Category Archives: Photoshop

WPC – WEEK 435 – UGLY

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.


MLK Jr. Day

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.

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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:


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 5.
3. Sometimes, for special people, for special circumstances, we can negotiate something.

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 435 - UGLY - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 106 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Sommerset, Iowa) – 115 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 92 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 77 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY -  LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WPC 435 - UGLY - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Boone, Iowa) – 33 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Boone, Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - LOWELL DAVIS
Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Rural Boone County, Iowa) – 21 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 82 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (League City, Texas) – 93 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (League City, Texas)

WPC 435 - UGLY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Rieman Music – Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

WPC 435 - UGLY - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Mercy Hospital – Des Moines, Iowa) – 31 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Mercy Hospital – Des Moines, Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 4 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Ankeny, Iowa) – 22 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 33 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

WPC 435 - UGLY - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Ames, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 32 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 104 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 86 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 112 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 113 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 36 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 107 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Boone County, IA – 216th Dr. Near Ogden) 104 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Boone County, Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 48 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WPC 435 - UGLY - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 78 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 27 weeks

WPC 435 - UGLY - BILL WENTWORTH
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.

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 436 - BREAKFAST
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.

Harder to Forgive

I love the songs I hated when I was young
Because they take me back where I come from
When every broken heart seemed like the end
When everyone was someone different then

But I can’t be alone in a crowded room
Where my thoughts, they run like water down a flume
There are days when I will let the darkness rise
I don’t always choose to stay on the sunny side

Yes, my life has seen some wasted time
I have suffered for the peace inside my mind
And some things are better left unsaid
While some things work out different when they’re in your head

But I’m not sorry for the things I say
Sometimes I let my mouth just run away
And I believe that all souls are born kind
And that all love lost comes back in time

And even if the world is really round
And all the maps are painted upside down
So if you stand in one place for too long
Everything around you will be gone

Well, I’m not gonna miss you when I go
Now the part of me that’s left wants you to know
That I’m not gonna jump towards the light
The one to believe choose the night

Sometimes I pretend we never met (ooh)
Because it’s harder to forgive than to forget
Sometimes it’s harder to forgive
-Brandi Carlile

This is the second to last song title I’m going use as a journal entry title from Brandi’s 2018 album “By the Way, I Forgive You”. Obviously the theme of the album is forgiveness and it spawns from Brandi’s forgiveness of a Pastor.

She said this in a NPR interview:

Well,(forgiveness) it kind of appeared out of my record, and my writing process, like a sculpture would appear when you take the pieces of stone away that don’t belong: I didn’t realize that that’s what I was writing about until I was looking back on it. But it’s a word that I think is kind of evangelicalized … or glossed over by kind of a “hashtag blessed” way of looking at it. It’s a really radical and ugly, difficult process that, you know, great beauty comes from.

She took to social media to write about the pastor and to urge people to share their stories about forgiveness. This is what she wrote:

I forgive you for deciding not to baptize me when I was a teenager for being gay.
It was not so much that you wouldn’t or couldn’t do it because of the tenants put in place by the baptist rules and traditions, but because you waited until all my family and friends were present and waiting in the pews for the ceremony.

I don’t believe you did it to humiliate me – I think you struggled with the decision and simply ran out of time… I think you probably still do struggle with it.

I’d like you to know that I still love you and that I understand we’re all on a journey together, trying our best to walk through the world with honor and dignity – but what I want you to know most of all is that you did not damage my faith. Not in god, not in humanity and not in myself.

The experience inspired me to help other gay kids and my spiritual LGBTQ brothers and sisters come to terms with the disappointments they’ve endured on the rugged road to peace and acceptance. I think you’d appreciate that process.

You’ve helped far more people than you’ve hurt and you helped me too.

Thank you

I admire Brandi for her forgiveness and for not letting this pastor damage her faith in god, humanity or herself. It is easier to say you forgive than it is to actually forgive and that is another reason I admire Brandi.

But enough on forgiveness. I need to share some flower pictures, since Thursdays are for flowers and if I don’t share some flowertography some you may not forgive me. Others won’t forgive me because I will share flowertography. I forgive those people too.

These flower pictures were taken of the red bud trees in Red Haw State Park near Chariton. I’m sharing more than usual, so buckle up:


Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds
I know there are people that will hate this technique. I get it, but I think it is okay in the right way. Is this the right way? I’ll let the people being the judge.

