Farmer's Market...

I spent my weekend at the Farmer's Market and doing some photo sessions, which is why I am a little late with this week's blog. I've been spending so much time on photo editing for the portraits that I haven't been out much.

So I start with another fire hydrant...dedicated to Drew Barrymore.








The above kids. Random musicians. Not bad. Not great. But not good enough to throw money in their guitar cases. Maybe the listeners gave them enough for lunch that day.

The Ozone Players.
Actually, this singer is my cousin. He's a distant cousin and probably doesn't know my face.





And some other random shots...





The following shots were nature shots from the photo shoot. We were in a field in Prairie Grove (near the Battlefield). Anyone know what these red flower-like objects are called?



I didn't edit this last picture much. The colors don't seem right..but..I didn't care anymore. I've been editing an insane amount of pictures this week.



Until next time...

Reaching for straws...

The Abandoned Church...



Or at least I think its abandoned. I've spent the last 2 months driving by this church at different times of the day. It sits next to the Prairie Grove Civil War Battlefield. It's not as picturesque in the afternoon as it is in the morning, but I didn't want to miss yet another opportunity to shoot it.



In the morning, as the sun has just come up and the surrounding prairies are covered in fog. Cows in the distance. Its such a beautiful, peaceful sight to see every morning.



The only thing is - in the morning, I'm in too big of a hurry to stop and capture it. I've planned to capture it some weekend morning - but as if I am going to get up early on the weekend. Not gonna happen!







This not quite sunset shot is right across a gravel road from the church. So it gives you an idea that this church - while NOT in a secluded place, actually FEELS like it is.



The Water Treatment Plant burnings...




They're building a new water treatment plant in Prairie Grove about a block from where I currently live. Actually, they haven't started yet, but they're burning the brush from the soon-to-be location. They burn the brush several times per week. I needed some blog material, so I went for a walk.



Random leaf...



So a co-worker of mine (for the sake of anonymity, I'll call her Drew Barrymore) she feels that my fire hydrant pictures are boring because that's all they are. Maybe she's right. It could be that it's part of the canine in me. I think I know why dogs love fire hydrants, but I don't usually feel the need to relieve myself on one.

So, Drew, how about a fire hydrant sunset?





I was losing sunlight and decided to head back. The weather vane was the only interesting thing on the walk back.





Updates: I have a Facebook fan site. If you like what I do, please join. Do a search for Justin Lee Huddleston Photography.

I have purchased my tickets to Brazil and have received my permanent resident visa. I will be leaving in June - and then the title of this blog becomes much more relevant. My goal has always been setting up a blog for my life in Brazil - and its getting closer. Thanks for following thus far!

Until next time.

An Eventful Weekend

Thursday Night Thunderstorms

Probably the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. This is only a mere humble attempt to capture it.




Friday Night. Vanderbilt v. Arkansas



Ok, so we lost the game 9-0, but I was able to get some great photos. I was really excited about some of these.




















Much later in the night, after midnight I was returning into Prairie Grove. The moon was full and clear fields near the civil war battlefield were covered in a layer of fog. The moonlight lit it up so beautifully. I was lucky that I was able to capture it due to a real lack of traffic at that hour.






Saturday - New Easter Clothing for the Carpenters.

Since Sunday is expected to have 80-90% chance of rain, we seized the opportunity Saturday to get pictures of the kids in their new clothing.







Until next time...

The Pea Ridge Battlefield Tour (EDITED w/Panoramic PHOTO)

Ok, so long blog today. Lots of photos to share.

Tough conditions with the harsh sun. It started off as overcast, but then the clouds rapidly disappeared.

As usual, I'm starting my blog with a shot that encompasses the general mood of the other shots.




The great thing about this shot is the fence. I wanted it out of focus on purpose. For the two battlefields I've been to here in Arkansas, they seem to be the typical distinguishing feature of the battlefields. I love these fences. Very historic feeling - almost straight from the movies.




The Elkhorn Tavern is probably the highlight of the trip. Approximately stop 8 on the 10-stop tour. The Tavern was a hospital for both Confederates and Union casualties.



The Elkhorn Tavern comes complete with bloody hospital utensils, a rotten bed and its very own story-teller.



Did you ever see "City Slickers"? This is probably Pea Ridge's answer to Curly. He seemed tough, wise and full of interesting stories about the fighting. He tells the story so well, you'd think he himself was a soldier from the war.




We concluded that these canons were copper since they all turned green from corrosion.



The angel who watches over the soldiers at the Elkhorn Lodge.



I'm working on some panoramic shots of the battlefield. They are not ready, but the location for one of them was one of the best overlooks for anything I have ever seen. Those will be posted in part 2 of the blog (later this week).

For now, some free style portraits of my company.
(Note: I have permission from individuals to post these images.)

Ched Carpenter with his new hat.


Dan's daughter Aubrey


Dan and his youngest, Ava.



Aubrey, again.



Aubrey was the only one cooperative with the camera today.



Please return later this week for the panoramic images from the East Overlook of Pea Ridge Battlefield...

EDIT:

Ok, so here is the panoramic.



Click on the image to see a larger version.

Admittedly, these were my first attempts at panoramic and I didn't edit them, so you can see the tone changes from the sky caused by the merging of the pictures together.

The second one failed to upload, but it really doesn't look much different than this.

Until next time...