Category Archives: Still Life

Animals, Basketball, Black & White, Boone FUMC, Formal Portrait, Iowa State, Night, Photoshop, Self-Portrait, Still Life

12December2010

September 11, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I didn’t take many pictures in the month of December in 2010, so I decided to just do the entire month and combine all the folders into one mega sized post. There are pictures in here from a family portrait fundraiser (that was not a huge success) for the youth group. There are a few pictures taken on Christmas Eve around the church. Then a bunch of pictures taken for different THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, back then known as THE RANDOM WEEKLY PHOTO EXPERIMENT.

By adding these pictures to the Photography 139 Gallery, I was able to restore the following historic “An Artist’s Notebook” entries to their original glory:

Youth Group Fundraiser

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK #47

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK #51

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK #52

RWPE #47 – DISCOVER

RWPE #48 – ACTIVE

RWPE #49 – LOVE

RWPE #50 – RESTAURANTS

RWPE #51 – PEACE OF MIND

It is hard to say what next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve. It looks like 2011’s organization was really bad. We’ll see what happens. There might just be a ton of 2011 images lost. Hope not, but it is certainly a possibility.

Drone, Night, Pufferbilly Days, Still Life, WPC - Alternate, WPC - Reminder

If You Look to the Sky and Pray

August 6, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I need to start this post by encouraging you (if you have a pet) to enter the Pufferbilly Days Pet Show. It is this Sunday at 11 AM. Registration begins at 10:45. It is located at Veterans Park (9th and Story). Awards are given to the dog that is the Best Beggar, does the Best Trick, and had the Best Tail Wag. For Misc. pets, prizes are given to the Most Unique, the Most Colorful, and the pet with the Most Appropriate Name. There is a prize given for Most Look-Alike and Best in Show. Also some awards for cats, I assume.

Here is a flyer that has the ratio way off.

The Pet Show is open to all ages of humans and pets. As you can tell, this isn’t a super serious competition. So grab Fido and come on down for some fun with your four-legged (or two legs if it is a bird) friend! Also, no poultry.

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I haven’t taken Rodan139 out hardly at all this year. In fact, probably less than 5 times. I need to start stretching its wings more than I have. But here is a tiny collection of the last 2 extremely brief flights that it went on. One was just to look at all the fireworks going off around town. The others are alternates for my THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme of PATHS.

I’m laying down my pick and taking about a week long sabbatical from the Computer Mine starting next week, so hopefully I’ll get Rodan139 out of the hangar at least once in that time frame.

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

TOY

TOY! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a TOY image? Simply put, a TOY image is a picture of something that you use for recreation. It isn’t used for work. It is used for play. However, what one person might consider a TOY, another person might consider a TOOL. What is considered a TOY might be more personal than one thinks at first glance.

Happy photo harvesting!

Cathie, Drone, Elizabeth, Kio, Micky, Nature, Shannon, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 307 – PATHS

August 2, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

At least a few people were able to figure out what PATHS they are walking for the theme of PATHS.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates. You came to see the submissions.

Tamara Peterson

Christopher D. Bennett

Teresa Kahler

Micky Augustin

Elizabeth Nordeen

Kim Barker

Shannon Bardole-Foley

Kio Dettman

Cathie Raley

Mike Vest

A great week of submissions!

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:

TOY

TOY! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

Think on these words when considering your subject for this week’s image:

As men get older, the goys get more expensive.
-Marvin Davis

Heed these words and there is no doubt you will create a most playful TOY images.

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.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of TOY in this place that is little more than my plaything next Monday.

Andy, Animals, Brandon, Flowers, Jay, Johnathan, Logan, Naima, Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait Project, Still Life, Teresa, Willy, WPC - Reminder

Selfie Project – June 2021

July 2, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

On Wednesday night I completed another successful month of THE SELFIE PROJECT. I don’t know that is was a particularly exciting month, but I think there are some good pictures in the collection.

Here are some of my favorites from June:

June 1, 2021

June 2, 2021

June 3, 2021

June 4, 2021

June 5, 2021

June 9, 2021

June 10, 2021

June 11, 2021

June 12, 2021

June 14, 2021

June 15, 2021

June 17, 2021

June 18, 2021

June 19, 2021

June 20, 2021

June 21, 2021

June 22, 2021

June 24, 2021

June 26, 2021

June 27, 2021

June 28, 2021

June 29, 2021

June 30, 2021

I hope there are some great pictures taken for this project in July.

