These trees had apparently broken free of their stumps and fallen at opposite angles forming this Natural Vee. They could not be any more precise than if placed so on purpose.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Natural Vee
These trees had apparently broken free of their stumps and fallen at opposite angles forming this Natural Vee. They could not be any more precise than if placed so on purpose.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Pretty in Pink
After the rain stopped today I spied a tall flower growing right on the bank. A closer look revealed a weed-like plant about 3' high with an interesting flower group that a couple of bees were working over. There is also a little vine that has grown up the stalk and has the lighter leaves as compared with the darker and narrower serrated leaves of its host I attempted identify this plant but could not find in the Internet. Anyway the bee was "pretty in pink"
Monday, July 16, 2012
I See a Darkness
After the "Johnny Cash Remembered" concert in Baker Park last evening, The Man in Black was on my mind. I stopped by the library this evening and noted a display on what is called "Graphic Novels". They are sort of like big adult comic books. The image of Cash enticed me to give it a try The book was entertaining and historically accurate. The author didn't sugarcoat any part of Cash's life. It is an enjoyable read. In musing on the adult comic book I was reminded of when I was a lieutenant in the 101st Airborne. The Division challenged all the units to a Christmas decoration contest, and I was given the assignment for our battalion. I used the heroine of a military graphic magazine we had to train our soldiers in the Preventive Service and Maintenance -- the monthly publication PS Magazine. The buxom comic star was Connie Rodd, who I had for our display riding on the wings of our Division mascot sporting a low cut fur fringed mini Santa suit --Ol Abe the Screaming Eagle. She was bringing presents to the troops and depositing them around a grand pine tree we had in the font of our Battalion area. We took second for that effort. Unfortunately, Connie fell victim to political correctness in latter years. Today I would have gotten a reprimand rather than a trophy for that production. Connie of yesteryear did a great job in conveying good information to our troops and entertainment at the same time. I wonder if she fares as well today. I suspect not.
See here to compare today and the way I remembered Connie in the early 70s
http://kintlalake.blogspot.com/2012/03/t-in-government-comics-revisited.html?m=1
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Man in Black
The group tonight is doing Johnny Cash sets. The lead singer is dressed in black like Cash and is doing a very good job in mimicking the Cash style of talk-sing with that one of a kind voice.
The Man in Black often gave a rather outlaw image. He always was a good man that got a bit misoriented and missed the mark sometimes, but as he aged he transformed to a true Man in White -- more here
http://orderofcenturions.org/cash_johnny.html
Ultimate Frisbee
Baker Park
Here are a couple of players in action in the park. There are about 16 young folk playing and they are very good. You can see the frisbee in flight at the far right. My son Tyson played this sport in high school in Rockville and later at the University of Kentucky as a club sport. I used it with ROTC classes as a form of athletics and recreation. In the background I hear the band has started and they opened with Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash style group) Meanwhile the bell tower tolled 7:00 pm I'd stay and watch ultimate a bit longer sitting here in the field but the nats are a pain!
(Tech: To get this I focused on the grass in the midst of the players and locked auto aperture and focus or else it would have underexposed the players as it picked would have picked up the skylight Green grass carries a value of about middle gray so it is an excellent aperture gauge in challenging exposure situations)
Here are a couple of players in action in the park. There are about 16 young folk playing and they are very good. You can see the frisbee in flight at the far right. My son Tyson played this sport in high school in Rockville and later at the University of Kentucky as a club sport. I used it with ROTC classes as a form of athletics and recreation. In the background I hear the band has started and they opened with Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash style group) Meanwhile the bell tower tolled 7:00 pm I'd stay and watch ultimate a bit longer sitting here in the field but the nats are a pain!
(Tech: To get this I focused on the grass in the midst of the players and locked auto aperture and focus or else it would have underexposed the players as it picked would have picked up the skylight Green grass carries a value of about middle gray so it is an excellent aperture gauge in challenging exposure situations)
Painted Ladies
Just across from the Deaf School and Hessian Barracks is Clarke Place and the beautiful old homes of the Vicrtorian Era of architecture begun in the latter portion of the 1800s. These stand-alone homes are know for their gables, towers, and bay windows among other features. There are four visible in this shot. The one in the forefront has undergone renovation this past year and is very pretty. The various patterns of woodwork are typical. See more here on the features and some other beautiful painted ladies
http://www.eastconn.org/tah/FeaturesOfVictorianStyleArchitecture.pdf
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_ladies
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Patriotic Displays
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Saturated Evening Color
See more here on color
http://www.ehow.com/how_7330266_rich-colors-photograph.html
Night Heron Stalking
Architectural Viewpoint
The muted colors in the shaded fronts on these four townhouses had a particular affect on me as I began a photo walk this morning. Each townhouse appears to be the same. The only noticeable difference is the pastel color. The bay windows on each house give a perspective of distance to this composition. The soft light contributes to the effect of subdued coloration discussed by John Hedgecoe and referenced earlier today
http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=john+hedgecoe+architectural+viewpoint&source=bl&ots=x5HQlPp5tt&sig=kY_d2xKSij2SFgm5hdKqC_5nrJY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=X8z5T6HbK8fz6wHt05zgBg&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAQ
Using Found Still-lifes
John Hedgecoe
Found on Market Street. The dried appearance reminded me of the heat wave and dry condition currently.
