Lumen Prints

Look what I can do!

Pinhole Wizard . . . another pic

Pinhole Wizard

I made a digital pinhole camera over the weekend. It doesn't seem to have the sharpness my film pinhole camera does, but it's still pretty fun.

Here are a few images...

Hi mom.

Bird is the Word?

Random, strange image from a new series I'm working on.

Do You Want Me to Succeed in Grad School? I Know You Do!

Here is an old image (new images will appear soon). This is a little advertisement about a new photo project I'm working on. Visit my site: www.tprally.com. The project is investigating how people view political imagery. The question: how much does it depend upon the viewer's political ideology? 

So. That means it's interactive . . . that's where you come in! Leave a comment about how you view the imagery. I want to hear from people across the political spectrum. 

Who Doesn't Love a Nice Train Photo?

These are a few images from a series I'm working on involving my old commute in D.C. The series is progressing, and I'm hoping it will be a success.

Critique on Thursday!

Washington x3 More Botanicals

More images from the National Botanic Garden.

Washington x2: Orchid Mania

More images from my week in D.C.

Washington 1

I have been Suzy McTraveler this month, and my latest adventure led me to Washington, D.C. It was great being back in city I love (and miss), and it was wonderful to see old friends.

Attempting to document my former commute on Metrorail, I ran into a big of a snag with Metro security . . . a couple of times. Eluding arrest, I managed to get some great shots. I am hopeful the resulting body of work will live up to my expectations.

The highlights: I was able to visit with several D.C. friends, as well as meet up with Nebraska Erica, who was introducing The District to her poetic genius. I caught a lovely orchid exhibit at the National Botanic Garden, stopped by the Hirshhorn Museum (not that interesting despite its reputation), spent time in Eastern Market, and discovered a few new and wonderful coffee/restaurant establishments.

I was delighted to see the Columbia Heights neighborhood progressively developing into a safe, exciting neighborhood. I was also pleased to know scary H Street has come a long, long way in the five years I've been gone. Good job, Washington.

Images: I'm uploading a bunch for your viewing pleasure. I'll begin with some images from Capitol Hill and Eastern Market. Orchids and others to follow.

Philadelphia

Last week I attended a photography conference in Philadelphia. It was my first trip to Philly, and it did not disappoint. I rather enjoyed experiencing Reading Market, and I loved once again being in a city that is so pedestrian-friendly.

Modern art, historical architecture and good friends . . .

Here's an ugly fish image from the Reading Market for your viewing (dis)pleasure.

02/23/10

Super Heroes

I miss my nephews and their sweet, sweet super powers. Protecting the world is a tough job, but with capes and swords, these guys are well on their way. Thanks, fellas.

I screwed up a whole month of blogging. Sigh.

Oh goodness. So . . . my free time was hijacked by the start of the new semester. It seems strange that when I return to my studies as a fine art photographer that I can't manage to make an image a day, but so it goes.

I've been busy teaching a couple of sections, making new work, and generally taking care of school business. Currently, I'm prepping for two exhibitions. One solo exhibition, which is evidenced by today's photos . . . of my show cards. I'm showcasing the Miss Fortune portfolio during Lexington's Gallery Hop. Locals: Please come!

The other exhibition, opening the same night, is UK's advanced student photo show. It's a juried exhibition with cash prizes, where advanced students showcase new work. It should be a good time. In addition to the cash prizes, I'm starting a new tradition within our department, that I hope will be a lasting one. On the evening the students hang the show, we'll cast ballots for the best-in-show. I'm calling it "The Big Shot" award, and it will come with street cred, as well as the winner's name engraved on a trophy (of some sort) that will be displayed prominently (somewhere) in the photo lab. Each year during this annual exhibition, students can pick a new winner and have that name added. It's pretty geeky, but I'm just so excited about it. Once I make/secure the trophy, I imagine a photo will appear on this blog.

So. Clearly my life in the past month has been photo-filled, although not photo blog-filled. I'm hoping to get back in the habit. Stay with me.

Thursday 01/14/10

This is an image of the Reynolds Building, where the art studios and grad students live. After an early morning and afternoon spent teaching, I arrived for my evening lighting class. I've always appreciated a good yellow-orange glow against a near-night sky. (And I can see my house from here.)

And it begins . . . 01/13/10

Ready or not, the semester begins. My Wednesday includes a Contemporary Art History class with a professor highly regarded as brilliant, tough, and terribly interesting. The first lecture lived up to its reputation, and I'm excited about what I can learn in this course this semester.

Night Before Classes Start 01/12/10

The night before a new semester. A dark, cold November (well, January) in my soul. **Thanks, Moby Dick, for the lifetime of quotes.

Eye Exam 01/11/10

As a part of my spring semester prep, I went to the eye doctor today. I've managed to weasel out of having my eyes dilated for many, many years now, and I was afraid I would run out of luck this time. As it turns out, I've stalled long enough to see a new technological advance, which allows a doctor to look at a special photograph to see the back of the eye. No pupil drops and sensitive eyes for 8 hours!

The super-doc emailed me the images of my eyeballs. I think they are pretty, and a little gross. I learned I have a freckle on my right eye. Who knew?!

Button 01/10/10

On Saturday, my professor called to alert me to a weekend antique fair thing in Lex. I have never been to it, so I stopped by. There were a ton of vendors, which was excellent. I picked up this bicentennial-year dem convention button for $10. I bought it from two hilarious republicans who gave me a hard time . . . and a great price.

I also found a stereoscope for viewing stereocards. I've been obsessing about learning to make them ever since I had the opportunity to view one at UK's art museum. The original 3-D image, how wonderful. I passed on the viewer, sigh, because the lady was pretty proud of it (expensive), and I'm inclined to wait until I actually attempt one of these images. But they are out there in the world, and that makes me happy.

A Little Green, A Little White 01/09/10

An image from a parking space in Lexington.

Espon 9900 01/08/10

I stopped by my studio this afternoon to grab a book. I am happy to report the mice must be infesting another part of the dilapidated building. Yay! But, despite my wishes, the studio hadn't cleaned itself. I have some work to do to get it in fine, working order for the semester.

The image above is of the Epson 9900. A magical machine that prints everything right the first time. My friend, Stacey, awarded it with a ribbon. You're right, Stacey, it is the best!