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

Red Haw State Park Red Buds

I don’t know if anybody else experiences this or this is a failing that is exclusive to me, but on occasion I’m photographing a place this is just so naturally beautiful, but I get the feeling I’m absolutely failing to remotely do it justice in any way shape or form. This is one of those times.

Sometimes I get back home and start scrolling through the pictures on the big screen and that feeling wins. I didn’t do it justice. This wasn’t one of those times. I’m actually pleased with these images. Even if I am danger of breaking an arm to pat myself on my back.

Red Haw State Park was hit by a tornado in 2022. You can definitely tell it was hit pretty hard as there are so many trees gone and parts of the park that still aren’t open. I can only imagine how beautiful it was before the tornado.

The next collection of flower images will come from flowers in my yard.

Most of All

I haven’t seen my father in some time
But his face is always staring back at me
His heavy hands hang at the ends of my arms
And my colors change like the sea

But I don’t worry much about time lost
I’m not gunning for the dreams I couldn’t find
‘Cause he taught me how to walk the best that I can
On the road I’ve left behind

But most of all
He taught me to forgive
How to keep a cool head
How to love the one you’re with
And when I’m far into the distance
And the pushing comes to shove
To remember what comes back
When you give away your love

I haven’t heard my mother’s voice in a while
But her words are always falling out my mouth
My mind and spirit are at odds sometimes
And they fight like the north and the south

But I still care enough to bear the weight
Of the heaviness to which my heart is tethered
She taught me how to be strong and say goodbye
And that love is forever

But most of all
She taught me how to fight
How to move across the line
Between the wrong and the right
And when I’m turned out in the darkness
And the pushing comes to shove
To remember what comes back
When you give away your love

Give away your love
When you give your love away
Give away your love
-Brandi Carlile

I think everybody can relate to that song. Particularly anybody that has lost one or both of their parents. During an NPR interview Brandi was asked about this song. She said:

I watched both my parents lose their mothers last year. It was really interesting, because throughout the process of growing up, I listened to all of their grievances and gripes about their mamas, the things that kept them from answering the phone sometimes and all that stuff. And then as soon as those women were gone, it was like all memory of any of that immediately just evaporated, and it was all funny stories and good things. There are people that could criticize the way that we that we react towards our loved ones when they’re gone, and say that we make them inhuman or perfect — but then, there is the argument to be made that suddenly we see things for real for the first time.

That suddenly we see things for real for the first time…

But enough diving in the deep end. Thursdays are for flowers! This is the final collection of images I took on my usually annual trip to Pella to do some tulip flowertography. Some of my favorites are in this collection:


Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023

Still Laughing - 2023
This last picture features some AI Photoshop work in it, for fun.

There might be a State Fair picture or a Photography 139 Calendar image in that collection. Time will tell.

I’m already looking forward to my trip to Pella in 2024. If you would like to book a seat on the trip with me, you know where to find me. We can eat at #DutchFix.

The next set of flowertography pictures are taken on the same day, but are from Red Haw State Park.

Color the Wind – Two

Time for a second collection of images from the Color the Wind Festival in Clear Lake that I attended with Teresa. Despite the cold it was a pretty amazing experience. There is a fair chance I will go back again this year. See what new crazy and amazing kites people have.


Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023
I totally did “Sky Replacement” on this one for fun.

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

Color the Wind - 2023

The last picture is one of my favorite pictures I took on this day. There are still 2 more collections of Color the Wind pictures left to share.

WPC – WEEK 413 – NEGATIVE

WARNING! NEXT MONDAY I WILL BE ON THE ROAD, SO NEXT WEEK’S POST WILL PUBLISH LATE AND THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY REMINDERS. PLAN ACCORDINGLY!

I need to start this post by wishing Russ a happy birthday. Happy birthday Russ!


Mother's Day - 2009

I hope you have lots of visitors today!

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I did have a late submission for SELF-PORTRAIT that I do need to share. A couple actually:


WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Vallunareju Norte – Peru)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Vallunareju Norte – Peru)

You might be asking yourself why Funk gets special privileges and can blow past the deadline and nobody else can? Because she is climbing a mountain in Peru! If you go climb a mountain in Peru, I will also let you miss the deadline. Maybe.

