After an absence from doing photography on a regular basis I decided to do a-picture-a-day-for-a-year project. As a direction I am attempting to use modern images where possible to relate times in my photographic past. As I am no longer a spring chicken, I can get philosophical some times. As a Christian I often see God possibly using me and my photography to send short messages. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I have enjoyed making them around Monroe, NC. TheElmo
Notes on Images
As blogger restricts the image size of included images, click images for a larger version.
Limited EXIF data is contained in these larger images.
Limited EXIF data is contained in these larger images.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
174: Fire Place at Christmas Eve
There is a lot of controversy among street photographers about photographing the homeless. The discussion centers around exploiting the less fortunate for image impact. Today I felt compelled to photograph these homeless folks to remember a very special event.
This afternoon after it warmed up to the mid 40's I headed out to the homeless tent city to get a picture. But this was not the first time I had been there today. Earlier in the day I had met some church folks to facilitate them delivering some much needed items to the homeless in the tent camp. The items were specific items on a list I made by talking with the guys at the camp.
While I was there, this afternoon, a young couple with 1 2/3 children showed up and wanted to set a time to bring them christmas dinner. The Homeless Guys agreed to any time but 5 this evening because they were going to a Christmas Eve service at yet another church.
The events of the day have proven to be A Christmas to remember for me.
I stayed for a couple of hours and sat around the fire chatting. One comment stuck in my head. They said the they really appreciated all the help they received over the Christmas Season, But they wished some of it could be spread out through the year. So that begs the question; Do we have year round compassion or is it seasonal? Now You Know The Rest of the Story.
May your Christmas be as Joyous as mine and remember we are honoring the greatest gift ever given to man. Happy Birthday Jesus.
*****
ps: Just in case you are wondering that is a pork chop and roll on the grill.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
172: My Christmas Card
Well it can truthfully be said a sequel is not as good as the original. This is the case here. The original is by a young lady who is a friend of my Grandson. Her blog can be found at:
http://picaday615.wordpress.com/
So here is my feeble attempt:
http://picaday615.wordpress.com/
So here is my feeble attempt:
Thursday, December 16, 2010
171: The Cross and a Flag
Most times I go out without a plan today was different I had a plan. The plan was to shoot a Nativity Scene. Guess what after looking for a couple of hours I found 4. Two were in a single yard and were not lit. One was in a church yard and was covered with glitter, not very photogenic. The fourth which you might see when it stops raining. But this lack of Nativity scenes led me to a new train of thought and the image was right by my house.
Over the past few years there has been a lot of controversy over the phrase "In GOD We Trust" on our currency. My search this evening lends some insight to this matter. As a nation do we trust in GOD? Seems not, as even churches no longer promote this sacred event outside our closed walls. So to be very blunt I think we ether need to take the lie off our currency or have a REVIVAL. I am praying for REVIVAL, remember what GOD did for the Hebrews when on the occasions when they got their act together, He will do the same for us.
Over the past few years there has been a lot of controversy over the phrase "In GOD We Trust" on our currency. My search this evening lends some insight to this matter. As a nation do we trust in GOD? Seems not, as even churches no longer promote this sacred event outside our closed walls. So to be very blunt I think we ether need to take the lie off our currency or have a REVIVAL. I am praying for REVIVAL, remember what GOD did for the Hebrews when on the occasions when they got their act together, He will do the same for us.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
170: Main Street Decorations
Well I have been waiting several weeks for the city to get the electrical problem corrected for the downtown street decorations. Well tonight they were working. I really needed glass that very long or very wide. As I had neither with me as I was not expecting them to be on. So here is what I got.
Monday, December 13, 2010
169: Caught
We have all hear the old expression "Caught with their hand in the Cookie Jar." How about their whole head?
