trying to make sense of my world through pictures

Friends and Family

Gary and Sprinky

Gary and Sprinky by Gary Allman

Another self portrait. Ginger likes this one, so why not?

05 October 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Susan and Natalie

Natalie Anne's Christening by Gary Allman

Susan and Natalie; Grandmother and Granddaughter.

This is a combination of two almost identical images. I combined them because the positioning of Susan’s hand was better in the second shot which was composed to remove some background distractions, but the overall composition of the first shot was better, despite the distracting background elements. The combined shot removed the distractions and kept the best pose and composition.

13 March 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


St. Valentine’s Day breakfast at Anton’s Coffee Shop

Valentine's day breakfast at Anton's by Gary Allman

Today, after the school run we treated ourselves to breakfast. Anton’s parking lot was empty; so empty we thought they might be closed. Fortunately it was open, and the lack of customers meant we had the pick of the tables so I got one one with excellent light all the better to take some pictures of Ginger.

Valentine's day breakfast at Anton's Valentine's day breakfast at Anton's Valentine's day breakfast at Anton's


14 February 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Proud dad

Proud dad by Gary Allman

Natalie Anne holding Lanie's finger

Natalie Anne holding Lanie's finger

Ginger holds Natalie Anne, born on the evening of Wednesday February 2, 2011, while dad, Matt, hovers protectively in the background.

As I was editing these pictures I received news of a death in the family back in the UK.

It was expected, but I was deeply saddened by the news. Saddened that it happened so soon and so quickly. Saddened that I wasn’t there to say my goodbyes or provide support.

Just as one life ends another has begun.


03 February 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Lighting test

Ginger Allman

We were at the 2011 Bishop’s Ball where I was expecting to be taking pictures of small groups after the awards ceremony, so I practised setting up the flash and reflector. While playing with the set-up I got this very nice picture of Ginger. I love the way she’s looking away from the person walking through the doorway behind her. 

It turned out all my preparation was in vain as I ended up taking pictures on stage during the ceremony.

29 January 2011 | Diocese of West Missouri Youths’ 2011 Bishop’s Ball | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Gary in the workshop

Drilling in the workshop by Gary Allman

Today I spent some time in the workshop.

With temperatures up in the sixties expected, we were planning on going out in the kayaks. That didn’t happen. Some shopping got done and I spent some time in the workshop instead.

First I repaired a kitchen drawer and in the process learned two valuable safety lessons. Then I made my self a pair of huaraches. I’ve been reading up on minimalist footware for quite a while and the huaraches seem to be the way to go, providing a very open shoe with a firmly attached sole. They are also very easy to make. So today I made a test pair. The finish of the sole cut-out is a bit rough, but I don’t expect these to last long, so I’m not going to worry about it.

Now I’ll have to give them a test and see how well they fair out on the trail and around home. One thing that has surprised me is that I’m having trouble getting used to the feel of the cord between my toes. As a long term flip-flop wearer I wasn’t expecting it to be an issue.

28 January 2011 | 365:028 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Merry Christmas 2010

Santa Getzger by Gary Allman

Christmas 2010

Gary Allman - Christmas 2010


Getzger is completely unimpressed at being called in to act in the role of Santa.

Just so that Getzger isn’t feeling too put upon in the silly hat stakes, here am I in my Santa Hat.


25 December 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Gary and Ginger Sitting by the camp fire in the moonlight

 

Gary and Ginger sitting by the camp fire in the moonlight by Gary Allman

This weekend we’ve been trying out our backpacking gear, but without the actual backpacking. The nearest we got to hiking with our gear was to lug our packs 20-30′ from the car to our campsite.

We decided to cheat on preparing the fire. Not wanting to spend a lot of time and energy gathering and cutting wood, we bought some logs for $4 and I split them with an 8lb non backpacking axe. However, we did successfully light the fire backpacking style using cotton wool pads coated with Vaseline.

20 November 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Gary and Ginger: wildlife and lake watching

Gary and Ginger: wildlife and lake watching by Gary Allman

I’ve been posting far too many landscapes, lake and tree pictures over the past few months. In an effort to mix things up a bit I thought I’d include a couple of pictures of us enjoying the scenery.

Friday evening we took Alek, Katie and a couple of kids from youth group to Kansas City for a Church event. We needed to be on hand to collect them again Sunday afternoon, so we left Lanie in the capable hands of Ginger’s cousin Betsy, put Getzger in charge at home and once we’d dropped the big kids off we turned around and went back to go camping at Berry Bend on Harry S. Truman Lake.

We didn’t bother taking the kayaks; we had a very nice quiet day sitting watching the lake and wildlife instead. It gave us a change to try out our Trekker chairs. I was dubious about sitting so low to the ground, but they proved very comfortable. The great thing about the chairs is that they use our existing Therm-A-Rest mattresses for the seat and seat back so there’s very little extra to carry. Which brings me to a problem. My Nikon weighs in at 2lbs. I need something lighter for backpacking, or I’m going to have to compromise somewhere else. We’ll see.

While sitting here we saw loads of different woodpeckers, hawks, and other birds including a bald eagle. We also watched the squirrels and chipmunks rushing around. Over the course of the weekend we also saw a deer, possum, coyote, and evidence of a beaver.

I never did get a chance to read the book I brought along, and I don’t think Ginger got much knitting done either.

20 November 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Oh noes

…Getzger Cat realises that the pictures of him sitting on the bed yesterday might end up on Facebook.

