Grandpa’s Christmas Ornament

Posted by Becky Jane

Another Studio Class image to share: This is an ornament my Grandpa Rohr made a long time ago. I had to really beg for my mom to let me have it for my own tree. Since Grandpa passed away in 1978, it is likely over 50 years old. He made a number of these Christmas Ornaments. He inspired me, and my kids when they were young, to make our own Christmas Ornaments. We did use a couple of “kits” but mostly, I collected “satin” Christmas balls, lots of ribbon, sequins, sharp thin pins, and many more supplies. I still have supplies left, just in case I want to get creative. I don’t put all of them in the tree every year. Some are less robust than others, and I don’t want them to fall apart.

So please enjoy the work of the master and a collage of the work of his apprentices!

The Unexpected

Posted by Becky Jane

Always be ready to capture an image! This morning the bright morning sun was casting an interesting shadow on my floor. Quick, grab the iPhone 6s and capture the moment. I chose to use my favorite black and white App, LenkaCam. I like the image so much, I uploaded to Instagram, applied minimal edits, and posted it. You never know what Instagram folks will like, but this image was a winner! There are 84 Likes in 26 minutes! A new record for me. Here is the Morning Sun Shadows image:

Morning Sun Shadows

Shakespeare or Shakspere?

Posted by Becky Jane

I have a few of Great-Grandma Gertrude Altha Shimp Friend’s books. One is an illustrated book of “Shakspere” Works. I used it for a Studio Photography assignment. I thought it would be fun to share the image, as well as the inside bookplate. Gertrude got the book in 1902, which would have been her senior year in high school. Below the image of the book and bookplate is the copyright page. Note the “Cheap Edition” reprinting!  Gertrude’s Shakspere is c 1896. Obviously, sometime in the last 100+ years, we started spelling William’s last name to Shakespeare! The book was captured in a Studio assignment on Contrast Control. The bookplate and copyright were captured with an iPhone 6s.

 

 

Our Kitchen Remodel

Posted by Becky Jane

We did a complete kitchen remodel 2015-2016 that was 35 years in the making! Demolished down to the studs and floorboards, and rebuilt to a new floor plan. We got all new appliances, an Italian porcelain floor, cherry custom cabinets in the kitchen area, oak cabinets in the dining area, totally rebuilt fireplace, moving windows, adding a mudroom, and creating a kitchen that s a delight to clean, cook in, entertain, and enjoy!

Throughout the process, I took images of the four corners of the room. These are the four corners as they progressed from cluttered to finished. Rymar Kitchens in Warrenville did an exceptional job throughout the entire time.

As a photographer, I found a never ending supply of interesting abstracts, texture, macros, and points of view that generated a body of work I call “Construction As Art” which you will see in the near future.

The images are before-cluttered, before-clean, demolition, framing, drywall, and the finished kitchen!

With over 1,000 images of the process it is taking time to organize, edit and prepare. There is more to come!

Image from Paris wins award on ViewBug

Posted by Becky Jane
Telescope atop the Eiffel Tower at night, with bokeh effect, Paris France, August 2016

I entered this image in a photo challenge on ViewBug. I am pleased to say that it won the People’s Choice Award for the “Bokeh-licious Night! Photo Challenge!” 

Preview of Cities of Light River Cruise

Posted by Becky Jane

Over 2,000 images in 12 days! I just got back from a Viking River Cruise on the Main, Rhine and Mosel Rivers. Using the JPEG versions of a little over 100 images, I made iPad edits using Snapseed. So this is just a preview. Enjoy!