Dick Bloom's Photo Fun Tips

Fulfill Your Desires

2011-12-13T19:47:00.007-05:00

"Redtail" by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved}

The Intenders of the Highest Good show you how to set your intention to have that which you desire come to you as easily and effortlessly as possible.

The Intenders have rediscovered a simple method of empowerment that we call The Intention Process..... which is making all of our dreams come true.

We understand that our desires are in us to be fulfilled and that our thoughts create our world.

We support and help one another to become as clear as possible in our words and our thoughts so that we can live our lives to the fullest.

Anyone can do it!

Just by saying your intentions each day and gathering together on a regular basis with your friends in an Intention Circle, you can change your life for the better.

I know what some of you are thinking what a bunch of baloney!

Our thoughts and Intentions are powerful in ways many of us do not pay attention to!

Through these processes we can delve in to our inner thoughts
and become aware of our Intention Process.

So my gift to all you folks out there in cyberland is to offer to you over the next ten days a way to help heal our ailing world by the positive Intention Process!

I will be posting "The Code" over the next ten days. You ask what is The Code? It is Ten Intentions for a better world!
These come from The Intenders of the Highest Good

I now present to you the first intention of the Code:

THE CODE
"Ten Intentions for a Better World"

The First Intention is-Support Life

I refrain from opposing or harming anyone. I allow others to have their own experiences. I see life in all things and honor it as if it were my own. I support life.

"Let him that would move the world,first move himself."
Socrates

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL

2011-11-23T20:44:00.005-05:00

Image is from the Library of Congress

Puck Thanksgiving 1904. Illustration by Louis M. Glackens. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.25905

Artist Louis M. Glackens captures the resolute huntress after she bagged her own turkey with shotgun still in hand and a look in her eye much as a modern woman who makes the bacon as well as bring’n home the bacon.

As Jerry Garcia said;

Let us put men and women together
See which one is smarter
Some say men, but I say no
Women run the men like a puppet show

It ain't me
It's the people that say
Men are leading the women astray
But I say, it's the women today
Smarter than the man in every way

This image is from a well-known 1904 satirical magazine’s cover known by the moniker of “PUCK”. I found the image at the Library of Congress site and couldn’t resist, it is in the public domain.

Pilgrim Edward Winslow described the Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving in these words:

“Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling [bird hunting] so that we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as… served the company almost a week… Many of the Indians [came] amongst us and… their greatest King, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought… And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WE ARE… FAR FROM WANT.”

In 1789, under a proclamation by George Washington, first President of the United States, America observed its initial Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new-fangled constitution.

Image from the Library of Congress

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Remember the Troops

2011-11-20T13:44:00.000-05:00

As part of a group of artists we received a copy of the here in mentioned email from another artist friend. I researched and found the original article from David Evans published at http://likethedew.com/2011/11/06/christmas-2011-birth-of-a-new-tradition/

Christmas 2011 — Birth of a New Tradition
by David Evans | 11, Add your Comment | Nov 6, 2011
141

Ebeenzer Scrooge In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens confronts a terror- stricken Scrooge with a vision of a dark future of gloom, alienation, and a lonely death that no one grieves:

”Ghost of the Future!” he exclaimed, ”I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart.”

And as we all know, Dickens allows Scrooge to recognize his evil ways and to exchange his miserly and miserable life for one of love and care for his family and fellow men.

In thinking of the upcoming holiday season–and we already see the commercialization and it’s not even Thanksgiving–we are reminded daily that far too many men and women are not going to work, families are losing their homes, children are going hungry, and the elderly have to decide whether to eat or pay for their expensive medicine.

In our own period of uncertainty, need, and anxiety, how will we “celebrate” the season that is supposed to be one of love and peace. No matter what your religious belief, the Christmas season has always been one of celebration, good cheer, and gift giving.

But with wallets thin and paychecks slim, perhaps we can find a new way this year to extend our hands to one another in practical and giving ways.

In our own small manner, perhaps we can start by avoiding some of the tinsel that comes out of those giant factories in Asia that have already kicked into high gear to provide us with ever more merchandise we don’t really need to live a meaningful life. And as we know, this merchandise is being produced at the expense of American labor.

This year can indeed be different. This year Americans can give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans.

Before we start handing over our already burdened credit cards for toys and more bling, maybe those limited bucks would bring more joy and satisfaction if they were spent feeding and clothing needy folk in homeless shelters. If you’re short on cash, give some of your time. Collect groceries for the many food banks and visit the “No Kid Hungry” pledge page to ease hunger a bit in our own country. Help those hard-working and much maligned teachers by clicking on the “Donors Choose” program, the on-line charity allowing one to donate dollars for many classroom essentials that teachers dip into their own pockets to pay for themselves. So many good causes out there that are doing so much good but are also so underfunded.

A friend of mine recently sent me an e-mail with many good suggestions which I am happy to share with you.