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

ADVENTURE

ADVENTURE! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

But what is an ADVENTURE image? An ADVENTURE image is simply any image that was taken while on an ADVENTURE or preparing for an ADVENTURE or going on an ADVENTURE. The theme reveal picture could qualify for all 3. The twist to this picture is that YOU have to figure out what you consider to be an ADVENTURE.

DON’T FORGET THAT INDEPENDENCE DAY IS SUNDAY, THEREFORE MANY PEOPLE HAVE MONDAY AS A VACATION. BUT PHOTOGRAPHY 139 DOES NOT TAKE HOLIDAYS. PLAN YOUR SUBMISSION ACCORDINGLY!!

Happy photo harvesting!

Angie, Carla, Cathie, Elizabeth, Flowers, Kim, Kio, Micky, Shannon, Still Life, Vest, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 301 – WHITE

June 21, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

It appears that WHITE was not a super popular theme.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates. You came to see the submissions:

Shannon Bardole-Foley

Christopher D. Bennett

Micky Augustin

Angie DeWaard

Kim Barker

Angie DeWaard

Kio Dettman

Cathie Raley

Elizabeth Nordeen

Carla Stensland

Mike Vest

COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION! What a great theme for Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a COMMUNICATION image? It is simply any picture that shows a type of COMMUNICATION or people COMMUNICATIONing or things that are used for COMMUNICATION. For example, in the theme reveal there are several things being COMMUNICATIONed. The business is a carwash. The phone number to reach the proprietor is 515-890-1900. Somebody fears the commercialization of Christmas. They also must like fish. Signs are a great form of COMMUNICATION, as just an example.

Think on these lyrics by Led Zeppelin while you are thinking about subjects for your COMMUNICATION image:

Hey, girl, stop what you’re doin’
Hey, girl, you’ll drive me to ruin
I don’t know what it is I like about you, but I like it a lot
Won’t you let me hold you, now, let me feel your lovin’ touch

Communication breakdown, it’s always the same
Havin’ a nervous breakdown, a-drive me insane

Meditate on these words any you will no doubt, create a phenomenal COMMUNICATION image.

RULES

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing our idea of COMMUNICATION in this place that is just another form of COMMUNICATION next Monday.

Art, Black & White, Mom, Road Trip, Ruins, Still Life

Audubon and Guthrie County Auxiliary Images: Vol 3

June 9, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett

This is the final collection of images of the trip I took to Audubon and Guthrie Counties with my Mom to harvest their town signs. All of these pictures are taken in either Audubon or Gray.

Audubon

Gray

I know that this is the second straight day with a mention or a picture of testicles. I don’t think there will be 3 days in a row tomorrow.

Art, Christianity, Mom, Road Trip, Still Life, WPC - Reminder

Audubon and Guthrie County Auxiliary Images: Vol 2

June 4, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

Here is the second collection of auxiliary images I took while harvesting the town signs of Audubon and Guthrie County with my Mom. The thing is that none of these pictures were taken in Guthrie County and the biggest chunk of them was taken in Shelby County. That is #roadtriplife.

Brayton

Exira

I would love to see the size of the fire truck that came out that door.

Elk Horn

Kimballton

There is one more collection of photos from this road trip out there.

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

WORDS

But what is a WORDS image? I know many of you didn’t come here fore reading! Top to bottom, left to right… a group of words together is called a sentence. Take Tylenol for any headaches… Midol for any cramps.

But one of the greatest comedies of all-time aside, WORDS are merely collections of letters. You can find WORDS all over the place. Books. Signs. Advertising. Newspapers. Magazines. All over the place. You are literally (used correctly) looking at WORDS right now!

Happy photo harvesting!

Animals, Art, Becca, Black & White, Boone County Fair, Christianity, Contests, Dawn, Derrick, Flowers, Formal Portrait, Jen, Jesse, Jill, Laura, Logan, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Nature, Night, Photoshop, Pufferbilly Days, Russell, Scottie D., Shannon, Shorty, State Fair, Still Life, Willy

My (Sad) Photo Contest History – 2

June 3, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

When we left off, I had just won 1st Place in Black and White and 3rd Place in Color at the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest, but had been completely rejected by the Iowa State Fair for the 4th year in a row.

