Just another sleepy Nashville, TN. sunrise

Make sure you do the bloggity blog hop, and check out the other entries in this weeks Sweet Shot Tuesday over at Life with 3 Boybarians!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!

Sing it Cyndi! You know, there are a lot of things this picture is not! * It’s not the best shot in the world.  * It’s not gonna win any major photo journalistic awards.  * It’s not gonna be printed for the whole world to see. But I can tell you what it is gonna be…my “Sweet Shot Tuesday” entry for the week! I had the pleasure of taking family photos for my nephew, his fiancé and her girls a couple of weeks ago, and this pic is by far my favorite.  It’s not a staged shot, it’s just something that happened.  I mean look at the way her hair is reflected in the sun.  Look at that cute little pixie grin, it’s almost as if she is yelling at me and saying…”Come on Uncle CooCoo, you can’t catch me”! This is what photography should be… FUN! Make sure you check out the rest of the Sweet Shot Tuesday entries over at Darcy’s site!

4th of July Fireworks…

Smyrna, TN 4th of July Celebration VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Pooles Knob Sunrise

 

 

Fisk Memorial Chapel

Just another shot from my afternoon at Fisk University.  While walking around campus, I spotted this old building and was immediately drawn towards it.  I think I’m definitely going back for some more shots this weekend!

The Fisk Memorial Chapel, with a seating capacity of approximately eight hundred, was designed by William B. Bigelow of New York City and completed in 1892. General Clinton B. Fisk, a founder of the University, left funds for construction to the University in the form of railroad stock. The interior has a high domed ceiling exposing the appealing support structures. A balcony extends on three sides. The Chapel houses an extraordinary 40 rank Holtkamp pipe organ, which is one of the finest examples in the United States of the work of organ-builder, Walter Holtkamp Sr. The organ has an estimated value of over $2.5 million. It was built especially for the University to be housed in the Chapel. Over the entrance doors is the stirring legend: “Arise shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” The Chapel is the primary assembly area on campus and is rich in intellectual and cultural traditions. Outstanding international concert artists, musical organizations, drama and dance performances, lecturers, ministers and political figures have also appeared in the Chapel. Included among those who have visited the Chapel, given addresses, performed for students and community members are The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, Booker T. Washington, Louis Armstrong, W. C. Handy, Jesse Jackson, Nat King Cole, Eubie Black, Merle Haggard, Robert Altman, John Hope Franklin and Bell Hooks. The Chapel is the home performance site for the famous Fisk Jubilee Singers. Information obtained from the following web site; The Fisk Memorial Chapel

Until next time…

What is composition?

Evidently something I lack, that’s for sure!

Have you ever seen something that you think would make a good image?  Yea, you probably have.  It’s those moments or objects that you just need to capture for eternity.  Well, Cravoth Hall on the campus of Fisk University is an example of what I’m talking about.  I drive by this building at least 3 times a week, and I truly love the character and statement it makes.

The above image is 3 shots bracketed using a 10 stop filter, and I love it!  The movement of the clouds, the vibrancy that a nice sunny day can provide.  I know it’s not for everybody, but for me it does the trick!

Now I moved around quite a bit, trying to capture the building from several different angles.  I took several different shots and chimped on each one, making sure it was what I was trying to capture.  The one above is the view I see from my car on those days I drive by.  So I knew this was one of my favorites.  I even took several captures from this vantage point.  Not once did I see the distraction in the photo.  Do you see it?  If not, click here to see what I was talking about!

It seems I was so caught up in the beauty of the building and what I was trying to say, that I totally missed the stupid tree at the fork of the sidewalk!  As much as I tried to take the tree out, I could not do it.  So, I’m stuck with it until the next time I get over to Fisk University.  Maybe I should think about taking Kent Weakley’s Composition E-Class . . . AGAIN!

Until next time…

Cravoth Hall Fisk University

When I pick up my son from school, we always drive by this building.  I’ve always loved the look, shape and boxiness of it, and on numerous times I’ve threatened to pull over and take some photos of it. 

This past week, I had the opportunity to do just that!

