Category Archives: Formal Portrait

Iowa State Fair Power Rankings

When this publishes I will be in possession of my Iowa State Fair Photo Contest entries. So at this time, I can lift the blackout on what pictures I entered and what picture was accepted for display. I assume that everybody honored my social media blackout of my picture. And I thank you for that.

Here are the pictures I submitted. The one that got some love and the ones that were told “Get out of here kid! You have no future!”.


2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Not Selected for Display

2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Not Selected for Display

2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Honorable Mention – Color People

2023 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon -
Not Selected for Display

I wasn’t the only person in this little circle of trust that had pictures displayed at the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Logan had two pictures displayed and one of his pictures got a little love on the Iowa State Fair Show on IPTV. Nathanial and Angie both got 3 pictures in and got Honorable Mentions in the Sports class.

I hope more people I know enter again next year. Layla expressed interest in entering. I hope Vest gets back in the game too. I also wonder if Carla won’t consider entering. She is going to enter the Clay County Fair Photo Contest this year.

As for me, I probably start getting organized for next year’s contest. Start a folder of possible entries right now. Maybe I could even break a long standing tradition and have people help pick my submissions. I did give some feedback to Angie, Logan, and Nathanial on their possible entries. Maybe I could do the same. Stranger things have happened.

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On Tuesday as we were leaving the Iowa State Fair after the barbecue contest, Scottie D. asked me why I loved the Iowa State Fair. So I thought I would give a list of things I love about the Iowa State Fair:


State Fair Power Rankings - Food
#10. Food

I’m sure most people would rank food higher on their list. I do love the food at the Iowa State Fair, but it isn’t actually one of the main attractions for me. I used to have a go-to where I would always get a grinder from Jennie’s Grinder, but Jennie passed away several years ago and I have never found a replacement. There is a “grinder” place near where Jennie’s used to be that sells “Gizmos”. But they aren’t anywhere near the same. Starting with the fact that they don’t use sausage, they use beef. Blah! There is a different grinder place at the State Fair, but I will get into that at a later date.

I also used to get a turkey leg from the Iowa Turkey Federation, but I’ve fallen out of love with the turkey leg. It is just not that much food for the price and it is just too darn messy. But it is very photogenic. Hard to beat a picture with a giant turkey leg.


#9 – People Watching

It is hard to beat the Iowa State Fair for people watching. It truly is a crossroads of all of humanity. You can just post up on a bench anywhere and for hours fascinating things and people walking by.



#8 – Shows

I love the fact that there is so much free entertainment everywhere in the Fair. From concerts on the free stages to chainsaw sculpture artists to the bands playing in Pioneer Hall to the entertainers that are roaming the fairgrounds. There are hypnotists to musicians to jugglers to things that kind of defy description.



#7 – Animals

From the lunkers in the DNR Building to the Biggest Bull to the Biggest Boar to the Avenue of the Breeds I love checking out the animals. And such a wide variety. From turtles to ducks to rabbits to cows to sheep to pigs to chickens to ostriches to elk to horses there is an incredible variety to check out.



#6 – Art

There so much amazing art to check out at the Fair. From sweet murals to sculptures to interactive art displays to sand sculptures to hay sculptures to butter sculptures to so much more.



#5 – Flowers

It is well documented that the Discovery Garden is one of my favorite places at the Iowa State Fair. However, it isn’t the only place to check-out flowers and do some flowertography at the fair. There are 27 flowerbeds and 13,000 flowers. Roses, vinca, zinnias, marigolds… oh my!



#4 – Contests

Obviously I’m partial to the Photography Salon, but there is literally a contest for everybody at the Iowa State Fair. From the barbecue contest to the Ugly Cake Contest to the Big Pumpkin Contest to pie eating to husband calling to the chicken calling to the cow chip throwing to rubber chicken throwing to outhouse racing to horseshoes to crocheting to the 4-H to FFA to the Bill Reilly Talent Show! There are 178 canning categories to enter alone!



#3 – Photo Opportunities

I love street photography! Any place where there is great people watching, art, flowers, animals, and food… to name just a few… you know there is going to be photo opportunities every where you look!



