Category Archives: Black & White

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

WPC – WEEK 448 – NECESSITY

April 15, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

NECESSITY! A great theme! But did enough people find it necessary to submit a photo to make NECESSITY a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 8, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks (IA)
2-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL)
3-Mary Green – 2 weeks (2) (MI, IA, IN)
4-Monica Jennings – 2 weeks (IA)
5-Willy McAlpine – 3 weeks (IA)
6-Deanna McClain – 4 weeks (IA)
7-Johnathan Stensland – 4 weeks (IA)
8-Adam Gordon – 6 weeks (2) (IA, MS, MO)
9-Becky Parmelee – 7 weeks (AR, IA, OK)
10-Sara Lockner – 12 weeks (IA)
11-Lowell Davis – 14 weeks (2) (IA)
12-Michelle Haupt – 14 weeks (IA, MO, KS)
13-Alexis Stensland – 14 weeks (2) (IA)
14-Brandon Kahler – 15 weeks (IA, MN)
15-Scott Degeneffe – 33 weeks (IA, FL)
16-Mike Vest – 38 weeks (IA, MO)
17-Sheri Fakhouri – 43 weeks (2) (IA, NE)
18-Logan Kahler – 44 weeks (IA, MN)
19-Nathanial Brown – 45 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN)
20-Jesse Howard – 45 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL)
21-Tamara Peterson – 57 weeks (IA, MN)
22-Mindi Terrell – 60 weeks (IA)
23-Linda Bennett – 89 weeks (2) (KS)
24-Sarah Toot – 90 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV)
25-Dawn Krause – 98 weeks (IA)
26-Angie DeWaard – 94 weeks (IA)
27-Kim Barker – 104 weeks (2) (IA, CO)
28-Joe Duff – 105 weeks (2) (TX)
29-Teresa Kahler – 116 weeks (2) (IA, NE)
30-Carla Stensland – 116 weeks (IA, MO)
31-Micky Augustin – 118 weeks (2) (IA, IL)
32-Andy Sharp – 119 weeks (2) (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA)
33-Bill Wentworth – 120 weeks (NE)
34-Cathie Morton – 123 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO)
35-Elizabeth Nordeen – 125 weeks (IA)
36-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 127 weeks (2) (IA, CA)
37-Kio Dettman – 129 weeks (2) (IA)

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

1. The picture must be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

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

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

25 States

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

WPC - WEEK 448 - NECESSITY - MICKY AUGUSTIN

Micky Augustin (Jasper County, Iowa) – 119 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Chico, California) – 128 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Winnemucca, Nevada)

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 105 weeks

Kim Barker (Ames, Iowa)

Christopher D. Bennett (Near Martinsville, Indiana)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 90 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 46 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Salt Lake City, Utah) – 34 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Denver, Colorado)

Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 95 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 130 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 106 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Miami, Florida) – 3 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 44 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

Adam Gordon (Iowa) – 7 weeks

Adam Gordon (Iowa)

Mary Green (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 1 week

Jesse Howard (Aruba) – 46 weeks

Jesse Howard (Curacao)

Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 16 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 45 weeks

Logan Kahler (Ames, Iowa)

Teresa Kahler (Boone First United Methodist Church – Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 99 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa)

Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 13 weeks

Willy McAlpine (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 4 weeks

Deanna McClain (Perry, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 124 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 126 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Bella Vista, Arkansas) – 8 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 58 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 120 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 15 weeks

Johnathan Stensland (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Carla Stensland (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Carla Stensland (Reiman Gardens – Ames, Iowa)

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa) – 61 weeks

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 91 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 39 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 121 weeks

