Tag Archives: featured

NYC – Eight

January 8, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

This is the final collection of New York City images. The catch here is that I’m not the one that took these pictures. My cousin Sarah took these. It appears I did something stupid and shrank many of these pictures, so I don’t have many of them in full resolution any longer. Sigh.

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

SARAH AND THE CITY

I have no clue what next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will involve. I still have plenty of organizational stuff to figure out, but I know it won’t involve New York City for the first time in 8 weeks.

Black & White, Flowers, Macro, Naima, WPC - Reminder

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January 7, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Here are some pictures of flowers from my yard that I took back in June.

I have more than a few flower pictures left to share from last year.

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This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is BLACK + WHITE:

BLACK + WHITE! What a great theme to kick off Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

To know me at all, is to know that my first love in photography is always been BLACK + WHITE. But what is BLACK + WHITE photo? Well, the obvious answer is that it simply a picture that is monochrome. Not color. But BLACK + WHITE. However, there are some things to know about taking a good BLACK + WHITE picture. Once you remove color from an image, you can’t rely on color to provide interest. Here are things to think about to make a good BLACK + WHITE image:

+ Shape and Form – The shapes of things will be more dominant.
+ Contrast – Without colors to separate your subjects, you will need the contrast between BLACK + WHITE to separate the objects in the picture.
+ Texture – A good subject in BLACK + WHITE photography will have texture. Texture really pops.

Happy photo harvesting!

Christianity, Flowers, Holidays, Mom, Music

Jesus It’s Me Again

January 6, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

It is time for another collection of flower pictures I took in my Mom’s yard. There are only a few of them this time.
These pictures were taken on August 16, 2021:

My Mom’s house is set to go on the market tomorrow. It is a bittersweet moment, but it is definitely past time that the house becomes a home to a new person or peoples.

Today is Epiphany. And while I haven’t mentioned many holidays recently, Epiphany is the day that I have my Christmas decorations up. Although this Christmas season that consists of decoration a Nativity set in the yard and an outdoor tree that I put lights and decorations I didn’t care if they broke on. Epiphany, if you don’t know, is the celebration of the Magi visiting Jesus as a child. Strictly speaking, it was probably years after Jesus was born. Not the day he was born.

In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

Regardless of how and why Epiphany is celebrated, I thought today’s title was apropos. I don’t know that anybody has figured out where the names for these Thursday posts come from, but they are song titles. Since today celebrates the divinity of Jesus I thought I would share the song lyrics:

Lately Lord, I almost feel like dying
I wake-up like a child alone at night
Sometimes Lord, I just can’t keep from crying
And I can’t find the strength to carry on
Jesus it’s me again
Down on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Jesus it’s me again
I am on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Jesus it’s me again
I’m down on my knees
And I’m asking
To reach out your hand
Time to time I try to find a reason
To talk to you a time to before
But this time Lord, it’s more than I can handle
And I know I just can’t take it anymore
Jesus it’s me again
Down on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Jesus it’s me again
I’m on my knees again
Asking you please again
Reach out your hand
Yes asking you please again
Reach out your hand

The song, while depressing on the surface, is a reminder to me that wherever you are, that is where God will meet you. And how many times should you forgive? Seventy times seven. Which doesn’t mean 490. It means infinite. Infinite forgiveness!

Art, Black & White, History, Road Trip, Ruins

Southwest Iowa Auxiliary Images Vol. 4

January 5, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

It is time once again to share some auxiliary images from the couple of times I went to southwest Iowa to harvest some town signs. Once again, I think I have the towns lined up correctly, but this trip was awhile ago and I went to a ton of towns.

This is not a Freedom Rock. But it is a rock and appears to be done by the same artist. Bonus rock.

Mount Ayr

I am going to eat here at some point.

Diagonal – This town houses the county’s Freedom Rock.

Clearfield

I still have at least one more collection of images from this road trip to share.