Before we start, though, we first have to get over the nonsense that nothing of worth can be found that is produced by American hands. I think we all know that myth is simply not true. It’s time to think outside the proverbial gift box. Besides, who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, tucked in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Some suggestions:

Everyone — yes everyone–gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about general fitness and overall health.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who thinks nothing of plunking down the big bucks on a Chinese-made flat-screen? Instead, how about something different. Perhaps that grateful person on your list would like his driveway sealed or plowed all winter. How about a cord of wood for a shut-it or lawn service for the summer. How about some outings at the local golf course. Besides, what’s the point of getting the latest HD TV with 300 cable TV channels when most of the programming is mindless drivel. Let’s get off our duffs which is good for the body and spirit and quit sitting around watching soaps and talking heads.

And who doesn’t like to go out to eat once in a while. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your main squeeze isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen early morning treats at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks, this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home-town American neighbors who have their financial lives on the line. You’ll be helping them keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? I’m sure that special woman would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

Shop at your local thrift stores where the money they make is given to worthy local causes.

In writing this, I’m reminded that my computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated places of entertainment and restaurants. And be sure to leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. We musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

And don’t forget to leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip.

Christmas can be an opportunity to encourage American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we can’t imagine.

This can be the new American Christmas tradition. Put it on your Facebook page, forward it to everyone on your mailing list, post it to discussion groups, create a blog, and send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other.

Ebenezer Scrooge saw the light and did something about it. The rest of us can, too!

Thank you Veterans

2011-11-11T10:33:00.000-05:00

My hardy Thanks to all who have served in our armed forces in all wars.

"War that mad game that the world loves to play!"
Swift

Enjoy and honor all veterans on this sad day that we are still involved with troops around the globe.

Dick Bloom

Quanah Parker

2011-11-08T11:20:00.005-05:00

Howdy Folks!

Things have been busy here at the blog. I was supposed to have cataract surgery today but it was cancelled due to a glitch at the Martinsburg VA Hospital! That is why there hasn't been a new posts but here is a quick one on a favorite subject of mine .

Enjoy and I will be posting some new input on the newly forming Storm Haven Studios both here and at our new blog for Storm Haven Studios

PLEASE make plans to visit Storm Have for the Grand Opening December 2,3,4 2011 from 10-4 with longer hours on Friday.

Thank you and Happy trails.

I hope you all enjoy the input on Quanah Parker!

When we gaze into the history of Quanah Parker, a look at his mother and father must be brought into the scene. His mother Cynthia Ann Parker was captured when she was eight years old during a Comanche massacre on her family at Fort Parker in 1836. His father was Chief Peta Nocona of the Quahada Comanche. Quanah was born in1852 and while growing up under the tutelage of his father became a brave and skilled warrior. After Nocona’s passing young Quanah became a leader to the Comanche

Quanah was not only shown to be brave but very intelligent as well, in 1867 when the government was trying to negotiate a peace treaty among the various bands that dwelled in the land known as Comancheria. Many of the tribes that were present at Medicine Lodge Creek, Kansas signed the treaty but Quanah choose not to sign the treaty and his Quahadi band would do battle with the government forces until 1875 when
Quanah’s band, which were the last free Comanche’s were subjugated to a reservation in Southwestern Oklahoma.

At this point Quanah Parker was appointed the Chief of the all the Comanche that dwelled on the reservation. The intelligent and resourceful leader embraced much of white culture and even became friends with Teddy Roosevelt. Quanah was respected by white culture even though he rejected monogamy; Parker had five wives and twenty-five children. He also rejected protestant Christian beliefs and formed the Native American Church, which followed the belief in Peyotism and is the most widespread religion in the indigenous cultures. The last Comanche Chief passed over on February 23, 1911. His epitaph reads, “Resting Here Until Day Breaks, And Shadows Fall and Darkness Disappears is Quanah Parker Last Chief of the Comanche.

Famous images

2011-10-31T01:10:00.002-04:00

First_Iwo_Jima_Flag_Raising
Many genres of photography exist in the world and when the issue of fame rears its head in the conversation, those varying photo genres are the all important determining factor in the judging of the fame of the images.

As an example, let’s look into famous images from the world of photojournalistic endeavors. Possibly one of the most well known photojournalistic images was taken by war correspondent Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945 at the flag raising on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

That image was published in countless media outlets when it was released, it is still seen on holidays such as Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day.

Another image that is easily recognized is the famous kiss image taken by world-renowned photographer Alfred Eisenstadt in Times Square of a sailor kissing a nurse on the day WWII ended.

These are just two examples in a catalog of tens of thousands of famous photojournalistic images captured by relentless and dedicated photojournalists.

Moving forward in time, several images that are burned into folks visual memories are the images from September 11, 2001 of the World Trade Center catastrophe and the image of the wild-eyed and disheveled former leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein.

The images captured by contemporary photographers such as Annie Leibovitz’s standout celebrity images in the world such as her iconic Rolling Stone image of Ono Yoko and John Lennon from the 1980s.

Other photographers have worked their photo magic on genres such as landscapes like Ansel Adams classic black and white image of the Moon and Half Dome.

Imogen Cunningham the photographer who is noted for her botanical images when queried about what her favorite image was she simply stated, “ Which of my photographs is my favorite?

The one I’m going to take tomorrow.

Image by Joe Rosenthal

Unbelieveable Donations......

2011-10-28T17:31:00.000-04:00

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND REMEMBER WHAT YOUR BUCKS ARE GOING TO BE USED FOR !!!