EDITOR’S NOTE: I never comment on submissions. It is one of the base creeds that I operate under for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. No matter how much I want to comment, I don’t. But there is a picture on here that I really need to comment on. You probably can’t even guess which one it is. I’m not going to comment on Elizabeth’s taste in music (although I do approve) or Baby Face Adam (although it does crack me up) or that there were a few pictures of dogs, but no pictures of cats as a NECESSITY. Interesting. Yes, provocative. What I have to comment on is how extremely jealous I am that Scott got to eat at a Taco Time! I’m like burning with jealousy. I’m not even comfortable with how jealous I am. The real ones know that Taco Time is the truth when it comes to “Mexican” fast food. Every once in awhile you will get somebody from dirty Dodge try to force Taco Tico down your throat. Which is uncomfortable because that isn’t how you eat tacos, you have to chew first and Taco Tico is gross. Taco Time is the ONLY fast food “Mexican” I will eat. I won’t even look Taco Bell in the face. I won’t even spit in the general direction of a Taco John’s. It has been years now since I’ve eaten at Taco Time. Now the axe-throwing place at North Grand Mall does a serviceable knockoff of the Crisp Meat Burrito, but at the end of the day… it is still a knockoff. I know it. They know it. The Crisp Meat Burrito knows it. We are living a lie. I miss Taco Time. Screw you Scott for opening this wound back up!

But while I am deeply, to a disturbing level, passionate about Taco Time, you may have noted Lowell’s picture was taken in a hospital. Leah is in the hospital for a few days, so if you are the praying type, keep them in your prayers and if you aren’t, keep them in your thoughts.

38 participants! The exact same participation rate as last week. Better than falling off… I guess…

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ California (1)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (1)
+ Florida (1)
+ Indiana (1)
+ Iowa (36)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New York (1)
+ Nevada (1)
+ Texas (2)
+ Utah (1)

Thanks to Scott’s “business” trip we added Utah to the map! WooHoo! Thanks to Jesse’s vacation we also added 2 foreign countries in Aruba and Curacao! WooHoo!

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

+ Arkansas (8.5)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (1)
+ California (3)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Colorado (5)
+ Florida (5)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (3)
+ Indiana (3)
+ Iowa (515)
+ Kansas (23)
+ Louisiana (2)
+ Michigan (5)
+ Minnesota (6)
+ Mississippi (1.5)
+ Missouri (10.5)
+ Nebraska (24)
+ Nevada (2)
+ New York (11)
+ Oklahoma (1)
+ Pennsylvania (12)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (24)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)

26 states so far! 3 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL) – 8
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA) – 7
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW) – 6
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN) – 5
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO) – 4
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA) – 4
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV) – 4
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO) – 4
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO) – 3
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN) – 3
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL) – 2
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Sara Lockner (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO) -2
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2

Jen is now in the lead to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” Jesse and Andy are in striking distance though!

The big milestone this week was Kio joining the 2.5 Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all fun in the sun and delicious tacos this week. Monica’s streak was blinded by the light and is now just a distant memory!

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:

TIME

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

I’m trying not to explain the themes this year, but sometimes I can’t help myself. ‘m like me at a table filled with Crisp Meat Burritos. Self-control is an issue. But I digress…

If you look closely at the TIME theme reveal image (not that closely) you will see that it is actually 2 separate images put together. On the left is a picture with a “fast” shutter speed that freezes the water. The right side of the image was taken with a “slow” shutter speed that makes the water more of a blur. The idea of the theme TIME is to either freeze TIME in place with a fast shutter speed or show the fluidity of time with a slow shutter speed.

However, I know most people don’t have control over the shutter speed on the camera they use, so as always interpret the theme as you see fit.

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of TIME in this place that hopefully passes it for a few of you next Monday.

Baier, Birthdays, Black & White, Faust, Formal Portrait

Ben Baier – Class of 2024

April 13, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

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

Happy birthday Faust!

Hope your day was filled with hockey and grilling out and all the Minnesotan things you can handle!

+++++++

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of taking some Senior Pictures for Ben. Thought now would be a good time to share some of my favorite images from the photo shoot:

Always a good time getting together with the Baiers!

Animals, Art, Basketball, Black & White, Elainie, Football, Holidays, Iowa State, Sabas, Shannon, State Fair, Still Life, Street Photography

Iowa State Fair – Day 3 – Delta

March 29, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Today is Good Friday.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a place to worship tonight, you can join me at the Boone First United Methodist Church. It is a Tenebrae Service. It starts at 6:30.

What is a Tenebrae Service? From our website:

A Service of Tenebrae, or “Shadows,” is based on a twelfth–century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the Christian Scriptures that tell of the suffering of Christ during his betrayal, trial, and public execution. This service utilizes a mix of readings, liturgy, hymnody, and candlelight to draw our attention to Jesus’ suffering and death for the whole world.