Art, Michelle, Road Trip, Town Sign Project

Town Sign Project: Linn County

January 4, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

A few weeks back I finished up harvesting the town signs of Linn County with Michelle.

Here are some facts about Linn County:

+ Population is 230,299 making it the second most populous county in Iowa. Below Polk County and above Scott County.
+ Cedar Rapids is county seat and largest town.
+ Linn County was organized in 1839.
+ Named for Senator Lewis F. Linn of Missouri.
+ Home of the Czech Village.
+ Home of Coe College.
+ Home of Cornell College.
+ Home of Mount Mercy University.
+ Home of PrairieMoon on Main, a stop on the Tenderloin Trail 2.0.
+ Major highways are: I-380, IA-27, US-30, US-151, US-218, IA-1, and IA-13.
+ Adjacent counties are Benton, Buchanan, Delaware, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, and Jones.
+ Currently at its peak population.

Linn County has a beautiful courthouse:

The Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Linn County Freedom Rock is located in Central City, Iowa:

When I was there, it had yet to be painted, but should be painted by now. I will have to shoot back through there at some point and have a look. Probably on my way to Prairieburg.

With Linn County completed, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

52 counties finished. 52.5% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Linn County:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
CEDAR RAPIDS
Population: 137,710 (+11,384)

Marion, Iowa
MARION
Population: 41,535 (+6,767)

Hiawatha, Iowa
Hiwatha!
Population: 7,183 (+159)

Mount Vernon, Iowa
MT VERNON
Population: 4,527 (+19)

Robins, Iowa
Welcome to Robins
Community Family Friends
Established 1888
Population: 3,353 (+211)

Fairfax, Iowa
HOME SWEET HOME
Fairfax
Est. 1863
Inc. 1936
Population: 2,828 (+705)

Center Point, Iowa
Center Point
Population: 2,579 (+158)

Ely, Iowa
ELY
ESTABLISHED 1872
Population: 2,328 (+552)

Lisbon, Iowa
LISBON
Est. 1875
Population: 2,233 (+81)

Palo, Iowa
PALO
Gateway to the Outdoors
Population: 1,407 (+381)

Walford, Iowa (Partially in Benton County)
WALFORD
Population: 1,366 (-97)

Central City, Iowa
CENTRAL CITY
EST. 1852
Population: 1,264 (-7)

Springville, Iowa
IT’S ALWAYS SPRING IN…
SPRINGVILLE
Population: 1,154 (+80)

Coggon, Iowa
Welcome to Coggon
“The one and only”
Population: 701 (+43)

Walker, Iowa
Welcome to…
WALKER
Population: 688 (-103)

Alburnett, Iowa
Alburnett
the comfort of country and community
Population: 675 (+2)

Bertram, Iowa
BERTRAM CITY LIMITS
Population: 269 (-25)

Prairieburg, Iowa
Welcome To Prairieburg
Population: 160 (-18)

The worst town sign in Linn County is pretty obvious. It is Bertram. The best they could manage is a city limits town sign.

I think the Best in Show in Linn County is pretty obvious. However, I’ll give Cedar Rapids some credit. For a large city, it has a pretty good town sign. I will also give some respect to the town signs of Robins and Palo, but clearly the best town sign belongs to Springville.

Springville – Best in Show – Linn County

There were a few alternate town signs in Linn County:

Robins – Alternate

Springville – Alternate

Mount Vernon – Alternate

Coggon – Alternate

Central City – Alternate

Alburnett – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we will hit the dusty trail for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we end up in Jones County.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Black & White, Carla, Cathie, Dad, Dawn, Elizabeth, Evie, Jen, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Mom, Naima, Shannon, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 329 – EDUCATION

January 3, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Here we are. The end of Year 8 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. There were 866 images submitted this year. Smashing the record set by Year 7, 807. Hopefully we break the record again in Year 9. To have a look at them, click on the link below:

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – YEAR 8

EDUCATION has proven to be a very popular theme.

