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Friends and neighbors gathered Saturday afternoon at Goat Lady Dairy in Grays Chapel, south of Greensboro to watch as the original “Goat Lady”, Ginnie Tate was surprised by her family with a first for her, a hot-air balloon ride. The group cheered as Ginnie took to the air. “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.”

Below is Ginnie’s ground crew.

For more about Ginnie, see this article at http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/09/26/article/goat_lady_ginnie_tate_i_m_not_afraid_to_die

(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

A few more images from my visit to the auto junk yard last weekend near Greensboro.

(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Today’s photograph is a still life image from my barnyard, a detail of an old log chain.

I took advantage of the spring-like weather yesterday to get out and photograph some things close to my home. The old Jess Hackett home place stands on Jess Hackett Road in Randolph County south of Greensboro. Layers of siding hide a two story early 19th century log structure with a hand laid rock chimney. From what I understand, Mr. & Mrs. Hackett raised eight children here.

(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Photographic illustration for a brochure cover.

My Grandfather’s old wheelbarrow leans against the wall of the grainery in our barnyard.

If you have been following this blog, and I hope you have, you may notice that I have been shooting a lot lately near my home in Gray’s Chapel and my studio in Old Greensboro. I would love to be able to share images with you from Venice, or Scotland, or Yosemite, or even the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but unfortunately, no one has been willing or able to pay me to go to those places lately, so I am spending a lot of time close to home. This has actually been sort of inspiring. I have begun to see that there is a world of things to shoot just outside my door. The wheelbarrow is less than a hundred yards from my deck. My neighbors provide an ample supply of characters for portraits.

I’ve had a lot of downtime lately (ie, no jobs), so instead of sitting around and waiting for the phone to ring, I’m making an effort (and it is an effort in slow times) to produce images of what’s around me. Must be the anthropologist in me coming out. The worst thing a photographer can do is not shoot, so I’m shooting what I have, and it’s fun. Comments are welcome.

(images copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Though perhaps not the most exciting subject, the photograph today is indicative of my everyday business. Over the last 30 years I have shot a tremendous amount of product photography, in fact for several years, it was the basis for my business. Take a mundane object and show it in the best possible light. Create a sexy sock. A simple idea, but sometimes not simple to pull off.

Today’s images are from my Saturday trip to the local farm supply near Greensboro.

(images copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Here’s wishing everyone a happy New Year. May 2009 be an improvement on the past year. Photography, and advertising photography specifically have changed over the years. I hope I can continue to adapt. That will be one of my resolutions, to continue to work to improve my craft and offer clients something of value. For those viewers of this blog, I welcome comments on what they like and criticism of what they don’t. Being a Greensboro photographer means I don’t have the strength of the larger markets to depend on, so I have to work harder to compete.

Image is from an old ESSO station in Denton, North Carolina.

ASMP/North Carolina is proud to present the incomparable Bob Krist on Friday, December 5. Bob is coming to Burlington, North Carolina to speak on five challenges on the road. For those who don’t know, Bob, as a former actor, is quite a stage presence, has a wonderful sense of humor, and is an amazing photographer and speaker. You have probably seen his photographs in just about any travel magazine there is. And for those who are interested, he will be presenting a program over the weekend for Outdoor Photographer targeted to the amateur audience.

Space is limited to the first 75 people who register, so please fill out the registration form to ensure seating. Payment can be made at the door. For more information, as well as for the registration form, please go to:

http://www.asmpnc.org/Krist0812PR.php