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NEGATIVE! An abstract and maybe demanding theme. But were there many people that could find some NEGATIVE in their life to make NEGATIVE into a positive theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

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

1-Mary Green – 1 week
2-Sara Lockner – 1 week (3)
3-Becky Parmelee – 3 weeks
4-Willy McAlpine – 4 weeks
5-Mike Vest – 5 weeks
6-Suzie Brannen – 6 weeks
7-Sabas Hernandez – 6 weeks
8-Sheri Fakhouri – 8 weeks
9-Monica Jennings – 9 weeks
10-Logan Kahler – 9 weeks
11-Nathanial Brown – 10 weeks
12-Jesse Howard – 10 weeks (2)
13-Tamara Peterson – 13 weeks
14-Alexis Stensland – 18 weeks
15-Mindi Terrell – 25 weeks (3)
16-Brandon Kahler – 49 weeks
17-Linda Bennett – 54 weeks
18-Sarah Toot – 55 weeks (3)
19-Angie DeWaard – 59 weeks
20-Dawn Krause – 63 weeks (2)
21-Kim Barker – 69 weeks
22-Joe Duff – 70 weeks
23-Teresa Kahler – 81 weeks (3)
24-Carla Stensland – 81 weeks
25-Micky Augustin – 83 weeks
26-Andy Sharp – 84 weeks
27-Bill Wentworth – 85 weeks
28-Cathie Morton – 89 weeks
29-Elizabeth Nordeen – 90 weeks
30-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 92 weeks
31-Kio Dettman – 94 weeks
* Susanna Funk – 1 week

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 413 - NEGATIVE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Hickory Grove Park – Story County, Iowa) – 84 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (High Trestle Trail – Boone County, Iowa) – 93 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 70 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Ann Arbor, Michigan) – 55 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 95 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 60 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Dallas, Texas) – 71 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Des Moines, Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 82 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Norwalk, Iowa) – 90 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 91 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - TAMARA PTERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 14 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 85 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Ames, Iowa) – 19 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 82 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 26 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 56 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE -
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 86 weeks

WEEK 413 - NEGATIVE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Orpheum Theater – Minneapolis, Minnesota)

29 participants! Subtracting last week’s 33 participants, creates a negative 4. But 29 is still pretty good considering it is somewhat of an abstract theme.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

33 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 60% of the way there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Vallunareju Norte – Peru
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture 226 miles from my front door. But in a state that has already been marked. I continue to not contribute.

The big milestones this week were Monica and Logan reaching The Double Digit Streak Club. WooHoo! Mindi reached The Half Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Becky’s 3 week streak ended. Willy’s 4 week streak is gone. Sabas’ 6 week streak is no more.

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 414 - ART
ART

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

But what exactly is an ART photo? Simply put, it is a picture of an existing piece of ART. You could simply find a piece of ART and stand back and take a picture of it. But I would urge you to take an ARTistic look at a piece of an ART. Take a picture of it from a different angle. Take a picture of only part of the picture. Take a picture of it in its environment. Other possibilities are to take pictures of an ARTist making a piece of ART or tools made in the creation of ART. There are just so many possibilities.

While considering possible subject for your submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt your ART submission will be a new piece of ART all its own:

Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.
-Stella Adler

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 NEGATIVE in this place that started with a pile of negatives next Monday.

WPC – WEEK 412 – SELF-PORTRAIT

SELF-PORTRAIT! Maybe not the most artistic theme, but on the other hand, it is a chance for some of you to introduce yourself to the rest of you. But did a bunch of people do that? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, July 31, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks
2-Willy McAlpine – 3 weeks
3-Scott Degeneffe – 4 weeks
4-Mike Vest – 4 weeks
5-Suzie Brannen – 5 weeks
6-Sabas Hernandez – 5 weeks
7-Sheri Fakhouri – 7 weeks (2)
8-Monica Jennings – 8 weeks
9-Logan Kahler – 8 weeks
10-Nathanial Brown – 9 weeks
11-Jesse Howard – 9 weeks
12-Tamara Peterson – 12 weeks
13-Alexis Stensland – 17 weeks (3)
14-Mindi Terrell – 24 weeks (3)
15-Brandon Kahler – 49 weeks
16-Linda Bennett – 53 weeks
17-Sarah Toot – 54 weeks (2)
18-Angie DeWaard – 58 weeks
19-Dawn Krause – 62 weeks
20-Kim Barker – 68 weeks
21-Joe Duff – 69 weeks
22-Teresa Kahler – 80 weeks (2)
23-Carla Stensland – 80 weeks
24-Micky Augustin – 82 weeks
25-Andy Sharp – 83 weeks
26-Bill Wentworth – 84 weeks
27-Cathie Morton – 88 weeks
28-Elizabeth Nordeen – 89 weeks
29-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 91 weeks
30-Kio Dettman – 93 weeks (3)