This neo-Gothic structure first served as the Erastus M. Cravath Memorial Library. Named for Cravath, the university's first president (1875-1900), it was designed by Nashville architect Henry Hibbs and built in 1929-30. The interior walls depict several murals by Aaron Douglas, the leading Harlem or Negro Renaissance painter and founder of the Fisk Art Department.

I guess the thing that really got me about this campus in the heart of downtown Nashville is, I never knew the history of Fisk University.  Sure, I’ve grown up right here in Nashville and have lived here my entire life, but I never knew the history that surrounds this great school.  As I was walking around campus this past week something really jumped out at me…the number of historical markers.  It seems as if there was one for every building on campus.   

I guess I need to get out a little more :~)

Lets Hear It For The Boys

OK, so I’m gonna get in so much trouble for this one, but here goes! This is my Dad, a man that truly I love more than anyone will ever know.  He’s the best person to go to when you need a laugh.  His willingness to help you out comes straight from the heart.  His dedication and love for his family is without measure.  He’s the most supportive person you will ever meet.  He never meets a stranger.  He greets new people as if he’s known them his entire life.  He’s my Dad and that’s about all I can say ! At 52 years of age, I’ve finally realized I’m not afraid to say I Love the old man, and when I grow up, that’s who I want to be! Happy Father’s Day Dad! BTW Dad, when you read this, and I’m sure you will, please understand I’m sharing this out of love over at the I ♥ Faces Photo challenge this week! So head on over to I ♥ Faces and check out the other entries this week :~)

Pretty In Pink

 Pretty in Pink?  I guess I could be called that...LOL!  Well, this one is from the recent Breast Cancer Awareness Walk that I participated in.  Just me, my camera and my pink beard.  And yes, it did wash out…eventually :~) Make sure you head over to Love That Shot  and check out the other entries this week.   

 Well, that’s it for this today, until next time…

sweet shot tuesday

Didn't get out much this weekend, so I had to play around the house with my camera.  These lilies are from bulbs my wife planted when we moved in the house 15 years ago.  The really unique thing, at least to me…they are transplanted from Texas and were originally planted my wife’s grandmother 25 years ago!  How in the world does this work?

Anyway I tend to ramble at 2:00 a.m. in the morning.  Have a wonderful week, and take a moment to stop and smell the flowers in your life! Or at least head on over to Sweet Shot Tuesday and check out the other gorgeousness that abounds in our lives!

 

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge From A Distance

Been  a while since I’ve participated in one of the challenges over here at I ♥ Faces, but the theme this week really hit home. 

A couple of weeks ago, my wife decided to follow along on one of my weekly trips to catch a sunrise.  While I was traipsing around looking for that certain vantage point, I noticed she had disappeared.  When I found her, she was relishing in the warmth that only the sun can give.  I wondered what she was thinking, or if she was thinking at all.  I wondered if she was enjoying herself, or if she thought I was abandoning her for my hobby.  I wondered if she was having fun or was just plain bored.  From a distance I wondered …

After I finished the sunrise shoot, we stopped for a cup of coffee and my wife hugged me.  She looked deep in my eyes and told me that this was one of the most relaxing mornings she has had in quite a while. Then she did something unexpected…she kissed me right there in Starbux, told me she loved me and that she understood the passion I had for photography.  She said she understood a little more the process I go through and why I come home from those early morning shoots more relaxed.

I believe Bette Midler says it best…

 

From a distance the world looks blue and green, and the snow-capped mountains white. From a distance the ocean meets the stream, and the eagle takes to flight. From a distance, there is harmony, and it echoes through the land. It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace, it's the voice of every man. From a distance we all have enough, and no one is in need. And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease, no hungry mouths to feed. From a distance we are instruments marching in a common band. Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace. They're the songs of every man. God is watching us. God is watching us. God is watching us from a distance. From a distance you look like my friend, even though we are at war. From a distance I just cannot comprehend what all this fighting is for. From a distance there is harmony, and it echoes through the land. And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves, it's the heart of every man. It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves. This is the song of every man. And God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance. Oh, God is watching us, God is watching. God is watching us from a distance

 

DCA Class of 2018

To purchase any of the photos (Or all of them!) from the DCA Class of 2018 School’s End of Year Party:


