70 weeks
24-Kio Dettman – 73 weeks (3)

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 392 - PURPLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Florida) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Florida)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 39 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Oklahoma) – 64 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 48 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Arizona) – 63 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Arizona)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 34 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Minnesota) – 10 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Minnesota)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 65 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 50 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Nebraska) – 70 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 43 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 30 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Minnesota) – 9 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 51 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 35 weeks

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 392 - PURPLE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 10 weeks

29 participants! That is a great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

While there a lot of states covered, there were no new states added to the map.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

17 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture in my basement. So, I didn’t add to the map, yet again.

The big milestone with week was Nathanial and Vest reaching the double digit steak club! WooHoo!

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 393 - COMPETITION
COMPETITION

COMPETITION! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a COMPETITION image? It is simply an image of beings engaged in some kind of contest. Or it can be a picture of something that is used in a COMPETITION. Like a bowling ball. Or it can be a picture of the result of a COMPETITION. Like a trophy. There are so many possibilities!

While thinking about a possible subject for you submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great image:

Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.
-Bertrand Russell

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of COMPETITION in this place that tries not be competitive it next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 391 – SUNRISE, SUNSET

SUNRISE, SUNSET! Everybody loves watching a good SUNRISE or SUNSET. But was it a popular theme? Was it the SUNRISE of many new streaks? Was it the SUNSET on many existing streaks? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 6, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
2-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
3-Mindi Terrell – 3 weeks (3)
4-Suzie Brannen – 7 weeks
5-Jesse Howard – 7 weeks
6-Monica Jennings – 7 weeks (3)
7-Nathanial Brown – 8 weeks (3)
8-Mike Vest – 8 weeks
9-Tamara Peterson – 18 weeks
10-Brandon Kahler – 28 weeks
11-Linda Bennett – 32 weeks
12-Sarah Toot – 33 weeks (3)
13-Angie DeWaard – 37 weeks
14-Dawn Krause – 41 weeks (2)
15-Kim Barker – 46 weeks
16-Joe Duff – 48 weeks
17-Logan Kahler – 49 weeks
18-Teresa Kahler – 59 weeks
19-Carla Stensland – 59 weeks
20-Micky Augustin – 61 weeks
21-Andy Sharp – 62 weeks
22-Bill Wentworth – 63 weeks
23-Cathie Morton – 67 weeks
24-Elizabeth Nordeen – 68 weeks (2)
25-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 70 weeks
26-Kio Dettman – 72 weeks (2)

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 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 33 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 34 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 19 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 64 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Oklahoma) – 63 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 42 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 38 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) 49 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 29 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 47 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Somewhere over the Southeastern United States at 30,000 feet) – 68 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Wisconsin) – 8 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSET - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Arizona) – 62 weeks

25 participants this week. 2 straight weeks participation rates have declined. I hate to say, but participation rates might be in a freefall!

The good news is that 25 participants is still a healthy number. AND we added a new state to the map this week via Micky!

There were submissions this week taken in the following locations:

+ Arizona
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

17 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is now:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about 20 miles from my front door.

This week is spring break for a ton of people. There is potential the map could grow, but I don’t know that it will for certain. We’ll see.

There were no big time milestones this week. The bad news is that Becky couldn’t turn last week’s submission into a streak and Sara’s streak ends at 2.

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 392 - PURPLE
PURPLE

PURPLE! What a great them for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a PURPLE image? Simply put, it is an image where the subject OR a major compositional element of the image is PURPLE. That is it! Couldn’t be simpler than falling off a log.

While considering your possible subjects for your PURPLE image meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with a great image:

Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
-Regina Brett

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of PURPLE in this place that is drenched in it next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 390 – STORE

STORE! Everybody goes to them. Maybe not as much as they did before the pandemic, but you still have to go to them, unless you get everything delivered. Which I don’t think any of you do. I don’t have any friends that are that rich. Or do I?

