posted by James on 04/30/10

Genuine smile

Candid photography is taking informal portraits–photographing a subject without them knowing or having the opportunity to prepare or pose. Power and added emotional impact comes when those candid shots have the subject looking at the camera, expressing inward joy with a natural smile. Perhaps taking these kind of pictures comes naturally for you, but for me, it is definitely something I have to work at. The question for me has been “How do you get your subject to smile at the camera?”

I asked this to a professional photographer earlier this week at the ATI Regional Conference in Big Sandy, Texas. I was in charge of compiling a slideshow of various programs from the week, and asked Sara to take a few shots of the COMMIT program. That was Thursday evening. The next day, at noon, she had the pictures ready. And what incredible shots they were! How did she do it? Her answer was very simple: your subject will give you the same smile you give them.

So I decided to try it. I was back stage when I noticed this little girl with her father waiting for their part in the next event. I think the active little one was slightly little upset and squirming around a little because she wanted down. But when she turned to look at me, I immediately gave her a great big smile. She brightened up and smiled back at me momentarily, just enough for me to raise the camera and take the picture. Without a word, I had communicated what kind of expression I wanted her to have in the candid portrait. Of course, this works differently with people of different ages and personalities, but the universal language of a genuine smile can work wonders in candid photography.

6 Comments » | posted in Photography

posted by Donald on 04/30/10

“My arguments in favor of the use of the Bible as a schoolbook are founded,

I. In the constitution of the human mind.

1. … Memory [develops during childhood]

2. /[Before age seven] children are more capable of receiving just ideas

3. The influence of early impressions is very great upon subsequent life…

4. Habit

5. We remember longest the knowledge we acquire by the greatest number of our senses.

6. Events … described in the Old and New Testaments are calculated, above all others, to seize upon all the faculties of the mind of children.

7. Native preference of truth to fiction

8. In old age [memory tends to revert to] the knowledge acquired early in life.

-Benjamin Rush, late 1700’s

From a personal letter, later published as a tract, “The Bible in Schools”

by the American Tract Society, circa 1830

(Paragraphs two through nine)

1 Comment » | posted in Family News

posted by James on 04/26/10

“To know how to say what other people only think,
is what makes men poets and sages;
and to dare to say what others only dare to think,
makes men martyrs or reformers.”
–Elizabeth Rundle Charles

in Chronicles of the Schonberg-Cotta Family, XIV,
(a biography on the life of Martin Luther).

7 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses, Photography

posted by Robert on 04/25/10

I still remember my very first Chick-fil-A sandwich. I was sitting on a stone wall with a group of friends in Knoxville, TN. Someone provided lunch and I opened my bag to see a genuine Chick-fil-A sandwich. It only took one bite. Despite the fact that we were in a hurry and I was absolutely famished, I savored every last bit of the tasty hot chicken nestled inside that fresh crispy bun. Everyone else was impatiently moving on when I finished, but I looked around. Couldn’t I have just one more?

Life led me to Chicago and one day I end up craving a chicken sandwich. I hop on my computer and start searching for the nearest Chick-fil-A. To my utter disappointment, I discovered that the nearest location was across the border in Wisconsin, over an hour away! What a letdown. If time had allowed, I just might have traveled the entire distance . . . .

Imagine my excitement when I found out last week that Chick-fil-A was coming to Chicago! On top of that, my connections with a friend in Chicago allowed me to be part of their VIP gathering last Tuesday night! Important business leaders from all over Chicago were there, including many government officials. That didn’t stop Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy from being open and honest about how his business is based on the Bible and the wise advice that Solomon gives in Proverbs: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

I was honored to receive my own personal copy of Mr. Truett Cathy’s book, “How did you do it, Truett?” It’s a quick and fun read. By the time you get to the end of the book, you realize that he didn’t do it and his statement in the preface rings true, “Truett, you didn’t do it. God did it, along with high-quality people at Chick-fil-A who have great ideas and work extremely hard to make the business successful, and our loyal fans, who are just as important to our success.” (Loyal fans? That includes me!)

eHow claims that “of all the fast food restaurants out there, Chick-fil-A is one of the easiest places to eat healthy at.” And, sure enough, Yahoo! Health gives them the highest grade of any other fast-food restaurant with the statement that “Chick-fil-A excels in every category we tested for.” Even better than that, though, is the healthy, friendly, wholesome atmosphere I’ve experienced every time I’ve walked into one of their stores.

What really impresses me about Chick-fil-A is their commitment to Biblical principles. And they don’t hide it, either. Can you think of any other multibillion-dollar restaurant chain that is closed on Sundays so that their employees can “spend time with family or friends, or in a place of worship”? Here is the official Chick-fil-A Corporate Purpose:

To glorify God by being a faithful
steward of all that is entrusted to us.

To have a positive influence on all
who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.

Now that’s a purpose worth living for.

Eat mor chikin!

10 Comments » | posted in Family News, Tidbits

posted by Robert on 04/20/10

Aunt Vickie has always been an encouragement to me in my piano playing. The other day she asked if we would post a video of me playing something so I found this little clip of “Life’s Railway to Heaven.” Jonathan took it while we were staying at the McEntires house on our recent Florida trip. (The sneaky fellow didn’t tell me I was on camera!) I was rather out of practice after a long trip but it was fun nonetheless. I love these good “mountain hymns!” Here’s the first verse and chorus:

Life is like a mountain railway,
With an engineer that’s brave;
We must make the run successful,
From the cradle to the grave;
Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels;
Never falter, never quail;
Keep your hands upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.

Chorus:
Blessed Savior, Thou wilt guide us,
Till we reach that blissful shore,
When the Angels wait to join us
In Thy praise for evermore.

10 Comments » | posted in Making Melody