Category Archives: Layla

Baby Got Rack, Bethany, Carla, Contests, Evie, Greyson, Jen, Jesse, Jodie Cue, Kanoa, Kim, Layla, Logan, Michelle, Monica, Nader, Naima, Nora, Pufferbilly Days, Scottie D., Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait Project, State Fair, Teresa, Willy

Selfie Project – August 2022

September 3, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

Another month down and another month of THE SELFIE PROEJCT in the books. I think I had a pretty active August. At least in spurts. With Pufferbilly Days and the State Fair and some much needed vacation all in August, I did some things man.

I don’t anticipate September being anywhere as busy, but hopefully I’ll do some cool stuff this month.

Here are some of my favorites from August for THE SELFIE PROJECT:

August 1

August 2

August 3

August 4

August 5

August 6

August 8

August 9

August 11

August 12

August 13

August 14

August 16

August 17

August 18

August 19

August 20

August 21

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

August 28

August 29

August 31

Of course there can only be one selfie that represents THE SELFIE PROJECT every day, but I did have a busy August, so here are the many alternates:

SELFIE PROJECT - ALTERNATE - AUGUST 2022

You might be thinking, “That is a lot of pictures with ice cream!” There is a reason for that. The reason isn’t because I love ice cream, but that is probably the base level reason. I’ll explain the real reason in a future post. Or I won’t. What is important for you to know is that your humble narrator is a champion. A ice cream champion. Also, Willy and Jesse owe me dinner.

You also might be thinking, “How many gray t-shirts do you own?” The answer is, plenty.

Finally you might be thinking, “You need to retire that green t-shirt.” Yeah, that is true enough.

Angie, Carla, Contests, Evie, Jay, Jen, Jesse, Kim, Kio, Layla, Logan, Michelle, Monica, Pufferbilly Days, State Fair, Teresa

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Results

August 13, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Before I delve into the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest, I do know what picture and what award I got into the Iowa State Fair. It is my policy not to reveal the pictures I entered until after the State Fair is over, but your clue is don’t go all the way into the main room. Go almost into that room, then look to your left.

+++++++

I think that the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest was a success this year. Not a smashing success, but I definitely feel like it is on greater footing now. A more solid foundation. In 2021 there were only 24 pictures entered. This year that number more than doubled to 61. Which is a good number, but I won’t be satisfied until that number hits triple digits. Until we outgrow KWBG and I’m forced to find a new location.

This is how the entries broke down.

ADULT
+ BLACK & WHITE – 1 entry (I can’t put into word how this breaks my heart!)
+ HIDDEN TREASURES OF BOONE COUNTY – 3 entries
+ NATURE – 16 entries
+ PEOPLE – 5 entries
+ TRAINS, PLANES, AND AUTOMOBILES – 6 entries
+ TOTAL – 31 entries

TEEN
+ BLACK & WHITE – 3 entries
+ HIDDEN TREASURES OF BOONE COUNTY – 1 entry
+ NATURE – 7 entries
+ PEOPLE – 1 entry
+ TRAINS, PLANES, AND AUTOMOBILES – 0 entries
+ TOTAL – 12 entries

YOUTH
+ BLACK & WHITE – 4 entries
+ HIDDEN TREASURES OF BOONE COUNTY – 1 entry
+ NATURE – 10 entries
+ PEOPLE – 1 entry
+ TRAINS, PLANES, AND AUTOMOBILES – 2 entries
TOTAL – 18 entries

Thank God for the Youth and teens that are holding down the BLACK & WHITE class. Once again the balance with the NATURE class was all out of whack, so next year I’m going to split them up into ANIMALS and PLANTS.

These are the winners:

Best of Show – “Pismo Beach Beauty” – Angie DeWaard

People’s Choice Award – “Just A Swingin'” – Daphne Harris

1st Place Adult Overall – “Pismo Beach Beauty” – Angie DeWaard

2nd Place Adult Overall – “The Art in Nature” – Angie DeWaard

3rd Place Overall – “La Vita Dolce” – Angie DeWaard

1st Place Teen Overall – “Edison Phonographs” – Emma Wiebold

2nd Place Teen Overall – “Happy Little Squirrel” – Simon Enabnit

3rd Place Teen Overall – “Cartwheel in the Creek” – Emma Wiebold

1st Place Youth Overall – “Light Shining on Tables” – Tommy Williams

2nd Place Youth Overall – “Fly” – Layla Gorshe

3rd Place Youth Overall – “Lake Sunset” – Reese Howie

1st Place Adult Nature – “Pismo Beach Beauty” – Angie DeWaard

2nd Place Adult Nature – “Libella pulchella” – Allison Kayser

3rd Place Adult Nature – “Lithobates castebeianus maculosus” – Allison Kayser

1st Place Adult People – “The Art in Nature” – Angie DeWaard

2nd Place Adult People – “Good Sports” – Angie DeWaard

3rd Place Adult People – “Persevere” – Jen Ensley

1st Place Adult Trains, Planes, and Automobiles – “La Vita Dolce” – Angie DeWaard

2nd Place Adult Trains, Planes, and Automobiles – “Two Tracks” – Sally Kay Whitney

3rd Place Adult Trains, Planes, and Automobiles – “Spike Driving Contest” – Bea Upah

1st Place Adult Black & White – “Zebra Bark” – Angie DeWaard

1st Place Adult Hidden Treasures of Boone County – “Through the Wires in Pilot Mound” – Angie DeWaard

2nd Place Adult Hidden Treasures of Boone County – “Mill Creek Stone Arch” – Bea Upah

3rd Place Adult Hidden Treasures of Boone County – “Sunset Over Boone” – Nicole Schecklman

1st Place Teen Nature – “Happy Little Squirrel” – Simon Enabnit

2nd Place Teen Nature – “Fence Post” – Emma Wiebold

3rd Place Teen Nature – “Garden Raider” – Simon Enabnit

1st Place Teen People – “Cartwheel in the Creek” – Emma Wiebold

1st Place Teen Hidden Treasures of Boone County – “Beautiful Garbage” – Simon Enabnit

1st Place Teen Black & White – “Edison Phonographs” – Emma Wiebold

2nd Place Teen Black & White – “Rosie the Pug” – Emma Wiebold

3rd Place Teen Black & White – “Old Tree in Pasture” – Emma Wiebold

1st Place Youth Nature – “Lake Sunset” – Reese Howie

2nd Place Youth Nature – “The Cone” – Kayelee Burns

3rd Place Youth Nature – “Black Lab Smelling Flowers” – Tommy Williams

1st Place Youth People – “Grass” – Evie Gorshe

1st Place Youth Hidden Treasures of Boone County -“Kate Shelley Museum” – Kayelee Burns

1st Place Youth Trains, Planes, and Automobiles – “Fly” – Layla Gorshe

2nd Place Youth Trains, Planes and Automobiles – “Steam Engine” – Kayelee Burns

1st Place Youth Black & White – “Light Shining on Tables” – Tommy Williams

2nd Place Youth Black & White – “Easy on Me” – Kayelee Burns

3rd Place Youth Black & White – “Snickers” – Daphne Harris

Maybe you don’t agree with the judges? Which is fine. I don’t agree with all of their decisions, but I selected a great collection of judges this year and they did a tremendous job!

Meet them:

One thing I learned this year is that a lot of people seem to think I was “the judge” or “a judge” and then when they found out I wasn’t a judge, then I didn’t really do that much. Which I think is funny, but I’m okay with people not knowing how much work goes into this and thinking the judges do all the work. If people see how much work this is, then I’m not doing my job.

I’ve already mentally selected the three judges for next year. Two of them have already committed. I’m sure the third one will commit as well, I just have to make the call. Janae will be returning and Nathanial and Logan will be rotating out. The second judge that has committed is Angie. I had been playing with the idea of whomever wins Best of Show gets to be a judge the following year. Her winning Best of Show cemented that or maybe quickcreted it for this year, at least.

While I’ve already tried to explain how much work I put into this contest. I definitely don’t do it myself. I need to thank people that helped along the way:
+ Kim Barker – Helped with label printing and only complained once, but for good reason.
+ Nathanial Brown – a judge, but also a good idea man. For example, his idea to split the youth division into Teen and Youth. Also provided sides for dinner AND most responsible for streamlining the Judges Form.
+ Kio Dettman – Got me this gig, but also is part of the Display Team. Both setting up and tearing down.
+ Janae Erickson – Judge while being super pregnant. A trooper.
+ Michelle Haupt – Did the Photo Contest Book. It looks professional because it is professional. I think she was only moderately frustrated when she would ask a question and 9 times out of 10 my answer was “I trust you.”
+ Jesse Howard – Part of the tear down team and gophered stuff between Ames and Boone for me. Including purchasing the photo stands for the overall photos.
+ Jay Janson – Designed one of the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Flyers.
+ Monica Jennings – Designed multiple Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Flyers, designed and assembled the judges board for the display case, designed and put together the certificates that went with each ribbon. She was also instrumental in putting together the display. Bossing Logan around even more than I did. Which is saying something. I got so many compliments on what the display looked like this year. I think that was a lot of Monica.
+ Logan Kahler – Was a judge. Which was big. But even bigger in my mind, was being the “inside the display case” man when putting the display together. He also provided the meat for the judgement night meal. It was delicious.
+ Teresa Kahler – Did a ton of the administrative stuff and has big ideas for streamlining that process next year with mail merge.
+ Carla Stensland – Did a ton of administrative stuff as well. She was the judges’ assistant and helped keep them moving forward.
+ The Staff of KWBG – They are all wonderful, but Jennifer in particular is VERY helpful. She put up lights so there is some lighting in there at night and fixed some of the small mistakes that were made on the administrative end.

I’ve already mentioned some of the tweaks I’m going to make for next year. There are still more to make. However, the rest I’m going to keep close to my vest for now. But I might share them when I share some of the behind the scenes pictures in the future.

However, I think there is time for one last look back. I mentioned the incredible job that Michelle did on the book. This idea is pretty much completely stolen from, I mean influenced by, the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Michelle is a genius when it comes to making this kind of thing and I think you should click on the links below and really appreciate her work:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Book – Easy to Read

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Book – Easy to Print

Be wary, next year I might try bothering you to get you on the photo contest team! Or even better, maybe next year you or your kids will enter. I heard more than one story about this being a great activity for parents to do with their children and grandparents to do with their grandchildren.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Derrick, Elizabeth, Evie, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Macro, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Shannon, Steph, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – 354 – SELF-PORTRAIT

June 27, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I though SELF-PORTAIT would be a popular theme. Do you think I was right? Well, you’ll have to scroll down to find out.

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

+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Mike Vest – 1 week
+ Angie DeWaard – 2 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 5 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 7 weeks (4
+ Jesse Howard – 9 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 11 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 12 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 14 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 22 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 22 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 22 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 23 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 24 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 25 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 26 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 30 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 31 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 33 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 36 weeks (4)

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:

Linda Bennett – 8 weeks

Linda Bennett

Mary Green – 1 week

Mary Green

Michelle Haupt – 24 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 23 weeks

Tamara Peterson

Bill Wentworth – 27 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Carla Stensland – 23 weeks

Kio Dettman – 37 weeks

Kio Dettman

Kim Barker – 12 weeks

Kim Barker

Angie DeWaard – 3 weeks

Angie DeWaard

Elizabeth Nordeen – 32 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 23 weeks

Stephanie Kim – 1 week

Lori Backous – 1 week

Joe Duff – 13 weeks

Logan Kahler – 15 weeks

Dawn Krause – 6 weeks

Suzie Brannen – 1 week

Willy McAlpine – 1 week

Micky Augustin – 25 weeks

Cathie Morton – 31 weeks

Jesse Howard – 10 weeks

Monica Jennings – 1 week

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 33 weeks

Andy Sharp – 26 weeks

Layla Gorshe – 1 week

Evie Gorshe – 1 week

Derrick Gorshe – 1 week

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

Mike Vest – 2 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks

31 participants! A new record. Smashing the old record of 26 participants for FLOWER. That is a great week!

There were a few milestones achieved. Jesse reached double figures. Andy joined the Half Year Club.

Derrick submitted for the first time this year. True Jen was heavily involved in that, but I would consider that a good thing.

There was a time when I was sure Andy and Shannon’s epic streaks were going to be history, but they came in with submissions with a few minutes to spare!