But many people make it to a STORE to take a picture? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, February 27, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Mary Green – 1 week
3-Sara Lockner – 1 week
4-Sarah Karber – 2 weeks
5-Mindi Terrell – 2 weeks (2)
6-Willy McAlpine – 3 weeks
7-Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks
8-Jesse Howard – 6 weeks
9-Monica Jennings – 6 weeks (2)
10-Nathanial Brown – 7 weeks (2)
11-Mike Vest – 7 weeks
12-Tamara Peterson – 17 weeks
13-Brandon Kahler – 27 weeks
14-Linda Bennett – 31 weeks
15-Sarah Toot – 32 weeks (3)
16-Angie DeWaard – 36 weeks
17-Dawn Krause – 40 weeks
18-Kim Barker – 45 weeks (2)
19-Joe Duff – 47 weeks
20-Logan Kahler – 4 8weeks
21-Teresa Kahler – 58 weeks
22-Carla Stensland – 58 weeks (3)
23-Micky Augustin – 60 weeks
24-Andy Sharp – 61 weeks
25-Bill Wentworth – 62 weeks
26-Cathie Morton – 66 weeks
27-Elizabeth Nordeen – 67 weeks (2)
28-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 69 weeks
29-Kio Dettman – 71 weeks (2)

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 390 - STORE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 390 - STORE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE -MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE -MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE -MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 18 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 28 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Iowa) – 32 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New York) – 33 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey)

WEEK 390 - STORE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 390 - STORE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 37 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 46 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 48 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WEEK 390 - STORE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 49 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 59 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 59 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Illinois) – 62 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 63 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Nassau Bahamas) – 67 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 68 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 390 - STORE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 390 - STORE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa) – 494 weeks

27 participants this week. That is a great week. A slight dip from the last couple of weeks. Maybe there aren’t as many slaves to consumerism out there as I had thought. Which is a good thing… we’ll count it as a good thing.

The good news is that there were 3 new states added to the map this week! New York (Sarah Toot), New Jersey (Sarah Toot again), and Illinois (Andy). That means that all the states that surround Iowa have had a submission taken in them except for South Dakota. But I’m sure we’ll get there. I see you South Dakota.

Also, Cathie added our 2nd submission taken from outside the United States with Nassau Bahamas.

There were submission this week taken in the following locations:

+ Arkansas
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Nassau Bahamas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

16 states! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is now:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about 2.5 miles from my front door. I know. Big time traveler this guy!

I think this map might grow again next week. A little birdie tells me that a certain regular contributor is going to Arizona this week and maybe Mexico, if they have the guts.

There were no big time milestones this week. Unfortunately there was a bit of a blood bath on the streaks front though. Jen and Mary couldn’t extend their submission last week into a streak. Sarah Karber’s streak went down in flames after 2 weeks. Willy’s 3 week is now as existent as his desire to show up for work.

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 391 - SUNRISE, SUNSE
SUNRISE, SUNSET

SUNRISE, SUNSET! What a great theme for year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

It has been a few years since I’ve used SUNRISE, SUNSET for a theme. I was told it wasn’t a fair theme because people with children could not do it. I don’t know I bought it, but I don’t know. Maybe it is true. Either way, I put the theme on the sidelines.

I brought it back this year because it is the Special Theme Class for the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Rather than writing up my own description, I thought I should just lift it straight from the Iowa State Fair.

“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.”
– Henry Ward Beecher

Next year’s theme is a bright one that our world literally revolves around. The Sun is something that we as photographers like to photograph quite often, because it offers a multitude of creativity. In fact, we call the sunset the golden hours because of opportunities it presents to capture the perfect photograph.

Your assignment, however, is to not just shoot the sun, but to shoot it in a way that we have never seen before. While the sun must be the main subject, it shouldn’t be the only subject of your photograph. Ask yourself, what is making the Sun so interesting in the moment? What can you do to photograph the Sun to tell a story of what is happening in that moment?

This assignment will also give you the opportunity to play with shadows and light and all the many colors that the sunrises or sunsets can provide. Look for the dramatic contrasts that can occur when the Sun is providing the light for your photographs.

I’ll just add a couple more things.

#1. Putting objects between you and the sunset can make or break a SUNRISE, SUNSET picture. Choose wisely.
#2. A SUNRISE, SUNSET picture doesn’t have to be of the sun. Maybe for the Iowa State Fair, but not for our purposes. You can also turn around take a picture that is lit by a SUNRISE or SUNSET. A reflection of a SUNRISE or SUNSET can make a fantastic picture.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SUNRISE, SUNSET in this place that is still in its sunrise phase next Monday.

