Category Archives: Pastor Sarah

Post 5,250

Can you believe that this is the 5,250th entry in the blog known as “An Artist’s Notebook”? Every 250 posts or so I like to take a moment to reflect on where this post has been and post a lot of meaningless stats.

As always on these posts, I like to start by quoting the very first “An Artist’s Notebook” entry that published on August 9, 2006. That first post that published 6,296 days.

That post that started with these words:

So here is the first journal entry. I felt like having as pretentious sounding name as possible for my journal. I have a few goals about this journal. My main goal is just to actually write in it. My second goal is to be as truthful as possible towards my true thoughts and feelings. I have another journal on another website, but it is really just a collection of sarcastic statements and cheap jabs at open faced sandwiches. This journal is meant to be about what my achievements and failures are in the world of art. What projects I am working on and what I have accomplished and what I have failed to accomplish. What I am photographing and what I am thinking about entering in photo contests. What I am thinking about. It might not always make sense. It might just be things I need to write down because they strike me as poignant or inspirational. This is in a small way an online “idea box”.

Since those words, I have posted 5,250 journal entries. This website is still something of an “idea box”. Sometimes I’m just working stuff out here. I don’t know why, sometimes I need to work stuff out in public. But this website is definitely more than just an “idea box”. It is a place where I post a few thoughts and a ton of pictures. I’ve gone through a few photo projects on these pages. From THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT to the 9 EMOTIONS PROJECT to THE SELFIE PROJECT to the POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT to name just a few. This website has also created a community with THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Which is one of my proudest achievements. Even if it sputtered and spit and barely survived in its first few years.

On these reflective posts, I like to publish a bunch of statistics that me and Joe Duff find interesting. So I might as well get to it.

Every post in “An Artist’s Notebook” is tagged with at least one Category. It is one of the easiest ways to navigate around the website. They are listed at the top of each post. Here are some statistics about Categories:

THE TOP 10 MOST USED CATEGORIES (RANK IN POST #5005 & INCREASE SINCE BEGINING OF 2024)

10. Carla – 632 (#10 – 39)
9. Formal Portrait – 655 (#6 – 6)
8. Teresa – 657 – (#9 – 49)
7. Road Trip – 657 (#8 – 32)
6. Macro – 662 (#7 – 26)
5. Jesse – 754 (#5 – 54)
4. Animals – 833 (#3 – 34)
3. Art – 842 – (#4 – 75)
2. Flowers – 1,010 (#2 – 40)
1. Black & White – 1,221 (#1 – 27)

No categories dropped from the Top 10. The categories with the best shot at cracking the Top 10 in the next 250 posts are Shannon, Nature, WPC-Submissions, Candid Portrait, & Still Life.

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Candid Portrait – 504 (#9 – 16)
9. WPC-Submissions – 563 (NR – 27)
8. Nature – 568 (#8 – 26)
7. Formal Portrait – 655 (#5 – 6)
6. Road Trip – 657 (#7 – 32)
5. Macro – 662 (#9 – 26)
4. Animals – 833 (#3 – 34)
3. Art – 842 – (#4 – 75)
2. Flowers – 1,010 (#2 – 40)
1. Black & White – 1,221 (#1 – 27)

Photoshop dropped out of the Top 10.

The categories with the best shot of cracking the Top 10 in the next 250 posts are Still Life, Photoshop, Naima, History, and Self-portrait.

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES

10. Willy – 379 (NR – 27)
9. Vest – 388 (#10 – 29)
8. Micky – 399 (#8 – 29)
7. Logan – 428 (#7 – 37)
6. Kim – 441 (#6 – 35)
5. Mom – 473 (#5)
4. Shannon – 615 (#4 – 30)
3. Carla – 632 (#3 – 39)
2. Teresa – 657 (#2 – 49)
1. Jesse – 754 (#1 – 54)

Jay dropped out of he Top 10. The categories that have the best chance of breaking into the Top 10 in the next 250 posts are Andy, Jay, Jen, Sara, and Derrick.