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

Elizabeth Nordeen

Layla Gorshe

Evie Gorshe

Bill Wentworth

Becky Parmelee

Tamara Peterson

Mike Parmelee

Christopher D. Bennett

Kim Barker

Angie DeWaard

Andy Sharp

Teresa Kahler

Joe Duff

Dawn Krause

Shannon Bardole-Foley

Kio Dettman

Cathie Raley

Jen Ensley-Gorshe

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:

BLACK + WHITE

BLACK + WHITE! What a great theme to kick off Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

While considering possible subjects for your BLACK + WHITE picture, consider this quote by Ansel Adams:

“Our lives at times seem a study in contrast… love & hate, birth & death, right & wrong… everything seen in absolutes of black & white. Too often we are not aware that it is the shades of grey that add depth & meaning to the starkness of those extremes.”
-Ansel Adams

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 BLACK + WHITE in this place that is little more than my shades of gray next Monday.

Anders, Andy, Bill, Billy, Elizabeth, Jorge, Kio, Nader, Naima, Nate, Sara, Scottie D., Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait Project

Selfie Project – December

January 2, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I’ve decided to do the SELFIE PROJECT in 2022. I usually don’t do this in back to back years, but I thought I would give it a shot.

Here are my favorite SELFIE PROJECT images from December:

December 1

December 2

December 3

December 4

December 9

December 11

December 12

December 13

December 14

December 16

December 19

December 20

December 21

December 22

December 24

December 26

December 27

December 29

December 30

December 31

To check out all THE SELFIE PROJECT images from 2021, click on the link below:

Selfie Project – 2021

I took several selfies that couldn’t be included in THE SELFIE PROJECT cause there can only be one per day, but I would like to share some of my favorite alternates:

Hopefully the 2022 SELFIE PORTRAIT PROJECT goes off without a hitch.

Black & White, Night, Travel

NYC – Seven

January 1, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

This is the final collection of pictures I took on my trip to New York City with Jesse back in 2011. But it is not the last collection of pictures from that trip that I am going to share.

These pictures were taken in Times Square and from the Empire State Building:

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

PERSONAL PHOTO PROJECT OF THE WEEK #66

Next Saturday’s walk down memory lane will also involve New York City, for one last time.

Calendar, Candid Portrait, Commercial, Drone, Elizabeth, Kim, Michelle, Nature, Work

Computer Mine Secret Santa

December 31, 2021 Christopher D. Bennett

The December image from the 2022 Photography Calendar is a drone picture of a forest along the banks of the Des Moines River.

I hope people enjoy the calendar this year. I’ve got some positive feedback on it anyways.

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Several years ago, I used to finish the year with the Proust Questionnaire as a form of reflection on the year past. Well, I think we can all agree that 2021 was a terrible, terrible year. And while even terrible, terrible years do have some positives and are still worthy of reflection, I didn’t feel like doing the entire 31-35 question questionnaire. So I thought maybe just answering the Bernard Pivot Questionnaire would be enough:

1. What is your favorite word? Well… I actually overuse it more than actually enjoy using it.
2. What is your least favorite word? Maybe.
3. What is your favorite drug? The open road.
4. What sound or noise noise do you love? Juicy Wiggle.
5. What sound or noise do you hate? My phone ringing.
6. What is your favorite curse word? Mulkey.
7. Who would you like to see on a new banknote? Ted Lasso – Be curious. Not judgmental.
8. What profession other than your own would you not like to attempt? Most really. Any job with more human contact than mine. It is pretty evident at this point in history that humans suck at the aggregate level.
9. If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be? Golden retriever.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Matthew 25:21.

Maybe next year I’ll bring back the Proust Questionnaire. Maybe.

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Back a week or so ago, we did a Secret Santa thing at the Computer Mine for hybrid or work in the office full-time. I took some pictures for the Computer Mine social medias. Here are some pictures from the event:

Michelle was my Secret Santa. She got me some sweet Cyclone socks and some of my favorite candies. I was Denise’s Secret Santa. I got her some booze and some peanut butter cups.