sjfphotography: *fine art images *natural light portraits *greeting cards


Thursday, February 28, 2013

arrow 39
 
You've heard the saying "George Washington slept here"?  Well, Comanche Chief Quanah Parker got around as much as old George.  23-foot steel arrows are found along the Quanah Parker Trail - marking sites of historical and cultural interest.  Arrow 39 is placed in Lubbock.  Watch for more arrows as you travel the Panhandle and South Plains.  Need a map?  Check out www.quanahparkertrail.com

American Museum of Agriculture
1121 Canyon Lake Road
Lubbock, Texas
2.27.2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

tractor and tree
 
Silhouetted against the bright winter sky, this antique Kitten steam engine tractor caught my eye.  Manufactured in the 1930s, this piece of vintage farm equipment now finds a home at the American Museum of Agriculture.
 
American Museum of Agriculture
1121 Canyon Lake Drive
Lubbock, Texas

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

tool of the trade
 
I browsed stock images for a SLR camera today because I needed one for a presentation next week.  Then I thought, dummy, shoot your own!  So I set up a seamless background in soft light and shot away!  Of course I had to shoot with the Canon PowerShot to get an image of the 40D.  This is my favorite lens --18-200mm zoom.

Monday, February 25, 2013

 
cattle barn
 
You expected a snow picture?  I spent the great blizzard of  2013 bundled on the couch with a good book.  Instead of braving the 40 mph winds and blowing snow, I'm posting a photo taken this weekend when the temperature was in the 70s.
 
Cattle Barn at the South Plains Fairground
Lubbock, Texas

Sunday, February 24, 2013

sit
 
The South Plains Obedience Training Club held obedience trials this weekend at the South Plains Fairgrounds.  It was my first time at such an event; the level of training and skill was amazing. 
 


Saturday, February 23, 2013

swine barn
 
Absent the crowds and without smell of livestock overlaying the aromas of corn dogs and candied apples, the South Plains Fairground is a desolate place.  The first fair in Lubbock was held in 1914 and consisted primarily of livestock and agricultural products.  The cattle and swine barns were built in the 1940s.  The addition of carnivals and music shows to the fair came later.  Going to the fair was a big deal.  Back in my day, schools let out on Monday for fair day.  That morning the bands marched down Broadway (which was a long way to strut in white majorette boots!).  In the afternoon and evening we "did" the fair -- the rides, the food, the sideshows.  Wonder how many romances the fair sparked?  Who came home with a stuffed toy from a new swain or sported half an engraved heart?  That fall fling sometimes lasted until Christmas.
 
Swine Barn at the South Plains Fairground
Lubbock, Texas

Friday, February 22, 2013

sunset
 
If you're lacking inspiration for a photo, find a body of water and wait for sunset.
 
Reese Golf Course
Lubbock County, Texas

Thursday, February 21, 2013

sphere
 
 
This image wasn't taken with a fish-eye lens but is rather a reflection of the TTU campus between the SUB and the Library.  The seven-foot stainless spherical sculpture by Po Shu Wang is part of the Texas Tech Public Art Program.  Entitled "Comma" the piece is inspired by the West Texas climate and ponders the question "what does the sun sound like?"  By turning a knob on the orb, bronze bells -- one tuned to the sun's musical tonality of 1782.6 Hz -- resonate.
 
Comma --2007
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

ducklings cheaper by the dozen
 
If, in spring, your thoughts turn to growing things -- you might consider poultry.  Farm stores now have stock of baby chicks and ducklings.  You can raise your own chickens, have fresh eggs and a supply of garden fertilizer.  I remember my grandmother getting chicks in a box and nurturing them under a light in the laundry room.  Unfortunately, when they were grown chickens in the pen, they weren't nearly as appealing to me.  Many a time I was chased out of the pen when they pecked my legs!
 
Tractor Supply
Lubbock, Texas

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

bunker gear
 
The protective clothing worn by firefighters is often referred to as "bunker gear." Trousers, jackets and boots are traditionally kept by the firefighter's bunk at the fire station to be readily available for use.  Those brave men and women who become professional firefighters are to be commended. 
 