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 23 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 23 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 23 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 24 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 25 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 26 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 27 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 31 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 32 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 34 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 37 weeks

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:

ENTERTAINMENT

WARNING: NEXT MONDAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY. SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS INDEPENDENCE DAY (EVEN THOUGH NOTHING HAPPENED ON THE 4TH OF JULY). I DON’T KNOW WHAT MY PLANS INCLUDE YET, BUT IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT I WON’T BE IN A POSITION TO SEND OUT ANY REMINDERS. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT YOU WILL GET SUPER BUSY NEXT MONDAY AND FORGET TO SUBMIT. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. CAUSE WHILE THE BANKS AND THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE TAKING NEXT MONDAY OFF. THERE ARE NO DAYS OFF AT PHOTOGRAPHY 139. NO REST FOR THE WICKED(LY AWESOME!).

ENTERTAINMENT! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is an ENTERTAINMENT image? It is simply a picture of something that is used for ENTERAINMENT or something that ENTERTAINMENTs you. Examples would include things like theaters (like in the theme reveal) or concerts or plays or anything you would do to pass the time in an enjoyable way.

While considering possible subjects for your ENTERTAINMENT image, meditate on the following quote:

Art is moral passion married to entertainment. Moral passion without entertainment is propaganda, and entertainment without moral passion is television.
-Rita Mae Brown

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

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.

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

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 ENTERTAINMENT in this place that at least entertains me next Monday.

Andy, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Flowers, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Macro, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Sara, Shannon, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 351 – FLOWER

June 6, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

FLOWER has proven to be a pretty popular theme. I’m always not sure how these things will go because I know more than a few people that just absolutely HATE flower photography or as my forthcoming book will be called, flowertography. Not only do they HATE flower pictures, they in particular HATE my flower photography. I don’t know why they don’t have any joy in their lives, but I continue to pray for them.

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

+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Sara Lockner – 1 week (9)
+ Dawn Krause – 2 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 4 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 6 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 6 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 8 weeks (2)
+ Becky Parmelee – 8 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 9 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 11 weeks (3)
+ Teresa Kahler – 19 weeks (2)
+ Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 19 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 20 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 21 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 22 weeks (2)
+ Bill Wentworth – 23 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 27 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 28 weeks (2)
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 30 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 33 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:

Lori Backous – 1 week

Suzie Brannen – 1 week

Suzie Brannen

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

Layla Gorshe – 1 week

Mary Green – 1 week

Monica Jennings – 1 week

Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks

Sara Lockner – 2 weeks

Dawn Krause – 3 weeks

Linda Bennett – 5 weeks

Jesse Howard – 7 weeks

Kim Barker – 9 weeks

Joe Duff – 10 weeks

Logan Kahler – 12 weeks

Logan Kahler

Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks

Tamara Peterson

Carla Stensland – 20 weeks

Carla Stensland

Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks

Micky Augustin – 22 weeks

Andy Sharp – 23 weeks

Andy Sharp

Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks

Cathie Morton – 28 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks

Kio Dettman – 34 weeks

Kio Dettman

Christopher D. Bennett – 453 weeks

41 submissions. Which I think is a record. But what actually gets me excited is 26 participants! Which I think is also a record. I’ll have to check the log book.

It is indeed a new record. Eclipsing the previous record of 25 participants set a month back by #INSTAGOOD.

A major milestone this week was reached by Joe Duff, who reached the double digit club.

Also, for the first time, at least I’m pretty sure, I received submissions from a hospital bed. I mean that isn’t all great news, but it certainly shows a level of commitment.

However, it wasn’t all good news. 2 streaks did snap. Becky’s 8 week streak is a goner. Angie’s 6 week streak did not super spread all the way to Los Angeles.

Here are the current top streaks:

9. Teresa Kahler – 20 weeks
9. Tamara Peterson – 20 weeks
9. Carla Stensland – 20 weeks
8. Michelle Haupt – 21 weeks
7. Micky Augustin – 22 weeks
6. Andy Sharp – 23 weeks
5. Bill Wentworth – 24 weeks
4. Cathie Morton – 28 weeks
3. Elizabeth Nordeen – 29 weeks
2. Shannon Bardole-Foley – 31 weeks
1. Kio Dettman – 34 weeks

CHILDREN

CHILDREN! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a CHILDREN picture? Simply put, a CHILDREN picture is any picture that includes a CHILDren or CHILDREN or anything that deals with CHILDREN. This could be a very easy theme for some people. Some people can’t throw a rock in their house with out hitting a CHILD(REN). Which isn’t to say that I endorse throwing rocks at CHILDREN. It is just a saying. Some people might not have such easy access to a CHILD(REN) or even know a CHILD(REN). No worries! That is where the “anything that deals with CHILDREN comes into play. Notice how the theme reveal image doesn’t have any CHILDREN in it, but instead is a picture of a playground, which CHILD(REN) of all ages use.