Good reminder when you start making holiday charitable donations.

Just in case you were wondering.....

As you open your pockets for the next natural disaster, please keep these facts in mind

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans
salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000
base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE
Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON THE OTHER HAND
The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing)for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.
. . 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause

The American Legion National Commander receives $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary! Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

No further comment is necessary.
Please share this with everyone

Folks Thanks for your INTEREST

National Parks Threatened

2011-10-28T17:17:00.002-04:00

Our national parks are threatened as never before by air and water pollution, commercial development, motorized misuse, and other dangerous threats.

And a lack of concern about the future of our national parks could devastate some of this country’s finest treasures.

That’s why I’m asking YOU to help preserve our national parks now and for generations to come. Please join NPCA as a member today with a gift of $25 or more.

For more than 90 years, NPCA has been the leading voice of the American people working to protect and restore the natural and cultural heritage of America’s national parks.

And with your help we can keep fighting for the parks.

Our top priority is ensuring that sufficient funds are available to properly manage and protect parks. Inadequate funding has hurt parks throughout the National Park System. In addition to the nearly $11 billion backlog of urgent repair and maintenance needs across the country, there often isn’t money to hire enough seasonal rangers or other staff to protect park resources or lead educational programs.

But together, we can increase grossly inadequate park funding. We can improve dangerously poor air and water quality. And we can halt short-sighted and inappropriate development in and around these magnificent national treasures.

Join NPCA today for as little as $15 - 40 percent less than our regular membership rate! You will receive all the benefits of membership – our exclusive NPCA bucket hat, a subscription to our magazine National Parks, valuable travel information in our PARK-PAK, and much more.

America’s national parks belong to YOU. You must take part in keeping them intact for this generation, and the next.

Please join us and help save our national parks. Become a member of NPCA today.

Thank you,

Tom Kiernan photo

Thomas C. Kiernan
NPCA President

Prelude to Amntietam

2011-10-27T15:37:00.002-04:00

Thanksgiving Civil War image from the Library of Congress

On November 7, Lincoln replaced McClellan with Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside. Burnside's forces were defeated in a series of attacks against entrenched Confederate forces at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Burnside was replaced with General Joseph Hooker.

Fight'n Joe Hooker stepped into Burnside's spot when
tapped by Abe Lincoln.

Ol' Fight'n Joe Hooker was known as quite a ladies man and
was tagged with the nickname of "Handsome Captain " by
the local women of the area.

Hooker actually requested a commission but was once denied and after getting himself to the East from California he was privileged to view the First Battle of Bull Run. Afterward he wrote a letter to Abe Lincoln complaining about mass incompetence being the cause of the Yankee defeat, and once more requesting a commission by laying out his personal
attributes for a position and Lincoln granted him the
position of Brigadier General.

Hooker was a smart gentleman when in came to seeking
the positions on the battlefield that were key to having a
winning hand during the various frays in which he was
involved.

This allowed kudos in the eyes of Lincoln.

Hooker was also continually berating McClellan's
incompetence as a soldier and a leader.

Once supposedly stating that " "He is not only not a soldier, but he does not know what soldiership is."

After a major confrontation with Stonewall Jackson's troops
at Antietam where the two bullheaded commanders battled
to a draw leaving some 23,000 men laying dead in one day
on a 400 to 500 acre area now known as the"Antietam Battlefield" which includes the Dunker church,
and more than 5000 men left dead in a river of blood
at "Bloody Lane" at just one spot in the fray alone.

Please Remember the annual luminary
December 2,2011 at Antietam!

It is a $5.00 donation to drive on the battlefield to view
the silent tribute of 23,110 luminaries!

It is a sight to behold!!

Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre Landscape Photographer

2011-10-25T13:30:00.002-04:00

The history of Louis Daguerre as a landscape photographer is noted by his being the first photographer to ever photograph a person the image was known as the "Boulevard du Temple.”
http://stormhavenstudios.blogspot.com/
While taking a long exposure of a Paris street scene, he captured a person who had stopped to get a shoeshine. That image was captured in late 1838 or early 1839 after Daguerre had fully developed the daguerreotype after working with Niépce, a French inventor who is noted as the individual to take the first permanent image in 1825.

Daguerre and Niépce worked together on the development of a faster process to capture images. Niépce died and Daguerre went on to complete the development of what became known as the Daguerreotype process of imaging.

Daguerre was originally a painter who was known for his theatrical paintings and for the introduction of the Diorama style of painting.

Daguerre’s Diorama became a popular theatrical event in the early to mid 1800s. The folks viewing the event would see his paintings of various scenes change spectacularly as they viewed the exhibition in a specially lit theater.

On March 8, 1839, a most unfortunate and devastating fire turned Daguerre’s astonishing Diorama and his laboratory along with his many records of experiments and many early photographic pieces and dioramas into rubble.

The sad truth of the fire was that it burned
nearly all of Daguerre’s early photographic images only a few still-lifes and some Parisian street scenes survived the fire.

The daguerreotype photographic process went on to popularize the portrait with numerous studios cropping up across France.

The daguerreotype also became a popular medium in America with Studios opening in every nook and cranny the United States and also spurning the traveling daguerreotype photographer.Everyone wanted their image preserved for posterity!

The process was also used to document battlefield images of the American Civil War. Gettysburg Pennsylvania had several portrait studios when the genre was in its heyday!

Sorry for not posting for a few days but new things are afoot!

Please visit a new art, history and spiritual community oriented blog that will be offering updates on a NEW art venue named the Storm Haven Studio located just east of Gettysburg!!

Clean Air

2011-10-20T17:50:00.002-04:00

NPCA believes national parks should have the cleanest air in the country, and that we can continue to enjoy clear skies and healthy air in these treasured places with your help. That's why we need your support now to reduce pollution from oil and natural gas development.

With oil and natural gas development booming across the country, our national parks and human health are at increased risk if proper safeguards are not soon put in place. Currently, due to federal loopholes, oil and natural gas drilling is releasing dangerous air pollution into our communities and national parks.

Thankfully, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering stronger protections that would reduce air pollution in our parks. And this is where you come in...

Take Action: Tell EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson that we need stronger air pollution standards for oil and natural gas drilling to reduce smog and air pollution in our parks.

Thank you, as always, for speaking up for clean air in YOUR national parks!

Sincerely,

Bryan

Bryan Faehner
Assoc. Director of Park Use

Boy's War

2011-10-19T11:25:00.000-04:00

"He is Hit" image by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved} copyrighted image

When we chat about the way the young men are today in the world and how they are going off to fight in the wars of today.

Here are some facts that might interest ya'll

For example:
Of a total of some 2,700,000More than 2,000,000 Federal soldiers were twenty-one or under

Some 1,000,000 were eighteen or under.

Roughly 800,000 were seventeen or under.

About 200,000 were sixteen or under.

About 100,000 were fifteen or under.

Most of these fifers or drummerssome 300 were thirteen and under they were still regulars sometimes fought as well

Amazingly according to records about 25 were about ten and under

This doesn't even account for the youngsters that were caught up in the fray as civilians!

These are Federal numbers.

The Southern boys records are much more sketchy!

One sample of 11,000 men produced about 8,000, the great majority, between eighteen and twenty-nine.

There was one thirteen, and three were fourteen; 31 were fifteen; 200 were sixteen; 366 were seventeen; and about a thousand were eighteen.

Almost 1,800 were in their thirties, about 400 in their forties, and 86 in their fifties. One man was seventy, and another, seventy-three.

Their are tales of buglers too small to climb into saddles unaided, who rode into pistol-and-saber battles with their regiments.

Most famous of these on the Union side was Johnny Clem
who became drummer to the 22ndMichigan at eleven, and was soon a mounted orderly on the staff of General George H. Thomas, with the "rank" of lance sergeant.

The identity of the war's youngest soldier is unknown , but on the Confederate side, in particular, there was many claimants.

Here is a sampling of boys in the war:

George S. Lamkin of Winona, Mississippi, joined Stanford's Mississippi Battery when he was eleven, and before his twelfth birthday was severely wounded at Shiloh.

T.D. Claiborne, who left Virginia Military Institute at thirteen, in 1861 reportedly became captain of the 18th Virginia that year, and was killed in 1864, at seventeen.

E.G. Baxter, of Clark County, Kentucky, is recorded as enlisting in Company A, 7th Kentucky Cavalry in June, 1862,when he was not quite thirteen (birth date: September 10, 1849), and a year later was a second lieutenant.

John Bailey Tyler, of D Troop, 1st Maryland Cavalry, born in Frederick, Maryland, in 1849, was twelve when war came. He fought with his regiment until the end, without a wound.

T.G. Bean, of Pickensville, Alabama, was probably the wars most youthful recruiter. He organized two companies at the University of Alabama in 1861, when he was thirteen, though he did not get into service until two years later, when he served as adjutant of the cadet corps taken into the Confederate armies.

M.W. Jewett, of Ivanhoe, Virginia, is said to have been a private in the 59th Virginia at thirteen, serving at Charleston, South Carolina, in Florida, and at the siege of Petersburg.

W.D. Peak, of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, was fourteen when he joined Company A, 26th Tennessee, and Matthew J. McDonald, of Company I, 1st Georgia Cavalry, began service at the same age.

John T. Mason of Fairfax County, Virginia, went through the first battle of Manassas as a "marker" for the files of the 17th Virginia at age fourteen, was soon trained as a midshipman in the tiny Confederate Navy, and was aboard the famed cruiserShenandoah.

One of Francis Scott Key's grandsons, Billings Steele, who lived near Annapolis, Maryland, crossed the Potomac to join the rangers of Colonel John S. Mosby, at the age of sixteen.

Source:"The Civil War, Strange and Fascinating Facts" by Burke Davis

Please stay tuned for more input

Thanks for tuning in.

Happy trails

Retro Photography

2011-10-19T11:07:00.001-04:00

Cavalry Action by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved} copyrighted image

Retro Photo Shots seems to transport folks into the past, a time machine of sorts.

Memories stirred from times past seeing those yellow looking images of great grandpa or the glossy black and white snapshots from the forties and fifties of grandmamma.

The yellowish tone of those old photos is the reason they still survive today.

