(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Studio portrait.
Young Man
Category: Portraits
Kevin Ford, Master Blade Shearer
Thursday and Friday of last week I spent several hours at Rising Meadow Farm in Grays Chapel, North Carolina, watching sheep being sheared during the farm’s annual shearing weekend. It was a new experience for me, for while I was raised on a cattle farm and I am familiar with pigs and goats as well, I have never been around sheep and had never actually witnessed one being sheared. What made the experience even more fascinating was the folks doing the shearing were doing it with hand powered shears or “blade shearing”. To top it off, the lead shearer was Kevin Ford, from Charlemont, Massachusetts, arguably the most experienced blade shearer in the United States and one of the top shearers in the world. Kevin has written “the” book on blade shearing, he gives workshops, and he competes in shearing contests in this country and internationally. He also shears commercially, traveling from Massachusetts south to North Carolina every year shearing flocks along the way.
Blade shearing is slower than shearing with electrical clippers, but it easier on the sheep and leaves a little more wool on the sheep for protection. There seems to be more control and finesse involved with hand blades, and it was fascinating watching Kevin work with a sheep. The control he had over the blade and the sheep was amazing. I felt very lucky to be able to watch a master at his profession work the first time I was witness to it and I am appreciative of Kevin and the folks at Rising Meadow Farm for letting me get close to the action and to answer all my questions.
(Photographs copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Friday Faces, Alvin’s Automotive
(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Neighbor Alvin Ward changes the oil in a car at his shop, Alvin’s Automotive, in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.
In the Greenhouse
Cousin Thomas Routh works in his greenhouse on a warm afternoon last week in Grays Chapel, North Carolina. Thomas and his wife Lula Mae raise a large tract of vegetables they sell at the local farmer’s market. This year they are branching out into hanging flower baskets as well.
(Photographs copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Test Shot
(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Phil Allison stands in for a lighting test on a recent commercial job in Greensboro. Phil has been working with me for several years and is a great assistant as well as a top notch photographer in his own right. In this business, you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.
Friday Portrait
(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Portrait of younger son Devin, before his trip back to New Hampshire.
Teacher
(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Dr. Cathy D. Kea, professor of education at North Carolina A&T University, works with a group of young students recently at their school in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Airport Goodbyes
(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
During the holidays this year, the whole family was together. Older son Tristan and his wife live with us and younger son Devin was in from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Every flight in means a flight out and Mom having to deal with the goodbyes.
Local Faces
A short stop by Routh Oil Co in Lineberry, North Carolina yielded a few portraits opportunities on an afternoon last week. Eric Routh above and Dori Routh and Harry Whitaker below.
(Photographs copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)
Liberty Farm and Garden
In rural areas of the country, general stores and farm supply stores act as social centers as well as retail outlets. I stopped by Liberty Farm and Garden in Liberty, North Carolina on a cold winter day to pick up some farm supplies. I was greeted by old friend and classmate Mike Foust on arrival and I found owner Melvin Nunn inside close to the stove.
(Photographs copyright 2010 by Dan Routh)