Here is a Good Friday Devotional written by Rev. Lucky Cotto.

Good Friday

The Centurion near the Cross

Scripture Readings:

John 19:23-24
Matthew 27:50-54
Mark 15:39: When the centurion, who stood facing Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “This man was certainly God’s Son.”

Devotional

The presence of Roman soldiers around the crucifixion of Jesus Christ indicates that this was a state-sponsored crucifixion ordered by the Jewish leaders opposed to Jesus’ message. (Incidentally, the Jews were treated as slaves and oppressed.)** The opponents claimed that Jesus had deceived the Jews and that He was opposed to them paying their contributions to the empire, and that, in addition, He claimed to be the Messiah, King of the Jews and stirred up the people with His teachings.

But the Roman Empire didn’t care. In fact, Pontius Pilate could not find a reason to crucify him, all he could think of was the coming uproar against the empire. In his own words, “Pilate then said to the chief priests, and to the people, “I find no crime in this man,” and he said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in this man’s conduct that provides a legal basis for the charges you have brought against him. 15 Neither did Herod, because Herod returned him to us. He’s done nothing that deserves death.” As Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he again addressed the people; (Luke 23;1-24, VV. 4,14,15,20).

Meanwhile the crowds continued to shout, “crucify Him, crucify Him” (vv21) and the priests encouraged them to ask that Barabbas be set free. They wanted a revolutionary who had been in prison for murder to go free. At the same time, the Jews could not execute anyone. So, from the legal and judicial point of view Jesus’ sentence was unjust and tainted with false accusations. It is the effective result of false narratives promoting political manipulations orchestrated by religious fanatics who could not accept the message of Jesus’ kingdom.

However, from the perspective of what God intended for humanity, and what Jesus’ sacrifice would mean for the world, Jesus bore our sin, therefore, bore our guilt, our crimes, and on the cross, as Paul wrote: “God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.”

At the foot of the cross are the Roman soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross, mocked Him, tore His clothes, and were asked to watch over Him. Finally, He died and when He expired there was among the soldiers a centurion, a prominent officer, in charge of at least 100 soldiers. We do not know if he was comfortable and in agreement with the crucifixion of Jesus, if he knew about Jesus, or if he was interested in Judaism. Surely, he saw the sign above the cross that said “King of the Jews”, and he must have heard the thief standing next to Jesus who said to him: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk.23:42). and the assurance with which Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. The centurion saw and heard everything that was happening and saw when Jesus gave His last breath and died. What came out of this man’s mouth was to praise God and say, “Truly this man was righteous.”

For Reflection

As a result of his new conviction, the centurion turned against the government he served. He had a transformation of mind and heart, even though he was one of those who wounded Jesus’ side, and executed him. Now he could see that this Jesus was truly sent by God, that he was truly who he said he was. Let us ask ourselves: Who is Jesus for me? Should we strive for people in positions of power who are guilty of committing injustice on the innocent to change in the face of an encounter with the gospel?

Prayer

God who loved us so much that You did not mind sending Your only Son to come to save us, to save humanity, help us to recognize that great love that You have for us and that we can live as Jesus lived, who, in the midst of pain had compassion and asked you to forgive us. Thank You that we can feel Your forgiveness, Your love, and Your grace. Amen.

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Time to share another collection of images from my trip to the State Fair with Monica and Graham and then Elainie, Sabas, and Tiffany. At this point in the day Monica and Graham just kinda ghosted me. I never saw them again. I hope they are doing okay, wherever they are.

I’m pretty sure this is the last time I saw Shannon. Have seen. I’m sure I will see her again someday.

Still more pictures to share from this day. I don’t think I’ll be going to the State Fair with Sabas and Elainie this year. With Elainie all preggers now, I’m sure she won’t be up for that kind of heat and activity. Maybe Sabas and I will go and we’ll send her pictures. Lots of pictures.

Adam, Alexis, Andy, Angie, Basketball, Becky, Bill, Black & White, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Iowa State, Jesse, Joe Duff, Johnathan, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Nathanial, Road Trip, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Steph, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 442 – ROAD TRIP

March 4, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

ROAD TRIP! One of my favorite ways to spend a day. Also one of my favorite themes! But did it inspire enough people to leave their house to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out?

