Family
I posted a great face yesterday so I decided to post two great faces today, this time of our grand daughter Glenyce Jane and one of G's namesakes, my mother-in-law Glenyce D. I'm lucky to have them both in my world and I'm learning to interpret Glenyce J's facial expressions. This one says, "You're pretty cool and I like you."
I get the same look from my mother-in-law all of the time. :-)
Canon 5DIII 1/125s f/5.0 ISO800 90mm
At the end of one of my photography classes the other day, I asked if there were any questions. During the minute or two that I waited, I was greeted with silence. I told the class that their silence may be due to their shyness, their total understanding of everything I taught, or their confusion. I did point out in a friendly way that "teachers don't drive the best learning; curiosity does."
I call this post "Curiosity" because when I watched my son (the teacher) coach his second cousins on the use of a fascinating puzzle, I realized that the learning was pure: it was based solely on a desire to understand. It certainly wasn't based on fear of the disapproval of the teacher, the disappointment of the parents, or the assignment of a grade to the task at hand. It was all about wanting to know more. . . .
Canon 5DIII 1/250s f/5.6 ISO1000 45mm
Yesterday's photographic mission was to copy a photo that had been taken 59 years ago. The subject in the photo is Debra DeGeest (AKA Deb Shephard). The new subject for the copy was Glenny J. (AKA Glenyce Jane Shephard). The dress in both photos is the same dress - worn very little for the photo so long ago and worn only for a few minutes for the recent shoot. Both subjects are 6 months old.
Careful observers will note that there are striking similarities between the two children. Such is the nature of genetics. The single most striking thing to me is that they both seem healthy and happy. What more could you want?
Canon 5DIII 1/125s f/5.6 ISO200 58mm
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In case you'd like to see the out takes, here's another contact sheet. . .
And a short video. . .
A few years ago one of my photography students told the front office that there were several reasons I should be fired. As hard as it is to realize one isn't all things to all people, the one reason that made me laugh went something like this: "He should be fired because he doesn't like children and therefore we won't learn how to photograph children!"
Really! The truth is that I love children of all ages, even if they can be intimidating and even aggravating at times. And I will admit that I have never aspired to be a child photographer. Getting a good portrait of a child is a daunting task and I admire anyone who does it well.
This photo of our grand daughter Glenyce Jane Shephard is probably more snap shot than portrait, though there was a little technical artistry that went in to this, including the white pillow my wife was holding off to my right to bounce some light back on Glenny's face. The problem with the pillow, though, was that Glenyce Jane was both fascinated and amused by it. I was aiming for a shot where she was looking at me, but I was hidden by the camera. But I did get a keeper. . .
Canon 5DIII 1/100s f/4.0 ISO800 102mm
For those who wonder what this shoot was like, check out this contact sheet:
We attended a party in honor of the 2nd birthday of my grand niece Evie DeGeest a few days ago. I wasn't going to take photos because most of these events are very well photographed. But I couldn't resist. Alicia, Evie's mom, is a designer by bent and trade and DeGeest birthday parties are always brilliantly planned and certainly photogenic.
Maybe it's because of the birth of our grand daughter, Glenyce Jane, but these days I seem to look at the children in our family differently. "Wonder" and "awe" are two words that come to mind to describe how I feel when I study the face and eyes of a child like Evie.
I wonder about the gathering of all the forces that shape the person that Evie is becoming. And I wonder what she is thinking and what the world looks like through her eyes. And isn't it awesome that what begins as a microscopic fusion of DNA ends up becoming a wonderfully complex bundle of cells, thoughts and inclinations like beautiful Evie?
Canon 5DIII 1/80s f/2.8 ISO500 168mm
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I can't help it. Here's a photo of Glenyce Jane Shephard striking a pose with her grandma Deb. Great faces. And wonderful catchlights in Glenyce's eyes.
Canon 5DIII 1/100s f/3.2 ISO400 100mm
I went looking for something that made me smile and this photo of father Brian holding daughter Glenyce upside down is the first thing I found. I used to hang him upside down when he was two feet tall and so Brian is obligated to continue the tradition. No children were harmed in the making of this photo. :-)
Canon 5DIII 1/50s f/5.6 ISO1600 32mm
So it's been several days since I've posted a photo of our grand daughter, Glenyce Jane. So here you go. . . .
Canon 5DIII 1/80s f/4.0 ISO320 100mm
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Though the title of this post suggests it, Glenyce Jane isn't particularly fashion conscious. Nor am I, her grandpa. But I do know that the right hat can help accessorize a beautiful face. And here's the result.
Canon 5DIII 1/200s f/2.8 ISO500 130mm
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It has been a while since I've posted a photo of Glenyce Jane, primarily because it's been a while since Deb and I have spent quality time with her. But next weekend . . .
This photo was taken at GJ's baptism celebration in the Black Hills and the red dress is one that she will not be likely to wear again - kind of like a gown an actress would wear to the Academy Awards, I guess.
Canon 5DIII 1/200s f/4.0 ISO640 50mm
A concern I have about retirement is that as I transition from my "normal" public self to my retired life, some people will start to think about me in the past tense. An even bigger fear is that I might show up somewhere and someone without proper social filters might say, "I thought you were dead!"
Well, I'm alive, though this blog has been on hiatus. So today, like the mythical Phoenix, it rises from the ashes. At least for a while.
And is it any surprise that I return with a photo of our amazing grand daughter, Glenyce? And there are more where this one came from. Do you have a few minutes? There are only 600 or so . . . .
Our grand daughter, Glenyce Jane, was baptized today in front of many friends and family at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Rapid City, South Dakota. I must say that though I am no doubt a bit biased, it was a beautiful ceremony. And since I have designated myself the Official Photographer of Key Events in the Life of Glenyce Jane Shephard, I took many photos. But the one you see here is a favorite of many. See more here.