The BAY - Skate for Change

This week one of our photo forum challenges was something that scares us but I planned on playing it safe and photograph something with the scripture verse in mind.  I had all intentions of going to the Capitol and finding the scales of justice and photographing them but when taking my shower something kept telling me to go to The BAY.  This is NOT something I would do and I didn't even know where it was but knew of it from them talking at our church.  Sometimes you just have to do it afraid, so I headed down there and what a blessing.  They have such a heart for kids and want to give them a safe place. Their vision is "Our desire is to mentor and empower the skate culture through a positive environment. We are creating a space where skaters of all ages can creatively develop individual skills while cultivating an atmosphere of growth, love, and community."  Mike Smith the founder of The BAY has started a nationwide program called Skate for Change where they take the kids twice a month downtown on their boards to deliver food, socks, water and conversation to the homeless. Their motto is "We are a group of worldwide individuals committed to speaking for the silent, standing for the broken, and empowering the youth of America."  If this isn't the scripture verse in action I don't know what is.  I am so glad that I did something that scares me this week.

Stonehaven 1857

 

This barn is made from the native stone found in the flint hills of Kansas and it is being added to the historic registry.  The owners have had the farm since 1985 and are only the third owners.  Rumor has it that it was used by both sides during the civil war to treat the wounded soldiers but that has not been officially verified. 

Big Ol' Green Barn

Coming home from Kansas City through Kansas we seen a lot of interesting old barns.  I love the colorful green of this one.

Closed for the Season

Old gas station in eastern Kansas we came across coming home from Kansas City.  Sure wish I could of gotten inside, looked like there were promising treasurers.

Out of Order

  Coming home from Missouri we came across these abandoned gas pumps and they were calling my name.

...and some more from the Windmill Museum

  I am so in love with this place and have hundreds of more ideas for photos I would like to take.  It fascinates me how you feel like you are stepping back in time.

Kregel Windmill Museum Trip #2

  What a fun morning, I got to spend the day with 6 wonderful girl friends who share the love of photography.  Spent time at the museum and then off to the Lied  Lodge to enjoy lunch together.  Great food and fellowship and I can't wait to do it again.
  I am still working on the HDR technique and learning more each an every time I try it. Still have lots of  ideas to try out.

Old Steam Engine

Tone mapped using Photomatix Pro 5.0 and B&W developed in Perfect

Effects 8 then finished on Lightroom 5.  Trying to see how things flow from one program to another.  I don't have the skill set down but going from one program to another is a breeze. 



Kregel Windmill Factory Museum

Kris took me on an outing for my birthday to Nebraska City, we had a wonderful lunch at the Lied Lodge and then went to the museum.  I can not even begin to explain the excitement I felt when I walked in, this is my kind of place.  When we got done I felt rejuvenated photography wise as I had been quite a slump, nothing was inspiring me, but one look at all that rusty and crusty and my heart was going pitter patter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last One Standing

When we were in western Nebraska we drove up to Lake Calamus and walked along the beach for awhile before the storm came in.  I bracketed some images thinking I might want to try to do some HDR on them.  Still trying to find the style I am most drawn too and right now it changes from image to image and what kind of mood I am in, I guess that what makes it art.

Milburn - Population 0

Dan and I were in the sandhills when we came across the town of Milburn, population 0.  There were a few abandon buildings filled with left behind rusty and crusty memorabilia that was calling my name and begging to have a little HDR applied.