#2 – Tradition

I love the tradition of the State Fair. I have many personal traditions I have every year at the Fair. Some are to remind me of others (such as the Scottish Highland at the Avenue of the Breeds) and some are relatively new (such as going to watch Evie and Layla dance). I have a list of things that I have to do every year. And those are my traditions.



#1 – Family

Going to the State Fair is something that reminds me of family. Both biological and the family I don’t share DNA with. This year I saw Logan and Amanda there. Elainie and Sabas. At one time I was going to go with Teresa and/or Carla before plans fell through. Logan entered the Photo Contest this year. Which is a family tradition. My Dad used to enter the photo contest. Winning the Slide Category one year. My parents both used to volunteer in Pioneer Hall and had a booth there as well.

This year I also met up with the extended family of the Gorshes and the Degeneffes and the Jennings. Nader and Jesse as well. Well maybe, Nader. It is supposed to be in the ballpark of triple digits today, so as of the writing of this entry it is unclear if he ended up punking out.

I might make these power rankings a new Iowa State Fair tradition! Until next year’s Fair!

WPC – WEEK 402 – PARK

I should start this entry by hoping everybody had a good Memorial Day!


And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

I know, I shared that exact same picture on Saturday. But I like it and it seems to fit Memorial Day.

I’d like to take this little piece of this website to share the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCare:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This poem inspired the wearing of poppies as a rememberance symbol for those who died in war.

From the History Channel website:

In the spring of 1915, bright red flowers began poking through the battle-ravaged land across northern France and Flanders (northern Belgium). Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who served as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit, spotted a cluster of the poppies shortly after serving as a brigade surgeon during the bloody Second Battle of Ypres. The sight of the bright red flowers against the dreary backdrop of war inspired McCrae to pen the poem, “In Flanders Field,” in which he gives voice to the soldiers who had been killed in battle and lay buried beneath the poppy-covered grounds. Later that year, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael read the poem in Ladies’ Home Journal and wrote her own poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith” to begin a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to all who died in war. The poppy remains a symbol of remembrance to this day.

Now you are wondering about Moina Michael’s poem. Here it is:

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
I hope you have learned a little something today.

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It is the last collection of submissions 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 starts 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 you are going to submit more than one picture, I strongly urge you to choose completely different subjects for each submission. If you are submitting multiple pictures of the same subject, make sure that each picture is saying something unique.

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 for 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.

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PARK! A great place to spend some time. But did many people spend time in a PARK and get a picture for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

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

1-Suzie Brannen – 1 week (3)
2-Melissa Degeneffe – 1 week (2)
3-Scott Degeneffe – 1 week
4-Mary Green – 1 week (3)
5-Stephanie Kim – 1 week
6-Sara Lockner – 1 week (2)
7-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
8-Nader Parsaei – 1 week
9-Nathanial Brown – 2 weeks (3)
10-Tamara Peterson – 2 weeks
11-Sabas Hernandez – 4 weeks
12-Mike Vest – 4 weeks
13-Alexis Baugher – 7 weeks (3)
14-Jesse Howard – 7 weeks (2)
15-Mindi Terrell – 14 weeks (3)
16-Monica Jennings – 19 weeks
17-Brandon Kahler – 39 weeks
18-Linda Bennett – 43 weeks
19-Sarah Toot – 44 weeks (3)
20-Angie DeWaard – 48 weeks
21-Dawn Krause – 52 weeks (3)
22-Kim Barker – 58 weeks
23-Joe Duff – 58 weeks (2)
24-Logan Kahler – 61 weeks
25-Teresa Kahler – 70 weeks (3)
26-Carla Stensland – 70 weeks
27-Micky Augustin – 72 weeks
28-Andy Sharp – 73 weeks
29-Bill Wentworth – 74 weeks
30-Cathie Morton – 78 weeks
31-Elizabeth Nordeen – 79 weeks (2)
32-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 81 weeks
33-Kio Dettman – 83 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 402 - PARK - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 402 - PARK - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Boone National Little League Park – Boone, Iowa) – 53 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Boone National Little League Park – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (South Side Park – Slater, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Hunziker Park – Ames, Iowa) – 49 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 59 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 74 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Jester Park – Polk City, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 62 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Mindi’s Animal Habitat – Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Terra Park – Johnston, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Terra Park – Johnston, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Neil Smith Trail – Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Ada Haydn Park – Ames, Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 80 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Arnolds Park Green Space – Arnolds Park, Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - MELISSA DEGENEFFE
Melissa Degeneffe (Porter’s Badass Campsite – Rural Boone County, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Porter’s Badass Campsite – Rural Boone County, Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Dickcissel Park – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Jester Park – Polk City, Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Jester Park – Polk City, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Donovan Park – Houston, Texas) – 59 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Donovan Park – Houston, Texas)

WEEK 402 - PARK - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Arnolds Park – Arnolds Park, Iowa) – 71 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Opal Dubois Anderson Park – Boone, Iowa) – 84 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Opal Dubois Anderson Park – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Memorial Park – Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 44 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park – Rural Warren County) – 82 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Municipal Park – Pennsylvania) – 45 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 402 - PARK - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Pattee Park – Perry, Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Pattee Park – Perry, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Inis Grove Park – Ames, Iowa) – 8 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Inis Grove Park – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - ALEXIS BAUGHER
Alexis Baugher (Inis Grove Park – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 402 - PARK - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Ada Haydn Park – Ames, Iowa) – 40 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Chalco Park – Omaha, Nebraska) – 75 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 79 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Jester Park – Polk City, Iowa)

29 participants! That’s a pretty great week, considering the holiday weekend and all!

There were no new states added to the map this week and at this point, I’m betting new states added will be an increasingly rare thing. Time will tell.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

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

25 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over halfway there!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I took my picture about 24 miles from my front door, so I continue to not contribute.

There were no major milestones this week. However, there was a blood bath of streaks being snapped. Suzie, Stephanie, Becky, and Nader couldn’t build on last week’s submission. That wasn’t totally unexpected for Stephanie and Nader. Nathanial’s 2 week streak no more. Most heartbreaking is that Jesse’s 7 week streak is just a memory now.

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 403 - TEXTURE
TEXTURE

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

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.

While considering possible topics for your TEXTURE submissions, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will come up with an amazing image:

I search for realness, the real feeling of a subject, all the texture about it… I always want to see the third dimension of something.. I want to come alive with the object.
-Andrew Wyeth

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 TEXTURE in this place that is a little rough around the edges some next Monday.

And You Left Me There Cryin’ Wonderin’ What I Did Wrong

Today is Jason’s birthday. Happy birthday Jason!


June 14

I hope your birthday is as amazing as you want it to be!

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Time to clean up the backlog. These images are from September that never quite fit into any previous posts. Some are alternates for THE WEEKLYPHOTO CHALLENGE. Another is a photo I took of Ron for last year’s Computer Mine Holiday Card.


And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

Railroad Bridge near Jefferson

Railroad Bridge near Jefferson

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

Ames, Iowa

Boone Scenic & Valley Railroad

Boone Scenic & Valley Railroad

Boone Scenic & Valley Railroad

Boone Scenic & Valley Railroad

Boone Scenic & Valley Railroad

Ron - 2022

Maybe you are wondering about the George A. Wyman sign. Don’t worry, I’ll feed you baby birds. From the Wiki:

Wyman used his 1902 California machine for his crossing of the United States. The California had a 200 cc (12 cu in), 1.5 hp (1.1 kW) four-stroke engine attached to an ordinary diamond-frame bicycle. Wyman’s machine was equipped with 28 x 1.5 in. tires, wooden rims, a leading-link front suspension fork, a Garford spring saddle, a Duck Brake Company front roller brake, and a 1902-patent Atherton rear coaster brake. A leather belt-drive with a spring-loaded idler pulley directly connected the engine output shaft to the rear wheel.Using a standard steel bicycle frame, the California weighed approximately 70–80 pounds (32–36 kg) without rider, and was capable of approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) using the 30-octane gasoline of the day, with a range of 75 to 100 miles (121 to 161 km). Throttle control was not yet perfected, and engine revolutions were mainly controlled by means of a spark timing mechanism. The wick-type carburetor was crude, consisting of a metal box with internal baffles stuffed with cotton batting. With no float chamber, the rider had to open the gasoline tap periodically to admit fuel into the carburetor.