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, February 26, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Mary Green – 2 weeks (2)
2-Stehanie Kim – 2 weeks
3-Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks
4-Willy McAlpine – 4 weeks
5-Sara Lockner – 6 weeks
6-Monica Jennings – 6 weeks
7-Suzie Brannen – 8 weeks (2)
8-Lowell Davis – 8 weeks
9-Michelle Haupt – 8 weeks
10-Alexis Stensland – 8 weeks (2)
11-Brandon Kahler – 9 weeks
12-Scott Degeneffe – 27 weeks (2)
13-Sabas Hernandez – 28 weeks
14-Mike Vest – 33 weeks
15-Sheri Fakhouri – 37 weeks (2)
16-Logan Kahler – 38 weeks (2)
17-Nathanial Brown – 39 weeks
18-Jesse Howard – 39 weeks
19-Tamara Peterson – 42 weeks
20-Mindi Terrell – 54 weeks (2)
21-Linda Bennett – 83 weeks
22-Sarah Toot – 84 weeks
23-Angie DeWaard – 88 weeks
24-Dawn Krause – 92 weeks (2)
25-Kim Barker – 98 weeks
26-Joe Duff – 99 weeks
27-Teresa Kahler – 110 weeks
28-Carla Stensland – 110 weeks (2)
29-Micky Augustin – 112 weeks
30-Andy Sharp – 113 weeks
31-Bill Wentworth – 114 weeks
32-Cathie Morton – 118 weeks
33-Elizabeth Nordeen – 119 weeks
34-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 121 weeks
35-Kio Dettman – 123 weeks

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

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.
3. Sometimes, for special people, for special circumstances, we can negotiate something.

WPC - WEEK 442 - ROAD TRIP - ADAM GORDON

Adam Gordon (Central BBQ – Southaven, Mississippi) – 1 week

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 1 weeks

Johnathan Stensland (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Mary Green (Indiana) – 3 weeks

Mary Green (Indiana)

Stephanie Kim (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York) – 3 weeks

Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 3 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Sara Lockner (Woodward, Iowa)- 7 weeks

Lowell Davis (Boone County, Iowa) – 9 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Des Moines, Iowa) – 9 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 9 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

Brandon Kahler (Saint Paul, Minnesota) – 10 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 28 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (35 South Near Ames, Iowa) – 29 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 34 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Red Lobster – West Des Moines, Iowa) – 38 weeks

Logan Kahler (Ames, Iowa) – 39 weeks

Logan Kahler (Ames, Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Des Moines, Iowa) – 40 weeks

Jesse Howard (Boone, Iowa) – 40 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 43 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa) – 55 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Johnston, Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 84 weeks

Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 85 weeks

Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa) – 89 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 93 weeks

Kim Barker (Estes Park, Colorado) – 99 weeks

Kim Barker (Dacono, Colorado)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 100 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 111 weeks

Carla Stensland (Polk City, Iowa) – 111 weeks

Carla Stensland (Polk City, Iowa)

Micky Augustin (Huxley, Iowa) – 113 weeks

Micky Augustin (Alleman, Iowa)

Andy Sharp (Omaha, Nebraska) – 114 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 115 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 119 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 120 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Norwalk, Iowa) – 122 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 124 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Christopher D. Bennett (Ames, Iowa) – 546 weeks

37 participants! That is a great week! Up one from last week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas (1)
+ Colorado (2)
+ Indiana (2)
+ Iowa (32)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Minnesota (1)
+ Mississippi (1)
+ Nebraska (2)
+ New York (1)
+ Pennsylvania (2)
+ Texas (1)

Thanks to the travels of Mary, we added Indiana to the list! Thanks to Adam’s travels, we’ve added Mississippi!

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

+ Arkansas (4)
+ California (1)
+ Colorado (4)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Indiana (2)
+ Iowa (339)
+ Kansas (13)
+ Michigan (4)
+ Minnesota (3)
+ Mississippi (1)
+ Missouri (1)
+ Nebraska (12)
+ New York (6)
+ Pennsylvania (8)
+ South Dakota (3)
+ Texas (16)
+ Vermont (1)

17 states so far! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple states:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX)
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT)
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN)
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO)
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN)
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD)
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE)
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS)

Mary has joined the list of people that have submitted from 3 states. Jen maintains her 1 state lead to be crowned the Queen of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Travel! I’ll keep workshopping that name. But I might buy a crown for the winner. Just another idea I’m spitballing.