While considering possible subjects for you submission, meditate on the following quote:

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
-Stacie Tauscher

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

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

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 CHILDREN in this place that some definitely reveals my hidden child next Monday.

Candid Portrait, Evie, Jen, Layla

Celtic Dancing Fair

June 4, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

A few weeks back I met up with Jen and the rest of the Gorshes (sans Derrick) to watch Evie dance at the Renaissance Fair. I took a few pictures of the event. Here are some of my favorites.

Celtic Dancing - Renaissance Fair - 2022

At some point, I’ll share the rest of the pictures from the Renaissance Fair at some point in the future.

Andy, Evie, Jaxon, Jesse, Kim, Layla, Lowell, Nader, Naima, Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait Project

SELFIE PROJECT – MAY 2022

June 1, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

After what was a fairly inactive April, I seemed to be constantly on the move in May. That possibly resulted in an interesting collection of images for THE SELFIE PROJECT.

Here are some of my favorites from May:

May 1

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

May 7

May 8

May 9

May 10

May 11

May 12

May 13

May 14

May 15

May 16

May 17

May 18

May 19

May 21

May 23

May 24

May 25

May 27

May 28

May 30

May 31

Now there can only be one selfie per day, but I took a ton of other selfies in May. Here are some of my favorite alternates:

I’m pretty sure June won’t be as active as May. For one thing, the Computer Mine won’t be sending me out of state for 7 days. However, I hope June is in the ballpark of good times that I had in May.

Andy, Becky, Bill, Cathie, Christianity, Elizabeth, Evie, Jesse, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Sara, Shannon, Still Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 341 – SHADOW

March 28, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

SHADOW seems to be a pretty popular theme.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 28, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Harrison Gorshe – 1 week
+ Monica Henning – 1 week
+ Logan Kahler – 1 week
+ Stephanie Kim – 1 week
+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Mike Vest – 1 week
+ Dawn Krause – 5 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 9 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 9 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 9 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 9 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 10 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 11 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 12 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 13 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 17 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 18 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 20 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 23 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:

Jesse Howard – 1 week

Micky Augustin – 12 weeks

Layla Gorshe – 1 week

Evie Gorshe – 1 week

Teresa Kahler – 10 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Michelle Haupt – 11 weeks

Kio Dettman – 24 weeks

Kio Dettman

Tamara Peterson – 10 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 21 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 14 weeks

Linda Bennett – 1 week

Christopher D. Bennett

Elizabeth Nordeen – 19 weeks

Carla Stensland – 10 weeks

Carla Stensland

Sara Lockner – 1 week

Cathie Raley – 18 weeks

Kim Barker – 1 week

Andy Sharp – 13 weeks

Monica Henning – 2 weeks

Monica Henning

Suzie Brannen – 1 week

Logan Kahler – 2 weeks

28 submissions from 22 participants. That is a great week.

Congratulations to Teresa, Tamara, and Carla for being the latest people to join the double digit club!

Unfortunately a few streaks were snapped. Harrison, Stephanie, and Vest could not build on their submission from last week. Dawn had a 5 week streak snapped. And Joe… a 9 week streak gone! Hopefully they can start building that streak back up starting next week!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 24 weeks
2. Shannon – 21 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 19 weeks
4. Cathie – 18 weeks
5. Bill – 14 weeks

FRAMED

FRAMED! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a FRAMED picture? It is simply a picture where the subject is FRAMED in by something else. In the theme reveal, the edge of the garbage can makes a frame for the subject of the refuse. A doorway makes a good frame. So does a hall way. A window Any thing that creates negative space makes a great frame for your subject. Or you could even do something as easy as taking a picture of something that is in a literal picture frame.

While thinking on possible subjects for your FRAMED image, meditate on the following quote:

You can frame a moment. But you can’t frame life.
-Armin Houman

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

RULES

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

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of FRAMED in this place that tries to put a frame around my existence next Monday.