For such a long trip, Wyman carried a remarkably small amount of gear. A set of warm clothing, money, water bottle, cans for spare oil and gasoline, a Kodak Vest Pocket camera, a cyclometer, various bicycle tools and spare parts, and a long-barreled .38 Smith & Wesson revolver constituted his total luggage.

Wyman departed from Lotta’s Fountain at the corner of Market and Kearny streets in San Francisco at 2:30 P.M on May 16, 1903.[4] He had previously agreed to keep a diary of his journey for later publication in The Motorcycle magazine, a periodical of the time. The first part of his trip took him across the Sierra Nevada, through the Nevada desert into Wyoming, then on through Nebraska to Illinois.

As the dirt trails and wagon tracks of the day were often impassable, Wyman rode the railroad tracks for over half of his journey. During the first part of his trip, he frequently slept in railroad company housing or at rooming houses located in division settlements (small municipalities founded by the railroad). His motorbike suffered several breakdowns along the way, requiring him to make improvised repairs until he could get to a larger town to obtain new parts. As he neared Aurora, Illinois, his engine’s crankshaft snapped, and after pedaling his way to Chicago, Wyman was forced to wait there five days for a new crank to arrive by railway express.

After leaving Illinois, Wyman traversed the states of Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania before entering New York state. Outside of Albany his engine lost all power, and he was required to pedal his heavy motorbike the remaining 150 miles (240 km) to New York City using a cycle path reserved for licensed cyclists.

On July 6, 1903, Wyman arrived in New York City, completing his transcontinental crossing and becoming the first person to cross the North American continent aboard a motor vehicle. His journey took a total of 51 days to cover some 3,800 miles (6,100 km). Afterwards, Wyman’s motorbike was placed on display at the New York Motorcycle Club while Wyman recovered from his grueling journey. While in New York, Wyman was present for the inauguration of the very first nationwide motorcycle organization, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM)[14] at the Kings County Wheelmens’ Club in Brooklyn; it was reported at the time that his hands were still in bandages from the trip. Wyman later returned to San Francisco by train. His California motorbike was put on display in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park for a special exhibition commemorating the trip.

This is actually something Jesse and I have talked about doing as well. Not on a motorcycle, but driving across the country. We’ve never done anything about it, but maybe will someday.

Here is more information on the route he took:



From: https://wymanmemorialproject.blogspot.com/

It is hard to read, but the towns we care about in the Cyclone State are:

Council Bluffs
Woodbine
Denison
Ogden
Boone
Ames
Marhalltown
Tama Reservation
Cedar Rapids
Clinton

He stayed the night in Ogden. I hope he ate at Zeno’s when he was in Marshalltown!*

*That is a joke, don’t email me telling me that Zeno’s didn’t exist back then, because I will only reply back that Zeno’s has always will always exist.

WPC – WEEK 394 – BLUE

BLUE! A great theme! Everybody loves the color BLUE. But did a bunch of people love it enough to submit a photo? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, March 27, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Sabas Hernandez – 1 week
3-Willy McAlpine – 1 week
4-Mary Green – 2 weeks
5-Mindi Terrell – 6 weeks (3)
6-Suzie Brannen – 10 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 10 weeks
8-Monica Jennings – 10 weeks
9-Nathanial Brown – 11 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 11 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 21 weeks
12-Brandon Kahler – 31 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 35 weeks
14-Sarah Toot – 36 weeks (3)
15-Angie DeWaard – 40 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 44 weeks (2)
17-Kim Barker – 49 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 51 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 52 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 62 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 62 weeks (2)
22-Micky Augustin – 64 weeks (2)
23-Andy Sharp – 65 weeks (3)
24-Bill Wentworth – 66 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 70 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 71 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 72 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 75 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 394 - BLUE - PORTER DEGENEFFE
Porter Degeneffe (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas) – 1 week

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee (Arkansas)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 7 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 11 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 22 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 32 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 36 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Washington D.C.) – 36 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New York)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (New Jersey)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 41 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 45 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Iowa) – 50 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 52 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 53 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 63 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 64 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 66 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 67 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Missouri) – 71 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 72 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 73 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 394 - BLUE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa) – 498 weeks

First, I have to say I find it interesting that Kio took a picture of grape juice for PURPLE and also one for BLUE. Makes me wonder what… what color does Kio think grape juice is?? Or maybe Kio is color blind. Or slightly color blind. I know a few people who are color blind in the blue range. But on the same side, I’ve never understood how you make red wine out of purple grapes. It is a mystery.