If you have spent any time on the Photography 139 website, you know that on the left sidebar, the “Top 100 Categories” are listed. I thought I would give a little bit of coverage to the Bottom 10 of the Top 100. There are currently 208 categories used on the website. I could cover the Bottom 10, but no real reason. Some of those categories probably need to be purged. I do like to cover the Top 10 of the Bottom 100 though.

THE BOTTOME 10 OF THE TOP 100

10. Nathanial – 82 (+29)
9. Layla – 84 (+8)
8. Commercial – 84 (0)
7. House – 91 (+1)
6. Writing – 92 (0)
5. Becca – 92 (+2)
4. Pastor Sarah – 93 (+2)
3. Pufferbilly Days – 95 (+4)
2. Tenderloining – 96 (+25)
1. Faust – 96 (+4)

The following categories have either fallen out of the Bottom 10 of the Top 100 or climbed out of it:
Andree, Flat Earth Joe, Self-Portrait Project, and Sabas

The following categories have the best shot at dropping back into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Russell, Nate, Jill, Blogging, Sabas, and Lowell.

The following categories have the best shot at climbing up into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Andree, Photo Journal, Self-Portrait Project, Flat Earth Joe, and Mary.

I’m now starting to track what categories have had the greatest gain. These are the ones that have the greatest gain since the beginning of 2024.

THE TOP 10 CATEGORIES BY GAIN

10. Kim – 35
10. Andy – 35
10. Michelle – 35
8. Logan – 37
8. Elizabeth – 37
7. Carla – 39
6. Flowers – 40
5. Teresa – 49
4. Jesse – 54
2. Still Life – 72
2. Street Photography – 72
1. Art – 75

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES BY GAIN

9. Nature -26
9. Nature – 26
7. Black & White – 27
7. WPC – Submissions – 27
6. Road Trip – 32
5. Animals – 34
4. Flowers – 40
2. Still Life – 72
2. Street Photography – 72
1. Art – 75

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES BY GAIN

9. Scottie. D. – 33
9. Linda – 33
9. Sabas – 33
6. Kim – 35
6. Andy – 35
6. Michelle – 35
4. Logan – 37
4. Elizabeth – 37
3. Carla – 39
2. Teresa – 49
1. Jesse – 54

If you are wondering what is your best way to improve your Photography 139 Score and crack the Top 10, it is simply to be active in THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE or go on trips with me or participate in various other photo projects or be related to me. Now these aren’t necessarily the 10 people that have influenced my photography the most, but these are the 10 people that have made the largest imprint on this website.

I can tell you the people that have influenced my photography the most, but that is a tale for another time. But I’m pretty sure you can guess who.

TOP 10 PHOTOGRAPHY 139 PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERIES (LAST 365 DAYS)

To View the Gallery, Click on its Representative Image

Naima at Dickcissel Park
10. Naima – 72,941 views

Rodan139: Des Moines River Valley
9. Drone – 73,421 views

9 Emotions Project - Anders Runestad
8. 9 Emotions Project – 98,062 views

WEEK 32 - COUNTRY - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
7. Weekly Photo Challenge Year 3 – 124,533 views

Bonaparte, Iowa
6. Town Sign Project – 127,555 views

Tenderloin Trail 2.0: The Feed Mill Restaurant
5. Tenderloining – 134,777 views

Jackson County - Saint Donatus
4. Town Sign Project Auxiliary Images – 172,671 views

WPC - WEEK 449 - TIME - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
3. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 11 – 192,976 views


2. Instagram – 212,131 views

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
1. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 11 – 289,984 views

Galleries that fell out of the Top 10 are:
Las Vegas 2023, Weekly Photo Challenge Year 9, Selfie Project – 2022,

Galleries that fell just outside of the Top 10 are:
Life, 365 Day Photo Project -2013, Memphis – 2023, New Orleans – 2024, Phot Journal Rejects.

But what are the most popular single images of the last 365 days? Don’t worry, I’m gonna feed you baby birds.

