The new beast ... s

Yesterday I unpacked another new member of my life: My brand new Nikon.

Gee she's a beauty. Takes some darling shots and comes with all the essentials. Just picking the little (well ... light ... for a dslr) thing makes my face break out into smiles. Needless to say, I got started immediately checking out what the different lenses do, how the interface works, what kinds of shots I can get ... and taking pictures of my other new housemate, Sonka the dog.

So without any further ado, some candid shots from yesterday.

Sonka was not very interested in the camera. After a few obligatory sniffs, he decided he would rather lay by the edge of the balcony and watch the goings on of the street behind us. Getting his attention proved difficult, as he has learned to ignore our little idiosyncrasies.

Only a few shots in, I learned how difficult it is to photograph a black dog. Even in direct sunlight, the dog looked like a blob. Either that or he looked great and the background was completely wiped out. We worked some angles to try to get it right. Either way, the background had to take a little bit of a hit. This is especially seen below.
What do you mean blow-out? Pssshhh. Oh camera, I shall master you!

Model: Sonka the Wonder Dog, a husky-shepherd mix

Location: Northern Cincinnati, OH

Clearance!

Since returning my camera to the college art department, I have spent more time saving money and researching a camera for purchase than actually taking photographs. The last photos I took were of apartment complexes and townhomes in Mason, OH.

That's right, I'm moving to Mason, OH. As such, I am having a clearance sale of all framed art pieces in my home. If you are interested in purchasing any of these pieces, please contact me. The pieces for sale are pictured below, along with price. All are matted and framed. For the triplicate photos the approximate layout has been simulated. All prints are signed and numbered.

Please email me if interested in purchasing any of these. My email: design.austen[at]gmail[dot]com

Note: If ever interested in purchasing any photos posted on this site, shoot me an email with the post the photo was in and identifying which photo you are interested in. I will get back to you with a quote and we can hash out the details. If shipping is necessary, I will require payment for shipping.

Island Jewels: $45
8x10 Frame
Chicoteague Island, Va. Wild Ponies

Island Light: $35
11x14 Frame
Chicoteague Island, Va. Lighthouse Interior

Intelligent Construction: $50
8x10 Frame
Terre Haute, IN. SMWC Ring

Orange Barrels: $45
8x10 Frame
Terre Haute, IN. Terre Haute Street Dept. Barrels

Boston Cemetery: $45
16x20 Frame
Boston, MA. Granary Burying Ground, Beacon Hill.

Dueling Giants Triplicate: $50
11x14 Frame
Chicago, IL. Michigan Ave.

Boston Cemetery Triplicate: $45
11x14 Frame
Boston, MA. Granary Burying Ground, Beacon Hill.

Higher Learning Triplicate: $45
11x14 Frame
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Hippolyta: $45
11x14 Frame
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Theatre, "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Higher Learning: $80
20x16 Frame
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Church of the Immaculate Conception

Again, to contact me email: design.austen[at]gmail[dot]com

Hope to hear from you soon!

Leavening of Religion

It's interesting how drawn I am to churches. After walking/driving/biking past nearly every church in the Terre Haute area, I am continually gripped to photograph. Here was my last ditch attempt with the Olympus I have been shooting with. The light was beautiful, and we all know how much I love natural light.

My subject, St. Benedict's of Ohio Street is a beautiful building. At sunset the crosses on the front simply GLOW.

Many entrances make this church a prime place to shoot a photo spread. I don't think you could recognize all of the places this building has to offer.

A lovely cornerstone marks the conception of the piece.
Church grounds are well tended, a sure sign of a dutiful clergy.

Enjoy!

All photos taken at St. Benedict's Catholic Church on Ohio Street, Terre Haute, IN.

A Beautiful Day for a Ride

As summer has finally landed, I have found time to bring horses back into my life. Meet the newest additions to the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Equestrian Program. I've been out riding/fighting/training these guys since Sunday, and every moment has been a blast. Can there be anything better than sharing a glorious day with an animal? Below are featured some moments from last Sunday.

Note: I have decided to add a watermark to my photography to help ensure their safety. Please respect the watermark. I will be adding it to past photography as well. Thank you

Above is Pass (left) and Silver (Right). Both are retired racehorses, approximately seven years old. Just look at that sky!