For example, yesterday Fran sent me a chat with a picture of a drink with the question, orange or yellow. It so happened that I was having a little post-church and pre-theater lunch with my sisters and so I showed them the picture. We all came back that the liquid in the glass was clearly yellow.

I sent that message back to Fran and she let me know that she thought it was orange.

Maybe I don’t sit and thing about color that much, but Monica sent me a message a couple weeks back about how she is “fascinated by how people interpret color… is it pink or is it purple!?!”. I hope Monica gets just as a big of a kick at seeing the interpretations of BLUE.

All this to say that if I use grape juice in my picture this week, it is because imitation is the highest form of flattery.

29 participants! Another great week!

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ Arkansas
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Missouri
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.

Technically, Washington D.C. isn’t a state, but let’s face it, it should be. Sarah’s picture crosses off another place on the map. I need to make that map someday. Today isn’t that day though.

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Minnesota
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Missouri
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin

17 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas

I took my picture about a mile from my front door.

Porter had his first ever submission. I’m pretty pumped for that. He is the youngest to submit this year and I hope that he continues to submit in the future. Welcome aboard Porter!

The big accomplishment this week was Joe Duff joining the 1 Year Club. WooHoo! Congrats to Joe! Who isn’t too big time to work the night shift. Take notes Suzie.

But unfortunately it was not all good news. Mary’s 2 week streak bit the dust. Jesse’s 10 week streak is only a distant memory now.

Hopefully they get back on that horse again this week.

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 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE
ODD CAMERA ANGLE

ODD CAMERA ANGLE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is an ODD CAMERA ANGLE photo? Simply put, it a picture taken from an angle that is different than normal. The grand majority of pictures are taken from the eye level of the photographer. This theme challenges you to look down at your subject. Or look up at your subject. Or look at it from an angle where something small looks big and something big looks small. Or try out a Dutch angle. Put yourself on the ground or in a hole or in the air. Just don’t take your picture eye level. That’s all we’re asking here. The world is your oyster. You just have to look at it askew.

While considering possible subject for your submission, meditate on the following quote and you will no doubt come up with a great image:

I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect – they are much more interesting.
-Marc Jacobs

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 ODD CAMERA ANGLE in this place that is more than a little different next Monday.

Roundball Oracles – Year 18/F & P – Vol. 4

It is time once again for the greatest sporting event of year. It is that time known as March Madness. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Once again, I will be sponsoring a NCAA Tournament Pool. There is no cost to enter the pool, except for pride. And if pride is nothing to you, well done.

The winner gets a trophy. The dead last place person gets a trophy known as The Sara*. Nobody else gets a trophy. I’m not made of trophies people!

By winning, you get your name etched on the List of Immortals:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS

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 said that there are 2 trophies. The 2nd trophy, The Sara, goes to the adult that finishes dead last, while trying. A person can not tank on purpose and win The Sara. The reason The Sara winner has to be an adult is that I don’t want to mock children, to their face. Does that mean I have no problem mocking children behind their back? Does it make me a bad person if I say yes? Probably a better rule would be that to “win” The Sara, you have to be at least a teenager. I have no problem mocking teenagers to their face. At least, back when there was a Youth Group.

Past “The Sara” Winners:

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

The Sara doesn’t have the long storied history of the championship trophy, but it will get there. I have no doubts. This will be the 9th winner since its inception after all.

