Daily Photos

< July 2022 >

July 1, 2022
Today I went back to school. I`ve come unhinged. The repaving project is finished (see June 27, 2022). There are no concerts at the Levitt this weekend, but there are usually musicians in the Oregon District. There are usually flowers in the Oregon District too.

July 2, 2022
It`s far from perfect, but I`m fortunate to live here. I didn`t know Dayton had a history of making soap. I walked into the exhibit and the smell was overpowering. My membership at Carillon Park expires on July 4, so I visited on July 2. This probably seemed like a great design at the time. Cloches a travers les feuilles by Claude Debussy.

July 3, 2022
Rabbits have few predators in a gated suburban park. We all deserve a place in the world. I`ve never been stung by a bee while taking pictures. I must admit, I chased this skipper around the park. I stayed in bed longer than I should have, but there were still dewdrops on the daisies when I got to the garden.

July 4, 2022
`Liberty and justice for all` is a great idea that I hope someday becomes a reality. An Oregon District tradition (see July 4, 2020). I saw a lot of runs scored -- by the other team. Guess which one caught the foul ball. I sat through a 20 - 1 blowout for this picture.

July 5, 2022
I recently bought a macro lens (see June 20, 2022) that has a new feature called Spherical Aberration Control. What`s Spherical Aberration Control? I tried to find out. I set up a test in the kitchen where I photographed a subject against a background. Turning the SA Control ring to the plus side made the subject larger and the edges of the background harder. Turning the SA Control ring to the minus side made the subject smaller and the edges of the background softer.

July 6, 2022
Summer days are precious. The morning buzz. The morning flutter. Subway to nowhere. I don`t drive to work very often now, so I was surprised to see improvements being done in my parking garage.

July 7, 2022
Fun and games at the radio station. I was just an observer, not a player. I`ve probably played Uno, but don`t remember the rules. This was Spicy Uno, which has all sorts of new rules. This photo symbolizes competition, not closeness.

July 8, 2022
When my first picture is taken at 7:53pm, that means I`ve totally lost control of the day. Welcome to the Oregon District. I`d turn back if I were you. It was raining and getting dark, but I went outside to find me some nature. This is the kind of day when a pile of rocks will do. The closest parking spot to my front door is underneath a walnut tree, but I don`t park there at this time of year.

July 9, 2022
It was a crazy night of Zydeco at the Levitt. I`m pretty sure they were having a good time. The washboard has come a long way. I`m lucky to have a Levitt Pavilion in my neighborhood. I`d never seen a Grammy before, and may never again.

July 10, 2022
I taught a photography workshop along the river today. Five people registered, three showed up, plus one duck. It was a beautiful, though very warm, day by the river. There was another workshop going on at the same time. I appreciate INSTRUCTION of any kind. I`m proud of my students for doing a lot of walking, and gaining more photography knowledge and experience. Dayton, Ohio: birthplace of aviation, and me.

July 11, 2022
The right half of me is 20 degrees hotter than the left. Humans put down a sidewalk. Nature just laughs. Monday mood. They don`t build `em like that anymore. Squirrels make a mess on my porch (see July 8 above).

July 12, 2022
Tuesday morning football? Sure, why not. Tackling him after he scores a touchdown is pointless. The defender made the fatal error of trying to intercept, making it possible for the receiver to catch the pass. The crowd went wild. While the world inches toward enlightenment, coaching still involves cursing at players and calling them stupid.

July 13, 2022
I had a Zoom meeting this morning, but zoomed around the park first. Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow. You`ll just have to imagine the rest. I am sometimes impressed by my own photos. One of the furry offenders (see July 11 above).

July 14, 2022
My parking garage has undergone improvements on the ground level, but it`s still like a dark cave where I park. My view when the show starts at 5:30 and I work until 6. The view straight up was nice. The Colors in a Poet by Darrin Darby, in an exhibition honoring Paul Laurence Dunbar, now on display at the Dayton Art Institute. I love being outside when the weather is good. But in the winter, don`t even try to get me outdoors.

July 15, 2022
To me, food comes from the grocery store, and I`m only vaguely aware of what happens before that. My tradition of fine poultry portraiture continues (see July 16, 2021). Creativity out in the country. Price reduced! Buy today! She`s humble about her winnings.

July 16, 2022
Today`s photos are the result of a little bit of picture-taking and much, much, much waiting around. The humans and horses had a comfortable place to wait. But the horses outside were annoyed horribly by flies. We interrupt the waiting around to take a photo. And then there was more waiting around.