There were a couple of big milestones reached this week. Brandon hit the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! But Joe Duff 10 upped him and reached the Triple Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! WooHoo!

It wasn’t all fun and games though. Not all rainbows and unicorns. Monica’s streak ended at 6 weeks. Suzie’s is no more after 8 weeks!

SENTIMENTAL (SUGGESTED BY JOE DUFF)

SENTIMENTAL! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! It will be interesting to see what people find gets them all filled up with sentiment!

I look forward to your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SENTIMENTAL in this place in this place that is mostly purple because I am sentimental next Monday.

Black & White, History, Railroad, Road Trip, Street Photography, WPC - Alternate

Your Friends are Mine, You Know, I Know

February 20, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I took a few pictures for the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES. In fact, I even took a road trip along the old Lincoln Way backroads to Marshalltown to take a few photos.

Here is the collection of images that didn’t make the cut:

It was decent little road trip. With only one weird experience. But we’ll tackle that at another time.

Art, Black & White, Railroad, Ruins, Self-Portrait, Still Life, WPC - Alternate

We Broke Up a Month Ago

February 13, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I took a few pictures for the THE WEEKLY CHALLENGE theme CIRCLE a week or so back. Thought I would share with you all the ones that were good enough to make the cut. Most of these were taken in McHose Park, but a few were taken in other locations. But all in Boone.

Here are the alternates:

I do love a good shape theme! It is a theme that makes you look at the world in a slightly different way (SPOILER: that is what all the themes should do) as you see how shapes fit together to make the entire picture you see. It is a great exercise to help you improve your compositional skills. Maybe next year I should do some combined shape themes. Like SQUARE AND TRIANGLE. A submission would have to include both of them. I’m starting to fall in love with my own idea. I’m sure that is the first time that has ever happened.

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

WPC – WEEK 438 – CIRCLE

February 5, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

EDITOR’S NOTE: It is possible that this will publish late this week. I am getting my taxes done at 11 this morning and when this publishes is dependent on how long that takes. BIG BUCKS! NO WHAMMIES!*

CIRCLE! 360 degrees of fury! But is there enough fury in a CIRCLE to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, January 22, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Myriah Sharp – 1 (2)
2-Elainie Hernandez – 2 weeks
3-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks
4-Monica Jennings – 3 weeks
5-Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks
6-Lowell Davis – 4 weeks (2)
7-Michelle Haupt – 4 weeks
8-Alexis Stensland – 4 weeks (2)
9-Brandon Kahler – 5 weeks
10-Mary Green – 6 weeks (2)
11-Scott Degeneffe – 23 weeks (2)
12-Sabas Hernandez – 24 weeks
13-Mike Vest – 29 weeks
14-Sheri Fakhouri – 33 weeks (2)
15-Logan Kahler – 34 weeks (2)
16-Nathanial Brown – 35 weeks
17-Jesse Howard – 35 weeks (2)
18-Tamara Peterson – 38 weeks
19-Mindi Terrell – 50 weeks (2)
20-Linda Bennett – 79 weeks (2)
21-Sarah Toot – 80 weeks
22-Angie DeWaard – 84 weeks
23-Dawn Krause – 88 weeks
24-Kim Barker – 94 weeks
25-Joe Duff – 95 weeks (2)
26-Teresa Kahler – 106 weeks
27-Carla Stensland – 106 weeks (2)
28-Micky Augustin – 108 weeks
29-Andy Sharp – 109 weeks
30-Bill Wentworth – 110 weeks
31-Cathie Morton – 114 weeks
32-Elizabeth Nordeen – 115 weeks
33-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 117 weeks
34-Kio Dettman – 119 weeks (2)

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

Adam Gordon (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Adam Gordon (Boone, Iowa)

Evie Gorshe (Iowa) – 1 week

Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Jason Stensland (Lake Waubay, South Dakota) – 1 week

Jason Stensland (Lake Waubay, South Dakota)

