"Cooter in the Corn with Horn"

I found this photo on the back of a Readers Digest someone donated to the jail library. Before this find I was unfamiliar with Jack Spencer and his photography. I have already filled out Library Loan Requests for a couple of his books and I am eagerly anticipating their arrival.

This image captivates me on several levels.

First, I played the same horn in band. The Baritone is a beautiful horn with the rich sound of a French Horn and the range of a trombone. Speaking of trombones, Jackson has just started playing trombone in the elementry band. Looking at this picture I can almost hear Cooter playing his horn. I wish I could hear Cooter play because you know it would be amazing.

Secondly, I love this photo because it is shot in black and white and in the square format. I am not sure there is a more perfect combination than black and white square format images. The image on the Readers Digest is actually B&W and the image I found online is actually sepia toned. I am really divided between which on looks better, but I posted the sepia print so I guess I like it the best.

Lastly, I love this photo because of Cooters outfit. I love the hat and tie and coat. I wish I liked to wear ties and that I could look as good as Cooter in a hat. I feel like the only accessory I wear is a camera bag. I'm not complaining about that but camera bags just don't look as cool as Cooter does in that hat. I thought these Rugged Wear Domke bags were beautiful the very first time I saw them. All the women in my family have all commented on this bag asking me where I got it and how cute it is. I don't know if I have a girlie camera bag or if my other camera bags were just really ugly. I hope someday me and my Domke Rugged Wear Bag look as good and are as good of friends as Cooter and his Horn.

I used to be in the Band and I almost was again

When I was in HS I was in the band. I played baritone which is the best low brass instrument. Baritones look like baby tubas and they have the rich sound of a french horn and the range of a trombone. Like I said the best low brass instrument. And while we are on the topic of HS Band, I just became Facebook friends with my HS band director, Barry Lumpkin. I worked for him as a student aid for three years. Yes I was a Band Aid so let the jokes begin.

As you can see from the photo above I was photographing the Harding Bison Thundering Herd band this past weekend and my friend Mark Fonville got this photo of me working. Now that you have seen me working let me show you what I was seeing. Keep in mind the famous Robert Capa quote,"if your photos are not good enough you are not close enough."

Nikon 12-24mm F 4 1/15th

I hope you liked the photo I did. After all that Robert Capa quoting, the truth be told I had no idea they were about to come up to the sideline like that. I had been photographing the field commander and I turned around and here they came.

Nikon 12-24 F16 1/2 sec

I have been teaching my college photography class about different tools they can use like slow shutter speeds that convey motion. I like the ghosting of the hands caused by the 1/2 second long exposure. Also notice in the last photo is my student worker Noah Darnell. Check out his blog when you get a chance.

Don't forget Jeff Fest starts tomorrow.