Category Archives: Postcard

Black & White, History, Photoshop, Postcard

Postcard Recreation Project Reboot

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Several years ago Jen suggested that for a photo project, I “recreate” old postcards. I loved the idea and I did it for exactly one postcard. Then did absolutely nothing else. For years. While I was on my vacation, I decided to start that project up again. I think I underestimated how difficult it might actually be to do well. I’m not sure my first (okay second) attempt at is necessarily done well.

In fact, in retrospect, I learned that I need to do a little more research before actually leaving my house and going out there to take the picture, to deliver on what I’m trying to do. For example, one of the pictures that was meant for today’s reveal, I definitely have to do again. I was not far enough west on 8th Street.

My goal is to go about near where the original postcard was taken, approximate the focal length of the original postcard, and then in editing deliver on the spirit of the original style of the postcard. Obviously, none of these will be a perfect recreation. In particular, the exact focal length will definitely be off. However, I think as long as I’m in the ballpark, I will be satisfied.

Postcard No. 2


Story Street from Ninth South Original
Original

Story Street from Ninth South Redux
Redux

This picture is looking south down Story Street, from the intersection with 9th Street. The original is more of an illustration than a photo, so I tried to make it look like an illustration in the editing. Making it bright and colorful. Like it probably was originally (I’m guessing) rather than how it has faded over the years.

Postcard No. 3


Story Street, North from Sixth Street
Original

Entrance to McHose Park
Redux

This picture postcard is looking north up Story Street from near Sixth Street. I really struggled with this one because I’m guessing this picture is probably from the 1950s. I am surprised by how many of the buildings in the original picture are gone. On that corner of 6th and Story used to house Vogler-Nieman Chevy, Buick and Pontiac. Plus a Champlin Oil. There was also a small building that sold popcorn there was well.

Here is a look at a couple old photos from a Boone News Republican article by Ed Mondt of that intersection:



1958


1940

If a guy wasn’t going to open a donut shop in his spare time, he could do worse than bringing back the popcorn shack.

Postcard No. 4


Entrance to McHose Park
Original

Entrance to McHose Park Redux
Redux

This postcard is a picture of the entrance to McHose Park. Not much has really changed much. There is a stop sign now. The road has been paved. There is a new McHose Park sign. The park was closed at the time I took the picture because of derecho damage. In the editing, I put a slight sepia tone to try to match the original.

I think I’m going to try to do these in sets of 3. The next set of 3 will probably involve the Boone Biblical College, Ledges State Park, and the location of Boone’s old post office.

Art, Black & White, History, Jen, Postcard

The Postcard Recreation Project – Teddy Roosevelt

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A few months back Jen sent me a text message out of the blue suggesting that I should try to recreate (update) old postcards. It seems like a perfect fit for me, since I might be the last person on the world who really loves postcards and even occasionally sends them and loves to get them (hint! hint!).

I made sort of a test run recently of the Teddy Roosevelt statue in McHose Park. Have a look:


Teddy Roosevelt Statue - McHose Park - Original
The Original

Teddy Roosevelt Statue - McHose Park - Recreation
The Recreation

I’m not going to toot my horn that this was a resounding success. I do have a 100% commitment to the truth, but I did learn a lot from this first run. I’m excited to put this new knowledge to the test in the nearish future.

Postcard

Proof of Concept

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I’ve been playing with the idea of finally coming out with Series #2 of the Photography 139 Postcard Line lately. Even though, I still have plenty of Series #1 in stock. Although the daisy postcard is nearly sold out.

Another bugaboo is that the retail outlet where I was selling Series #1 recently folded up shop, so all the postcards currently are just sitting in my living room, collecting dust and the occasional dog hair. Or maybe it is collecting dog hair and the occasional piece of dust.

Either way, I’ve decided to forge ahead with Series #2. These will be based on those vintage postcards that always said “Greetings from…” on them. You know what I’m talking about.

I’m not ready to reveal Series #2 yet, because they aren’t designed (or necessarily) even shot yet. However, I’ve been working on some designs to see if this was even viable.