Originally Sepia toning was a process used to make silver nitrate images more durable to the ravishes of atmospheric compounds.

Now sepia is a popular style of printing that is having a renaissance of interest for once in a lifetime events such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and portraiture.

Sepia toning can still be done using black and white film images.

Digital sepia is the new way to achieve the old time feel on modern day prints.

Digital photography also offers black and white images by using gray-scale conversion.

Conventional black and white images are also experiencing a renewal of interest just as sepia printing has gained a new audience.

Darkroom work for black and white images offers several special one-of-a- kind images that simply can’t be mimicked by digital filters.

Toning with various materials such as copper or selenium creates a spectacular image with a style all its own.

Sabbatier effect offers a complete tonal reversal. Blacks become white; white becomes black offering stunningly unique images.

Kodalith prints or positive printing on special high contrast black and white paper renders an image reminiscent of old silhouette portraiture.

All of these print techniques can be done in your home darkroom.

Specialty darkroom processing will be costly but well worth the money for the individuality of the images.

Thank ya'll for checking my blog!

I may be offering some speciality photo classes this coming year so Please stay tuned!

Good Shooting to all.
Till next time
Happy trails
Dick Bloom

Photos of the World

2011-10-18T18:06:00.001-04:00

Hill Climb Image by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved}copyrighted image

The art of photography is much the same no matter where you travel on this big blue ball.

Folks enjoy taking pictures of their lives and what they encounter as they pass through the everyday dilemmas, joys, and mundane tasks of life.

People’s life styles, habits, work and play may take on a different slant from country to country.

In the United States, many parents shoot images of Friday night football.

In Europe, it is soccer matches.

Australians are capturing images at rugby and cricket matches.

The thrill of photography is in the eye of the beholder.

A photographer from one locale may see an image in a scene that a native photographer may not notice.

A jaded view of the scenery makes the native’s imaging seem lifeless and dull.

The unfamiliar scene presents a fresh perspective for the foreign photographer.

What lies behind a scene or life’s daily activities can make for exciting images no matter what locale they come from.

When a foreign photographer first sees a view of the Grand Canyon, it is a breathtaking.

Witnessing the magnificent mountain ranges of the Alps is also an awe-inspiring vision for creating a landscape portrait.

Photographers who are traveling the world capturing images from far-flung locales are the eyes of the folks who will never see another continent first hand.

Worldwide, photography has a following of folks who love being able to share not only their vision of the world but also what is happening in their environment whether it is in Manhattan or on the Matterhorn.

Fields of Honor

2011-10-17T18:55:00.002-04:00

The Battle of Bull Run Library of Congress image

When folks speak of United States Battlefields the list is long.

The National Park System includes eleven National Battlefields, three National Battlefield Parks, nine National Military Parks and one National Battlefield Site.

The oldest preserved National Battlefield is Fort Necessity, located in Western Pennsylvania where thirty men under command of George Washington lost their lives and the first battle of the French and Indian War on July 3, 1754.

Moving to North Carolina and Moore’s Creek National Battlefield where 1000 North Carolina Patriots defeated 1600 British Loyalists on February 27, 1776.

Both North and South Carolina tout other notable Revolutionary War sites including Kings’ Mountain and Guilford Courthouse National Military Parks.

The Civil War spilled the blood of many men and left battlefields spread far and wide throughout the country.

Virginia claims many battlefields. Richmond National Battlefield Park includes eleven sites linked with the siege of Richmond such as Cold Harbor and the Naval Battle of Drewry’s Bluff.

Manassas National Battlefield Park is the site of First and Second Bull Run.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park is the largest military park it includes four major Civil War Battlefields; the Wilderness, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Spotsylvania Court House.

This area saw action from 1861-1865 resulting in the deaths of some 110,000 men.

Maryland has the Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the bloodiest one-day clash of the Civil War, which left some 23,000 casualties.

The high water mark of the Confederacy took place at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The bloody three-day clash left some 55,000 casualties.

No matter the Battlefield’s location the hero’s blood spilled there has consecrated the soil on those Fields of Glory.

"We cannot make a more lively representation and emblem to ourselves of hell, than by the view of a kingdom in war!"

{Clarendon}

Gone but Never Forgotten

2011-10-16T09:24:00.005-04:00

Artwork by Dick Bloom {All rights reserved}copyrighted image

Fort Sumter, the site of the opening shots of the Civil War on April 12, 1861 has to be the most historic of all battlefields.

Fort Sumter compliments of the Library of Congress

Union forces surrendered the fort after 34 hours of Rebel bombardment. Union forces regained the fort in 1865 after two years of continual attacks.

Camp Sumter, Georgia known as Andersonville Prison was the horror of war personified by the vile conditions that some 45,000 POW’s endured at the 26.5 acre site.

Andersonville National Cemetery, an active National Cemetery and The National P.O.W. Museum, which is dedicated to the prisoners of all wars, are located at the site.

Antietam Battlefield located near Sharpsburg, Maryland is dedicated to the memory of the 23,000 men who were killed, maimed or missing in action during the deadliest one-day fray ever known in war.

The battle took place on September 17,1862.

Cyclorama painting image by Dick Bloom{all rights reserved}

A stirring tribute will take place Saturday evening December 3, 2011 when 23,000 luminaries are lit commemorating the souls lost on that fated battleground.

