It’s time for another Brenda Photo Challenge! The current theme is Bedtime. Oh me, oh my. I think some folks could really get "cheeky" with this subject matter! I’m going to keep it very clean, except for one little twist of a photo at the end this post. I am not in the habit of taking pictures in bedrooms, but I do have a few that I can share with you from my journeys to historical places. If you dare, you are welcome to check out the offerings of other participants by going to challenge’s web link!
My first challenge picture was taken in one of the refurbished town dwellings at the Appomattox Court House National Park. This park includes the McLean House, site of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender. The event marked the end of the American Civil War, after 4 long years and claiming an astounding 630,000 casualties.
This is a style picture that I rarely do: backlit. It is always tricky to get the light balance just right. I thought there was a lot of charm in this scene: plain white curtains; sunlight streaming through the window; delicate cup balanced on the sill; small Victorian bed with caster wheels; handwoven rug with tears and tatters, weather-beaten wood floor; aged utility quilt; and, button style shoes tucked at the bedside. The image was taken at f/5.6, 1/30 second, and ISO 400.
Shaker furniture and architecture continues to fascinate me. This authentic headboard is one of many on display at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky. The hand carved cherry piece, with its simple scrollwork, contrasts with the painted bead board running along the whitewashed walls. I applied a textured background to the image to give it an antique flavor. The camera settings were f/8; 1/15 second, and ISO 800.
Last, we have an example of a bedtime essential from days long past: a potty chair! Why make a trip to the outhouse in the dark of night, taking your chances with poor weather conditions, when you can conveniently take care of your personal business just a few feet away? Typical Shaker styling ensures that it is a functional piece of indoor plumbing, yet beautiful at the same time. The scene is complete with a handwoven rag rug on the floor and overshot comforter on an old rope bed. The image was taken at f/7.1, 1/5 second, and ISO 800.
I love all of these pictures, especially the first one. You're a very talented photographer.
ReplyDelete...Are YOU telling me that Robert E. Lee...Surrendered????? No Way!! He did Not!Hahahaaa....
ReplyDeleteLordy Donna, these are beautiful shots...Nice job! If these rooms could Talk!!!
Love that potty!
Happy weekend!
hughugs
yeh me too-- ditto the above.
ReplyDeleteit takes a certain eye - and of course skill to catch a moment and get a photo like you do. i love them all.. as in all that you share with us. i really think you should go with the book idea-- even if it's only 1 - for you and your family. what a treasure it would be.
anyhow. i love the -age- or era- or whatever, that you chose for this challenge. theme? i always loved that time-- like little house on the prairie age. i have always thought that i was born at the wrong time. that i was sposed to be born and raised in those days-- or maybe have been a teen in the 60's. funny part about that ? my daughter says the SAME thing! that she shoulda been a hippie. personally-- idon't think she would've survived that era. literally.
anyhow-- great photos. you never fail to please.
hope your day is good to me.
hugs to you and kisses to you -- and of course , a big ole overdue wet kiss (back )to Marty :))
Fantastic photos! Showing the old-time-idea of what a bedroom looks like. Simple. Covering the basics.
ReplyDeleteTimes have certainly changed, have they not? To where every bedroom "has" to be a showcase of decorating ability.
-le sigh- Me'thinks they had something good going, back in the old days. :-) But I don't want to return to the potty-seat-by-bed, thank-you-very-much. ,-)
Those are wonderful!! I've toured colonial homes and castles and discovered more about the folks who've lived there by looking into the bedrooms than in any other room. The folks seemed to be a lot shorter, and they must have been exhausted to have been able to sleep in some of those beds! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat backlighting...well, my friend, you may have thought you'd get away on this assignment without being cheeky and then you show a bed on wheels. A bed on wheels?! That's unusual, isn't it? :D
ReplyDeleteGood job! I love the way you captured the essence of the moment. I always learn something from your photography - thank you for sharing the settings and what you did to capture the light and shadows and all the details of each photograph. It helps me learn more to try with my camera.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
You've got a great eye for style. Shaker furniture is always a treat to see.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots and I love the look of the rooms. Now if I was living back in the day of outhouses I would certainly want one of those potty chairs to avoid having to go out in the dark and the cold in the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteI love all your photos! The potty chair is a very pretty one. I've seen all kinds over the years. The first bedroom reminded me of one I saw in a historical lighthouse on the Oregon coast. What I noticed was how tiny the beds were! Not made for a big and tall girl like me! Lol!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo's. Love the potty chair. My grandmother had a "POT"; enamel with a lid. It was called a 'slop jar'. :)
ReplyDeleteI suspected we would be treated to lovely photos and we were. Very pretty. Rather like the back lighting. The potty chair was the perfect note to which to end.
ReplyDeleteLove Shaker simiplicty. Have enjoyed exploring the remains of their various communities.
BRAVO! *applause*
ReplyDeleteI love these shots, especially the nesting place for the chamber pot.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I love the first one.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, I especially like the first one. I always enjoy seeing furniture from days gone by.
ReplyDeleteYou have misssed your calling..these photos would make any magazine or book worthy of seeing...great photos and very intresting to see!
ReplyDeleteYou do get to visit the most interesting places Donna and I love the spin to put on the challenge. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteLove the old furniture and the potty chair is too cute.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics! Looks like a really interesting place.
ReplyDeletelovely photos...i always wondered how they took care of some of the daily necessities in the old days...never thought of the original potty. we used to use the outhouse at my Gran's.
ReplyDelete