Awe...some Mondays

Portrait Practice

 These three figures are a part of the permanent outdoor exhibits at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR. Occasionally I like to use them for portrait practice. After the last cold spell, the sun came out the temperature warmed up to 40 degrees and I headed out to visit the museum. 

 I sit like this a lot, especially in church.  I know it's not the most receptive of body language postures, but it's a habit and I am comfortable in this position, just like my model.

 On the other hand, these ladies seem to be in a more receptive mood than the gentleman beyond. I'm sure he will speak, if spoken to, but he probably isn't one to start a conversation. I can relate. 

Enough practice on inanimate objects, what about photographing a live person. Hmm...I didn't bring a subject with me sooo...

 Break out the tripod and see what happens. The background is an area at the museum that our middle grand daughter wants for some of her senior portraits. I need to make sure that I could get the effect that she wanted. Then, off to the woods.

 I've got a few more backgrounds in mind, but I think I'll wait until the grand daughter is available. 

 She's much more photogenic and I'd rather be behind the lens. Have a blessed week.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - Books & Details

 

Back To School

On the last official week-end of their summer, the last thing on the minds of the grand crew was going back to school.  Swimming in a local lake and fishing is all that occupied the mind of the grand son.

 

Family

This is my wife and I with the grandcrew.  That's about as close to getting the whole family in the photo as we can get unless someone else takes the photo.  My daugher is taking this photo and her husband is assisting her.

 



Books

 

I have a collection of books that reflect my interests.  I have several translations of the Bible and numerous commentaries.  I have a number of books on photography and some day they may actually help me become a better photographer.  And, I have a collection of books that reflect the profession that I practiced for over thirty years.  These three books are special in that collection.  Architectural Graphic Standards was considered the bible of architectural details and information.  When I got my first drafting job in 1969 the 5th edition was the most current version.  Several years later the Sixth edition was released, followed by the Seventh.  I think that the Seventh edition was the last release that was widely used.  Computers became the method of drawing and electronic details became the source of information.  I believe that the 11th edition was the last printed version of the book, but you got a CD of the information with it.  I have managed to collect the 3rd through the 9th editions.

 



Details

Here is an example of the deatils in the 5th edition. They were hand drawn and lettered. They were actually a joy to look at. I would find myself just looking through the book for enjoyment.

Here is some of the same information from the 9th edition.  All of the details are computer generated.  I never opened this book unless it was absolutely necessary.  It was purely for reference.  While the computer drawings were clean and easy to read, somehow, they had taken the soul out of the book.

Portrait

 

Last fall my daughter asked me to take some "Senior Photos" of our oldest grand daughter.  This young lady is now a freshman in college and writing the next chapter of her life.  Love her to pieces.