http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA180&lpg=PA182&ots=x5HQlOx-qm&dq=john+hedgecoe+using+found+still-lifes&output=html_text
Diffused Colour
Market and Carroll Creek. Note the saturated lavender in the closest plant in focus and the same plant in the rear of the plantar which is out of focus and where the colors tend to merge. The new iPhone 4S supports this kind of photography through automatic focus lock.
Tone as a Picture Element
"You are likely to know about tone in the context of black and white photography, where it refers to the range and strengths of grays in an image between solid black and pure white. Tone, however, also applies to color -- it's various hues, shades, and tints -- and can be used to great effect"
John Hedgecoe
http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=john+hedgecoe+tone+as+a+picture+element&source=bl&ots=x5HQlNt3rq&sig=56ikQAhqu4KzEbUeal254Reu_8w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AI35T_ziC6Ts0gGr0cnXBg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAA
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Toy Camera
Colour for Impact
"There are times when times when colours can make an emphatic statement, draw attention to particular elements in a composition, or create an air of flamboyance..."
John Hedgecoe
http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA78&lpg=PA76&ots=x5HQkPx6xp&dq=john+hedgecoe+color+contrast&output=html_text
The is a fairly common scene this afternoon with the temperature hovering around 100 and sunny "Hot Time Summer in the City" Frederick is in the midst of a heat wave that will likely subside come Tuesday.
The photo is intended to pick up the series of collie against the muted red brick background. Restaurants use color often to increase business.
Bulldog in Fedora & Churchill
As I walked to town this hot morning, I passed by this old iron dog that guards the porch of an office. I had removed my fedora to cool a bit in the shade. As I paused to admire him as I often do, I was reminded of the cigar store in town with a bulldog with a chapeau and cigar with the Union Jack background. I always associated that image with Winston Churchill whose indomitable "Bulldog" spirit was so decisive in WWII. The bulldog's face also reminds me a bit of Churchill and his character as the Nazis were to learn as he led Britain to stand firm against Hitler's Huns
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/11/WinstonChurchill_228x336.jpg
A Touch of Color
John Hedgecoe
I got this quick shot crossing Church at Market at about 10 am --snapped for an instant pause when the angle of the shot allowed the bouquet to conceal the angel mural to reduce clutter and emphasize the plain muted contrasting beige stucco around the bouquet. The little icon for walking signal present and interesting visual diversion secondary to the splash of pink
http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA80&lpg=PA76&ots=x5HQkPx6xp&dq=john+hedgecoe+color+contrast&output=html_text
Bright Color & Contrast
"Color contrast is most readily understood when you juxtapose the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow... "
John Holcombe
http://books.google.com/books?id=4cCD1RAVJZ0C&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=john+hedgecoe+color+contrast&source=bl&ots=x5HQkPx6xp&sig=Kar851IzmzLq-PYCiNcepV2hKVE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hmX4T8SANsnf0QGp9_z5Bg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Sword of O'Carroll
O'Carroll's Sword
Oft has thou been in the great woof of war,
Oft giving battle, beheading high
princes.
Oft has thou gone a-raiding in the hands of kings of high judgments'
Oft has thou divided the spoil with a good king worthy of thee.
Oft where men of Leinster were hast thou been in a white hand,
Oft has thou been among kings, oft among great bands.
Many were there kings that wielded thee in fight,
Many a shield hast thou cleft in battle,
many a head and chest, many a fair skin.
Forty years without sorrow Enna of the noble hosts had thee,
Never was thou in a straight, but in the hands of a very fierce king.
Enna gave thee-'twas no niggardly gift- to his own son, to Dunling,
For thirty years in his possession, at last thou broughtest ruin on him.
Many a king upon a noble steed possessed
thee unto Dermot the kingly, the fierce:
Sixteen years was the time Dermot had thee.
At the feast of Alenn, Dermot the hardy-born bestowed thee,
Dermot, the noble king, gave thee to the man of Mairg, to Murigan.