Andy, Becky, Bill, Blogging, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Evie, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Shannon, Still Life, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 338 – HOBBIES

March 7, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

As many of you know, I was having difficulties with the email subscription service last week. In particular, it wasn’t working with Gmail email accounts. That should be fixed, but another question I get, is how do I prevent the emails from going to “Promotions” instead of my primary Inbox in Gmail. Here are the instructions for preventing that from happening:

One of the simplest ways to move an email is to left-click and hold on the email and drag it from the promotions tab over to the Primary tab. Releasing the mouse will drop the email into the primary tab. After it is dropped, Gmail will ask if you wish to make the change permanent.

Hope that helps some of you!

+++++++

HOBBIES has proven to be a very popular theme.

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, March 7, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Lori Backous – 1 week
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Jesse Howard – 1 week
+ Linda Bennett – 2 weeks
+ Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 2 weeks
+ Dawn Krause – 2 weeks
+ Mike Vest – 2 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 6 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 6 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 6 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 6 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 7 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 8 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 9 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 10 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 14 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 15 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 17 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 20 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:

Kim Barker – 1 week

Monica Henning – 1 week

Becky Parmelee – 1 week

Becky Parmelee

Evie Gorshe – 2 weeks

a>
Layla Gorshe – 2 weeks

Jesse Howard – 2 weeks

Linda Bennett – 3 weeks

Linda Bennett

Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks

Logan Kahler – 3 weeks

Logan Kahler

Dawn Krause – 3 weeks

Mike Vest – 3 weeks

Joe Duff – 7 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 7 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Tamara Peterson – 7 weeks

Carla Stensland – 7 weeks

Carla Stensland

Michelle Haupt – 8 weeks

Micky Augustin – 9 weeks

Andy Sharp – 10 weeks

Andy Sharp

Bill Wentworth – 11 weeks

Cathie Raley – 15 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 16 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 18 weeks

Kio Dettman – 21 weeks

Kio Dettman

Christopher D. Bennett – 440 weeks

38 submissions from 24 participants! The 38 is a new record for this year and 24 participants is also a new high for the year! Both are certainly all-time records as well.

Only 2 streaks were snapped. Lori and Jen both couldn’t extend their streaks to two. Maybe next week?

Congrats to Andy for extending his streak to double digits! WooHoo!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 21 weeks
2. Shannon – 18 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 16 weeks
4. Cathie – 15 weeks
5. Bill – 11 weeks

GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a GOVERNMENT image? A GOVERNMENT image is anything that involves a GOVERNMENT. There are all types of GOVERNMENT. There is the federal GOVERNMENT. A state GOVERNMENT. A county GOVERNMENT. A local GOVERNMENT. Churches have GOVERNMENT bodies. Every business has some kind of GOVERNMENT. A GOVERNMENT image could be anything that deals with a GOVERNMENT. A public park. GOVERNMENT. The road you drove on to get to that public park. GOVERNMENT. Public school. GOVERNMENT. If you work for the GOVERNMENT, you are the GOVERNMENT. The military, the police, fire department. All GOVERNMENT. Public library. GOVERNMENT. There are so many possibilities!

When considering subjects for your GOVERNMENT image, meditate on the following quote:

“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
-Winston Churchill

RULES

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

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of GOVERNMENT in this place that is ruled with an iron fist by me next Monday.

Andy, Art, Basketball, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Evie, Iowa State, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Shannon, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 337 – HARMONY

February 28, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

For a somewhat abstract concept, quite a few people have found HARMONY in their lives somewhere. In fact, it was a record breaking week!

As of 10:59 AM on Monday, February 28, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks:

+ Linda Bennett – 1 week
+ Suzie Brannen – 1 week
+ Logan Kahler – 1 week
+ Dawn Krause – 1 week
+ Mike Vest – 1 week
+ Joe Duff – 5 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 5 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 5 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 5 weeks
+ Michelle Haupt – 6 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 7 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 7 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 8 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 8 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 9 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 13 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 14 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 16 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 16 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 19 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:

Carla Stensland – 6 weeks

Carla Stensland

Kio Dettman – 20 weeks

Kio Dettman

Christopher D. Bennett

Linda Bennett – 2 weeks

Linda Bennett

Michelle Haupt – 7 weeks

Lori Backous – 1 week

Tamara Peterson – 6 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 17 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 10 weeks

Bill Wentworth

Teresa Kahler – 6 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Evie Gorshe – 1 week

Layla Gorshe – 1 week

Micky Augustin – 8 weeks

Andy Sharp – 9 weeks

Logan Kahler – 2 weeks

Logan Kahler

Joe Duff – 6 weeks

Dawn Krause – 2 weeks

Jesse Howard – 1 week

Jesse Howard

Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks

Suzie Brannen

Cathie Raley – 14 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 15 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week

Mike Vest – 2 weeks

33 submissions from 22 participants. I do believe both of those are records! WooHoo!