The Battle of Gettysburg is undoubtedly the most famous of all Civil War Battles.

The reasons for that are varied. It was the High Water Mark of the Confederates push into Northern territory.

It was three-days of horror where some 55,000 soldiers died, nearly as many as died in the entire sixteen year Vietnam War.

The sleepy town of Gettysburg was thrust into the center of that horrific battle and for that honor it is now surrounded by The Gettysburg National Military Park and National Cemetery.

On September 26, 2008 the newly built Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center with a newly restored Cyclorama painting of the famous Battle and new museum to house some 300,000 artifacts and 700,000 various documents, opened its doors!

I personally have mixed emotions about the updated and so called renewed strategy of the folks who are in charge of the field. As far as the new visitor enter wrapped around the historic Cyclorama painting, I give it a three on a scale of
ten being the highest! Much wasted space!! Hard to believe that the gift shop is loaded with imported "junke"!

"Civil War Prison Newspaper"

2011-10-15T18:07:00.004-04:00

"Frank{Frances} Miller, the young lady soldier, now at Barracks No. One, will be mustered out of the service in accordance with the army regulations which prohibit the enlistment of females in the army, and sent to her parents in Pennsylvania.

This will be sad news to Frances, who has cherished the fond hope that she would be permitted to serve the Union cause during the war.

Image of a Vivandiere reenactor by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved} copyrighted image

She has been of great service as a scout to the army of the Cumberland, and her place will not easily be filled. She is a true patriot and a gallant soldier."

The St. Louis "Times," after the close of the war , gave the following account of a witness in court, in that city:

"This lady is a historical character, having served over two years in the Federal army during the war;fifteen months as a private in the Illinois cavalry, and over nine months as a teamster in the noted Lead mine regiment raised from the counties of Jo. Daviess and Carrol.

She was at the siege of Corinth, and was on duty during most of the campaign against Vicksburg.

At Lookout Mountain, she formed one of the party of eighteen, selected to make a scout and report the position of General Bragg's forces.

She went through her army life under the cognomen of Soldier Tom."

"To the disgrace of men it is seen, that there are women both more wise to judge what evil is expected, and more constant to bear it when it is happened."

Sir P. Sidney

"Women have more heart and more imagination than men."

Lamartine

Seniors Creating Art

2011-10-14T12:23:00.013-04:00

Click on the title of this article to check out Studio A on Marsh Creek

Battlefield High Flyer Ol'Jogger Malone
by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved} copyrighted image

"Artists are nearest GOD,Into their souls he breathes his life, and from their hands it comes in fair articulate forms to bless the world!"
J.G. Holland

Seniors who are looking for a wonderful activity to fill the time they have available to them can find the hobby of art a winner.

The benefits of involving oneself in the world of art are varied and include making new friends while learning about fine art by attending classes.

As folks learn to paint or do creative photgraphy and develop their own style of art, they can become more dynamic by having art shows and displaying their works of art, therefore creating better overall physical, and mental health by being both creative and active.

Check out an art supply store or the local book store or library to begin with. View their books on various techniques of painting, look over the array of supplies from sketchbooks, canvases, brushes, to that rainbow of paint colors available to create your first masterpiece.

Chat with the local experts to find a place to start your hobby.

They may offer beginners classes to get you started.

If not, they could possibly connect you with an artist in the area that teaches the genre of art you are interested in pursuing.

http://westward.patch.com/articles/senior-citizens-art-show-draws-up-more-talent-than-ever-before

Spirit of the Confederacy
Image by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved} copyrighted image

Please watch this blog for a possible new genre in the local Adams County Art World near Gettysburg that will be offering an array of beginner art classes in various genres ranging from painting, photography, jewelry making,just to mention a few for now! Please KEEP WATCHING for UPDATES

Don’t worry about the doubtful thought nagging at you saying you know you don’t have a talent for art.

Conquer your fear and immerse yourself in the positive view that this is going to be a fun and fresh adventure to set upon in your life.

The thrill of learning new skills as you create your first work of art combined with the cognizant thought you are in actuality creating art are very powerful positive affirmations for setting your creativity on fire.

When you finish, creating that first piece of art the sense of your accomplishment is the ultimate incarnation of your inspired spirit.

No longer are you just a retiree, now you are a UNIQUE ARTIST!

Maybe you will become a great artist or a creative photogrpher like the great Arthur Fellig known as"Weegee"

"The Circus by Weegee"

But at any rate you will have a wonderful experience as you journey into the world of the creative artist!

Never judge a work of art by its defects."
Washington Allston

Please watch this blog for a possible new genre in the locale Adams County Art World near Gettysburg that will be offering an array of beginner art classes in various genres ranging from painting, photography, jewelry making,just to mention a few for now! Please KEEP WATCHING for UPDATES

Happy Art Trails to all to all a good Day Mates!

Till we meet again......
http://boogiedowner.blogspot.com/2011/09/annual-senior-citizen-art-show-at.html

http://www.americantowns.com/pa/gettysburg

http://www.americantowns.com/pa

Dick Bloom

Photographing Automobiles

2011-10-13T10:23:00.004-04:00

Classic Car Dirt Track
Smiling Packard
Images by Dick Bloom {All rights reserved} copyrighted image

The art of capturing the beauty of a classic car is challenging for the average photographer.

