Category Archives: Jesse

Alexis, Andy, Angie, Bill, Black & White, Bokeh, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Street Photography, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 474 – STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

October 14, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Today is Sarah Toot’s birthday so I have to wish her a happy birthday.

Happy birthday Sarah!

That picture of us after seeing a American Idiot on Broadway is almost 13 years old. Guess we should get an updated selfie at some point. Anyways I hope your birthday is amazing and filled with fantastic food, music and friends!

+++++++

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY! What a great theme! But were enough people public enough to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, October 7, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Mary Green – 1 week (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
2-Elainie Hernandez – 1 week (IA)
3-Jesse Howard – 1 week (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
*4-Amy Peterson – 1 week (IA)
5-Alexis Stensland – 1 week (IA)
6-Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks (IA, MD)
7-Sabas Hernandez – 4 weeks (IA, OH)
*8-Deb Powers – 6 weeks (MT, IA)
9-Monica Jennings – 9 weeks (IA)
10-Sara Lockner – 10 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
11-Willy McAlpine – 13 weeks (IA)
12-Deanna McClain – 17 weeks (IA, MN)
13-Mike Vest – 20 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
*14-Lowell Davis – 40 weeks (IA, MO)
15-Brandon Kahler – 41 weeks (IA, MN)
16-Scott Degeneffe – 59 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
17-Sheri Fakhouri – 69 weeks (IA, NE)
18-Logan Kahler – 70 weeks (IA, MN, MO)
*19-Nathanial Brown – 71 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN, PA,, WI)
20-Tamara Peterson – 82 weeks (IA, MN)
*21-Mindi Terrell – 86 weeks (IA)
22-Linda Bennett – 115 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
*23-Sarah Toot – 116 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
*24-Angie DeWaard – 120 weeks (IA, IL, SCT, ENG, MN)
*25-Dawn Krause – 124 weeks (IA, IL)
26-Kim Barker – 130 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
*27-Joe Duff – 131 weeks (TX, NY)
28-Teresa Kahler – 142 weeks (IA, NE)
29-Carla Stensland – 142 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
30-Micky Augustin – 144 weeks (IA, IL, FL, AK)
*31-Andy Sharp – 145 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
32-Bill Wentworth – 146 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
33-Cathie Morton – 149 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
34-Elizabeth Nordeen – 151 weeks (IA, OH)
35-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 153 weeks (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO)
*36-Kio Dettman – 155 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must 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 and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

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

WPC - WEEK 474 - STREET PHOTOGRAPHY - ALEXIS STENSLAND

Alexis Stensland (Ankeny, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 146 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 121 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa)

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 147 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Story City, Iowa) – 42 weeks

Carla Stensland (west Ames, Iowa) – 143 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa)

Cathie Morton (Hoyt Sherman – Des Moines, Iowa) – 150 weeks

Cathie Morton (Hoyt Sherman – Des Moines, Iowa)

Christopher D. Bennett (Des Moines, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Near Pilot Mound, Iowa) – 125 weeks

Dawn Krause (Gustafson’s Pumpkin Patch – Iowa)

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 18 weeks

Deb Powers (Ankeny, Iowa) – 7 weeks

Deb Powers (Ankeny, Iowa)

Elizabeth Nordeen (Ames, Iowa) – 152 weeks

Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 132 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Johnathan Stensland (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Kim Barker (Ankeny, Iowa) – 131 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 156 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 116 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 71 weeks

Lowell Davis (Ames, Iowa) – 41 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Lebanon, Missouri) – 1 week

Micky Augustin (Altoona, Iowa) – 145 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 21 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 87 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 10 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Paton, Iowa) – 72 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Yetter, Iowa)

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa)

Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 11 weeks

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 117 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Adventureland – Altoona, Iowa) – 60 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Adventureland – Altoona, Iowa)

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Des Moines, Iowa) – 154 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 70 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Perry, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 83 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Manning, Iowa) – 143 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Manning, Iowa)

Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 14 weeks

37 participants this week! That is a pretty good week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (41)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Missouri (1)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Texas (2)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (20.5)
+ Alaska (1)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (10)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (15)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1456)
+ Kansas (57)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (11)
+ Minnesota (15)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (18.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (49)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (2)
+ New York (18)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (34)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (5)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (61)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (5)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Canada (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (2)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

36 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN, PA, WI) – 13
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN, WV, PA) – 11
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL, MN, WI) – 9
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC) – 6
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN) – 6
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO) – 5
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI) – 5
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK, KS) – 5
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL, SCT, ENG, MN) – 5
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL, AK) – 4
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN, MO) – 3
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO, FL) – 3
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA, MI) – 3
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2
+ Evie Gorshe (IA, IN) – 2
+ Layla Gorshe (IA, OH) -2
+ Deb Powers (MT, IA) – 2

Nathanial now has a commanding lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!”

