A Summer Morning

I wasn't really looking for a photo like this to post but when I came across it, I was so powerfully reminded of what it feels like to stand in this place on a promising summer morning that I had to publish it. I can feel the humid breeze, I can sense the growing warmth of the sun and I can smell the wild prairie grasses. I also know that as I took this photo I was thinking about the kind of day of sailing I would have.This is all a sort of rapture for me and it is risky, given that summer is still 3 months away. But I can dream.

Hidden Blessing

As much as I dislike winter, I must say that there are some things I like about it. In this case I stepped out our front door with my camera to look for something photogenic in the aftermath of our last major snow storm (14" and wind). And I found a plant left over from last summer which had been dusted with fine snow.But I'd still rather be photographing green things. . .

Let It Snow?

I waded out to the mailbox in snow that is now about 10" deep to take this photo. Since then I would say we've had a few more inches. Plus wind. Let it snow? Really!

Old But New

I'm not a "car guy" and the only brand name I'm a little irrational about is Apple. So what's with the "Ford" logo? I was playing with my new iPhone (made by Apple, of course) and I decided to take a photo of the Ford logo on the front grill of our new truck - a Ford F150.I like the somewhat archaic style of the Ford logo contrasted with the design of the truck grill. And I like the truck, too. Not only does it haul stuff and let me get through snow drifts, but it also talks to me and lets me play music (from my iPhone) over Bluetooth. What would Henry say?

Another Frank Photo

This isn't the first time I've posted Frank, by the artist Chuck Close. Frank resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Art and I've observed that he seems to get around since this is at least the 4th different gallery I remember seeing him in. Frank, incidentally, is a photo-realistic painting done from a photo of someone named Frank.If you follow this blog and click on the "art museum" tag, you'll see that I like to take shots of galleries in art museums. I especially like quiet moments like the one pictured here. It is rare to get a whole gallery (or two) to myself. Though I guess Frank is here with me, isn't he?

Sara

My Photo/Media class and I were "on location" in what some of us call the "Old Post Office." Our mission was "looking for light." I had said that the best light for portraiture is the soft light that spills through windows that aren't facing direct sun light.I told one of my students to step next to the edge of the window and I pointed out that if you arrange the subject just right, you can easily get Rembrandt lighting. Sara is a great subject so it's not too hard to get a decent portrait.

Holy Name

This is a view of the altar and huge wood carving that graces the front wall of Holy Name Catholic Church in Watertown, SD.

Table & Chairs

This is a room at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that features the design work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The chairs at this dining table don't look all that comfortable. But they are certainly stylish. I'm guessing that high-heeled shoes share the same quality.

Watching the World Go By

I was looking for a unique way to get a group shot of my Photo/Media students in the Minneapolis Intitute of Art. As I was waiting for an idea, I saw of few of my students silhouetted in the windows which look out over a park and the city of Minneapolis beyond. With a few instructions to my subjects, I got my unique group shot.

Another Kind of Trinity

I took my Photo/Media students to the Twin Cities last week and one of the stops was the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. While they were wandering on their own, I wandered, too.This glass display case has been part of the Design collection for many years and I have photographed the beautiful glass before. But I've never posted anything to this blog.As you can see, I used a large aperture (f4) to blur the background. The dark purple jar stands out because of the color but the blur does even more to emphasize this specimen. What I like about the display case that the glass is sitting in is that everything else is pure white. It's as if the glassware is floating in space.

The Family

My photography students and I were at Holy Name Catholic Church this afternoon looking for good photos. After they took off to various places in the church, I looked around the room I was in and this was the first photo I took.This is a smaller copy of a bronze version of this statue that graces a small outside seating area near the church. The light in the room I was perfect for taking a portrait. In this case, my subject were made of stone.I don't know the name of this work of art or who created it but I will post both when I know.

It's Getting Old!

You say "winter wonderland" and I say "I've had enough!" Yesterday the high temperature was -8 F.I say bring on the green grass and the daffodils. . .