Having a working knowledge of the classic vehicle is a plus when working in this genre of imaging.

A professional automotive photographer is usually working with some difficult restraints. Always be aware of the background for distractions such as wires, poles, and general clutter such as advertising or buildings.

Eliminating any objects that will pull the viewers attention away from the vehicle should be a priority.

Find an appropriate location that will add that certain flare to the car.

For shooting a classic hot rod image, find a retro drive-in with carhops and neon to bring out the 50’s feel.

On the other hand, if you are capturing the essence of an early Packard touring car find a stretch of back road with no macadam or guardrails.

Give the image of the auto a feel of the era from which it came.

Lighting is the next concern for a great automotive image.

You can utilize natural light although sometimes it can be contrasty when shooting shiny or gleaming finishes and chrome highlights.

Capture the personality of the car it could be a beautiful flowing art deco style hood ornament, the fin of a DeSoto or the grill of an Edsel.

The key is to know the vehicle’s intricacies. Maybe taking an image of the logo on a Plymouth Superbird’s wing could tell the story without shooting an image of the entire vehicle.

Do not be afraid to experiment with various shooting angles to get a unique view for the viewer.

Following these guidelines will help you get that automotive money shot.

Happy trails
Till next time
Dick Bloom

Always Look Up

2011-10-12T01:06:00.003-04:00

Orionurania

Check out this interactive Constellation site!

Officially 88 constellations exist.

Aries, the first constellation of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, its stars forms both head and horns of Chrysomallus, a mythical golden flying “Ram”.

Greek mythology tells the tale of a flying Ram being sent to save Helle and her twin brother Phrixus from death by their hateful stepmother, only the son was saved, after Chrysomallus delivered Phrixus safely to Kolchis {an ancient city near the Black Sea} the ram told Phrixus to sacrifice him, his will was done, as a farewell gift the “Ram” gave his golden hide.

Upon his demise he went into the sky and placed himself amongst the stars, since his golden hide was gone, the “Ram” is not a bright constellation.

The “Big Dipper” is easily located, the seven stars that form the dipper and handle are part of Ursa Major {Big Bear}. The Big Dipper can be used to find true north using the Pointers, the two stars that form the dipper’s edge point to the North Star{Polaris} in Ursa Minor{Little Bear},the Little Dipper, Polaris is the tip of the Little Dipper.

Remember Polaris’s position and never be lost at night again.

The constellation the “Crow” came to be as the tale goes due to the tardiness of the crow in bringing water to Apollo in a cup, the crow dallied feasting on figs, realizing his lateness he captured a water snake to blame for the lengthy task, upon his return, to punish the crow the angered Apollo not believing the tale thrust the trio into the sky, for eternity the crow was kept from the water cup by the folds of the snake enduring perpetual thirst. Unable to reach the water cup its call would no longer be sweet but forever a raspy caw.

Folks always Remember to Look UP!!

Happy star gazing trails
Til our next meet'n
Dick Bloom

Flower Photo Tips

2011-10-12T00:52:00.001-04:00

Image from the Library of Congress

The art of flower photography is a combination of photographic genres, which include landscape, art photography, abstract design imaging, and even a touch of modernistic art.

A famous photographer known for her botanical images is Imogene Cunningham. A good place to gain knowledge about capturing images of flowers would be by viewing Cunningham’s catalog of work. Her images of natural beauty and exotic shapes seem to transform the world into a spirit of fantasy. Cunningham's images change the viewers thoughts of nature!

To capture great botanical images one must have the proper gear. Having a decent film SLR or a DSLR camera, a proper lens such as 100mm f 2.8 with macro capabilities and a good sturdy tripod are the basic tools for great flower images.

Some basic tips for capturing great photos of flowers is to always have the subject well lit, using natural light is a plus but adding a touch of fill flash by bouncing or using a flash diffuser will add pop to the flower image and remove any shadowy distractions.

Always make sure you have a clean background with no diversions.

Another tip is to carry a spray bottle of water in your bag of tricks. A quick spritz can add depth to a mundane flower image by making the bloom appear fresh as the morning dew.

Shooting the image at the right period of a flowers life cycle can also be used to add interest to the shot, a flower that is not completely opened can hint at innocence in the world.

A flower with some petals that are not perfect can also add reality to the feeling of a flower image.

Always try to fill the frame with the complete blossom image or with a large field of flowers with one flower in the forefront to add depth to the image.

Shoot at different angles and from all sides of the flower to achieve great botanical images.

Journey Forward into the world of Nature and shoot mother earth's bounty!

Good Shooting friends!

Happy photo trails
Till next time

Dick Bloom

World of Photography Education

2011-10-11T09:20:00.002-04:00

Angle Action by Dick Bloom {all rights reserved} copyrighted image

The world of photography is an education onto itself because the best way to learn about the essence of capturing a great image is to view all the photographers that have come before.

It is essential to have great photography books of the contemporary photographer’s works as a reference.

To be able to view black and white images from photographers such as Ansel Adams and study his wondrous skill with the play of light and shadow in the wild and in his portraits of famous individuals.