These were the final standings from last year:

ROUNDBALL ORACLES – YEAR 17

1. Ben Baier – 273 points
2. Sara Lockner – 271 points
3. Shawn Lockner – 242 points
4. Rachel Gildersleeve – 242 points
5. Linda Bennett – 232 points
6. Becky Parmelee – 231 points
7. Carla Stensland – 229 points
8. Angie DeWaard – 224 points
9. Christopher D. Bennett – 224 points
10. Tim Peterson – 223 points
11. Jason Baier – 217 points
12. Lowell Davis – 215 points
13. Derek Dohrman – 215 points
14. Carrie Baier – 214 points
15. Sarah Karber – 210 points
16. Michael Augustin – 209 points
17. Elizabeth Nordeen – 206 points
18. Jorge Rios – 203 points
19. Brandon Kahler – 203 points
20. Will Baier – 197 points
21. Jordan Toot – 197 points
22. Corey Faust – 197 points
23. Andree Jauhari – 192 points
24. Jesse Howard – 191 points
25. Dawn Krause – 182 points
26. Derrick Gorshe – 181 points
27. Michelle Haupt – 179 points
28. Jackson Faust – 176 points
29. Jason Stensland – 168 points
30. J.J. Baier – 164 points
31. Russell Kennerly – 161 points
32. Toby Sebring – 157 points
33. Robert Henning – 151 points
34. Jill Gorshe – 147 points
35. Joe Randazzo – 143 points
36. Olivia Baier – 141 points

If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:

Roundball Oracles – Year 18

The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed

The Play-in Games (AKA the First Four) don’t matter. You can wait for those games to complete before filling out your bracket. The deadline to fill out your bracket, is tip-off of the first game on Thursday. Roughly 11 AM.

Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no.

There were 36 competitors in 2022. A 9 person gain from 2019. Hopefully there is continued growth in participation this year, but I don’t know that I have 9 more friends than I did in 2021. It is possible I have gained even more friends since 2022. I might be a pretty great person.

*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.

+++++++

It is a Sunday, and it is a Formal Portrait Sunday. In fact, this is the last Formal Portrait Sunday for the foreseeable future. I’m sure I’ll take some more formal portraits at some point, but until then… I’m not sure what I will do with my Sundays. Maybe I’ll take them off. Or maybe it will just be fairly random. Who knows? It is a whole new world!

On this last Formal Portrait Sunday I am sharing a small collection of pictures from the photo shoot with Fran and Pepper:


Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper 2022 – Vol. 3

I need to start today’s post by wishing Laura a happy birthday. Happy birthday Laura!


Miller Family - 2020

For most people I wish them a birthday full of joy. For Laura, I just hope she got some rest.

+++++++

Time once again to share a collection of pictures from my photo shoot with Fran and Pepper from a few months back. After all, it is Formal Portrait Sunday.


Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

I thought this was going to be my last collection of images from this photo shoot, but I have a few more to share. So one more Formal Portrait Sunday on the horizon!

An Artist’s Notebook Post #4757

It has been 6,052 days since August 9, 2006. 16 years. 6 months. 24 days. Since I first posted something in this little experiment known as “An Artist’s Notebook”. 145,2485 hours. 8,714,800 minutes. 522,892,800 seconds. Which is to say, it has been a minute.

There are some very important people in my life that I didn’t even know 16 years, 6 months, 24 days ago. There are people that I thought were important in my life that have come and gone in that 864 weeks and 4 days. It has been a journey. Some good. Some bad. Some of it ugly, I’m sure.

6,052 days ago I started this journal with the following 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 4,756 journal entries. (Normally I would do this little exercise on post #4,750, but I was in Vegas at that time.) 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.

4,757 posts. We’ve been through some stuff. I hope to keep going through some stuff for many, many, many more posts. 4,757 posts and I feel like I’m just getting warmed up.

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 #4500 & INCREASE SINCE THEN)
10. Macro – 495 (NR)
9. Teresa – 525 (#9 – +70)
8. Carla – 530 (#8 – +54)
7. Shannon – 539 (#6 – +39)
6. Road Trip – 569 (#7 – +92)
5. Art – 622 (#5 – +116)
4. Jesse – 630 (#4 – +51)
3. Animals – 735 (#3 – +37)
2. Flowers – 881 (#2 – +62)
1. Black and White – 992 (#1 – +74)

Dropped from the rankings was WPC – Submissions

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Photoshop – 389 (NR)
9. Nature – 437 (#9 – +41)
8. Formal Portrait – 447 (#10 – +66)
7. WPC – Submissions – 493 (#6 – +38)
6. Macro – 495 (#7 – +54)
5. Road Trip – 569 (#5 – +92)
4. Art – 622 (#4 – +116)
3. Animals – 735 (#3 – +37)
2. Flowers – 881 (#2 – +62)
1. Black & White – 992 (#1 – +74)

Dropped from the rankings is PORTRAIT. I’m trying to eliminate it as a category, so it should eventually drop to zero.