Top 10 Photography 139 Images

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023
10. 2,475 views

RedzBand - 05-30-2008
9. 2,508 views

Watermelon Day - 2023
8. 2,812 views


7. 3,774 views


6. 3,875 views

Color the Wind - 2023
5. 3,999 views

Ben Baier - 2024
4. 4,020 views

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023
3. 4,305 views

Kentucky Road Trip - 2013
2. 4,816 views


1. 20,050 views

If you are interested in checking out some of the milestone posts of the past, I got you. Click on any of the links below to check them out:

Post 1
Post 750
Post 850
Post 1,000
Post 1,101
Post 1,200
Post 1,447
Post 1,718
Post 2,500
Post 3,000
Post 3,252
Post 3,751
Post 4,000
Post 4,250
Post 4,500
Post 4,757
Post 5,005

I think that is enough. We will check back in, in another 250 posts.

Roundball Oracles Year 19 Final Standings

With UCONN mercilessly smashing Purdue (and every other team they played in the Tournament) on Monday night, another smashing round of the Roundball Oracles came to a close.

This year’s champion was… drumroll please… Micky! He adds himself to the list of Immortals!

ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPTIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS

2024 – Micky Augustin
2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
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

But I hand out 2 trophies for the Roundball Oracles. Micky will take home the Championship trophy for the 2nd time ever. But who gets “The Sara” for last place?

Do you have another drumroll in you? It goes to Oracles newcomer Aaron Sader!

“The Sara” Winners:

2024 – Aaron Sader
2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Here are the Final Standings:

1. Micky Augustin – 287
2. Toby Sebring – 262
3. Sara Lockner – 258
4. Michelle Haupt – 257
5. Jesse Howard – 244
6. Jason Baier – 232 points
7. Jordan Toot – 225
8. Sean Gildersleeve – 220
9. Russell Kennerly – 220
10. Linda Bennett – 220
11. Adam Gordon – 208
12. Derek Dohrman – 204
13. Andy Sharp – 202
14. Angie DeWaard – 201
15. Elainie Stensland – 198
16. Sarah Karber – 192
17. Rachel Gildersleeve – 188
18. Tim Peterson – 184
19. Robert Henning – 184
20. Derrick Gorshe – 183
21. JJ Baier – 182
22. Corey Faust – 174
23. Elizabeth Nordeen – 170
24. Lowell Davis – 169
25. Humble Narrator – 163
26. Shawn Lockner – 160
27. Ben Baier – 159
28. Carrie Baier – 146
29. Olivia Baier – 145
30. Joseph Duff – 145
31. Andree Jauhari – 140
32. Will Baier – 140
33. Jackson Faust – 139
34. Teresa Kahler – 136
35. Aaron Sader – 129

I’ll have to get the trophies ordered and delivered soon.

Basketball season is barely over and I already miss it!

The Weekly Photo Challenge Year in Review

As yesterday closed the book on Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, now seems like a good time to review all that happened.

There were 59 different people that submitted photos. Ranging from submitting 1 picture to 124 pictures.

There were 2,311 photos submitted.

The average week was 31.1 participants.

The average week had 44.4 submissions.

The most popular week was Week 422. The theme was #INSTAGOOD. There were 41 participants.

The most popular week by submissions was Week 405. The theme was FLOWER. There were 62 submissions.

3 themes tied for least popular theme by participants. TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES; REFLECTION; and SUNRISE, SUNSET each has only 25 participants.

TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES was the least popular theme by submissions. It received only 30 submissions.

Here is my favorite submission from all 59 different people that submitted and some statistics about each participant.


WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - HEATHER COURTNEY
Heather Courtney
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - PEPPER DUNCAN
Pepper Duncan
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - COREY FAUST
Corey Faust
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE -  ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon
1 week – 2%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - HARRISON GORSHE
Harrison Gorshe
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 382 - TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WPC 433 - HUMANS - CARRIE MOELLERS
Carrie Moellers
1 week – 2%
1 submission
Current Streak: 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MIKE PARMELEE
Mike Parmelee
1 week – 2%
1 submission
Current Streak: 1 week