There were a couple of big milestones this week. Monica joined the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! Kio joined the 3 YEAR STREAK CLUB!!! WooHoo! WooHoo! WooHoo! At some point, hopefully there will be “badges” for these accomplishments, but I have to get a new logo first. Priorities people!

But it wasn’t all glitter and rainbows! Elainie and Amy couldn’t build on last week’s submissions and their streaks are over before they began.

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 (Suggested by Shannon Bardole-Foley)

ANIMAL! What a great them for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! Thanks to Shannon for suggesting it. Technically she suggested PET, but I changed it to ANIMAL because I felt it was more fair to people that don’t have pets.

And speaking of suggesting themes… The 2 week window for suggesting themes for Year 12 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. So suggestions have to be made in the Comments section of the last THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE post in October (will be October 28) and the first THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE post in November (will be November 4). That is the only way to make suggestions.

I look forward to your ANIMAL interpretations.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of ANIMAL in this place that loves almost all of them next Monday.

Alexis, Amy, Andy, Angie, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elainie, Elizabeth, Football, Iowa State, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Street Photography, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 473 – PATH

October 7, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

PATH! What a great theme! But were enough people on the right one to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 30, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week (IA, MD)
2-Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks (IA, OH)
*3-Deb Powers – 5 weeks (MT, IA)
4-Monica Jennings – 8 weeks (IA)
5-Sara Lockner – 9 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
6-Willy McAlpine – 12 weeks (IA)
7-Deanna McClain – 16 weeks (IA, MN)
8-Mike Vest – 19 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
*9-Lowell Davis – 39 weeks (IA, MO)
10-Michelle Haupt – 39 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
11-Brandon Kahler – 40 weeks (IA, MN)
12-Scott Degeneffe – 58 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
13-Sheri Fakhouri – 68 weeks (IA, NE)
14-Logan Kahler – 69 weeks (IA, MN, MO)
15-Nathanial Brown – 70 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN)
16-Tamara Peterson – 81 weeks (IA, MN)
*17-Mindi Terrell – 85 weeks (IA)
18-Linda Bennett – 114 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
19-Sarah Toot – 115 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
*20-Angie DeWaard – 119 weeks (IA, IL, SCT, ENG)
*21-Dawn Krause – 123 weeks (IA, IL)
22-Kim Barker – 129 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
23-Joe Duff – 130 weeks (TX, NY)
24-Teresa Kahler – 141 weeks (IA, NE)
*25-Carla Stensland – 141 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
26-Micky Augustin – 143 weeks (IA, IL, FL, AK)
*27-Andy Sharp – 144 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
28-Bill Wentworth – 145 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
29-Cathie Morton – 148 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
*30-Elizabeth Nordeen – 150 weeks (IA, OH)
31-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 152 weeks (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO)
*32-Kio Dettman – 154 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

Elainie Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

Jesse Howard (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

Amy Peterson (Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

Amy Peterson (Ames, Iowa)

Alexis Stensland (Ledges State Park – Boone County, Iowa) – 1 week

Suzie Brannen (Perry, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 4 weeks

Deb Powers (Saylorville, Iowa) – 6 weeks

Deb Powers (Saylorville, Iowa)

Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 9 weeks

Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 10 weeks

Willy McAlpine (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 17 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 20 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 41 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 59 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 70 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa)

Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 69 weeks

Logan Kahler (Logansport, Iowa) – 70 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Juneau, Wisconsin) – 71 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Butler, Pennsylvania)

Tamara Peterson (Boone, Iowa) – 82 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 86 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 115 weeks

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 116 weeks

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania)

Angie Dewaard (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – 120 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Dawn Krause (Les’s Auto Repair – Boone, Iowa) – 124 weeks

Kim Barker (White Oak, Iowa) – 130 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 131 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Micky Augustin (Story County, Iowa) – 144 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 145 weeks

Andy Sharp (Salon 908 – Boone, Iowa)

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 146 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 149 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Ames, Iowa) – 151 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 153 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 153 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Christopher D. Bennett (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 576 weeks

37 participants this week! That is more like it!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (38)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Minnesota (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Pennsylvania (2)
+ Texas (1)
+ Wisconsin (1)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (20.5)
+ Alaska (1)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (10)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (15)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1415)
+ Kansas (56)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (11)
+ Minnesota (15)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (17.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (48)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (2)
+ New York (18)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (33)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (5)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (6)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (5)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Canada (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (2)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

36 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

Nathanial now has a commanding lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!”

The big milestone this week was Kim joining the 2.5 Year Streak Club. WooHoo! WooHoo! Woo!

But it wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Michelle’s streak comes crumbling down at 39 weeks! The humanity!

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! In fact, STREET PHOTOGRAPHY is my 2nd favorite theme, right behind BLACK & WHITE.

I don’t like to define the themes, but to prevent me from looking at a bunch of pictures of streets next Monday and me crying myself to sleep that night, I will provide a definition from Brittanica:

“Street photography, a genre of photography that records everyday life in a public place.

If you are looking for excellent examples of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, the following submissions from this week are textbook examples of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY:

+ Elainie Hernandez
+ Monica Jennings
+ Logan Kahler
+ Nathanial Brown (both submissions)
+ Jesse Howard
+ Sara Lockner
+ Sarah Toots (New York City) – Could be on a cover of a book about STREET PHOTOGRAPHY.
+ Teresa Kahler
+ Carla Stensland
+ Elizabeth Nordeen
+ Christopher D. Bennett

There were a few others as well.

The most important part of this definition is in a public place.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY in this place that puts quite a bit of it out in this world next Monday.

Adam, Art, Jesse, Ruins, Street Photography, Tenderloining, Travel

Home of the Blues – Day 3 & 4

October 4, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Day 3 of the Liberty Bowl Road Trip was the day of the actual Liberty Bowl. A game that didn’t go very well. I didn’t take very many pictures as most of the day was spent at the game. Afterwards, was in no mood to take pictures. Before the game we went to Gibson’s Donuts. A recommendation from Adam and one that definitely hit the mark. Then we met up with Jon and his friend at Railgarten for a We Will pregame brunch.

Gibson’s was amazing and Railgarten was one of the coolest bars I’ve graced with my presence. It just had a really cool setup.

The next day we loaded up and went back home. That was pretty close to a straight trip home. I only took a few pictures on the trip. So this collection will wrap up the collection of images from the Liberty Bowl Road Trip:

Now I’m through this trip, I can start on pictures from the Eclipse Road Trip!

Andy, Contests, Dawn, Jesse, Jonah Kahler, Kelly, Monica, Pufferbilly Days, Saydie

Behind the Scenes of Art in the Park

October 1, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

This is the last post on the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Going to share pictures from Art in the Park. So before I get into it, I need to thank everybody that helped with the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest setup.

Jesse Howard – For picking up all the photos from the downtown retailers on Saturday Night and transporting them out to McHose Park for Art in the Park and helping setup there.
Monica Jennings – For putting together the displays at both the downtown retailers and for Art in the Park.
Kelly Howard – For loaning us Salon 908 as a base of operations while setting up displays at the downtown businesses.
Saydie Howard – For helping carry a display to the Boone Theater.
Andy Sharp – For helping setup the display at Art in the Park.
Logan Kahler – For helping man the display at Art in the Park and helping to tear it down.
Dawn Krause – For helping tear down the display at Art in the Park.
Kevin Krause- For helping tear down the display at Art in the Park.
Jeremy Blankman – For loaning us the truck to protect, transport, and store the photo displays between Saturday and Sunday.

And to the downtown vendors that hosted images:

Ema’s Elegance
Boone Theater
Melissa Bell Photography
Salon 908
Paradox
Infamous Tattoo
Houndstooth Habadashery

This year, the photo display was under the awning of the Shelter House and that made a night and day difference from last year’s tent debacle.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Here is the part where I give a bunch of stats that only me and Joe Duff find interesting. I took over the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest in 2021. Here is a year by year entry totals:

2021 – 23
2022 – 60
2023 – 121
2024 – 162

Last year there were 74 ADULT entries. This year there were 94.
Last year there were 13 TEEN entries. This year there were 38.
Last year there were 34 YOUTH entries. This year there were 30.