NAIMA and CANDID PORTRAIT have a shot at cracking the Top 10 in Post #5,000.

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Willy – 318 (NR)
9. Logan – 329 (NR)
8. Derrick – 330 (#7 – +10)
7. Kim – 342 (#8 – +45)
6. Jay – 348 (#6 – +11)
5. Mom – 458 – (#5 – +5)
4. Teresa – 525 (#4 – +70)
3. Carla – 530 (#3 – +54)
2. Shannon – 539 (#2 – +39)
1. Jesse – 630 (#1 – +51)

Dropping from the rankings was Jen and Vest.

Micky, Vest, and Jen have the best shot at cracking the Top 10 in Post #5,000.

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.

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 200 categories used on the website. I could cover the Bottom 10, but they are mostly people that either very recently came into the life of this website by birth (Jonah Kahler) or another way (Nathanial, Mindi, Fran). Or people that I thought would be a bigger part of my life and then weren’t. No need to cover those people. The Category that is #200 probably needs to be purged.

THE BOTTOM 10 OF THE TOP 100

#100. Kelly – 71 (NR)
#99. Commercial – 72 (#97 – +1)
#98. Self-Portrait Project – 73 (NR)
#97. Andree – 75 (#94 – 0)
#96. Flat Earth Joe – 75 (NR)
#95. Lowell – 79 (#93 – +2)
#94. Photo Journal – 79 (#92 – 0)
#93. Suzie – 80 (NR)
#92. Pastor Sarah – 86 (#95 – +12)
#91. Becca – 87 (NR)

The following categories have either fallen out of the Bottom 10 of the Top 100 or climbed out of it:

Jaycees, Vacation, Mark, Life, and Birthdays.

Now something I should explain is that I used to put Flat Earth Joe and Joe Duff under the same Category of simply “Joe” out of laziness, but in the last 250 posts, I split them.

Of these categories, I think Pastor Sarah and Suzie have the best chance to climb out of this list. Since I’m not doing the Self-Portrait Project his year, it could fall out of the Top 100. And I’m not sure what part of my life Flat Earth Joe will have in the future. He has taken a hard turn down the path of terrible decision making and has been in jail for over a month now. I hope he gets sorted at some point in the future. But quite frankly, I can’t make a prediction on his future. I can barely make a prediction on my future. So it is hard to say what will happen to that category. As for the category of Andree, I talk to Andree regularly, but he rarely makes an appearance on this website.

The categories that are closest to falling into the Bottom 10 of the Top 100 are Faust, Birthdays, and Joe Duff. But I think at least Birthdays and Joe Duff are pretty safe. I talk to Faust now and again, but he rarely makes an appearance on the website. I still someday need to go visit the Godzilla statue in his town. But I also need to visit Nate and Bethany and Becca and Bill and Sarah and well it is quite a list. When I think about it, I have to sit down on the couch and watch another episode of THE LAST OF US.

That categories that are closest to cracking into the Top 100 are Mark, Layla, and Vacation. But since Mark isn’t really part of my life anymore, I don’t see that busting through. I also can’t see a vacation on my horizon any time soon. But I like Layla’s odds. A lot of spunk in that one.