Sunday, December 12, 2010
168: THE House at Christmas
Well I did it for Fall, I did it for Halloween. Here it is for Christmas. Sorry no Nativity Scene.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
167: A Christmas Carol
An older image that keeps coming to mind at Christmas time. It reminds me of Dicken's Christmas Carol.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
165: The Truckers Dog
Went to my favorite health food store for the $2.98 Lunch Special (see image #97 ). 15 days before Christmas and they are a long way from home. But where is home?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
162: Streets of Monroe
It is just too cold for this old man to want get out, so how about something from the past
Saturday, December 4, 2010
161: Remembering Summer --Loud
Well no image yesterday as I stayed too close to the fire. Woke up this morning and my feet hit the cold floor, and I started to think about summer. More specific the Fourth of July Parade.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
158: Reflections of Christmas
As I sit back and reflect on Christmases past There were mostly good ones but there was also a couple of not so good ones. So to each of you I wish you A MERRY CHRISTMAS Season.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
157: Chtistmas Decorations
As I reflect on this image, I recall Christmas decorations of the past. Far back in my past I seem to recall that Christmas decorations played only a small part at Christmas but was not the focus. Over the years decoration have become more important and are now the focus of many folk's Christmas. As Christians I wonder how much this has caused us to loose focus on the real REASON FOR THE SEASON.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
154: Happy Thanksgiving
A cold dreary morning and not expecting much photographically. Went to store for a sausage bisket and just down the street from the house was my Thanksgiving image.
Happy Thanksgiving to ALL.
Happy Thanksgiving to ALL.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
150: Christmas Parade
I have been looking forward to today for several weeks. Christmas parade equals lots of people equals shooting "street". Well "street" was not that great, but I did see something that reminded me of an old story. Someone told me this story so I cannot vouch for its truth. It goes like this:
There was a farmer who was having trouble wit hunters killing his livestock so he got some paint and painted cow on all the cows. He painted horse on all his horses, mule on his mules and so on. One day he went to town, when he returned home his tractor was shot to pieces. The tractor was a John Deere.
There was a farmer who was having trouble wit hunters killing his livestock so he got some paint and painted cow on all the cows. He painted horse on all his horses, mule on his mules and so on. One day he went to town, when he returned home his tractor was shot to pieces. The tractor was a John Deere.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
149: A different view
When you have a distinctive landmark it is hard to find a different view. Well I went for my walk a little late today and by the time I finished the sun had set so I thought another day without anything. As I have said over and over suddenly, there was the shot. Seems like when I am patient my needs get met. Not just photographically but in ever need in my life, God provides.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
146: The Falling Leaves
It is a cool damp dreary day, not a good day for phtography. As I looked out my window:
Monday, November 15, 2010
145: Street Photography - Spring In the Fall
We are in the middle of the best fall colors I believe I have ever seen in this area, and someone prefers to paint a spring scene.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
144: The Balcony
Over the years I have noticed a drift in balcony usage in modern churches. When I was young small children sat with their parent in church. As one grew older there was a right of passage where you moved down front. Not the very front row, that row was for those making decisions.
After a few years down front you outgrew the "kids", so it was back to setting with the parents or in my case grandparents. As one approached their teen years, came the second right of passage the balcony.
After many days of pestering I was finally allowed to sit in the balcony. I was now officially somebody. Being interested in electronics I sat close to the broadcast booth to observe how it worked. After a month or so, the folks setting around got a little lax in their behavior, but no me I was totally innocent (pause in writing this to duck the lightening strike). Suddenly the place got quite. Then with a booming voice I heard "Mr. John Smith, Mr. Harold Jones (names changed to protect the guilty) and Mr. Elmo Bass please go to the balcony and get your Jack, Henry and Bob as they are acting up and disturbing those around them.
Considering that was broadcast on the leading radio station in town, and the family embarrassment I was not permitted to sit in the balcony again, actually I do not remember asking again. Even more I do not think I have ever sat in a balcony again except for a short period of time I ran the sound system in a church some 25 years later.
So when I come and visit your church and sit in your seat, tough, I am setting on the ground floor you go sit in the balcony.
After a few years down front you outgrew the "kids", so it was back to setting with the parents or in my case grandparents. As one approached their teen years, came the second right of passage the balcony.