Getzger Cat continues to amaze and amuse us

21 October 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Cutting Wood

Cutting wood by Gary Allman

We had just finished cutting wood and loading the pick-up, when I spotted this picture of  Tom, his son, and the truck silhouetted against the sky. I deliberately under exposed the picture with this treatment in mind. I think the composition would be a little better if we hadn’t already loaded the wheel barrow.

We’ve spent several Saturdays working at this location which is around 25 miles South of Springfield.  It has a wonderful view of the Ozark hills, albeit spoiled by Highway 65 and the advertising hoardings that stand alongside it.

05 March 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman | Off Hwy 65, South of Springfield, Missouri


Table decorations

Ray preparing for the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri Youths’ Bishop’s Ball 2010 by Gary Allman

Ray concentrating on folding table decorations.

I volunteered to go with the Youth Group to the annual Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri Youths’ Bishop’s Ball 2010.  Held this year in Kansas City. Then I was asked if I’d mind going early and help get things ready. I enjoy helping out, and I like the driving so it’s not a problem. Between shifting tables and preparing them for the ball I took a few pictures. This is my favourite picture from the weekend. It’s a shame I didn’t notice the decoration was upside down. However, I resisted the temptation to put it right in Photoshop.

30 January 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman | Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri Youths’ Bishop’s Ball 2010 |


Carol and Ginger

Carol and Ginger by Gary Allman
Mother and daughter. For me, this is one of those pictures that makes it worth all the effort.

25 December 2009 | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Blue Kitteh

Blue Kitteh by Gary Allman

Despite being a haughty madam I have to admit that from time to time she looks wonderful, and tonight under the lamp with the Christmas tree (blue of course) behind her it was a picture asking to be taken.

22 December 2009 | See it large | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Ginger and Tubby

Ginger and Tubby by Gary Allman

Our resident Cat lady and Tubby, one of our four cats. Ginger must have known I was going to take a picture – she’s not wearing her glasses.

For some odd reason the lighting tonight seemed to have a little extra zing. Maybe it was because Ginger doesn’t normally sit in that particular spot. Whatever, I knew exactly what I wanted to capture, and my lovely little Fuji worked its photographic magic.

22 December 2009 | See it large | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


High School concert

 

High School concert by Gary Allman

Tonight we watched Katie take part in her first High School orchestra concert. It was very impressive, and the children are to be commended on their achievements.

22 October 2009 | Springfield Missouri | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Breakfast Flickr meet at Aunt Martha’s

Jim at Aunt Martha's Pancake House by Gary Allman

Our Flickr friend Jim detoured down to Springfield to say hello on his way home from a wedding shoot. We left the girls to do their choir duty and set Jim up for the drive home with a hearty Ozark breakfast at Aunt Martha’s. Our plan (successfully executed) was to go back and surprise Lanie after Church.

I’ve known Jim via Flickr and Facebook for over two and a half years. It is great to be able meet the people I’ve be-friended online in real life.

18 October 2009 | Aunt Martha’s Pancake House, Springfield Missouri | Map | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Fishing on Table Rock Lake

Fishing on Table Rock Lake by Gary Allman

Keith and Jon arrived back in Springfield on a surprise (for me only it seems) visit while crossing the country en route to Florida.

I wanted to show them a bit more of the mid west way of life, and my friend Tom volunteered to take us all out fishing on Table Rock Lake.

29 August 2009 | Table Rock Lake | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Enjoying the ride

Keith and Jon enjoying the ride across Table Rock Lake by Gary Allman

My son Keith and his friend Jon have been spending 3 months touring the US.  They arrived back in Springfield on a surprise (for me only it seems) visit while crossing the country en route to Florida.  I wanted to show them a bit more of the mid west way of life, so I took up my friend’s Tom’s offer to take us all out fishing.

Tom has been offering to take me out on the lake for ages and what with one thing and another I’ve not been able to set a date. I’d already had a look at his boat, but what hadn’t registered was the 200HP engine, and I don’t think the lad’s had fully taken in the implications of the beast at the back. It was fast and exhilarating, especially to someone like me who is more used to sailing than motor boating. Keith and Jon’s enjoyment of the ride is quite evident in these pictures.

29 August 2009 | Table Rock Lake | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


North Fork River Float Trip

North Fork River Float Trip by Gary Allman

We went off to explore a small cave. We should have brought a flash light.

10 July 2009 | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


‘Top Cat’ awards

'Top Cat' awards by Gary Allman
This evening we went along to watch Lanie and her school mates receive their ‘Top Cat’ awards.

I took advantage of the event to sneak in a quick portrait picture.

26 February 2009 | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Lanie

This is Lanie caught being a bit subdued – which is fairly unusual.

Of course if you could see the un-cropped shot you’d also see Ginger imparting some motherly wisdom, again not normally sufficient reason to subdue Lanie. Whatever the reason, it gave me an opportunity to put together a very nice portrait.

16 January 2010 | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman


Lynn’s big day

Lynn's big day by Gary Allman

Taken on the morning of her wedding, just after she’d finished having her make up put on. The lady doing her make up kindly held the black backdrop up behind Lynn for me.

12 July 2008 | Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman


Breakfast in America

Breakfast in America by Gary Allman
Ginger on my last day in the US this trip. We took my hangover out to breakfast; I had far too many Jack Daniels and coke’s at Rebbie’s birthday party the previous night. It was a very subdued breakfast before my getting ready to catch my ‘plane back to the UK that afternoon.

29 March 2008 | USA March 2008 | Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman


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