1) Click on the link for the DCA Class of 2018 Gallery  and use the password provided in the email that was sent to you.  (It is case sensitive)


2) Individual purchase availability will end on Saturday, July 9, 2011, and may be purchased and printed through the DCA Class of 2018 Gallery . Purchase and print options for this choice are provided by Zenfolio.  (After July 9, please contact Bald Is Beautiful Photography)


3) To purchase a compact disc of all edited photos for $25.00 (as seen in the online gallery); please use the “Buy Now” button located below.  CD's will be shipped to the address provided within 3-4 weeks of receipt of payment.  The CD includes a permission to print letter (required for printing at your local photo printing sites; Wal-Mart, Walgreens etc.) and 2 folders of photos.  Folder 1 contains full resolution photos suitable for printing.  Folder 2 will be filled with web ready photos to share on your favorite social media sites (Face book, Twitter, My Space)


I have truly enjoyed working on these photos, and hope they bring you as much pleasure as they have me.  If I can ever be of any assistance to you or your family, please contact me at the number or email address below.
Once again, Thank You!


Scott O’Neal
Bald Is Beautiful Photography
BIBPhotography@comcast.net
615-484-5506

A Moment I Will Not Forget

I don’t know about you, but this past Saturday morn was really special for me!

You see, every time I mention photography, or the thought of going out to shoot something, my house fills with eye rolls.  You know what I’m talking about.  It’s that movement of the eye that almost causes the whole head to rotate on it’s axis.  I can almost hear my wife and son saying , “Oh no, not again!”

Well Saturday morn was really different.  My wife is house sitting at her Mom and Dad’s place, a mere 5 minutes away!  I had just logged on to my early morning Facebook and Blog reading when I got a private message from my wife.  First of all I wondered what she was doing up and that Gawd awful hour of 2 a.m?  Then my mind shifted focus and  wondered if every thing was all right?  Everything was fine, she just wanted to know if she could tag along for my early morning ritual of chasing the sun.  WOW, I could not believe what I was hearing, but jumped at the opportunity to say YES!!!

So off we went, in search of that shining orb in the sky!  Our first stop was Love Circle, a small hilltop right on the outskirts of Nashville.  Love Circle is not only a great place to watch the sun rising over Nash-Vegas, but also the location of Celebrity Apprentice winner, Jon Rich!  I been there on numerous occasions, but have never seen the owner of Mt. Richmore :~)

After an hour or so of watching Blue Hour progress, the sun decided to make an appearance.  My wife was amazed!!!  She said she actually could understand the peacefulness and solitude that this practice of capturing the moment brings me.  When we had finished this portion of my routine, we headed to Starbucks for the obligatory cup of java.  The problem with getting up so early is you need that caffeine laden fluids coursing through your system…or at least I do!

At this point, we headed over to where my wife works to capture a few shots of Scarritt Bennett Campus. SBC is such a sweet spot in the heart of Nashville.  The campus is laid out with peace and tranquility in mind.  Beautiful landscaping and ornamental building make it such a great place to shoot!

Will my wife ever go with me again?  Will my son ever stop rolling his eyes when I mention a photo shoot?  Who knows, but I do know this, last Saturday morn happened and now it is engrained into my brain and heart as a special day I will not forget anytime soon!

Sweet Shot Tuesday is here once again and I really look forward to that day!  Not only do I get to share some of my favorite shots, but I get to visit with photo-tog friends and live a little of their life through their captures.  Take a moment and jump over to Life with 3 Boybarians and peruse the life of my friends through their photos!

Until next time…

A Day In The Park, Just Another Sweet Shot

Good morning all!

 

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing a family that I shot last year.  Truly a very special family to me, since it was the first session I had ever did!!!  To be honored with this privilege of capturing love, enjoyment, and family is just one of the many blessings that I receive when I pick up my camera.  And to be honored twice…WOW!  The only thing that could be better is we’ve already booked a session for the fall :~)

 

Enough rhetoric, enjoy some Sweet Shots from this session ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go ahead and take a magic carpet ride on over to Life with 3 Boybarians and check out the other Sweet Shots from my friends!  I think you’ll find many of hours wasted, I mean relaxing while perusing the other entries!