After many days of pestering I was finally allowed to sit in the balcony. I was now officially somebody. Being interested in electronics I sat close to the broadcast booth to observe how it worked. After a month or so, the folks setting around got a little lax in their behavior, but no me I was totally innocent (pause in writing this to duck the lightening strike). Suddenly the place got quite. Then with a booming voice I heard "Mr. John Smith, Mr. Harold Jones (names changed to protect the guilty) and Mr. Elmo Bass please go to the balcony and get your Jack, Henry and Bob as they are acting up and disturbing those around them.
Considering that was broadcast on the leading radio station in town, and the family embarrassment I was not permitted to sit in the balcony again, actually I do not remember asking again. Even more I do not think I have ever sat in a balcony again except for a short period of time I ran the sound system in a church some 25 years later.
So when I come and visit your church and sit in your seat, tough, I am setting on the ground floor you go sit in the balcony.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
143: A History of Barns
Years ago I tried unsuccessfully to photograph old structures in a non-documentary style. Several years ago I tried again and had moderate success. I decided to try again.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
141: Dogwood
Up the street from my home is a BRIGHT yellow house. It was the perfect back drop for the dark crimson dogwood leaves. I took the image at the wrong time as the side of the house was in the shade making it sort of dark. The leaves were back lit making the leaves translucent and not as dark. I may shoot this at a different time of day.
There is a legend about the Dogwood's flower. It seems that during the fall it's leaves tell a similar story.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
140: Fall Impressions
As I enter the fall of life I tend to reflect upon the past. This image seems to reflect a lot about my life. There are some beautiful spots but the majority are things I thought important at the time but now seem very insignificant and only serve to emphasize the real beauty of the other parts.
It never ceases to amaze me how God can speak to us through the little things around us, if we will only stop, look and listen.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
138: Grandpa Tale -- Grapes and Plums
Have you ever wondered why Grapes are always sold in bags? I know, so let me tell you, but to do so I need to tell another memory of my Grandfather.
When I was a wee lad I used to occasionally go with my grandfather on sales trips. He sold fresh fruits and vegies to grocery stores. One day we were running late and we had not stopped for lunch. As he was taking down an order at a store, he reached down and picked up plum and ate it. Following his example I reached up and grabbed a few white grapes to hold me over. My grandfather noticed me eating the grapes and gave me a strong lecture on stealing and how the store owner would go broke if everyone stole from him.
As the lecture closed I defended my self by stating I had seen him just eat a plum. Without ant hesitation he responded: " Yes I did, but I sold him those plums and knew I would eat one, so I took that much off the price." Therefore, as a result to protect small children, grape are now sold in plastic bags.
Have you ever noticed how many times we as adults make excuses for doing what we tell our kids not to do? I know I do.
When I was a wee lad I used to occasionally go with my grandfather on sales trips. He sold fresh fruits and vegies to grocery stores. One day we were running late and we had not stopped for lunch. As he was taking down an order at a store, he reached down and picked up plum and ate it. Following his example I reached up and grabbed a few white grapes to hold me over. My grandfather noticed me eating the grapes and gave me a strong lecture on stealing and how the store owner would go broke if everyone stole from him.
As the lecture closed I defended my self by stating I had seen him just eat a plum. Without ant hesitation he responded: " Yes I did, but I sold him those plums and knew I would eat one, so I took that much off the price." Therefore, as a result to protect small children, grape are now sold in plastic bags.
Have you ever noticed how many times we as adults make excuses for doing what we tell our kids not to do? I know I do.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
134: The Color of Fall -- On a Roll
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
132: Street Photography -- The Deacon
Coming home from church today I stopped to chat with one of the homeless guys. He asked how my photo project was going? I replied, not as well as I would like. He said I would get a good one before I got home. Moments later I noticed this stately figure with his Bible tucked under his arm.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
131: Decorations -- Halloween
Back on image 89 I said wait until you see Halloween. Well here it is: (Double click image to really get a view)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
129: Put on a Happy Face
Tonight was the last Music on Main for the year. The turn out was low, but street shooting was still good. Actually better than usual as it seem folks are looking at me as more of a fixture than an invader. Even though this was the last for the year we need to remember to Put on a Happy Face
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