Nothing but steers and…

bison, a burger, and a lot of horns.  And yes, this post involves Texas.

Submitted by Nina Yoshida Nelsen from Indiana.

This photo shows what could be a farm anywhere.  I like the distortion from the fence post making you feel closer in the picture.  Is it technically perfect?  No, but that is okay.  No edits.

Submitted by Stephen Grant from Oklahoma.

These two photos show statues of bison from the “Spirit of Buffalo” Public Art Project.  You can see in the first picture how time and weather has affected the bison statue.  I especially liked the Art Deco designs for the Santa Fe Depot in Oklahoma City for the top picture.  No edits on both pictures.

Submitted by H. Wang from Oregon.

Now as opposed to preserving bison, the subject of this picture is to consume them (or their grass eating cousins: cattle).  And it doesn’t get a lot more American than a hamburger at a fast food joint with a drive-thru.  Might have to try them next time I’m in the Pacific Northwest.  No edits. 

 

Submitted by Darlene Murphy from Texas.

Hook’em Horns: University of Texas Longhorns.  The top picture looks like it would be an extremely hostile environment for opposing teams.  The contrast in the second picture is striking to me though.  Yes, he looks like a devoted fan.  But he looks like a well mannered kid and the genuine smile makes you think more of friendliness than hostility.  (Though I guess his smile might disappear if you mention the University of Oklahoma).  No edits on both pictures.

A photograph is not an accident – it is a concept.

Submitted by S. Rigg from Idaho

Thank you to Ansel Adams for today’s post title.  Got my first batch of photos today.  I’m pretty happy with the results so far.  Nothing was done to the above picture.  Just copy and paste. 

I’ll show one from each of the five states today.  Feel free to leave comments (including what you like and don’t like about each photo).  I will be ask the photographers themselves about titles, but feel free to offer any suggestions you might have. 

Submitted by Nina Yoshida Nelsen from Indiana.

This photo from Indiana was interesting to me for a couple of reasons.  The graininess of the photo makes it seem older (as does the style of house).  Also, I like the light at what I think is dusk settling in at the end of the day (or it could be early morning for all I know).  I had to slightly rotate this picture since it wasn’t level and had to do some slight cropping, but overall unchanged.

Submitted by Stephen Grant from Oklahoma. 

I’m not familiar with the statue in the picture above, but I liked the symmetry between the bald statue and the bald man touching the statue. 

Submitted by H. Wang from Oregon.

Lot of things going on here.  I like the texture here in the photo.  You want to touch it (or at least I do).  Even the wall texture begs to be touched.  No edits on this photo.  

Submitted by Darlene Murphy from Texas.

Now I know Darlene took this photo, but I like how it looks like a how four-year old would be staring longingly at a merry-go-round.  “Mommy, can I pleeeeeease go on the merry-go-round"?”  The picture appears from their height perspective.  The chain link fence at first appears like a distraction, but I think it helps brings you closer and also is used as a tease (as in you can’t get on the ride).  Great demonstration of not letting the tool (a simple disposable camera) limit your creativity. 

Start spreading the News…

Let’s just say this post is not about the Yankees.  I’m actually rooting for the Phillies in the World Series this year.  What the title refers to is the entries from New Jersey and New Mexico I just got back.  I didn’t think it would be fair to put one state motto and not the other since someone would inevitably complain. 

In God We Trust

No, I’m not turning this blog into a site to convert people.  The above is the state motto of Florida, current home of the most recent project participant.  Interested particularly in what pictures were taken since I used to live in Florida myself and visit quite often.  The person that took the photos is not originally from Florida, which I think is appropriate since it is a state full of so many transplants from the rest of the US and the world. 

Hopefully, I’ll have some pictures next week to post.  Still have four more state that I need participants (South Dakota is being hammered out right now between me and my contact).  So the states that are left are Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  Please let me know if you know anyone there.  Thanks!

Esto Perpetua

Just sent out my first batch of photos to be processed.  Hopefully, I’ll have them back around Oct. 26th.  Last state I received was Idaho (hence the post title, which is their state motto and translates from Latin to “Let it be forever”). 

Still working on contacts for Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming, so please send them along if you know anyone there.  Thanks!

She Flies With Her Own Wings

One of the stranger state mottos I've come across.  So I got a camera from Oregon yesterday, which brings the total of cameras returned to 4.  Since I’m sending them out for processing out in batches of five, please send your camera back soon if you are done!

It costs me $5 in shipping up to a total of 5 rolls.  So if I processed each camera individually it would be $5 per camera.  Sending 5 cameras, it is $1 per camera.  Since I have 50 cameras, I am much more encouraged to send them in a bunch of five.  Though the suspense is killing me (along with some of the people that sent their in cameras already).

State update: I have 5 states left where I need someone.  They are Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  So as usual, your help is much appreciated.  Thanks!

Texas means friendship

The word Friendship was adopted as the Texas state motto by the Forty-first Texas Legislature in February 1930. The word was probably chosen because the name Texas or Tejas was the Spanish pronunciation of a Caddo Indian word sometimes translated to mean "friends" or "allies." (From Answers.com)

So yes, I have my third camera now.  Not sure what she took, but I anticipate some photos of the Austin area since she lives there. 

Also, for those of you that are curious about the technical aspects of the project, I’m using Kodak Fun Saver Cameras.  One of the reasons I picked them instead of the Fuji Quick Snap cameras was I couldn’t tell for sure if it was 400 or 800 speed film in the Fuji’s.  When I used to shoot film, I never had much of an issue with the increased grain in ISO 800 compared to 400.  Plus, not knowing where people were going to take pictures either inside or out and the flash is a joke on the disposable, led me to lean towards Kodak since I know it is 800 speed. 

I also felt I got better saturation when I shot on Kodak vs. Fuji.  Granted it has been a long time since I have shot any film, so I can’t be absolutely certain nothing has changed, but I’m still going on reputation. 

In case you need some suggestions…

I know I said I was going to refrain from explicitly telling people what pictures I want.  But if anyone is really struggling with subject matter, please see this post that offers some possible ideas: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2009/10/top-ten-parks-for-fall-foliage.html

I also wanted to update on the states.  Looks like I’m down to two left: Kentucky and Wyoming.  I got someone confirmed for Delaware and a lead on someone in South Dakota and West Virginia (yet please send any contacts for these two states in case something doesn’t work out). 

Since I’m dealing with film and not digital, the process is more involved getting images ready for the site.  The suspense is killing me, but I think the wait will be worth it. 

Six little Soldier boys playing with a hive

So six states left: Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  Any help would be much appreciated!  And for those of you that are participating, can’t wait to see what I get.  Thanks!

From the Crossroads of America

Got my second camera today, from Indiana (hence the title which is their state motto).  Only 48 to go!  (I’m only kidding since I gave people almost a month to complete the project, I don’t expect many cameras for another couple of weeks).

First! OK

Got the first camera back yesterday from Oklahoma.  Still have to send it out for processing, so it will be a while before I can post anything.  But I’m looking forward to see what I get.  Only thing that might delay things is that I should bundle the cameras for processing to reduce shipping costs.  I will cost me $5 to ship 1 camera back to me or $5 to ship 5 cameras, so I will have to wait until I get 5 cameras before I send anything to the processor. 

States still needed: DE, IA, KS, KY, SD, WV, WI, WY

Actually coming along pretty well.  I have connections in most of the places above, but haven’t heard back yet.  A little more worried about Kansas (I don’t think I have a connection, but it might have gotten lost in the large amount of message I have received about this project).  Overall, very pleased with the progress, so hopefully I can send the last cameras out by next week!  And to everyone taking pictures currently, thanks!