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


WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Washington D.C.) – 1 week

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Altoona, Iowa)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Washington D.C.) – 1 week

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Bella Vista, Arkansas) – 3 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (The Outlets at Orange – Orange County, California) – 6 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 6 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - NATHANIAL BROWN
Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa)- 10 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Boone, Iowa) – 10 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 13 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 18 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 54 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Sedgefield Country Club – Greensboro, South Carolina) – 55 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Sedgefield Country Club – Greensboro, South Carolina)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Sedgefield Country Club – Greensboro, South Carolina)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Nebraska – probably) – 59 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Fort Madison, Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 70 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Gretna, Nebraska) – 81 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Gretna, Nebraska)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Gretna, Nebraska)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Don Williams Lake – Ogden, Iowa) – 81 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Room M4470B, Converse, 4th Floor, Friley Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA)

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Undisclosed Location – Iowa) – 83 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Las Vegas, Nevada) – 84 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 85 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 89 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 90 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp – Spirit Lake, Iowa) – 92 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 94 weeks

WEEK 412 - SELF-PORTRAIT - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa) – 516 weeks

32 submissions this week! That is a pretty great week! Plus, thanks to Sarah Toot, we’ve now added South Carolina to the map! WooHoo!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Kansas
+ Iowa
+ Nebraska
+ Nevada
+ South Carolina
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

33 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 60% of the way there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 1 mile from my front door, so I continue not to contribute.

Both Nathanial and Jesse joined the Double Digit Streak Club. WooHoo! But it wasn’t all good news. Scottie D.’s streak came crashing to a halt at 4 weeks. The humanity!

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 413 - NEGATIVE
NEGATIVE – SUGGESTED BY ANGIE DEWAARD

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

But what exactly is a NEGATIVE photo? NEGATIVE might be an abstract theme that might be hard to wrap your mind around at first. But there are multiple types of NEGATIVE. There are simply bad things or things you don’t like. In the theme reveal picture there are dead sunflowers, which is a NEGATIVE. Plus, I inverted the colors so it looks like an old school NEGATIVE. You know a film NEGATIVE. So you could just edit a photo so that colors are inverse. That would be a NEGATIVE. So it could be something that is a NEGATIVE in your life. Like bad weather or work. Or it can simply mean rejecting something. A disagreement. Or in science (and electricity) there is also NEGATIVE. I think once you put your mind to it, you will come up with something that is NEGATIVE. Maybe some of you still have physical film NEGATIVE(s).

While considering possible subjects for your NEGATIVE picture meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with an interesting picture:

It’s as if my life were magically run by two electric currents: joyous positive and despairing negative – whichever is running at the moment dominates my life, floods it.
-Sylvia Plath

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 NEGATIVE in this place that started with a pile of negatives next Monday.

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!

In the Morrow

Found myself today
I took my cross up and walked away
With amazing grace and an open eye
Even though I’m born to lose my way
Tomorrow comes on a hurricane
And the weight of the world’s been on your mind

No-one sees it coming
And no-one walks when they should’ve been running
And nothing hurts like knowing you tried
And we could see how years could slip away
In the cold dark nights and the long hard days
And nothing aches quite like goodbye

In the morrow, I’ll be gone
I gave it everything I had for so long
Save your sorrow for your song
Don’t we always find a way to carry on?
-Brandi Carlile

Thursdays are for flowers. This collection of flower pictures is the first set of flower pictures I took in 2023. There is also a bonus self-portrait and a couple of picture of Naima thrown in.


In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

In the Morrow

Still so many flower images to share.

Viva Las Vegas: Day 1B

I might normally start today with a picture celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. But I don’t really celebrate. I’ll be working for the man with my nose to the grindstone, swinging my computer mine pick away. If I’m lucky, I might be able to get a Reuben. The West Street Deli has the best Reuben. At least the best that I’ve had.

Anyways, happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all those the celebrate. May your beer be green and your shakes be Shamrock and may you not be stalked and murdered by a leprechaun. If I would have had time I could have done a LEPRECHAUN movie power rankings. I do own a boxed set, on physical media. Cause I’m old.

I did read that Catholics can ask for a special dispensation this year to allow them to eat meat on Saint Patrick’s Day.