WEEK 418 - SKY - ERNIE REDD
Ernie Redd
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 426 - FOOD - DIANE SHARP
Diane Sharp
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - JULIE SHARP
Julie Sharp
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - LORI BACKOUS
Lori Backous
2 weeks – 4%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MELISSA DEGENEFFE
Melissa Degeneffe
2 weeks – 4%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - DERRICK GORSHE
Derrick Gorshe
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 405 - FLOWER - JOHNATHAN STENSLAND
Johnathan Stensland
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - NADER PARSAEI
Nader Parsaei
3 weeks – 6%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 421 - RELIGION - MYRIAH SHARP
Myriah Sharp
3 weeks – 6%
5 submissions
No current streaks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - PORTER DEGENEFFE
Porter Degeneffe
4 weeks – 8%
4 submissions
No current streaks

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe
6 weeks – 12%
6 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 406 - 'SCAPE -AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson
10 weeks – 19%
14 submissions
Current Streak: 1 week

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN -ELAINIE STENSLAND
Elainie Stensland
12 weeks – 23%
15 submissions
No current streak

WPC 430 - LINES - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk
14 weeks – 27%
19 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe
19 weeks – 37%
22 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 387 - PLAY - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee
23 weeks – 44.2%
26 submissions
No current streak

WPC 430 - LINES - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri
29 weeks – 56%
53 submissions
Current streak: 29 weeks

WPC 430 - LINES - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe
32 weeks – 62%
46 submissions
Current streak: 19 weeks

WEEK 409 - A SHAPE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green
32 weeks – 62%
68 submissions
Current streak: 2 weeks

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner
33 weeks – 63%
39 submissions
Current streak: 1 week

WEEK 416 - NATURE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine
34 weeks – 65%
37 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen
35 weeks – 67%
50 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland
35 weeks – 67%
72 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 408 - TIME - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez
43 weeks – 83%
43 submissions
Current streak: 20 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings
43 weeks – 83%
60 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 399 - SCHOOL - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell
46 weeks – 88%
124 submissions
Current streak: 46 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown
47 weeks – 90%
77 submissions
Current streak: 31 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard
49 weeks – 94%
62 submissions
Current streaks: 31 weeks

WEEK 396 - SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest
50 weeks – 96%
50 submissions
Current streaks: 25 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler
51 weeks – 98%
55 submissions
Current streak: 1 week

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler
51 weeks – 98%
81 submissions
Current streak: 30 weeks

WEEK 416 - NATURE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson
51 weeks – 98%
56 submissions
Current streak: 34 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin
52 weeks – 100%
55 submissions
Current streak: 104 weeks

WEEK 418 - SKY - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley
52 weeks – 100%
55 submissions
Current streak: 113 weeks

WEEK 420 - ARCHITECTURE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker
52 weeks – 100%
60 submissions
Current streak: 90 weeks

WEEK 396 - SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett
52 weeks – 100%
52 submissions
Current streak: 537 weeks

WEEK 408 - TIME - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett
52 weeks – 100%
91 submissions
Current streak: 75 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman
52 weeks – 100%
107 submissions
Current streak: 115 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard
52 weeks – 100%
59 submissions
Current streak: 80 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff
52 weeks – 100%
71 submissions
Current streak: 91 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler
52 weeks – 100%
111 submissions
Current streak: 102 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause
52 weeks – 100%
89 submissions
Current streak: 84 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton
52 weeks – 100%
58 submissions
Current streak: 110 weeks

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen
52 weeks – 100%
72 submissions
Current streak: 111 weeks

WEEK 416 - NATURE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp
52 weeks – 100%
72 submissions
Current streak: 105 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland
52 weeks – 100%
90 submissions
Current streak: 102 weeks

WEEK 406 - 'SCAPE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot
52 weeks – 100%
96 submissions
Current streak: 76 weeks

WEEK 385 - SILENCE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth
52 weeks – 100%
54 submissions
Current streak: 106 weeks

Here are a few quick stats from last year:

+ 44 different participants
+ 1811 photos submitted
+ Least popular theme for participation was ROCK with 16 participants
+ Most popular theme for participation was SELF-PORTRAIT with 31 participants
+ Least popular theme for submissions was ROCK with 20 submissions
+ Most popular theme for submission was LINES with 51 submissions
+ The average week had 24.6 participants
+ The average week had 34.8 submissions

To put in perspective compared to last year:

+ 15 more different participants.
+ 500 more submissions.
+ The most popular theme had 10 more participants.
+ The most popular theme by submissions has 11 more submissions.
+ The average participation was up almost 7 participants per week.
+ The average submissions was up nearly 10 per week.