Brayton Fire Training Field
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
2.12.2013

Monday, February 18, 2013

stripes
 
The pergola at the amphitheater box office casts strong shadows.  I like the counterpoint of the lantern's filigree.
 
Wells Fargo Amphitheater
413 E. Broadway
Lubbock, Texas

Sunday, February 17, 2013

barstools
 
It's amazing what suddenly appears along one's drive.  Today, outside the abandoned athletic club where I played racquetball 25 years ago, barstools were stacked on the outside wall.  I'm not sure if the Texas Homeland Security contract is still in effect  -- maybe the exterior storage is an invitation to help yourself!  My friend MGH posted a photo of this building on December 11 (http://melindagreenharvey.com/) which prompted a comment by our friend Sally that this building doesn't help the property value of her rental property in the neighborhood.  Maybe "new" barstools at her rent house would help!
 
Abandoned Athletic Club
5303 Marsha Sharp
Lubbock, Texas

Saturday, February 16, 2013

 
 
I'm not much on birds -- even cute pink parakeets.  The pattern and color of the background interested me more.

Friday, February 15, 2013

mission concepcion
 
An advantage of a photo blog is that it is somewhat like a journal.  Three years ago I was in San Antonio on the mission trail.
 
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña
San Antonio, Texas
2.15.2010

Thursday, February 14, 2013

happy valentine's day

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

fire hose
 
Brayton Fire Field
Texas A&M
College Station
2.12.2013

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

firefighting
 
While I'm sitting in a conference room at Disaster City, firefighters from Exxon are getting hands-on experience using dry chemical agents to extinguish liquid fires.
 
Brayton Fire Field
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Monday, February 11, 2013

black tablecloth dining
 
The Shitake Black Jewel Risotto is amazing.
 
Veritas Bistro
College Station, Texas

Sunday, February 10, 2013

aggie postcard
 
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Saturday, February 9, 2013

silo graphic

Friday, February 8, 2013

303 30
 
If customers have trouble finding your company, paint the address in large letters.  A graphic paint design would help also.
 
303 30th Street
Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, February 7, 2013

angel's caballo
 
Angel's horse doesn't get many visitors; he's leery but checks me out in case I brought food.
 
New Deal, Texas

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

walking the dog
 
Bentley prefers walking on the curb rather than the path.  We're on the jogging trail at Charles Guy Park.  In the 1940s my mother was secretary to Charlie at the Avalanche-Journal.
 
Charles Guy Park, 93rd and Memphis
Lubbock, Texas
 


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

lightkeeper's fence
 
Actually this fence now encloses park service buildings.  The original lightkeeper's house from the late 1800s is down 308 steps.  Since I could only see about 10 steps in the fog and barely stay upright from the strong winds, I've only seen the Point Reyes Lighthouse on the web.  By the way, I think the National Park Service took those pictures on the only day with sunshine.
 
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
10.28.2012

Monday, February 4, 2013

point reyes path 2
 
This must be a good photograph because when I googled "Point Reyes" about a dozen similar images were on Flickr.  Or, like me, the photographers didn't find much else to shoot.
 
Point Reyes Lighthouse, California
10.28.2012

Sunday, February 3, 2013


point reyes path

When I visited the Point Reyes Lighthouse on the northern California coast, I drove 20 miles through empty headlands, walked one-half mile from the parking lot and was rewarded with a view of FOG!
Point Reyes is the windiest place on the Pacific Coast and the second foggiest place on the North American continent.  My recommendation would be to tarry longer at the wineries and visit the lighthouse via the US Park Service website.

Point Reyes Lighthouse
30 miles north of San Francisco
10.28.2012
www.nps.gov/pore/historyculture/people_maritime_lighthouse.htm

Saturday, February 2, 2013



South on Slide Road until it actually becomes FM 1730, somewhere between the original village of Slide and the town of New Home, there is a barn with a cross.  Barn statements in our part of the country or usually flags (Old Glory or the Lone Star) or crosses.

FM 1730 around the Lubbbock/Lynn County line
1.16.2010

Friday, February 1, 2013

train art
 
BNSF Railroads
Lubbock, Texas