From KCCI:

This week, Friday is also St. Patrick’s Day. For some, St. Patrick’s Day is commonly associated with corned beef and other Irish dishes. Therefore, several locations across the country, including the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, are allowing parishioners to eat meat Friday.

St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines says there is no blanket guidance, but parishioners are encouraged to talk to clergy if they would like a dispensation. The priest is evaluating situations on a case-by-case basis.

St. Joseph on the east side of Des Moines says the same.

The Diocese of Des Moines is leaving it up to its local parishes to decide what is best.

“While there will be no general dispensation granted, people are free to approach their pastor or petition Bishop William Joensen for a particular dispensation.”

The Diocese of Sioux City, which covers parts of Central Iowa, says this Friday will be a “typical Friday in Lent.” The diocese says “the faithful are to abstain from eating meat per Bishop Walker Nickless.”

The Archdiocese of Dubuque says Catholics in their Archdiocese are “dispensed from the obligation to abstain from meat on that day.”

Sioux City don’t mess around. I assume the churches that are handling it on a case by case basis are doing the old dispensation for a cash contribution dance. Either way, I find this amusing and would like to sit in on one of these dispensation requests. While eating a Reuben of course.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to those who celebrate.

+++++++

Time to share the second collection of images from Day 1 of my trip to Las Vegas for the Computer Mine Convention. There isn’t much more to tell about this day that I didn’t already share last Friday. After walking around a bit, we went back to the hotel and I fell asleep by like 8:30. Which made be feel pretty cool.


Las Vegas, Nevada
Are these the names of bands or of mathlete teams?

Las Vegas, Nevada
I regret not going up in the High Roller, but those pods hold 40 people. That seems excessive.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada
I had no clue that you could go up inside the Eiffel Tower. Not doing this is maybe my biggest Vegas regret.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

This was the only day/night in Vegas where the weather was good. It was cold the rest of the trip. Well Saturday was almost warm and then it rained the entire day too, so that was fun.

Even though the weather was warm, it was still incredibly windy. When I looked to the sky, I thought it was foggy, but turned out the wind had whipped up quite a bit of sand. I found this out when I looked the wrong direction and got an eye full of sand. Fun.

According to my extremely inaccurate Fit app on my phone I took 11,634 steps and walked 5.35 miles on the day.

Still plenty more pictures to share from the Las Vegas work trip.

+++++++

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


WEEK 392 - PURPLE
PURPLE

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

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

This isn’t the first time that PURPLE has been a theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Take a look at some past submissions to help inspire your creative juices:


WEEK 90 - PURPLE - ANGIE DEWAARD 2
Angie DeWaard – Week 90

WEEK 90 - PURPLE - CATHIE RALEY 1
Cathie Raley (Morton) – Week 90

WEEK 90 - PURPLE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 90

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – Week 369

WEEK 369 - VIOLET - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – Week 369

Happy photo harvesting!

Caroline

Today I reveal the March image for the 2023 Photography Calendar.


2023 Calendar - March
March

I took this picture of this American Gothic barn near Mount Vernon, Iowa on a TOWN SIGN PROJECT road trip with Michelle on November 14, 2021.

Here is a picture of us standing in front of it:


Day 318 - November 14, 2021

Here are some fun facts about the picture:

CAMERA: Sony ILCE-7M2
LENS: Sigma 28-75 F/2.8
FOCAL LENGTH: 53 mm
FIELD OF VIEW: 37.5 degrees
APERTURE: f/4.5
SHUTTER: 1/200
ISO: 100
EXPOSURE BIAS: +.3

I also Photoshopped a powerline out of the image… cause I hate powerlines.

+++++++

Hello I’m looking for a friend I lost some time ago
Your mother says she wants her girl back home
Sometimes you think you’ve found yourself you really only lost yourself
Or maybe you’re afraid to be alone
-Brandi Carlile

Thursday is for flowers! Today I’m sharing the final collection of flowertography pictures I took on August 14, 2022.


Through Dirt - 2022

Hush - 2022

Digging for God - 2022

Digging for God - 2022

Caroline

Caroline

Radiation of Happiness - 2022

Radiation of Happiness - 2022

Radiation of Happiness - 2022

So Does Hope - 2022

So Does Hope - 2022

So Does Hope - 2022

So Does Hope - 2022

So Does Hope - 2022

So Does Hope - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Last Penny - 2022

Caroline

Caroline

Caroline

Caroline

Nora was infatuated with moonflowers, which shows she has great taste!

More flower pictures next Thursday!