Hopefully Year 11 has a similar amount of growth!

The Windy City: Day 3A

Day 3 of my work trip to Chicago was the last day I really got to take any pictures of consequence. Every day after this was mostly filled with boring work stuff. Including Day 4 which was like a 13 hour or so work day. So after we get through the pictures of Day 3, the rest of the days will just fly by. Probably.

I started Day 3 wandering around the streets around the hotel taking a little photography before the Computer Mine training session that lasted from like 8 AM to like 12 PM. Or at least it did for a few of us.


Chicago, Illinois
I love street art so much!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
You didn’t think I wouldn’t post some flowertography, did you?

Chicago, Illinois
Well, did you punk?

Chicago, Illinois
I didn’t know Chicago also had a Harlem until this moment.

Chicago, Illinois
Almost… almost enough bird poop for me.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Would you believe that Kim has never ridden on a train? Not even a subway?

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Almost enough dirt, rust, and grime for me.

Chicago, Illinois
More tulips in this flower bed than all of Orange City.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
I didn’t bring any of my normal flowertography lenses, but that is okay.

Chicago, Illinois
This guy invited Tony to a party after inviting him to a party. Tony did not attend cause he is a fun hater.

Chicago, Illinois
And maybe this conversation was the impetus for Tony to think about quitting smoking.

Chicago, Illinois
4 hours of my life that… well you know. But Steve V. was pumped.

Chicago, Illinois
In Miami we spent most of Day 2 trying to get machines working. In Chicago we only had to spend a couple hours tinkering with machines. Kim was pleased.

Chicago, Illinois
It took a long time for Lowell and I to find lunch, but eventually we stumbled across these food trucks.

Chicago, Illinois
Like 6 of 8 were taco trucks.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
I love the mascot so much!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Lowell fed these guys some of his street corn.

Chicago, Illinois
And they couldn’t get enough!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

After eating, Lowell and I headed for Buckingham Fountain, but that is a tale for another day.

+++++++

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


WEEK 406 - 'SCAPE
‘SCAPE

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

But what is a ‘SCAPE picture? The “‘” in the theme name allows you to substitute in a few words. Your submission could be a LANDSCAPE or a WATERSCAPE or a CITYSCAPE.

Well for one thing, it is a great theme for me to remind you that you can include the town your picture was taken in or the county and I will include that with your submission.

Did you know that the first photograph ever taken was of a landscape?

“View from the Window at Le Gras” was captured by Nicéphore Niépce, in 1827. It features a very abstract view from Niépce’s window.

It would be another 12 years before somebody would think to take a “photograph” of a stupid human. I assume the 2nd picture ever taken was of a dog.

With this theme, you are literally touching the absolute deepest root of photography. Wow! That is powerful to think about. But maybe you are still confused about what LANDSCAPE photography is. Here is a definition from the Wiki:

Landscape photography commonly involves daylight photography of natural features of land, sky and waters, at a distance—though some landscapes may involve subjects in a scenic setting nearby, even close-up, and sometimes at night.

Photography of artificial scenery, such as farm fields, orchards, gardens and architecture, may be considered “landscape” photography as well. Even the presence of man-made structures (buildings, roads and bridges, etc.) or art (such as sculpture) may be considered “landscape” if presented in artistic settings or appearing (or photographed) in artistic style.

Further, landscape photography is typically of relatively stationary subjects—arguably a form of “still life.” This tends to simplify the task, as opposed to photography of kinetic or live subjects. However, landscape photography often overlaps the activity of wildlife photography and the two terms are used somewhat interchangeably; both wildlife and landscapes may be elements of the same picture or body of work.

This isn’t the first time that ‘SCAPE or something similar was a theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Here is a look back at a few submissions from years past to inspire you:


WEEK 60 - LANDSCAPE - CARLA STENSLAND 3
Carla Stensland – Week 60

WEEK 111 - LANDSCAPE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 111

WEEK 111 - LANDSCAPE - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber – Week 111

WEEK 165 - LANDSCAPE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – Week 165

WEEK 223 - LANDSCAPE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – Week 223

Nobody objected to me killing off the Friday reminder. So next Friday will be the last Friday reminder. Then it will go the way of the dodo bird.

