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.  

Thames River Bridges

Groton, CT  2016

I'm sure I've posted images of these bridges many times on this blog.  Each time I see them, I'm moved to photograph them again.  Each image is unique taken since they're taken at different times of the day and under various weather conditions.  The higher bridge carries I-95 across the Thames River and is named the Gold Star Bridge.  Amtrak trains use the lower lift bridge traveling between New London and Boston along the Northeast Corridor line.

Fume Hood

Branford, CT  2016

My fume hood is not much better than my bench.  It got to the point last week, that I just had to stop and spend a day cleaning up.  That a good thing to do on a Friday.

Lab Bench

Branford, CT  2016

Sometimes my lab bench get a little out of control.  Chemists are trained early in their careers to never throw anything away.  You never know when you might need a compound that you made or purchased.  I think it's about time I cleaned this bench, before it becomes listed by the EPA as a "Superfund" Site. 

MacKenzie Reservoir

Wallingford, CT  2016

The trees are finally turning green in our neck of the woods. 

BBC Haren

New London, CT

I saw this ship docked in New London recently, but really couldn't find a lot of information on her.  I only know that the BBC Haren was built in 2010 and is a general cargo ship.  

Passenger Cars

Essex, CT  2016

Witch Hazel Works

Centerbrook, CT  2016

Witch Hazel has been produced in Connecticut since the early 1800's.  The most successful company, E.E. Dickinson, produced witch hazel on this site up until 1997, when all production was moved to East Hampton, CT by American Distillery, where it is still produced today.  The original production facility located adjacent to the Essex Steam Train has been converted into offices.  I'm pretty sure Connecticut leads the world in the production of witch hazel. 

3025

Essex, CT  2016

This steam engine was undergoing some repairs and at first glance looks pretty old to me.  I was surprised to learn the engine was built in 1989 by the Tangshan Locomotive Works in Tangshan, China. That's hardly an antique in my book.  The company was making steam locomotives as late as 1991, making it the last company in the world that produced steam locomotives.  This particular engine is one of two engines that are still operating in the US that were built by the Tangshan Locomotive Works

Some Rolling Stock

Ok, how many of you out there miss cabooses?  

Essex, CT  2016

Essex Station

Essex Station, Essex, CT  2016

When not hosting such luminaries  as Thomas the Tank Engine,  the Essex Station is the home of the Valley Railroad Company which operates the Essex Steam Train and has been serving the lower Connecticut River valley since 1971.  The steam train itself operates during the summer months and also runs special events at other time of the year along the Connecticut River.  

Percy

Essex, CT  2016

Even though I have a 3 year old grandson, I'm not as a familiar with Thomas the Tank Engine as I should be.  I'm pretty sure this is Thomas' friend Percy.  Percy had it pretty easy this week in Essex.  Percy just had to look pretty and pose for pictures.  Thomas, on the other hand, actually did some "work" being attached to the train.

Day Out with Thomas II

Essex, CT  2016

Despite the cloudy weather with some light rain, children of all ages were eager to ride the train with Thomas the Tank Engine. 

Day Out with Thomas

Essex, CT  2016

Anyone with young children or grandchildren needs no introduction to Thomas the Tank Engine.  Thomas recently visited the Essex Steam Train attracting young fans from all over, including  a certain grandson of mine, who had a great time meeting Thomas and all his friends.  

Pearl and West Main

Mystic, CT  2016

Mystic Bridge

Mystic, CT  2016

Bridge Works

Mystic, CT  2016