Renya

I have been doing this blog since October 2011, mainly as a place to show some of my photography. Since that time I've gained a small, although very loyal following, who regularly comment on my photographic efforts.  I'm not sure what first led them to find my particular blog out the the millions that are on the web.  Perhaps it was fate, or, more than likely, they stumbled across my blog while searching on the web for something else.  I'm also not sure if some of my followers found me first, or started following me, after I commented on their blog.  No matter how they got here, I'm flattered that they have taken the time to look and comment.  Recently a post of mine elicited a comment from somebody new.   In her comment, Renya thanked me  for posting pictures from New London, saying that she was born in New London, and was raised in this area.  She went on to tell me about her connection to a sculpture in downtown New London,  which I featured in this blog, back in March 2014.  That sculpture is entitled "Renya"was made by late artist Ella Tulin, and is shown below:

"Renya"

by Ella Tulin

Renya commented that she worked as model for Ella Tulin  and was the model for the sculpture which now stands in New London.  Coincidently, Renya was visiting family and friends in the New London area and agreed to meet me so that I might photograph her along side her statue. So, on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago, my wife and I drove to meet Renya, and took her downtown to be with "Renya".

Renya

We spent some time with the sculpture and had a nice chat over coffee during which time we learned a lot about Renya and her connection with the sculpture and Ella Tulin.  Renya currently lives with her significant other in New Mexico and describes herself as a "gypsy".  She is truly an artist in her own right, and a deeply spiritual person. 

I'm afraid that my descriptions of Renya would not do her justice, so I encourage readers who would like to learn more about her visit her website, www.renyacreations.com . She blogs as well and is currently considering blogging while on an extensive cross country road trip.

It was a pleasure meeting the real Renya and I want to thank her for taking the time to be photographed along side the sculpture she inspired.   One never knows who you might reach or touch with a simple  photograph and blog post.  

Memorial Day 2016

Niantic (East Lyme), CT  2016

Rain cancelled all the local Memorial Day parades. 

Near Jordan Mill Pond

Waterford, CT  2016

Mystic River Bridge

Mystic, CT  2016

Another popular subject of mine captured this time on film using Ilford Delta 400 black and white film.  

First Congregational Church

New London, CT  2016

One of the images above is a digital image, converted to black and white using the program Silver Efex Pro with a preset that is supposed to emulate Ilford Delta 400.  I'm sure trained eyes can spot the digital image.  Care to make a choice? 

Whale Oil Row

New London, CT  2016

These buildings were built between 1835 and 1834 in the Greek Revival Style.  They were originally owned by whale shipowners who became very wealthy selling whale oil.  Today the buildings house various attorneys' offices.

Two More Black & White Images

Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic, CT  2016

I've posted many pictures of the pavilion at Rocky Neck State Park.  I think it looks better in black and white. 

Pentax ME Super Update

Readers of this blog might recall my project from last summer involving my ''vintage" Pentax ME Super SLR film camera and a number of rolls of Kodak T-Max 400 black and white film.  Since those posts back last September, I found a camera repair specialist located in Providence, RI and I took my Pentax in for a cleaning, lubricating and some maintenance .  I did this over the winter holidays and received the camera back about mid January.  The camera is in fine shape, and since I really take my time when shooting film, I have just finished and had processed my first roll of Ilford Delta 400 black and white film.  The light meter behaved well, and the maintenance eliminated a light leak that might have been present in my first attempts at using this camera.  I'll be posting some examples this week.  Some of the scenes will be familiar to readers, since I often have both my digital SLR along as well as this film camera.

Ocean Beach, New London, CT  2016

I can understand why photographers are drawn to black and white photography.  I can also understand why in the digital world, there is a lot of effort put into to emulating the look of film with various "filters" and digital presets.  My eye is not yet good enough to discern if any of the digital images which have been made this way really approach the look of film or not.  

New London, CT  2016

Old Hanger

Stonington, CT  2016

I talked about the history behind Saltwater Farms Vineyard in a post that be found here.  In keeping with the history of the property, which once served as air base, the new owners restored and improved upon an old World War II era hanger.  The hanger now houses their fermenters, barrel room and very elegant tasting room/event room.  

Chairs in a Row

Stonington, CT  2016

Both my wife an I enjoy having a glass of wine on a nice Sunday afternoon enjoying the scenery afforded by the local wineries.  On a warmer Sunday afternoon, these chairs would have been filled with people.  Not so, on this particular, cool and windy Sunday.

Saltwater Farm Vineyard II

Stonington, CT  2015

Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Stonington, CT  2016

Farm Implement II

Stonington, CT  2016

This looks like another model of the machine pictured in yesterday's post.  This one is not quite as colorful though. 

Farm Implement

Stonington, CT  2016

I'm a true city boy and don't know much about farming, so I'm not sure what this piece of farm equipment is.   It seems to be a pretty popular lawn ornament around here, since I've seen this particular machine a number of places. 

New London Ferries

Groton, CT  2016

Another frequent subject of my blog, although  seen from a different point of view.  This shot is taken from the Groton side of the Thames River looking across to New London.