Elainie Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 4 weeks

Suzie Brannen (Clive, Iowa)- 5 weeks

Lowell Davis (Ames, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 5 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Ogden, Iowa)

Brandon Kahler (Ames, Iowa) – 6 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa) – 7 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 24 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 25 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 30 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Iowa) – 34 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 35 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

Nathanial Brown (Jefferson, Iowa) – 36 weeks

Jesse Howard (Ames, Iowa) – 36 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 39 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 51 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 80 weeks

Sarah Toot (New York City, New York) – 81 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Des Moines, Iowa) – 85 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Ames, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 89 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa)

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 95 weeks

Joe Duff (League City, Texas) – 96 weeks

Joe Duff (League City, Texas)

Teresa Kahler (Ankeny, Iowa) – 107 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa)

Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 107 weeks

Carla Stensland (Ames, Iowa)

Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 109 weeks

Andy Sharp (Mason City, Iowa) – 110 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska)- 111 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 115 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 116 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 118 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) 120 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Christopher D. Bennett (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 542 weeks

38 participants! That is a new high for this year!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New York
+ South Dakota
+ Texas

Thanks to Jason’s trip to South Dakota and Sarah’s trip to New York, we can add those to this year’s list!

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

+ Hawaii (2)
+ Iowa (195)
+ Kansas (8)
+ Michigan (2)
+ Nebraska (6)
+ New York (1)
+ Pennsylvania (5)
+ South Dakota (2)
+ Texas (9)

The big milestone this week was the first ever submission from Jason! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Myriah couldn’t build on last week’s submission and her streak was over before it even began!

WEEK 439 - TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES

TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES – POTENTIAL PUFFERBILLY DAYS CLASS

TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES in this place in this place that was heavily influenced by a book on trains next Monday.

*There were no BIG BUCKS! But there were also NO WHAMMIES! But at least I didn’t owe any money.

Art, Bethany, Black & White, Jesse, Music, Nora, Road Trip, Street Photography, Travel

Jagged Little Road Trip II

January 31, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Here is the balance of images from the quick road trip I took with Jesse up to see Bethany, Nora, and the musical JAGGED LITTLE PILL.

Some of these are at that art park. The others are from around the Orpheum.

Do you think this was left by Cindee and Randi or somebody that is doubling it up in their love life?

So how was “Jagged Little Pill” you might be asking?

It was okay. There isn’t much there-there as far as the story goes. Although that is a generic criticism that could be made of most musicals. It definitely feels like a stretch to make the songs fit the storyline. It is definitely worth seeing, but I don’t know I would go see it again. Once seems enough.

The Orpheum Theater is beautiful, but if you are of the female persuasion, the bathroom situation is a bit of a disaster. Go before you get to the theater. That is a Photography 139 Orpheum Theater Pro Tip! If you are a dude, it ain’t great shakes, but you are a dude, so it is still quite a bit better.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip! Go to see Rancho Deluxe. Got to hang with Bethany and Nora. Got to eat a great breakfast. Got to see a cool art park. Got to see a good musical. Got to hang with Jesse. 10 stars. Would recommend!

Alexis, Andy, Angie, Bill, Black & White, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Funk, History, Holidays, Jen, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Photoshop, Sabas, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Self-Portrait, Shannon, Sheri, Suzie, Tamara, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 435 – UGLY

January 15, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day! I forgot to mention this last Monday cause it had slipped my RADAR. The Computer Mine doesn’t care about civil rights all that much, so while government employees, schools, and bankers get the day off, I’ll be working it to the bone all day.

I don’t know if it the type of holiday where you say “Happy (insert holiday here)!” While it is definitely good to honor the man and all of the civil rights accomplishments this country has made over the years, there are large swaths of this country where basic human rights are not only being threatened, they are being walked backwards by regressionist political policies.

I mean, they are banning books! You want to know who the bad people are. Every single time in history, the bad people were the ones banning books! Always!

As always, I like to share a photo when celebrating a holiday. Here is a picture of the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Civil Rights Museum was built on the same property where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. One of those rare times where a place that was the scene of tragedy was turned into a place of veneration and education.

As you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. today don’t act like the battle for basic human rights is over. The fight is as alive today as it was in King’s day.

