WashFair_9408.jpg

WashFair_9408.jpg
Originally uploaded by jandarmor

A grab shot at the Washington State Fair this summer. This was the girl who runs the hammer bang. Slam that thing, ring a bell, and get the Alien prize.

The Lightroom Teaching Experience

I've had a busy teaching experience as the leaves are begining to turn. I led a workshop several weeks ago at Blithewold Gardens and Arboretum called "The Fall Of The Leaf." We roamed the lovely grounds and made beautiful images of the change of seasons. This class was really about inspiration, and when my charges left, I could feel their creative juices flowing... and this inspires me!

I have begun a new educational adventure at Salve University called "The Circle Of Scholars." The excellent COS program is run for senior citizens by Salve partly to strengthen public relations with the community, and also for enrichment. My class is basic digital photography, "Making Digital Photographs," for newbie digital shooters. Wow, what a facility I have to work in; The Pell Center for International Studies is a gorgeous old brownstone mansion with large murals on the walls, and exquisite detailing everywhere. The AV department spoils me, as a specialist comes over and sets up my projector promptly 15 minutes prior. My students sit in comfortable swivel chairs while I pontificate. We wander the grounds and shot the autumn lanscape. Last week we discussed shutter speeds, and I could tell that many of my "kids" got lost, or bored talking tech. I'm changing course next week... composition is something they will find more to their liking, I hope.

But the real teaching challenge has been Lightroom, a class I'm holding at 2701 East Main, the old studio. It is a tight fit in there for 8 students in my camera room. I'm finding my pace, after a rocky start the first week. I've just realized that many, if not most of my gang hasn't a solid understanding of the file structure on their computers. The first class was on the Library Module, and what with two operating systems going, two versions of Lightroom cooking, and my students possessing a wide range of computer experience from none to lots, I had so many questions that we didn't cover as much ground as I would have liked.

Last Saturday morning was better. The subject was Lightroom Develop Module, and I could tell that things were beginning to sink in. Our little group actually enjoyed the 3 hours staring at my projections on the white wall.

I find that I really love teaching this program, and teaching in general. More classes are in the works.

The Shaker Village Detour

Traveling with spontaneity is our style. While Barreling down I93 we noticed the big brown sign that said "Shaker Village, this Exit." So we took it. Six miles of scenic country back roads later we pulled in the Shaker Village parking lot, paid our $17 each, and went on a most interesting guided tour of one of the last of the Shaker settlements. We learned the Shakers were first Quakers and that they loved to dance. They were a very industrious sect: their motto was "Hands to work, Hearts to God." They manufactured brooms, furniture, and many other inventions they sold throughout New England. I've always loved their minimalist furniture, so of course we bought a beautiful Bird's Eye Maple reproduction. Check out the video!

I have been reorganizing my old imges, after the  Big Crash. Lost from 2000 up to 2008... Yes, I had it all backed up, but to CD and DVD, Yeah, great, but having to go back and reload many, many disks and transfer the files to the new hard drive... well,  let's just say, I missed a lot of beach time.  So to commerate the job, here's one from a new series I'm doing... maybe called  "Summer Breezes."  And BTW, Lacie  gave me lousy support on the dead drive. So this time I bought Western Digital .

Big Sky County

We attended my favorite niece's wedding, then spent two weeks in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Cody (the rodeo... yahooo), and Covered Wagon Dud Ranch. Thye're not kidding, there's a big sky out there... Dramatic landscapes, and riding into the backcountry of Montana on Louie, Louie was truly spectacular!!! Kathy and I have been invited back to the ranch in Sept. on assignment, to do a photo shot. A trade... should be great fun!!!

Sukhothai

Sukhothai
Originally uploaded by jandarmor

Kathy and I visited the birthplace of Thailand... Sukhothai. Ancient ruins, wonderfully preserved statues and sites of worship. Thi s image was a collaboration... Kath did Buddha, I did the PS. I'll have more images posted on Flickr and my own website soon.

The Portsmouth Historical Society

The Portsmouth Historical Society
Originally uploaded by jandarmor

Foster Comstock gave me one of his magnificent prints of this building, this view, actually, only he turned his lithograph into a whimsical face. 

This is my high dynamic range tribute to him. He was a good man, once the head of the school of architecture at Princeton, director of Doris Duke's Newport Restoration Foundation, and a mentor to me. May he rest in peace.

The building, Greek Revival, Portsmouth country style, was used for another purpose, no doubt, but I don't know what. The triangles are many. It must have be designed by a man.