July 17, 2022
After the rain stops, it`s time for drops. Dayton set a new record: 2.64 inches of rain today. This region is fortunate to have so much fresh water. During a lull in the storms, he came outside to shake rainwater off of his flowers. Even the Out on Fifth litter is glistening with droplets.

July 18, 2022
Things are looking up. Notice the THREE cameras pointing down at me. Dayton still struggles to grasp parallel parking principles. When I walk to work, I find better photo opportunities. Won`t you be my neighbor? (see February 2, 2021; November 29, 2006; and April 22, 2005)

July 19, 2022
This rabbit had no fear. I probably could have petted it. Don`t hesitate to be different from everyone else. My, what big eyes you have! On the way to work. It was a good morning for bugs.

July 20, 2022
Waiting for artistic inspiration (see June 29, 2022). Or you could just fit in with everyone else (see July 19 above). This flower reminds me of a church choir wearing robes. The safe way to drink from a birdbath (see August 12, 2004; June 1, 2007; August 15, 2013; and August 11, 2021). Bugs, birds and beasts are essential. People are optional.

July 21, 2022
I`ve been photographing certain people for many years, and I`m glad to keep doing it (see May 23, 2015). Rick Good (see February 9, 2007). John Taylor (see May 5, 2011). Sharon Leahy (see September 15, 2006). Michael Bashaw (see August 25, 2017).

July 22, 2022
Now, well into my second / third chorus, I listen to Jazz . . . . . . celebrate the Blues, think of words by Langston Hughes . . . . . . I drone `a drowsy syncopated tune,` . . . . . . scat with Ella`s `How High the Moon` . . . . . . Man. What a wonderful thing -- living life with a swaggering Swing. RUSSELL DUPONT

July 23, 2022
After two years of plague, Gem City Comic Con is back. Comic books aren`t my thing, but I appreciate the art. I had her say my name so she could find my Web site. People at the Comic Con aren`t shy around cameras. I don`t know the characters, but I like the costumes.

July 24, 2022
Step 1: find an interesting subject to photograph. Step 2: put the subject in front of a contrasting background. Step 3: find an interesting perspective to shoot from. Step 4: control which elements in the shot are in focus. Bugs and flowers are okay. Bugs on flowers are better. Birds and trees are okay. Birds in trees are better. Days pass quickly, so enjoy each one.

July 25, 2022
There were lots of ducks and children at the river tonight. This is a duck. Maybe I`m weird, but I try to stay dry around the river. Who needs a hard hat? This was a very satisfying picture to take. If you`re curious: they`re about the size of a golf ball.

July 26, 2022
Today I said my name to someone and he complimented my photography and said he`d watched my TEDxDayton talk. I hope he never sees this picture. Who`s thirsty? Not everything in a photograph needs to be in focus. I watched it flutter into this snug spot, and I expect it will still be there in the morning. It`s a battle to the death among the prairie coneflowers.

July 27, 2022
It rained today, so I drove to work and parked in the cave. No renovations on my level yet (see July 14 above) Did I mention it rained today? I`m trying to find a good reason why humans should be allowed to occupy the Earth, but haven`t found one yet. Have humans made the Earth a better place? Nope. I`m probably the most negative person you know.

July 28, 2022
Boxing Banjo is in town for the Dayton Celtic Festival, and they performed at the Levitt Pavilion a day early. They told the audience that it`s been 1,047 days since their last show in the United States. There`s a little bug flying in front of his face, and lots of bugs annoying me as I took photos. `I`ll lay around the shack `til the mail train comes back, rollin` in my sweet baby`s arms.` He said they weren`t accustomed to hot Ohio weather.

July 29, 2022
I went seven weeks and four days without buying gas. Preparing for an event that will have lots of chocolate. Holly and Emily have transformed into Holly and Logan (see December 6, 2019). I heard a wide variety of songs performed tonight. Coming to you live from Bellbrook, Ohio.

July 30, 2022
The Oregon District is a gigantic photography studio. `Back after a two-year hiatus` is a catchphrase now. I probably should have used earplugs. I wasn`t terribly hot standing in the shade, but they weren`t in the shade and they weren`t standing. The excessively talented Boy Blue (Ben Baugham).

July 31, 2022
Squirrel logic: the walnut came from the tree in front of my house and the squirrel carried it up a neighbor`s tree. Is this what people do all the time in Ireland? Two Irish wolfhounds taking their humans for a walk. The band asked the crowd, `Who`s drinking on a Sunday?` The crowd responded enthusiastically. Food, music, culture, and -- of course -- merchandise.

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