Here is a look at some very raw designs (ignore what pictures are being used) to prove that the concept was viable:








This new project will probably take quite some time, but it might also lead to a new image to display at Salon 908.

Andree, Becky, Calendar, Dad, Dawn, Derrick, Evie, Faust, Jeff Kewer, Jen, Linda, Monica, Personal Photo Project, Postcard, Robert, Russell, Sara, Shawn Lockner, Slice of Life

Personal Photo Project of the Week #144

This week’s Personal Photo Project is a blatant attempt at commerce. Good old fashioned in-your-face-capitalism.

I’ve been talking to Barb Henning of Everlastings about selling high quality Photography 139 products in her store for several years now, but I have always been unable to pull the trigger. However, I’ve turned over a new leaf and have decided to invest some money in “product” and we’ll see where that gets me.

Starting tomorrow (at least I’m 98% sure) a person can go to Everlastings Flowers & Gifts in beautiful downtown Ogden, Iowa and purchase a couple different products from Photography 139.

The first line of products:



Postcards!

This is not a completely original idea. This idea is both stolen from and an homage to my Dad’s line of Slice of Life postcards. Which incidentally will be incorporated into this line of postcards as well. The picture of the #1385 is my Dad’s picture.

The current pricing structure is thus:

1 Postcard = $.75
3 Postcards = $2.00
5 Postcards = $3.00

Series #1 of the Photography 139 line of postcards consists of 5 different images. My hope is that every 3-4 months, I will release a new series and 5 different postcards. The subject matter will mostly consist of flowers or local interest. Look for Series #2 to be released around February or March.

Thanks to all my Postcard Beta Testers:

Jen, Derrick, and Evie Gorshe
Sara and Shawn
Russell Kennerly
Andree Jauhari
Aunt Linda
Becky Perkovich
Dawn Krause
The Fausts
The Kewers
Robert Henning

The second line of products:



Calendars!

The second product line is a calendar consisting of high quality Photography 139 flower images. The first run of these is extremely limited, so the price structure is a little higher than I would like, but there is a chance that a second run of calendars will be printed and the price might go down slightly. No promises though.

Calendar Price Structure:

1 Calendar = $15.00

But what about the future? I’m also looking into releasing a line of holiday cards. Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. It is somewhat dependent on how the first two lines of high quality products fare in the marketplace. I would consider it highly doubtful that there will be Christmas cards available for this Christmas, but stranger things have happened.

To repeat, these high quality products will be available at Everlasting Flowers & Gifts starting tomorrow.

Everlastings Info:

223 W. Walnut St.
Ogden, IA 50212
Store Hours: M-F 9:30 am to 5 pm; Sat. 9:30 am to noon
Website: http://www.everlastingsbybarb.com/
All major credit cards accepted

These products may come to other venues in the future, but Barb definitely gets to be the launching point for this commercial endeavor.

Yes, you can buy products straight from me, but I don’t accept credit cards at this time. If you need something shipped to you, there would be a shipping and handling fee.

You can find out that info by writing me directly at: bennett@photography139.com

Next week’s Personal Photo Project will either involve trains or mums. We’ll see.

Nader, Postcard

Greetings from London

You will most likely appreciate this a little bit more if you actually know Nader, because this is Classic Nader.

I haven’t traveled farther than Des Moines from my front door this entire year. Yes, I know that is exceedingly pathetic and that error will be corrected in roughly 9 days. I don’t want to give too much away, but my plans involve a really big Jesus.

Fortunately for me I have friends and family that travel and I can live vicariously through them. When people I know go to interesting places and ask me what I want, I tell them postcards. Only, I don’t want a pile of postcards when they get back. I want the postcards to be mailed to me.

Yesterday I went to the mailbox and found a postcard waiting for me that Nader had sent me from London.



Front


Back

It is worth noting that I didn’t do any digital magic to the back of the postcard. That is how Nader sent it to me. No message, just a simple: “From: Nader”. I’m telling you, it is Classic Nader.