“An Artist’s Notebook” is part of Photography 139. The 139 comes from Psalm 139:1-12. The Photography part comes from the fact this website is supposed to be filled with photography. So, what are the most popular photo galleries on the Photography 139 website? Glad you asked:

TOP 10 PHOTOGRAPHY 139 PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERIES (LAST 365 DAYS)

To View the Gallery, Click on its Representative Image
Computer Mine Convention - 2023
10. Las Vegas – 2023 – 42,941 Views

Alexis Pregnant with Anela
9. Alexis Pregnancy Photo Shoot – 2020 – 47,269 Views

Jayton Poole
8. Jayton Poole – 2022 – 47,464 Views

9  Emotions Project - Bethany
7. 9 Emotions Project – 51,763 Views

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022
6. Miami Beach – 2022 – 53,087

Party - Alternate
5. Christopher D. Bennett – 112,907 Views

Day 240 - August 28, 2022
4. Selfie Project -2022 – 162,595 Views

Kossuth County - Lone Rock
3. Town Sign Project Auxiliary Images – 184,949 Views

Ackley, Iowa
2. Town Sign Project – 201,352 Views

WEEK 357 - WORK - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
1. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 9 – 223,723 Views

At post 4,500 these were the 10 Most Popular Galleries:

10. Iowa
9. 9 Emotions Project
8. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 8
7. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 9
6. Selfie Project – 2022
5. Alexis Pregnancy Photo Shoot – 2020
4. Christopher D. Bennett
3. Town Sign Project Auxiliary Images
2. Selfie Project – 2021
1. Town Sign Project

The galleries that are right outside the Top 10 that have a shot at cracking the Top 10 in Post 5,000 are:
+ Drone
+ Daisies
+ FatMumSlim 2022

But considering I’m done with the FatMumSlim project, I don’t know that its gallery will maintain any popularity. I only know one person that definitely loves my daisy pictures, but I don’t think they poke around my website much these days. However, perhaps the Era of Rodan139 is nearly upon us. I could live with that.

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

Dexter, Iowa
10. Dexter, Iowa – 1,964 views

Badger, Iowa
9. Badger, Iowa – 1,967 views

Day 73 - March 13, 2021
8. Selfie with Mom – 1,993 views

Coon Rapids, Iowa
7. Coon Rapids, Iowa – 2,146 views

Moingona, Iowa
6. Moingona, Iowa – 2,190 views

Alexis Pregnant with Anela
5. Prego Alexis – 2,415

Howards - 2022
4. Saydie and Kyle – 3,231 views

Baby Got Rack - 2022 - Boone County Fair
3. Baby Got Rack at Boone County Fair – 4,423 views

Miami Beach Work Trip - May 2022
2. Miami – 6,039 views

Day 30 - January 30, 2022
1. Selfie at Bellevue – 6,864 views

That selfie at Bellevue was the most popular picture on my website at Post 4,500 as well.

The final statistic I want to share with everybody before riding off into the sunset and not boring you with these statistics for another 250 posts is the 5 people with the highest Photography Subscriber Loyalty Scores.

1. Kio Dettman – 100%
2. Aaron Barnett – 99.7%
2. Angie DeWaard – 99.7%
2. Mary Green – 99.7%
5. Joe Duff – 99.5%

There are a lot of people in the 90% range that could break into this list next time. Jeanette, Jesse, Sarah, Logan, Tamara, Frank, Michelle, and Andy.

To be honest, I don’t know how this number is figured. I believe it is the percentage of emails from the subscriber list that you open within the first 24 hours of getting an email from me, but I really don’t know if we are being honest. But thanks for doing what it is you are doing!

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

I think that is enough for now. We’ll check in again in another 243 posts.

Fran & Pepper 2022 – Vol. 2

I need to start off by wishing Micky a happy birthday. Happy birthday Micky!!


Pie In Your Face!

I hope your birthday was filled with as much joy and happiness and you could handle.

+++++++

It is time for another Formal Portrait Sunday. Time to share more pictures from the photo shoot with Fran and Pepper from late last year.


Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

There is still at least one more collection of pictures of Fran and Pepper to share. And then I will retire Formal Portrait Sunday until I have to take some formal portraits again. Probably of Nate and his family.

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!

Fran & Pepper 2022 – Vol. 1

Time once again for a Formal Portrait Sunday. This time I’m going to share the first collection of family pictures I took of Fran and Pepper a few months back. It wasn’t the warmest day, but the lighting was actually perfect for once. And I will trade cold for good lighting. I’m not sure Fran agrees and I know for sure Pepper didn’t agree, but once she got into the photo shoot, she seemed to forget she was cold…


Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Fran & Pepper - 2022

Still plenty of pictures left to share from this photo shoot!