Forty years stoutly thou wast in the hand of Alenn's high-king
With Murigan of mighty deeds thou never was a year without battle.
In Wexford Murigan, the king of Vikings, gave thee to Carroll:
While he was upon the yellow earth, Carroll gave thee to none.
Thy bright point was a crimson point in the battle of Odva of the foreigners,
When thou leftest Aed Finnlaith on his back in the battle of Odva of the noble routs.
Crimson was thy edge, it was seen at Belach Moon thou wast proved,
In the valorous battle of Alvy's plain throughout which the fighting raged.
Before thee the goodly host broke on a Thursday at Doon Ochtair,
When Aed the fierce and brilliant fell upon the hillside above Leafin.
Before thee the host broke on the day when Cealleadh was slain,
Flannagan's son, with numbers of troops, in high lofty great Tara.
Before thee they ebbed southward
in the battle of the Boyne of the rough feats,
When Cnogva fell, that lance of valor, at seeing thee, for dread of thee.
Thou wast furious, thou wast not weak, heroic was thy swift force,
When Aillil Frosach of Fal fell in front of the onset.
Thou never had a day of defeat with Carroll
of the beautiful garths (cattle enclosures),
He swore no lying oath, he went not against his word.
Thou never hadst a day of sorrow, many a night thou hadst abroad;
Thou hadst awaiting thee many a king with many a battle.
O sword of the kings of mighty fires, do not fear to be astray!
Thou shalt find thy man of craft, a lord worthy of thee.
Who shall henceforth possess thee, or to whom wilt thou deal ruin?
From the day that Carroll departed, with whom wilt thou be bedded?
Thou shalt not be neglected until thou come to the house of glorious Naas:
Where Fionn (mac Cumhaill) of the feasts is, they will hail thee with 'welcome'."
Oft has thou gone a-raiding in the hands of kings of high judgments'
Oft has thou divided the spoil with a good king worthy of thee.
Oft where men of Leinster were hast thou been in a white hand,
Oft has thou been among kings, oft among great bands.
Many were there kings that wielded thee in fight,
Many a shield hast thou cleft in battle,
many a head and chest, many a fair skin.
Forty years without sorrow Enna of the noble hosts had thee,
Never was thou in a straight, but in the hands of a very fierce king.
Enna gave thee-'twas no niggardly gift- to his own son, to Dunling,
For thirty years in his possession, at last thou broughtest ruin on him.
Many a king upon a noble steed possessed
thee unto Dermot the kingly, the fierce:
Sixteen years was the time Dermot had thee.
At the feast of Alenn, Dermot the hardy-born bestowed thee,
Dermot, the noble king, gave thee to the man of Mairg, to Murigan.
Forty years stoutly thou wast in the hand of Alenn's high-king
With Murigan of mighty deeds thou never was a year without battle.
In Wexford Murigan, the king of Vikings, gave thee to Carroll:
While he was upon the yellow earth, Carroll gave thee to none.
Thy bright point was a crimson point in the battle of Odva of the foreigners,
When thou leftest Aed Finnlaith on his back in the battle of Odva of the noble routs.
Crimson was thy edge, it was seen at Belach Moon thou wast proved,
In the valorous battle of Alvy's plain throughout which the fighting raged.
Before thee the goodly host broke on a Thursday at Doon Ochtair,
When Aed the fierce and brilliant fell upon the hillside above Leafin.
Before thee the host broke on the day when Cealleadh was slain,
Flannagan's son, with numbers of troops, in high lofty great Tara.
Before thee they ebbed southward
in the battle of the Boyne of the rough feats,
When Cnogva fell, that lance of valor, at seeing thee, for dread of thee.
Thou wast furious, thou wast not weak, heroic was thy swift force,
When Aillil Frosach of Fal fell in front of the onset.
Thou never had a day of defeat with Carroll
of the beautiful garths (cattle enclosures),
He swore no lying oath, he went not against his word.
Thou never hadst a day of sorrow, many a night thou hadst abroad;
Thou hadst awaiting thee many a king with many a battle.
O sword of the kings of mighty fires, do not fear to be astray!
Thou shalt find thy man of craft, a lord worthy of thee.
Who shall henceforth possess thee, or to whom wilt thou deal ruin?
From the day that Carroll departed, with whom wilt thou be bedded?
Thou shalt not be neglected until thou come to the house of glorious Naas:
Where Fionn (mac Cumhaill) of the feasts is, they will hail thee with 'welcome'."
Finis
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Chili Cook Off 2012
Frederick 1935 Benchmark
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Night Pattern Isolated
Night Fishers
Hair'er Nickel
Rock Creek Bridges
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