This was the distribution of entries by Photo Class:

ADULT ANIMALS: 15
ADULT BLACK & WHITE: 8
ADULT PEOPLE: 18
ADULT PLACES: 30
ADULT PLANTS: 12
ADULT TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES: 11
TEEN ANIMALS: 4
TEEN BLACK & WHITE: 4
TEEN PEOPLE: 3
TEEN PLACES: 12
TEEN PLANTS: 8
TEEN TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES: 7
YOUTH ANIMALS: 7
YOUTH BLACK & WHITE: 3
YOUTH PEOPLE: 3
YOUTH PLACES: 5
YOUTH PLANTS: 8
YOUTH TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES: 4

One of the best things about this years contests that ever photo class in every age division had enough entries to give out at least a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place ribbon.

This year there were 36 total participants.

21 Adults
8 Teens
7 Youth

I’m kind of energized for next year’s photo contest now. I have ideas for improving the displays for next year, which I will need help and volunteers to get done. But most of that is just improving the current boards. Double siding them. Painting them. Such things.

Might need to add some more volunteers for next year. Try to spread some of the responsibilities around. But we’ll cross that bridge another day.

Birthdays, Elizabeth, Jesse, Lowell, Self-Portrait, Still Life, Street Photography, Tenderloining

RAGBRAIing: Winterset Field Work

September 29, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Elizabeth’s birthday, so I have to wish her a happy birthday!

Happy birthday Elizabeth!!

I won’t tell you how old Elizabeth is, but she is younger than me and that is important. To her at least.

I hope your birthday was filled with all the junk you could jaunt. I know you didn’t get any Happy Joe’s Pizza, but hopefully what food you got was a decent compromise!

+++++++

A couple months ago Jesse and I went Winterset to check out their RAGBRAI festivities. Shockingly, this was the first time Jesse has ever been to Winterset. Not so shockingly, Winterset is one of my favorite towns in Iowa and I like to visit it at least once a year. Since we were there, we had to check out the food truck scene.

Here are some pictures:

Didn’t eat here, but took this picture for Lowell, who is a fan.

Mini donuts! Yes please, but not until dessert.

This is where I got my supper.

I can’t even remember what they were called…

But I called them delicious!

And a chance to drink soda from a glass bottle!

I’m sure this was a super heavy meal!

I love the Winterset Movie Theater!

Mini donut time!

I went for the Oreo donuts!

I wish I could remember the name of the truck where we got the steak nachos, but I did a pretty poor job of documenting it and months later it is information that has escaped my cranial cavity. Also my brain. I want to say Amos was in the name somewhere. Maybe Amos Fabulous Foods.

Either way if I ever saw this castle themed food truck again, I would crush another order of those steaky cheesy plate of goodness. Whatever it is called.

As for Donuts on the Roll! Yes please! It is pretty hard to screw up a donut and donuts fresh out of the fryer are truly one of life’s best treasures!

Next Sunday’s food adventure will also involve RAGBRAI.

Animals, Jesse, Night, Street Photography, Travel

Home of the Blues – Day 2 – Bass Pro Shop

September 27, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

This is the final collection of images I took on Day 2 of the trip to Memphis to see the Liberty Bowl. In fact I didn’t take many pictures on the day of the game and even less on the trip home. So there aren’t many pictures left after this collection.

These pictures were taken at the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis. Which normally wouldn’t be much of an attraction, but the Bass Prop Shop in Memphis is unique. It is a giant pyramid. You won’t get much of the sense of it from these pictures. These are mostly taken from the observation deck.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip - Day 2 - Bass Pro Shop

Just one more collection of images from this trip left to share!

Adam, Andy, Angie, Bill, Brandon, Candid Portrait, Carla, Cathie, Contests, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Jonah Kahler, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Pufferbilly Days, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 471 – PARK

September 23, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

PARK! What a great theme! But did enough people get in gear to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 16, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Sabas Hernandez – 1 week (IA, OH)
2-Alexis Stensland – 1 week (IA)
*3-Mary Green – 2 weeks (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
*4-Deb Powers – 3 weeks (MT, IA)
5-Jesse Howard – 4 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
6-Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks (IA, MD)
7-Monica Jennings – 6 weeks (IA)
8-Sara Lockner – 7 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
9-Willy McAlpine – 10 weeks (IA)
10-Deanna McClain – 14 weeks (IA, MN)
11-Mike Vest – 17 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
12-Adam Gordon – 27 weeks (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN)
13-Lowell Davis – 37 weeks (IA, MO)
14-Michelle Haupt – 37 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
*15-Brandon Kahler – 38 weeks (IA, MN)
16-Scott Degeneffe – 56 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
*17-Sheri Fakhouri – 66 weeks (IA, NE)
18-Logan Kahler – 67 weeks (IA, MN, MO)
19-Nathanial Brown – 68 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN)
20-Tamara Peterson – 79 weeks (IA, MN)
*21-Mindi Terrell – 83 weeks (IA)
22-Linda Bennett – 112 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
23-Sarah Toot – 113 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
24-Angie DeWaard – 117 weeks (IA, IL, SCT, ENG)
25-Dawn Krause – 121 weeks (IA, IL)
26-Kim Barker – 127 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
27-Joe Duff – 128 weeks (TX, NY)
28-Teresa Kahler – 139 weeks (IA, NE)
*29-Carla Stensland – 1389 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
30-Micky Augustin – 141 weeks (IA, IL, FL, AK)
31-Andy Sharp – 142 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
32-Bill Wentworth – 143 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
33-Cathie Morton – 146 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
34-Elizabeth Nordeen – 148 weeks (IA, OH)
*35-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 150 weeks (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO)
36-Kio Dettman – 152 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 38 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 68 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 118 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

“Bunny” (Jester Park – Iowa) – 1 week

Sara Lockner (Jester Park – Iowa) – 8 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 57 weeks

Cathie Morton (Altoona, Iowa) – 147 weeks

Adam Gordon (Ames, Iowa) – 28 weeks

Adam Gordon (Ames, Iowa)

Elizabeth Nordeen (Ames, Iowa) – 149 weeks

Jesse Howard (Hunziker Park – Ames, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Micky Augustin (Ames, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Ankeny, Iowa) – 38 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 67 weeks

Andy Sharp (Bayliss Park – Council Bluffs, Iowa)

Deanna McClain (Eagle Point Park – Dubuque, Iowa) – 15 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Interurban Park – Camp Dodge – Johnston, Iowa) – 80 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Interurban Park – Camp Dodge – Johnston, Iowa)

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 140 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Linwood Cemetery – Boone, Iowa) – 11 weeks

Carla Stensland (Pufferbilly Days Parade – Boone, Iowa) – 140 weeks

Dawn Krause (Art in the Park – McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 122 weeks

Kio Dettman (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 153 weeks

Kio Dettman (Opal Dubois Anderson Park)

Logan Kahler (McHose Park) – 68 weeks

Monica Jennings (Art in the Park – McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 7 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest – McHose Park – Boone, Iowa)

Mike Vest (Edgewood Park – Madrid, Iowa) – 18 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 128 weeks

Deb Powers (Saylorville Lake – Iowa)

Mindi Terrell (Saylorville Lake – Iowa) – 84 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Saylorville Lake – Iowa)

Brandon Kahler (South Park – Story City, Iowa) – 39 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Colby Park – Windsor Heights, Iowa) – 151 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 144 weeks

Sarah Toot (Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey) – 114 weeks

Sarah Toot (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 129 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

35 participants this week. Not a great week. But not bad. Not a lot of people like nature all that much.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (35)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Texas (2)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (20.5)
+ Alaska (1)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (10)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (15)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1377)
+ Kansas (54)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (11)
+ Minnesota (13)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (17.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (46)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (2)
+ New York (17)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (30)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (56)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (4)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Canada (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (2)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

36 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN) – 11
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN, WV, PA) – 11
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL, MN, WI) – 9
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC) – 6
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN) – 6
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO) – 5
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI) – 5
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK, KS) – 5
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL, SCT, ENG) – 4
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL, AK) – 4
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN, MO) – 3
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO, FL) – 3
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA, MI) – 3
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2
+ Evie Gorshe (IA, IN) – 2
+ Layla Gorshe (IA, OH) -2
+ Deb Powers (MT, IA) – 2

Nathanial has tied Jen for the top spot to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” However Andy and Scott are in striking distance.

There were no major milestones reached this week. But a few streaks went kaput. Alexis couldn’t build on her submission from last week. Her streak is over before it began. Mary’s streak is gone after 2 weeks. Suzie’s streak is gone after 4!

OUT-OF-DATE (Suggested by Angie DeWaard)

OUT-OF-DATE! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

What is an OUT-OF-DATE picture? A picture of something that is no longer necessary in these times.

I look forward to your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of OUT-OF-DATE in this place that that is timeless next Monday.

Art, Black & White, Contests, Formal Portrait, History, Jesse, Monica, Music, Pufferbilly Days, Still Life, Street Photography, Travel

Home of the Blues – Day 2 – Sun Records II

September 20, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A reminder that this weekend is Pufferbilly Days and with that comes the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Here is a map of where to find all the entries:

Here is the flyer on how to vote for the People’s Choice Award:

Or you can click on this link:

People’s Choice Award Voting

To see all the submissions, click on this link:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Entries

Big thanks to Monica for designing the flyers!

There were 162 entries this year! And this contest couldn’t have happened without so many wonder volunteers, but I’ll get into all that stuff in a future post.

+++++++

Now I proudly present the rest of the pictures from Jesse and I’s trip to Sun Records:

Liberty Bowl Road Trip - Day 2 - Sun Records

Still one more collection of images from Day 2 of the Memphis Trip left to share!

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Bill, Brandon, Candid Portrait, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Music, Nathanial, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Still Life, Suzie, Tamara, Taylan, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 470 – MUSIC

September 16, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

MUSIC! A great theme! But did enough people hear it to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out! Am I silently judging anybody’s taste in MUSIC? You don’t have to scroll down. I am. I definitely in.

On a sad note, I learned today that my favorite record store and the place where I get many of the records for my NEW-TO-ME-VINYL FRIDAY stories on Snapchat closed down recently. Wax Xtatic in Marshalltown was awesome! And now it is gone. So I’ll be looking for a new independent record store to frequent. I’m open to suggestions.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 9, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Mary Green – 1 week (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
2-Elainie Hernandez – 1 week (IA)
*3-Deb Powers – 2 weeks (MT, IA)
4-Jesse Howard – 3 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
5-Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks (IA, MD)
*6-Amy Peterson – 3 weeks (IA)
7-Monica Jennings – 5 weeks (IA)
8-Sara Lockner – 6 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
9-Willy McAlpine – 9 weeks (IA)
10-Deanna McClain – 13 weeks (IA, MN)
11-Mike Vest – 16 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
12-Adam Gordon – 26 weeks (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN)
13-Lowell Davis – 36 weeks (IA, MO)
14-Michelle Haupt – 36 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
*15-Brandon Kahler – 37 weeks (IA, MN)
16-Scott Degeneffe – 55 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
*17-Sheri Fakhouri – 65 weeks (IA, NE)
18-Logan Kahler – 65 weeks (IA, MN, MO)
19-Nathanial Brown – 67 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS)
20-Tamara Peterson – 78 weeks (IA, MN)
21-Mindi Terrell – 82 weeks (IA)
22-Linda Bennett – 111 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
23-Sarah Toot – 112 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
24-Angie DeWaard – 116 weeks (IA, IL, SCT, ENG)
25-Dawn Krause – 120 weeks (IA, IL)
26-Kim Barker – 126 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
27-Joe Duff – 127 weeks (TX, NY)
*28-Teresa Kahler – 138 weeks (IA, NE)
29-Carla Stensland – 138 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
30-Micky Augustin – 140 weeks (IA, IL, FL, AK)
*31-Andy Sharp – 141 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
32-Bill Wentworth – 142 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
33-Cathie Morton – 146 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
34-Elizabeth Nordeen – 147 weeks (IA, OH)
35-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 149 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
36-Kio Dettman – 151 weeks (IA)

It is the third week of the month and on the third week of the month I like to share a map of all the states where people have submitted from heading into today. Here is that map:

36 states!

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Micky Augustin (Iowa)- 141 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Farmer’s Market – Bentonville, Arkansas) – 150 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Outside of Jane, Missouri)

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 127 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Boone Theater – Boone, Iowa)

Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 4 weeks suzi

Nathanial Brown (Albert Lea, Minnesota) – 68 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Pierce, Nebraska)

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 37 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 152 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 117 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 56 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 128 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 66 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 27 weeks

Mary Green (Michigan) – 2 weeks

Mary Green (Michigan)

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 37 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 1 week

Jesse Howard (Homecoming – Boone, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 6 weeks

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 38 weeks

Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 67 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa) – 139 weeks

Dawn Krause (Fraser, Iowa) – 121 weeks

Sara Lockner (Pork Tornados – Adventureland – Altoona, Iowa) – 7 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 10 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 14 weeks

Cathie Morton (Des Moines, Iowa) – 147 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 148 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 79 weeks

Deb Powers (Ankeny, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Debb Powers (Ankeny, Iowa)

Andy Sharp (Boone First United Methodist Church – Boone, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 1 week

Carla Stensland (Springbrook State Park – Guthrie Center, Iowa) – 139 weeks

Carla Stensland (Springbrook State Park – Guthrie Center, Iowa)

Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 113 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 83 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 17 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 143 weeks

37 participants! That is a pretty solid week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Iowa (34)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Michigan (2)
+ Minnesota (1)
+ Missouri (1)
+ Nebraska (2)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Texas (1)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (20.5)
+ Alaska (1)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (10)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (15)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1377)
+ Kansas (52)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (11)
+ Minnesota (13)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (17.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (45)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (17)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (29)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (54)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (4)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Canada (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (2)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

36 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

Nathanial has tied Jen for the top spot to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” However Andy and Scott are in striking distance.

The big milestone this week was Willy reaching the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Elainie couldn’t build on her submission from last week. Her streak is over before it began. Amy’s streak also came to a halting crash after 3 weeks! The humanity!

PARK

PARK! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of PARK in this place that that is a bit of a respite from the world next Monday.

Art, Birthdays, History, Jesse, Jonah Kahler, Music, Street Photography, Travel

Home of the Blues – Day 2 – Sun Records I

September 13, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Jonah’s birthday, so I have to wish him a happy birthday.

Happy birthday Jonah!

I hope your birthday is filled with getting to run around as much as you want!

+++++++

Since the game ended up being a bit of a dud, I think the trip to Sun Records was the highlight of the trip. Just to stand in a place where so many of the greatest songs in history were recorded was humbling!

If you don’t know, here is a very abbreviated synopsis of the history from their website:

The Sun Sound began when Sam Phillips launched his record company in February of 1952. He named it Sun Records as a sign of his perpetual optimism: a new day and a new beginning. Sam rented a small space at 706 Union Avenue for his own all-purpose studio. The label was launched amid a growing number of independent labels. In a short while Sun gained the reputation throughout Memphis as a label that treated local artists with respect and honesty. Sam provided a non-critical, spontaneous environment that invited creativity and vision.

As a businessman, Phillips was patient and willing to listen to almost anyone who came in off the street to record. Memphis was a happy home to a diverse musical scene: gospel, blues, hillbilly, country, boogie, and western swing. Taking advantage of this range of talent, there were no style limitations at the label. In one form or another Sun recorded them all.

Then in 1954 Sam found Elvis Presley, an artist who could perform with the excitement, unpredictability and energy of a blues artist but could reach across regional, musical and racial barriers.

He helped form the beginnings of the Sun Sound by infusing Country music with R&B. Elvis’s bright star attracted even more ground-breaking talent to the Sun galaxy. Listed among his contemporaries and lab mates were Johnny Cash, the inimitable Jerry Lee Lewis, and the “Rockin’ Guitar Man”, Carl Perkins. These four soon became known as the Million Dollar Quartet. Right behind them came Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Bill Justis, Harold Jenkins (a.k.a. Conway Twitty) and other equally memorable musical talents. All eventually sold on Pop, R&B and Country charts and grew to international fame.

Rockabilly became the major evolution in the Sun Sound. Lyrically it was bold; musically it was sparse; but it moved. In the 1950’s Country music rarely used drums that were so vital to jazz, blues, and jump bands. In fact, drums were prohibited on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. However, Rockabilly drums played an essential role in driving teens across the nation to become enamored with the Rockabilly movement and the revolutionary Sun Sound. Once again, Sun was able to break new ground recording music of unparalleled diversity in an incubator of creativity.

Inherent in the music of Sun is a vibrancy that survives to this day. Sincere, passionate music. Music that has stood the test of time. It is music that has reached across race, age and gender boundaries. It reflects the diversity and vision of the talent that recorded on the Sun label, and indeed, American popular culture itself.

Here is the first collection of images I took at Sun Studio:

Still, plenty more pictures from Jesse and I’s trip to Sun Records to share!