Only 3 streaks were snapped. But they were significant steaks. Kim’s 16 week streak went kaput. So did Becky’s 8 week streak and Monica’s 7 week streaks.

But it wasn’t all bad new on the streak front. Bill extended his streak into double digits! Congratulations to him!

Here are the current top streaks:

1. Kio – 20 weeks
2. Shannon – 17 weeks
3. Elizabeth – 15 weeks
4. Cathie – 14 weeks
5. Bill – 10 weeks

HOBBIES

HOBBIES! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a HOBBIES image? A HOBBY image is simply a picture of anything related to a HOBBY. There are all sorts of HOBBIES out there. People collect things. People make things. People sew. They make art. They make music. They play games. You picture doesn’t have to be of your HOBBIES. But can be of somebody else’s HOBBIES. It can be of something they have finished. Or it can be of the tools used in their HOBBIES. Or it can be a picture of somebody in mid-HOBBIES. There are just so many possibilities!

While considering your possible subjects for HOBBIES, meditate on the following quote:

I don’t have hobbies; hobbies cost money. Interests are quite free.
-George Carlin

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

RULES

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

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of HOBBIES in this place that is little more than where my various interests merge next Monday.

Andy, Becky, Bill, Carla, Cathie, Dad, Dawn, Elizabeth, Evie, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Michelle, Micky, Mom, Shannon, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 333 – #LOVE

January 31, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

#LOVE has proven to be a popular theme. Which is good, I’m glad so many people have #LOVE in their lives.

Heading into the 4th week of Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, these were the current streaks:

+ Logan Kahler – 1 week
+ Layla Gorshe – 1 week
+ Carla Stensland – 1 week
+ Tamara Peterson – 1 week
+ Robyn Augustin – 1 week
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
+ Joe Duff – 1 week
+ Teresa Kahler – 1 week
+ Michelle Haupt – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 3 weeks
+ Monica Henning – 3 weeks
+ Evie Gorshe – 4 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 4 weeks
+ Becky Parmelee – 4 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 5 weeks
+ Cathie Raley – 9 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 10 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 12 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 12 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 15 weeks

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

Bill Wentworth – 6 weeks

Carla Stensland – 2 weeks

Kio Dettman – 16 weeks

Kio Dettman

Michelle Haupt – 3 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 2 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Logan Kahler – 2 weeks

Logan Kahler

Kim Barker – 13 weeks

Evie Gorshe – 5 weeks

Andy Sharp – 5 weeks

Layla Gorshe – 2 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 2 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Micky Augustin – 4 weeks

Joe Duff – 2 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 11 weeks

Jesse Howard – 4 weeks

Mike Vest – 1 week

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 13 weeks

Dawn Krause – 1 week

Becky Parmelee – 5 weeks

Cathie Raley – 10 weeks

Monica Henning – 4 weeks

27 submissions from 22 participants! 22 participants ties last week’s record! WooHoo!

Only 2 streaks were broken. Jen and Robyn could not extend that streak out to two.

The four longest streaks remained intact and Cathie joined the world of double digit streaks.

Here are the top streaks:

#1. Kio – 16 weeks
#2. Kim – 13 weeks
#2. Shannon – 13 weeks
#4. Elizabeth – 11 weeks
#5. Cathie – 10 weeks

JUNK

JUNK! What a great theme for Week 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a JUNK image? Simply put, it is any picture that involves JUNK in the composition. It can be as simple as opening up your JUNK drawer and taking a picture. I have at least 5 JUNK drawers in my house and one more in the office. You could got to a local salvage yard. You could go to a local “antique” store. It could be simply a picture of something you don’t like. There are numerous definitions of JUNK and feel free to explore any of those definitions. I think you know the definition I’m talking about.

While considering your possible subjects for JUNK, consider the following quote from terrible human being Thomas Edison:

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
-Thomas Edison

I look forward to seeing your interpretations.

RULES

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

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of JUNK in this place that is little more than a collection of all my leftovers next Monday.