Silver says hello! While he isn't the most lovely horse, his personality makes him utterly adorable. While I was snapping photos he was extremely interested. Check out those radar-like ears and oh-so-serious expression. Is there any wonder why horses are often personified with human traits?

Off the horses for a moment. As I was headed back into the barn, the bright reflection off of the horse trailer caught my eye. I couldn't resist capturing the moment.

Enjoy!

* All photos taken at the Mari Hulman George Equestrian Center on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

The sharp edges of white.

I wish I could recount a good story for today's photo, but it's just not possible. I am really lacking the motivation to say something with my pictures. Until then, I'll just experiment with style.

*Photo taken in Greenwood, Indiana.

Nightime Ventures

It's late, and I have been wandering about outside. I know what you are wondering .... 'what awesome piece of architecture did she photograph?' Well, I didn't. Let's call this practice and just be happy with what turned out. Nothing too spectacular, but a lot learned about shadow and delicate turns to the f-stop knob. Hooray!

Because everyone needs a good curtain texture to get you going ... is, is that just me?


I know the neon lights trend has been overdone in this digital age, but I couldn't resist. The way the words from the sign burn into the blackness of the night ... oooh it's just chilling. Er something?

Enjoy.

*All photos from Terre Haute, Indiana.

Escaped Sunset

Another post exhibiting my love of low angles and odd focus. I'm so predictable, right?


I meant to capture the sunset this evening ... alas I did not. I still enjoy these, though they beg to be made into designs for grunge-content book. Let me know if you find anything like that.

*19th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana.

"Red in the Morn ...

... sailors take warn" Isn't that the old phrase? I suppose it still holds true; later this particular afternoon it rained and rained and rained. But for the moment ... what a fire in the sky!

Some mornings the conditions make photography a worthwhile little use of time. This was one of those times.


* Photo shot down Historic Ohio Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana

Always question your daily content ...

Spooky isn't a word I would usually associate with going for a late afternoon walk on a sunny day. Of course, I wasn't thinking I was going to stumble down a cat -infested, gang sign-ridden street of doom.
Luckily, this house was there (lurking) to help me show off the utter creepiness of the area. I would easily live in a place like this ... does that make me odd?
* 8th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana.

Personal Effects

While I was out on a stroll with my good friend 'camera', I stumbled onto Hillary Clinton's short visit to Terre Haute. Now, I didn't stick around long enough to see Hillary herself ... but I did get some interesting shots.Alongside two older women carrying war protest signs was a man supporting this doozy of a thought. I'm not going to get into the political statement here ... I'll let you just have it out in my comments instead.

People have become my new obsession. I love photographing them. Expressions and candid moments are, to say the least, "teh shit". With the beautiful sunlight which abounded this morning, I couldn't resist some lovely shots of the people at the support Hillary event.

Baby. That's all I've got.

*All shots taken in the parking lot behind the Saratoga Restaurant in Terre Haute, IN.

And God said ...

Once there was color, and it was good. For awhile the color left, because the world was sad. Today the world was happy, and thus the color returned.

I love color photography. I used to have a guilty fear that this made me a bad art student ... since all 'artistic' photos seemed to be in black and white. Then, I took a step back to realize that most students only use black and white because it's easier to develop or they don't understand the way color transfers from photographs to print. Now I feel better.


St. Joe's, Terre Haute, IN

The depth of concrete.

Funny how concrete can seem so expansive when you get very close. Also funny how no one said a thing while I nonchalantly photographed every person leaving the Kroger between the time of 4:30 and 5:20 pm.


I'm thinking up a way to use concrete as a metaphor for the world ... the right design will come along soon.

The only 'sun' around today ...

An old friend has come and gone in her visit. It's fitting that as soon as she left the weather turned, leaving only her forgotten flowers to cheer.


Soon it will be light enough for color ...

Stilled Explorations

Stilled Explorations:
A rainy day spawns stories of what might have been. What sorts of journeys might have
been taken if only the sun had been a steady companion? What could this trusty bike
have revealed about the world? What distances and places could have been visited?


*Photo from inside Le Fer Hall on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Campus, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN.

-- Enjoy

Old Times.

This photo is two years old. It's here to inspire me to start walking around with my camera again.
*Photo taken from inside Le Fer Hall of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN.