Day 49: Line of sight

Mito Habe-Evans and I embarked on an urban safari along Broadway this afternoon. She made video with the Canon 5D as I drove.

Mito spent the day documenting the road and its commuters via various modes (bike, car and Jeep) for her portion of our Picture Story class project about the road that runs through most of Columbia, Mo.

Day 48: Big screen

Colleen Lefholz shares about her portion of our group Broadway project: the Columbia Cemetery. One of her subjects gave her a tour of the historic headstones.

Each of us in David Rees' Picture Story class is taking on a different aspect of Broadway, a road that runs through most of Columbia. I have chosen to look at the city's historical development by focusing on the Downtown area.

Day 47: Cool soak

I've always wanted an outdoor bathtub, but I'd prefer slightly warmer water...

Day 46: First Day of Spring

After a brief flirtation with short sleeves and sunshine, I awoke to snow.

I didn't leave the house.

Day 45: Waking, walking up

While I joke this is what the world looks like before I drink my caffeinated tea in the morning, this is what mid-Missouri looked like Friday morning as the fog took its time to dissipate.


As promised, another experiment with framing. This was the first afternoon we could open the windows in the third story of Lee Hills Hall overlooking Peace Park. As the sign directs, we closed them before leaving the building.

Day 44: No stills today

Interviewed Warren Dalton Jr., an expert on local history, about Columbia's Downtown area. (This is a screen grab from the video.) We spoke in one of his buildings, the Booth Building, which has stood at Broadway and 10th Street since 1886.

Because I used my video camera, I left my still camera at home. Felt strange not to have it with me...

Day 43: Hint of spring

As you can see, I'm obsessed with windows and using them as frames. Yes, there are more to come...

Day 42: Night at the library

After Carm's kind suggestion (see comments below), I took a dramatic whack at a crop. I aspire to make better pictures, ones that don't require such surgery.


Meg Burcke makes another blog appearance... She chose a seat a few chairs down from me at the Frank Lee Martin Memorial Library (also known as the J-Library) on the MU campus. It's a quiet place to concentrate. And, yes, water bottles are allowed.

Day 41: Through the looking glass

Spent part of the Ides of March on the second story of the Booth Building on Broadway in Columbia, Mo. Warren Dalton Jr. owns the Downtown structure, and he's shared a bit about the history of the area with me. Hope to learn more this week.

Day 40: Thinking spot

On my walk to the mailbox today, I found a chair.

So, I sat...


And this is what I saw...

Day 39: Grocery store tourist

One of the employees at HyVee, my favorite grocery store in Columbia, allowed me to taste a Honey Sunset Plum from Chile. Mmm...

These yellow fruit sweeten as they ripen to red.

I like to choose local, organic food over imported produce when I can. So, instead of going back for more, I'd like to travel to Chile.

Day 38: Conferring

It's encouraging to meet regularly with other photographers in my Picture Story Class, especially when I find we're in the same boat: struggling to row up the semester stream. We're midway at this point with eight more weeks to go...

From left to right: Chris Dunn, Jessica Cherry, Laura Herring and Colleen Lefholz.

Everyone has had something to contribute, and I've learned a bit from each person.

Day 37: Another man who knows

David Rees is the head of the photojournalism department at Missouri's School of Journalism. His door is often open, and students refer to him as "Yoda" for his ability to listen and give guidance. Today, he offered much-needed encouragement during a brainstorming session.

A year into my two-year program, I'm glad I made the decision to attend grad school...

And I look forward to the coming year.

Day 36: A man who knows

Warren Dalton Jr., 92, is a local historian. In addition to publishing a bimonthly column in the Columbia Daily Tribune, he and co-auther David James have recently released a book called Historic Downtown Columbia. He's graciously agreed to meet with me to share a bit about the history of Broadway, which runs through Downtown.

Day 35: Under pressure

Jesse Miller, bench jeweler, steam-cleans a ring at Buchroeder's Jewelers in Columbia, Mo. Open since 1896 and in its current location on Broadway since 1911, the shop is possibly the oldest business in Boone County.

Day 34: Venturing out

Fought a fever for most of the weekend, and this was my first foray into public. The Boone County Public Library was on along my route to Wal-Mart. The cool night air felt good.

The architecture is unique, and it reminds me of my days working in the children's section of The Farmington Public Library in northwestern New Mexico.

Day 33: Like mother, like daughter

My mom knows I've been under the weather, so she Skyped in to cheer me up. As I have not left the couch all day, this is the one photo I've made.

When I was a kid, I didn't really see the resemblance. But as I get older...

Day 32: Signs of spring

Opened my windows for the first time Saturday. According to the calendar, there are only 14 days left of winter. It seems spring is truly on its way.

Day 31: Another 30

Strategic communications graduate student Meg Burcke poses for photojournalism grad student David Kennedy in Gannett Hall.

"We have to make a photo each day," I said to Meg, trying to explain why the two of us pounced on her with our cameras. After one month of making and posting at least one photo each day, my fellow students in David Rees' Picture Story class and I have agreed to continue for another 30 days.

"Don't you do that anyway?" she asked.

Excellent question, Meg. Excellent question.

Day 30: What to leave out

Jackie Bell lectures about cropping photos in her Visual Communications class. I'm Jackie's teaching assistant, and the two of us will spend part of the weekend grading assignments where students demonstrate they know what to include and what not to include in a photograph.

This marks the 30th day in the 30 Days, 30 Photos project.

It's been a valuable exercise in the daily practice of photography. In studying how to capture light, I've had to learn patience with myself. This project has allowed me to open up and trust the process. Not every day, not every picture will be perfect. (In fact, none of them will be.) But that's OK, because I'm learning and, more importantly, allowing myself to play with my camera.

Day 29: Oldest biz in town

Buchroeder's Jewelers is the longest running business in Boone County, says owner Mills Menser. It's been open for business in Columbia, Mo., since 1896 and it's been in its current location on Broadway since 1911.

As its 100th location anniversary nears, changes will be made. Shelves have been cleared for demolition. Next week, remodeling will make way for twice as many diamond display cases. As the commerical says, "Buchroeder's is where Mid-Missouri goes to get engaged."

Day 28: Like a polaroid

Made this image while driving through a green light. Didn't look through the viewfinder. Held up the camera with my right hand while holding the wheel with my left.

Because I was driving, I wasn't able to immediately see the image on the back of my digital camera. In fact, I didn't see it until a few moment ago.

The colors and composition remind me of my childhood documented in Polaroid film.

My Aunt Colleen used a Polaroid camera when I was young. After each flash, she'd pull the thick receipt from the camera. My brothers, cousins and I would huddle around it, waiting for the smelly paper to do its work and reveal the image we knew, hoped, prayed would emerge.

We still huddle today. Around the backs of our digital cameras. Around phones. Around laptops. Around TV screens. The wait becomes shorter and shorter as the process evolves, but the anticipation, the hope and the community surrounding what transpires remain the same.

Day 27: Closing in

Calin Ilea concentrates as Anne Shipley and others discuss a group project about Broadway in Columbia, Mo., during David Rees' Picture Story Class.

As a group, we've also agreed to make and post one photo each day for 30 days. The finish line approaches...

So, will we commit to another 30?

Day 26: Another 704

Here's another view of my apartment. Someone has scribbled the front and back with chalk.

My friend Clare and I have been discussing how much we'll miss Columbia, Mo., when we move from here. If all goes according to plan, she'll graduate in May and I'll embark on some sort of project come June.

This apartment has become my home, however temperary, and I will miss my neighbors and easy access to the MKT Trail, Downtown and the J School.