Autumn could be my favorite time of year.  The colors of fall, the cooler temperatures, the fun activities like hayrides, apple picking and, of course, Halloween.

This year we brough home around 175 lbs of pumpkins to carve. All told, it’s 11 pumpkins. Four were used for this bonfire creation. The kids and I each have two more to carve. I guess our house takes pride in having the coolest pumpkins on the street.

I also like this time of year because Halloween is about the only time I can get the boy to pose for a picture without bribing him. Just getting to be “scary” is enough. He doesn’t stand still for many, but he wants to make sure he’s included!

He just thought it was so cool that his teeth matched his shirt.

And the little witch? She’s always ready to have her picture taken. I’m surprised this didn’t involved costume changes. There is still time, though, since Halloween is a day away!

My Dad would have been 72 yesterday.   He’s buried on the other side of town and I don’t get there much to visit his grave.  Not that doing that sort of thing is all my style anyhow.  I wanted something to have around to remember his by and I decided to get his favorite fishing lure put on my body as that reminder.

In 1970 Dad had a kidney transplant. He had been born with only one and when it failed his mother donated one of hers to him. I was born two years later.

Growing up, that scar on his side was something I always noticed as child.

Because of that I picked my left side, right where that scar was at to place my new ink.

I chose a Rapala because it was his, and now my, favorite lure to pull from a tackle box when it’s time to catch bass.  That was something he and I spent hours of summer nights doing for as long as I can remember.  I made sure to pass the tradition on and both my kids caught their first fish with black and white Rapalas.

It took CJ from Alligator Ink about an hour to do the job and it turned out great.

I did learn that it’s pretty had to photograph yourself getting inked in this spot.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

So there were a fair number of reponses over in Facebook-land to question of interest in walks and/or classes.

If you responded to that simple question, I’m asking you to take a minute to fill out this survey.  I’d like to get an idea of what everybody is really expecting and what level everybody might be at so that whatever I plan is done so that everybody can have a good time.

Survey

Thanks!

So a little conversation got started over at the LoC Facebook page about me leading some photowalks and giving a camera class or two.

Honestly, I hadn’t ever given it much thought, but some folks are interested so I thought I’d put the question up here as well just in case the folks that follow the blog don’t follow me on Facebook.

So…if you’re interested in either leave me a comment (it’s painless) or if your on Facebook make sure to drop in at LoC there, become a fan and leave your thoughts.

On Friday, I realized that I hadn’t picked up my camera or touched a picture in almost six days! That sort of thing stresses me out because photography has become so much a stress reliever. The fact that I hadn’t been near a photo in that long was making me itch.

I decided that I would get all Bert Stephani and take a run at my own sort of 50-50 Project.  My goal was to shoot 50 photographs, all in one day, using just my 50mm f/1.4 lens and then share them.  There would be no retakes, to editing, no deleting – take 50 shots and get ‘em out there.  The only thing I did do was convert them all to black and white.  Sure there are some clunkers in here, but there are some winners too.

In the end it sort of turned into a “Day in the Life” type project as well.  That wasn’t what I set out to do, it just sort of happened.

Would I do this again for some inspiration.  Absolutely!  Just not with a 400mm lens!  That would be a lot of pictures!

So here you go!  It’s a little sappy (Thank you Darius Rucker), but I think it works.

50 Images @ 50mm from Paul Lender on Vimeo.

Last week had the good fortune to hook up with the crew from Spice of Life Catering and photograph the behind the scenes action at one of their Plated Landscapes events.    This time around the guys were at the MacKenzie Creamery in Hiram, Ohio.

MacKenzie Creamery specializes in all natural, artisan goat cheeses and in that theme every course of the dinner that evening contained a goat cheese or cream related ingredient.

The evening started off with a hayride and hike around the grounds, a look at the construction of the new creamery building and some  great appetizers.   When the guest returned to the home, they were greated with a final appetizer and a fabulous place setting.

Each course is paired with a carefully selected wine to add to the flavor of the meal.

I spent my time in the kitchen watching all the action and making sure to take breaks to try every plate. Hands down, the Long Island Pumpkin Bisque was my favorite course, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the Short Rib, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken or the Tarte Tatin as well!

If you get an opportunity to sit down to a Plated Landscapes meal, or any meal from Spice of Life, I strongly encourage you take it. These guys bring out some delicious food!

More pictures from the event can be seen at LoC Photo!

My six year old daughter had a flyer in her school folder the other day about an art show coming up. There were six categories and one of them was “Photography”. She’s always been artistic, likes to draw and dance, so we asked her if she’d like to make something for the show. She said she wanted to put a picture in it from the camera.

This afternoon I gave her my old Canon Digital Rebel XT with a 35-80mm lens on it and sent her out into the yard to find something. I tagged along and we both had a a great time.

Being out with her made me remember why I picked up a camera. It was because my older brother had become interested in shooting. There’s a great picture he took of me just around this time of year. I’m carving a pumpkin. He shot it, developed it and gave it to me. I thought that was so cool. Too bad I can’t find it, but I know it’s around.

But back to my walk with Paige. Watching her shoot anything, and everything made me feel like doing the same. I’m not much of an abstract shooter so what I ended up with wouldn’t be what I’d go out looking for but I’m pretty happy with the results.

And some of her shots. I only tweaked the contrast on these – otherwise they are straight out of the camera in her vision. I didn’t even coach her of composition.

I better be careful or she may take over my job.

Dontscrewus.org

Say hello to Lucy.  The house adopted her today.

She’s sleeping at my feet right now. I didn’t think she’d ever stop going. The kids have been running her wild since I brought her home.

We took her to the pet store and brought one of everything they had to make her happy. Then we spent hours with her in the yard. She already found stinky stuff to roll in. That means she also already got a bath!

I wanted to change her name to Aperture, but the kids wouldn’t let me. That’s OK. I think she’s going to fit in perfectly around here just the way she is!