Happy photo harvesting!

The Windy City: Day 2A

Day 2 in Chicago was the first day where I actually had to work. Kim was setting up things at the convention center in the morning and let us know when to head over to do our thing. Tony, Lowell, and I got breakfast at the hotel and then walked around the neighborhood a little bit. We scouted out the location of Garrett’s Popcorn and then looked for a mailbox that was closer than the one I had found the night before.


Chicago, Illinois
I wish more things in Iowa were covered with stickers.

Chicago, Illinois
There was supposed to be a mailbox in this building but it was closed.

Chicago, Illinois
I’ll do my best sidewalk sticker.

Chicago, Illinois
Here’s the best part. In the convention center there was a mailbox. Problem solved.

Chicago, Illinois
The Computer Mine Booth. Kim got a guy fired for smoking a joint while putting our booth together. Narc.

Chicago, Illinois
And that made us popular with the rest of the union guys.

Chicago, Illinois
Computer Mine Booth, reverse angle.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Hooking the HDMI cables up to these monitors and then getting these monitors mounted, what dreams are made of… I meant nightmares.

Chicago, Illinois
Tony’s thinking pose.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Home the next several days.

Chicago, Illinois
The reception desk.

Chicago, Illinois
The closet. Where union guys go to change pants and miners go to hide from customers.

Chicago, Illinois
The snack selection. Tony, Lowell, and I crushed those Slim Jims. Not sure anybody else got any.

Chicago, Illinois
Hello Kim!

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Only slightly smelled like pot.

Chicago, Illinois
After we were done, we headed outside to catch an Uber.

Chicago, Illinois
It took us about 15 minutes to get to the convention center on the shuttle in the morning.

Chicago, Illinois
It took over 30 minutes to get back to the hotel.

Chicago, Illinois
Which sucked because we were going to a Cubs game that night and we were in a time crunch.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
Our Uber ride back to the hotel.

Chicago, Illinois
The ride from the hotel to Wrigley Field was about 45 minutes. We got there 30 minutes after the game was supposed to start.

Chicago, Illinois
Which ended up being okay, because the game started an hour late.

Still plenty more pictures from Day 2 to share. Most of them from Wrigley Field.

+++++++

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


WEEK 403 - TEXTURE
TEXTURE

TEXTURE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! Also, this theme was suggested by Sarah Toot.

But what in Wes Wallace is a TEXTURE image? Well, let’s start with the definition of TEXTURE: the structure, feel, and appearance of something (as a fabric) the smooth texture of silk. wood with a rough texture. In photography that means: the visual depiction of variations in the color, shape, and depth of an object’s surface. What you are trying to do here is to convey the feel of the surface of an object through photography.

This is not the first time that TEXTURE has been a theme. Here are some past submissions for TEXTURE that might get your creative juices going:


WEEK 17 - TEXTURE - ANGIE DEWAARD 1
Angie DeWaard – Week 17

WEEK 227 - TEXTURE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – Week 227

WEEK 227 - TEXTURE - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber – Week 227

WEEK 227 - TEXTURE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – Week 227

WEEK 227 - TEXTURE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 227

Happy photo harvesting!

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.

+++++++

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.

+++++++

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.

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.

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

I recently purchase a new lens. The SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS. It filled the most glaring gap in my Sony E Mount lens arsenal. I was badly missing a long telephoto lens. My longest lens before purchasing this was my Tamron 70-180.

Here are the specifications for the latest addition to the family:

LENS CONSTRUCTION: 25 elements in 15 groups
ANGLE OF VIEW: 16.4°-4.1°
NUMBER OF DIAPHRAGM BLADES: 9 (Rounded diaphragm)
MINIMUM APERTURE: F22-29
MINIMUM FOCUSING DISTANCE: 58-280cm / 22.8–110.2in.
MAXIMUM MAGNIFICATION RATIO: 1:2.9 (At a focusing distance of 180mm)
FILTER SIZE: φ95mm

Here are some pictures of the guy:


SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

Here is a look at the focal length of the lens:


SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports
50mm – Equivalent of the human eye

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports
150mm – Shortest focal length of the lens

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports
600mm – Longest focal length of the lens

Here are the first images I took with the new lens:


SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

I look forward to taking this lens out and getting some wildlife images and maybe some sports images at some point in the future!

+++++++

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


WEEK 389 - MUSIC
MUSIC

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

But what exactly is a MUSIC photo? A MUSIC photo is simply a photo where a major compositional element involves MUSIC. It could be something that is used in the production of MUSIC. Like sheet MUSIC or a MUSICal instrument or a MUSICian or an 8 Track. Anything the aids in the producing of MUSIC is fair game. Might be a great weekend to make it to a concert.

This is not the first time the theme MUSIC has been used for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Here are a few past submissions to spark your creative ideas:


WEEK 305 - MUSIC - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – Week 305

WEEK 305 - MUSIC - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – Week 305

WEEK 237 - MUSIC - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – Week 237

WEEK 237 - MUSIC - MONICA HENNING
Monica Henning – Week 237

WEEK 237 - MUSIC - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 237

WEEK 20 - MUSIC - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber – Week 20

Happy photo harvesting!

WPC – WEEK 388 – FRAME

FRAME! Seemed like a good challenging theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! But was it popular? Did it fire up the creative juices of many people? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out.

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

1-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
2-Myriah Sharp – 1 week
3-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
4-Becky Parmelee – 3 weeks
5-Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks
6-Sabas Hernandez – 4 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 4 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 4 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 5 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 5 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 15 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 25 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 29 weeks
14-Sarah Toot – 30 weeks
15-Angie DeWaard – 34 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 38 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 43 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 45 weeks (2)
19-Logan Kahler – 46 weeks (2)
20-Teresa Kahler – 56 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 56 weeks
22-Micky Augustin – 58 weeks
23-Andy Sharp – 59 weeks
24-Bill Wentworth – 60 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 64 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 65 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 66 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 68 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 388 - FRAME - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 44 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME -  SCOTT  DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Wisconsin) – 1 week

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 35 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 61 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 46 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber (Minnesota) – 1 week

WEEK 388 - FRAME - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 30 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Florida) – 31 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 66 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 388 - FRAME - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 57 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 4 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 59 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 39 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 57 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 47 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Oklahoma)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Oklahoma)

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 65 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 388 - FRAME - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 5 weeks

30 participants! That is a great week! That is a high for this year! Including submissions from first time participants in Scott Degeneffe and Mindi Terrell. I expect Scott to be something off a one off, but I’m expecting big things in the future from Mindi! Plus we had our first submission this year from Sarah Karber! WooHoo!

This week we had our first submission this year taken in Wisconsin (Scott) and Oklahoma (Nathanial). Nathanial’s one of Nathanial’s pictures was taken in a place that became very famous when it was the site of a very popular Netflix show.

This week we has submissions from:

+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Oklahoma
+ Nebraska
+ Texas
+ Wisconsin

That is a lot of states!

The United States map now includes:

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

13 states. A good start!

The Outside of the United State map stays at:

+ British Virgin Islands

Once again, I didn’t contribute to expanding the map. I took my picture approximately 97 miles from my front door.

The big milestone this week was Brandon. Brandon reached the Half-A-Year Streak Club! Congrats Brandon!

But it wasn’t all good news. 3 streaks bit the dust. Myriah couldn’t extend her streak to 2. Sara Lockner couldn’t extender her streak to 3.
But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 389 - MUSIC
MUSIC

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

But what exactly is a MUSIC photo? A MUSIC photo is simply a photo where a major compositional element involves MUSIC. It could be something that is used in the production of MUSIC. Like sheet MUSIC or a MUSICal instrument or a MUSICian or an 8 Track. Anything the aids in the producing of MUSIC is fair game. Might be a great weekend to make it to a concert.

While thinking on possible subjects for your MUSIC picture, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with an amazing MUSIC image:

Without music, life would be a mistake.
-Friedrich Nietszche

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 MUSIC in this place that is music to my eyes next Monday.