A Friday Afternoon in Midway

Sorry this is coming so late…

Last Friday, Greg and I spent Friday afternoon exploring Midway, Ky. Our first stop was Midway College, Kentucky’s only all-female college. Here is where we saw, pretty much, our only sign of human life. Besides a few people stopping off at the post office and the random passing car, these three Midway College workers were the only people around town on a brisk Friday afternoon. Here, one worker watches his two companions cut down tree limbs.

While on campus, we walked over to their equestrian center in hopes of being able to take some pictures there. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anyone to talk to, so we hung out with the horses for a bit.

Unfortunately, this next picture was directly into the sun…

The second horse…

We spent the rest of our time just driving around town. Here are some more Midway pictures.

Our last stop in Midway was to a cafe where we met Autumn, who was also there taking pictures and working on a project.

On our way back home, we stopped at the Weisenberger Mill, where we picked up some Raspberry Muffin mix and took some more pictures!

Overall, a great day in Midway, not really for “photojournalism” pictures, but for practicing with my camera and getting “structural, artsy-ish” shots.

Kernel Photo/Random Pics

Here it is! My first published photo!!!

This photo is the property of the Kentucky Kernel and Kristin Sherrard. If you are interested in purchasing a print of any of my photographs, please contact me at Kristin.Sherrard@gmail.com.

Below are a couple photos I took on Monday on my way back to campus.

This is the vehicle that is parked two cars down from me in K-Lot. I couldn’t resist taking a picture!

I took these two pictures today on my way home from classes this afternoon.

Spring 2008

New Year’s Resolutions are overrated.

Photo-wise, I have been doing much better updating my blog and getting out there and taking pictures. However, writing and actually updating my blog on college life has taken a backseat. I will try my best to be more consistent, especially since the whole reason this blog came about was for my class.

So far, this semester seems to be shaping out pretty well. I like pretty much all of my classes, which is definitely saying something. Downside: A lot of reading. I have been overwhelmed with work over the past three weeks, and test season hasn’t even begun yet. Not a good sign.

Other than class, I have been filling my time with The Kernel and The Kentuckian and attempting to get involved again with Greenthumb.

I did not have any awe-inspiring career revelations over Christmas break, but that was not a surprise. Hopefully, I will actually make an effort this semester and mosey on over to the career center so that I can receive some “professional help.” As a former professor mentioned to me the other day, I still have “plenty of time…” But the clock is ticking.

My First Published Photo!!!

Yesterday was a great day!!! Not only did UK upset #3 Tennessee in Rupp Arena (while I cheered them on from lower level row C with Greg), but I received my first photo assignment for the Kernel!!!

Ed called me last night and asked if I could cover the College Democrats/Republicans discussion at the Student Center. It was sponsored by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. I know that it wasn’t a very complicated assignment, but it was still really exciting for me! I tried to shoot it from different angles in the room, but it was a little difficult because there really wasn’t that much going on. Basically, it was three people sitting at the front of a tiny room, with chairs lined up in front of them. Period. I shot from both sides of the room, from the back, from the middle, from my normal 5′0 standing position, to kneeling/crouching on the floor. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with what I came away with for my first assignment, and I hope Ed was too. I don’t know what the protocol is yet for posting Kernel pictures on blogs, so I will wait until I receive the “go ahead.”

Until then… it snowed yesterday too!

Pictures!!!

YAY!!!! I finally have a photo program, and I have learned how to make my photos smaller, so no more links!

Here are some of the pictures I took during my first outing with UKPJ. I think they turned out pretty good… let me know what you think, ESPECIALLY if the photo is of you or you were there!

Britney McIntosh posing for Keith Smiley

Britney, Keith, Christina Layton

Elliott Hess

Keith and Elliott

Ed Matthews

Bouncing Back

“Burning desire to be or do something gives us staying power – a reason to get up every morning or to pick ourselves up and start in again after a disappointment.” -Marsha Sinetar

As I mentioned in the last post, Christmas vacation ultimately became a disappointment (from a photography standpoint), especially after I looked at the blown up photos on my computer screen. Some of the pictures that didn’t look so bad on my tiny camera screen ended up being blurry when enlarged. That was definitely my biggest weakness and something that needs to be improved immediately. Recently, Britney showed me how to use the back button focus, but I’m still not sure I understand it. Looks like it is time to re-read that manual…

I chose this quote because this is what I want to do: bounce back from disappointment. I love taking pictures, and I want to learn how to take great ones. Even if I do not use the skills I have/will learn in my future career (in whatever that may be), I think everyone should learn how to take quality pictures and be comfortable with a camera (even if it isn’t a fancy digital one, but just a point and shoot). Pictures are in large part how memories are solidified. Most of my life has been captured in photographs. They are something that people can look back on and remember how a specific day in time touched their lives. They are powerful and meaningful. They can make a difference.

So, here are some of my better shots from Christmas break. Sorry Brad, I still don’t have a photo program, so until I do, here are the links…

The first three are pictures of my friend Kelly playing the piano. Which one do you like best?

The last one is of my friend Katie at a bowling alley. I took a lot of pictures while we were there, and I thought they turned out pretty good… until I put them on my computer and saw how blurry they were (of course). Grrr….. As always, let me know what you think and any feedback is much appreciated!

A Semi-Update

First of all, did I mention the fact that my New Year’s Resolutions do not officially go into effect until I return to school AND my computer is fixed???

Second, special thanks to Brad and Dariush for their VERY kind words about me. I will try my best not to let them or the rest of you down!

As I mentioned before, my computer is currently inoperable, so there will be no pictures until I get that back. I returned to school yesterday, plugged my desktop computer in, and discovered that the screen wouldn’t come on. All it says is that the monitor is going into sleep mode, and it refuses to be interrupted by either the mouse or the keyboard. Thus, it was given to my Dad today to get repaired. There is a possibility that I will get it back tomorrow if they fix it tonight. If not, it will probably be Monday or Tuesday… ::sigh::

Overall, Christmas break was a little disappointing. It was too short (as it always is), largely without snow, and I did not get to take as many pictures as I wanted to. Of course I captured all of my family’s traditional Christmas moments, but I did not get to work on some of the other assignments I had in mind for the break. So, when the pictures finally do arrive, try not to be too disappointed. I think that I still came away with some good shots, but I do not know if I made as much progress as I thought I would. You be the judge.

New Year’s Resolution:

-Go to the gym at least once a week

-Take pictures

-Update blog at least twice a week