Viva Las Vegas: Cell Phone Pictures

I need to start the day by wishing Andy a happy birthday. Happy birthday Andy!


Day 129 - May 9, 2022

I hope your birthday is filled with all the joy you can handle!

+++++++

I spent almost all of last week in Las Vegas working at the Computer Mine Convention. I didn’t get to see anywhere near the amount of stuff I wanted to see because I spent most of my days staring at conference room walls. However, I did get a chance to see a few things and took a few pictures. Today I’m going to share some cruddy cell phone pictures from the trip.


Computer Mine Convention - 2023
While some people got “rock star” parking, I got stuck in the Gray Lot, which is more like “zydeco star” parking.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
And the flight got delayed.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
4 flights. Only got snacks on one of them.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
On flight #2 I got rock star leg room.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Southwest. Wasn’t as bad as I feared.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
New luggage made it to Vegas.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
The view from my room.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Meal #1. $30 for this.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Closest I got to the actual Vegas sign.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
I’m sure I have an exhibit in there.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Fran said I absolutely had to eat here. It was also high on Lowell’s list.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Elvis and Marilyn made out of jelly beans.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
If he goes ring pop engagement ring and she says no, she is a terrible person.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
So many candy stores in Vegas.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
View from the room at night.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Speechless.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
A bar where a robot mixes your drink. Lowell said it was a Top 5 Drink he has had made by a robot.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
They are planting marigolds already!

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Planet Hollywood is kind of a dud, but it is near cool casinos like Paris.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
I can almost see Emily and Mindy walking down the street.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
The real Arc de Triomphe was built by a megalomaniac, so it makes sense that they put a poster of one on their recreation.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
This sign is how I knew how to get my elevator.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
It was 130 degrees in this room.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Planet Hollywood

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
I didn’t disappoint Fran, but I did make her jealous.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Michelle.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
The show is about to begin.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
A lot of eyes on me when this speaker asked the audience, “What is one thing that every man knows about every woman.”

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
View from my Friday dinner table.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Friday supper.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Friday dessert.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Fountain of the Gods.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Neptune’s Fountain.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Bellagio Fountain.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
The other elevator bank had Miranda Lambert on it. They won.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Nacho Daddy, for people who like puns and nachos. That includes me.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Neither Kim or Lowell stepped up to the challenge.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
I sent a picture of these to my Pastor who is a Chiefs fan, he wished bad things to me. Very bad.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
I didn’t get the Raiders Nachos. But these were delicious.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Scott recommended I check out the Bellagio Gardens.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Saturday night supper.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
I am sad to report I never ate here.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
Goodbye Las Vegas.

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
It was from here that I waved at Susanna.


She waved back!

Computer Mine Convention - 2023
And on the final flight I got rock star legroom again!

All in all it was a pretty good trip, even though I put in some massive hours. It was certainly better than my previous trip to Las Vegas for the Evil Clown Empire. But that is a story for a different day.

+++++++

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


WEEK 390 - STORE
STORE

STORE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE?

But what is a STORE image? It is simply an image of a STORE or taken inside of a STORE. There are all kinds of STORE(s) out there. From department to convenience to junk to antique to book to music to grocery to dollar to a little kids lemonade stand. Of course, there is more than one definition of the word STORE.

This is not the first time that STORE has been a theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Here are some examples of previous submissions to inspire you:


WEEK 141 - STORE - LINDA BENNETT
Week 141 – Linda Bennett

WEEK 141 - STORE - KIM BARKER
Week 141 – Kim Barker

WEEK 141 - STORE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Week 141 – Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 18 - STORE - CARLA STENSLAND 2
Week 18 – Carla Stensland

WEEK 18 - STORE - SARAH KARBER
Week 18 – Sarah Karber

Happy photo harvesting!

WPC – WEEK 389 – MUSIC

It is the last Monday of the month, so it is a good time revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

What skill level photographer can participate?

THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is open to photographers of all skill levels. From award winning photographers to professionals to the highly ranked amateurs to those that are just beginning to those who don’t even know how to focus a camera. All skill levels are encouraged and welcome. You can’t be too bad and you can’t be too good! Everyone has room to learn and be challenged!

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 5 photographers that participate regularly that have won a photography award of some kind.

Is this a competition?
No.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

Yes. That limit is 3. If you send me more than 3, I will post the first 3 that you send. I’m not trying to harsh your photography buzz, but any more than that start to overwhelm the other submissions and it takes me about 5 minutes to take a picture from my inbox to code it on the website. So I have to manage my workload.

If participation rates climb, that limit of 3 is subject to lower.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough to me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their largest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

Suggestions are closed for next year’s list. It will be a minute before they open up for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

+++++++

MUSIC! Did you know that there are people in the world that don’t like MUSIC? They are called bad people. But were there a lot of good people out there that submitted picture of MUSIC? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, February 20, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Scott Degeneffe – 1 week
2-Sarah Karber – 1 week
3-Mindi Terrell – 1 week (3)
4-Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks
5-Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks
6-Suzie Brannen – 5 weeks
7-Sabas Hernandez – 5 weeks
8-Jesse Howard – 5 weeks
9-Monica Jennings – 5 weeks
10-Nathanial Brown – 6 weeks (3)
11-Mike Vest – 6 weeks
12-Tamara Peterson – 16 weeks (2)
13-Brandon Kahler – 26 weeks
14-Linda Bennett – 30 weeks
15-Sarah Toot – 31 weeks
16-Angie DeWaard – 35 weeks
17-Dawn Krause – 39 weeks
18-Kim Barker – 44 weeks
19-Joe Duff – 46 weeks
20-Logan Kahler – 47 weeks (3)
21-Teresa Kahler – 57 weeks (2)
22-Carla Stensland – 57 weeks (3)
23-Micky Augustin – 59 weeks
24-Andy Sharp – 60 weeks
25-Bill Wentworth – 61 weeks
26-Cathie Morton – 64 weeks
27-Elizabeth Nordeen – 66 weeks
28-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 67 weeks
29-Kio Dettman – 69 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 389 - MUSIC - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 36 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Nevada) – 45 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Nevada)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 61 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 58 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 40 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 27 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 62 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Nevada) – 65 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Nevada)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 58 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 47 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 31 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 48 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber (Minnesota) – 2 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 32 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 17 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Nevada) – 67 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Nevada)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Nevada)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 68 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa)

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 389 - MUSIC - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 6 weeks

30 participants for the 2nd week in a row! I’m pretty excited about that!

I got an email after the books submission that (this is me paraphrasing) that said that they loved the BOOKS theme because after they saw that books that other people owned they felt an instant kinship with some other people. I thought something like that might happen again with MUSIC. I’m not sure it will, but maybe it will.

This week we had our first submission of the year from Mary Green. At least I think. I wouldn’t swear to it in a court of law.

This week we had submissions taken in the following states:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nevada
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

It is weird that my picture and Cathie’s and Elizabeth’s and Kim’s pictures were all taken in Nevada. It is almost like we were all in Las Vegas together for some reason.

This is my first submission taken outside of Iowa this year. My picture was taken 1,441 miles from my front door. By car.

No new states added this week. Here is the current calendar year list:

+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

The Outside of the United State map stays at:

+ British Virgin Islands

But I think one of these maps might extend next week. A little birdie tells me somebody is going on a cruise at the end of this week.

There were no big milestones this week. Except all 3 Sara(h)s did contribute. Which I always like to see.

It wasn’t all sunshine and face melting guitar riffs this week. Three streaks did go poof! Scott’s streak ended before it even became a streak. Becky’s 4 week streak is gone. Sabas’ 5 week streak is also gone.

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 390 - STORE
STORE

STORE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE?

But what is a STORE image? It is simply an image of a STORE or taken inside of a STORE. There are all kinds of STORE(s) out there. From department to convenience to junk to antique to book to music to grocery to dollar to a little kids lemonade stand. Of course, there is more than one definition of the word STORE.

While considering possible subject for your STORE submission, meditate on the following quote and you will no doubt come up with a great idea:

Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it’s just the opposite.
John Kenneth Galbraith

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of STORE in this place that is technically a commerce site next Monday.