Adams and Fred Archer came up with the Zone System to enable photographers to learn about the interaction of the photographer’s visualization of a scene and the final result of the shot.

The system is one of the major teaching tools used for aspiring photographers.

Learning photography technique is only one small part of the process; another major part is to understand the technical issues of a camera such as aperture and depth of field.

Aperture can be understood by viewing a detached lens from a camera, so it is useful to use a 35 SLR or DSLR so the aperture or opening can be viewed with the naked eye.

Depth of field is the portion of the image that is the sharpest.

These items can be easily taught with a basic tool, the simple pinhole camera made from an old oatmeal box.

This unique homemade camera is derived from the earliest use of light to make an image, it was known as the Camera Obscura, and was used by Leonardo DaVinci as a drawing tool.

Many books and instructions are available to inform would be photographers how to build a pinhole camera.

Lots of Luck in your pursuit of the Photography World!

Till next time.

Happy Photography trails

Dick Bloom

MUD Yumm

2011-10-10T10:03:00.001-04:00

Few Federals drank their coffee with milk; it was not part of the ration and cost too much to buy from the sutler. Coffee with sugar was usually the order of the day when it came to sucking down a cup of camp coffee.

When the troops received sugar rations most soldiers mixed with their coffee at the time of issue. This ensured a somewhat sweet cup of coffee each time it was made.

With rarely, any shortage of coffee beans, many regiments were issued out of the ordinary rifles, one per 100-man company, with a coffee grinder built into the stock.

The standard recipe for brewing the best coffee was slow roasted over a low fire, "until of a chestnut brown color and not burnt, as is so commonly done."

It was to be boiled briskly for two minutes, then take from the fire at once, a little cold water thrown in, then the boiler's contents poured through a piece of flannel after it had settled for five minutes."

Sounds like Starbucks RIGHT!

Press Correspondents and the American Civil War

2011-10-09T14:11:00.001-04:00

Antietam Dead from the LOC archives

Don’t think that the current nightly news has just become a slanted situation where it is liberal, conservative, or some other situation!

The {War Correspondent} as a profession came into its own during the American Civil War as various media publication most were local based of course.

Yes they were very partisan at the time and it wasn’t just Reb and Yank based some Northern newspapers held high the issues that were dear to the Southern cause!

Reporting was very slanted to match up to the editorial viewpoint much like the world sees in FOXNEWS, MSNBC, etc.

Some folks accept as true that the slanted reporting could have helped to force the necessary wedge between the factions that led to secession.

Actually starting the American Civil War and just like the current situation with input from WikiLeaks revealing details of planned or past operations that could put troops in harms way.

Many field correspondents would add puffery to the commanding Generals circumstances and his exploits to have him viewed favorably by the country.

By doing these favors, commanding Generals would aid the field correspondents with support in the field.

While the Army was not required to provide food, access to the mail and the telegraph these favorable, reports helped to grease the wheels of journalism.

The media also delivered consecutive reports on various battles and the war in general sometimes the reports were as mentioned before sometimes puffed up and sometimes they were actual reports which exposed blunders and ineptitude.

The newspapers of the time served as Reb and Yank cheerleaders, no matter how buoyant or unpromising the day’s input.

Many of the generals on both sides of the conflict wanted nothing to do with the reporters!

Grant, said, in essence, "You are professionals. Do your job, I'll do mine.”

Lincoln frequently welcomed them to the White House. He even used them for his confidants in giving him more current and accurate information than the input delivered by courier from his field commanders.

Jefferson Davis never held a press conference EVER!

Photography Fame

2011-10-08T14:19:00.003-04:00

A Storm Rages by Dick Bloom {All rights reserved} copyrighted image

A photographer is someone who is energized by the world that exists all around them, no matter where that may be.

Many contemporary photographers that have gained notoriety have done so by their inimitable visions they have viewed through their respective camera lenses.

For example, Ansel Adams, the man that is known for his stunning images of landscapes of national parks in America especially Yosemite, and the Sierra Nevadas such as his 1944 Yosemite image “Autumn Tree Against Cathedral Rocks” or his 1948 “Moon and Mountain McKinley.” Adams is also noted for his famous “zone system” of imaging.

Famous photgrapher Ernst Haas once said that photography was a bridge between art and science, this thought could be seen in his images such as his 1950 image called “Sea Gun” or his new 1952 New York City, “Oil Spill.”

Being able to see beyond the ordinary to capture distinctive images is what drives great photographers create their art.

Famous women photographers of whom many folks have not had the pleasure of their one of a kind art such as Dorothea Lange’s 1942 image “This is America: Keep it Free” or her famous 1936 image “Migrant Mother.”

Lange became famous for her compassionate images of the dust bowl era, which truly spoke of those hard times in America!

Another woman photographer whose drive and extraordinary visions propelled her to greatness was Life Magazine photographer Margaret-Bourke-White who was noted as being the first woman war correspondent; she was present in 1945 at the Buchenwald Nazi concentration to photograph the horrors of the war when the camp was liberated.

These individuals are but a few of the truly visionary photographers that have captured the world in images for folks everywhere to observe and remember those poignant photographic messages.