+++++++

UGLY! This was a theme I thought I might struggle with. After all, I’m a person that doesn’t find much to be UGLY. I mean, more than a few of you have had me text you pictures of public bathrooms. I love old. I love rusty. I love the unusual. I love the weird. It is hard for me to find something that is UGLY. Besides racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, islamophobia, antisemitism, xenophobia, jingoism, misogyny… you know… the basic tenets of hatred. But to find out if other people took camera in hand to photography something UGLY, you will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, January 8, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week
2-Lowell Davis – 1 week
3-Susanna Funk – 1 week
4-Michelle Haupt – 1 week
5-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
6-Alexis Stensland – 1 week
7-Brandon Kahler – 2 weeks
8-Mary Green – 3 weeks (2)
9-Scott Degeneffe – 20 weeks
10-Sabas Hernandez – 21 weeks
11-Mike Vest – 26 weeks
12-Sheri Fakhouri – 30 weeks (2)
13-Logan Kahler – 31 weeks
14-Nathanial Brown – 32 weeks
15-Jesse Howard – 32 weeks
16-Tamara Peterson – 35 weeks (2)
17-Mindi Terrell – 47 weeks (2)
18-Linda Bennett – 76 weeks (2)
19-Sarah Toot – 77 weeks
20-Angie DeWaard – 81 weeks
21-Dawn Krause – 85 weeks (2)
22-Kim Barker – 91 weeks
23-Joe Duff – 92 weeks
24-Teresa Kahler – 103 weeks (2)
25-Carla Stensland – 103 weeks (2)
26-Micky Augustin – 105 weeks
27-Andy Sharp – 106 weeks (2)
28-Bill Wentworth – 107 weeks
29-Cathie Morton – 111 weeks
30-Elizabeth Nordeen – 112 weeks (2)
31-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 114 weeks
32-Kio Dettman – 116 weeks

Heading into this week, this is the 2024 THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE SUBMISSION MAP:

Maybe the map will get more filled in today!

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

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 5.
3. Sometimes, for special people, for special circumstances, we can negotiate something.

Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 106 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Sommerset, Iowa) – 115 weeks

Kim Barker (Iowa) – 92 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 77 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Boone, Iowa) – 33 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Boone, Iowa)

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Rural Boone County, Iowa) – 21 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 82 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa)

Joe Duff (League City, Texas) – 93 weeks

Joe Duff (League City, Texas)

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Rieman Music – Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

Sheri Fakhouri (Mercy Hospital – Des Moines, Iowa) – 31 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Mercy Hospital – Des Moines, Iowa)

Susanna Funk (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa) – 4 weeks

Mary Green (Iowa)

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 22 weeks

Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 33 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

Brandon Kahler (Ames, Iowa) – 3 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 32 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 104 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 86 weeks

Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 112 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 113 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 36 weeks

Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 107 weeks

Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 2 weeks

Carla Stensland (Boone County, IA – 216th Dr. Near Ogden) 104 weeks

Carla Stensland (Boone County, Iowa)

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 48 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 78 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 27 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 108 weeks

34 participants! That is a pretty great week!

There were submissions this week were taken in the following places:

+ Kansas
+ Iowa
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

No new states added this week.

Here is the Year 11 list of states where submissions have been taken:

+ Kansas
+ Iowa
+ Michigan
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

There were some big milestones this week. Sarah joined the Year and Half Streak Club! WooHoo! Both Carla and Teresa both joined the 2 Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all happiness and rainbows. Willy couldn’t build on last week’s submission. His streak is over before it even began.

BREAKFAST

BREAKFAST! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of BREAKFAST in this place that like a little #wafflelife next Monday.

Animals, Art, Baseball/Softball, Black & White, Calendar, Christianity, Drone, Flowers, Iowa State, Macro, Nature, Night, Slice of Life, Street Photography

2024 Photography 139 Calendar Rejects: The Ending

January 9, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

Time to share the rest of the images that were rejected for the 2024 Photography 139 Calendar. Some of these are similar to ones included in the calendar. They come from a wide range of projects. From auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT to alternates for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE to some just good old flowertography

There is still one more post about the 2024 calendar left. Then we can put it to bed or up on some walls.