Whatever I was selling, the judges were not buying. I was despondent, but not discouraged because I knew I had entered some great photos, but they were not what the judges were looking for that year.

2011 comes around. I decided to retire from the Boone County Fair Photo Contest and to start a new way of picking pictures for the Pufferbilly Days. I also had what was probably the peak of my photo contest career at the Iowa State Fair. I got all 4 pictures exhibited. This is extremely hard to do. Thousands of people enter the contest every year. Only 5 of us got all 4 pictures exhibited. You can do the math. It is a big deal.

These are the pictures that were exhibited:

2011 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon - I Recommend Pleasant

2nd Place Class 25

Honorable Mention Class 13

For the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest it was the second year of letting other people select my entrants. Dawn, Derrick, Jen, Scott, Russell, and Rebecca chose my entries. Dawn’s choice got 2nd Place in Black and White:

2011 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - Radiant Beams

2nd Place – Black and White

I was pretty excited for 2012. I thought I had cracked the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon Code, but there is no code. Some years the judge like you. Some years they don’t. In 2012, they like one of my pictures:

2012 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon - Truth Perception

That year, I decided to retire from the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest.

Then shortly after that, I decided to retire from Photo Contests altogether.

But in 2017, the itch came back. I decided to put on a Washington Wizards Jersey and come out of retirement. Hard. I decided to enter all 3 contests again. I got all Blue Ribbons at the Boone County Fair:

I got one picture selected for display at the Iowa State Fair:

2017 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon - Little Apple

I had the following people select my entries for the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest: Jim Robbins (yeah that is a long story), Micky, Michelle, Amber, Laura, and Dawn. However, none of the pictures earned a ribbon.

In 2018, my Boone County Fair entries were determined by popular vote:

Red

Purple

Blue

I had two pictures selected for display at the Iowa State Fair:

2018 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon - Peep

My Pufferbilly Days entries were also selected by popular vote that year:

2018 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - INRI

1st Place Photoshop

1st Place Photojournalism

3rd Place Hidden Treasures of Boone County

2019 would also be a successful year. I moved to having individuals select my Boone County Fair entrants. Shannon, Michelle, and Logan selected my entries.

Purple

Blue

Red

Blue

Purple

I had one picture selected for exhibition at the Iowa State Fair and it earned a ribbon:

2019 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon Entry - Green Little Vaulter

Honorable Mention Class 18

My Pufferbilly Day entries were once again selected by popular vote:

2019 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - Hocks

1st Place Nature

1st Place Photoshop

In 2020 the pandemic hit and all photo contests were cancelled. Which was sad and I think it was avoidable because in a digital age, I think they could have found a way. For example the Iowa State Fair still held its Fine Arts competition.

Which brings us to 2021. I’m currently working on my next embarrassing failure at the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. However, I am not going to enter the Boone County Fair this year. There is a reason for this decision. A very good reason. However, I’m not going to share the reason until it becomes official or it falls through. Things seem to fall through quite often these days. No decision has been made on Pufferbilly Days yet, but Pufferbilly Days has been moved to early August this year. I’m not crazy about the decision, but I’ll give it a chance.

If you want to peruse all 153 Photo Contest entrants in this long weird journey, click on the link below:

Photo Contests

You can see them all from the out of focus to the award winners. The good, the bad, and the moldy jam equivalent.

Art, Equipment, Railroad, Ruins, Still Life, WPC - Reminder

Wide Angling

May 14, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett

This is a collection of some more of the first pictures I took with the Tamron wide angle lens. some are at the courthouse. Some around the high bridges. Some around the Kate Shelley Museum:

I do love that wide angle zoom lens!

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

LIGHT

A LIGHT image is pretty simple. It is merely a picture where LIGHT plays a major compositional element. A wise person might argue that any picture they take is a LIGHT picture because all photography really is, is the capturing of LIGHT. But warning, when you take a picture of LIGHT, don’t face your camera straight towards a bright LIGHT.. You will surely damage it. The camera. The LIGHT will be just fine.

Think about the following song lyric when you are contemplating your LIGHT image:

I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
-Hank Williams

Happy photo harvesting!

Equipment, Macro, Naima, Nature, Still Life

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens

May 6, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

The third new lens I purchased at the beginning of the year was a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens. I had a 50mm macro lens, but I needed a longer macro lens.

Here are the first pictures I took with it: