Tonight was the meeting of my train club here in Madisonville, Ky. Unfortunately, or perhaps not, we had to meet on the platform of the L&N Depot where we normally meet, because some vandals broke out several of the large windows in the old train station. Can’t understand why people do things like this and if you know something about what happened I encourage you to call the Madisonville Police Department. It seems that this has been happening around town.

Usually when a train is approaching the station we all leave and gather on the platform to watch it go by, but tonight we were already trackside and so I caught this southbound UP train as members were waving and watching it pass by.

That’s one of the things I love about having my iPhone with me is that on the spur of a moment I can pull it out and capture a moment in time such as this. I also thought it made a good picture for today’s iPhone photo challenge.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processing was done using the Snapseed App on the phone.

I can’t believe that I left the house and got all the way to town before I realized that I didn’t have my iPhone! I put the case on my belt and left the phone setting on the desk in my office.

I started having withdrawals until my sister let me use her 4s to shoot pictures of Elaina as she made her way around the sanctuary exploring before church started.

As she was working on climbing up some steps she sat down and gave me this look and I knew I had my picture.

When photographing small children you have to be quick as they don’t wait for you to take the picture! I think I got off two shots before she was off and on the move again.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 4s and post processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

We took my nieces and nephews to Holiday World in Indiana yesterday and I think this has turned out to be my favorite photo from the day and thankfully I shot it with my iPhone so it’s todays challenge picture.

I love the way Xavier is holding onto his cousin Damion and being pulled up the lounge chair at the Cabana we were in. A lot of implied action and the laugh on his face as Damion drags him along, all contribute help make this a strong photo.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done in Snapseed on the phone.

Today’s iPhone Challenge shot is another from my new Meadow Garden that I’ve started in my yard. I love the graphic designs that mother nature puts into it’s creations!

When shooting flowers and plants I find it effective to get in close to your subject and try to go with a shallow depth of field by focusing tight on one flower. This will help add impact to your picture.

Photo was shot with Hipstamatic on the iPhone 5s using the Helga Viking Lens with the Pistil Film and post processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

Today my sister and I took Damion to Subway for lunch and when someone came in or went out the door he’d say “Ding” and tilt his head and do it a few more times. Besides hats and trains he loves bells! The moment made for a great picture! By the way, the umbrella behind him was a “Kite” according to him!

A great memory captured for all time! Oh, it was his birthday today also! He turned two and this Saturday we’re taking him, his sister and cousin Xavier to Holiday World for Damion and Elaina’s birthday party… guess what Saturday’s challenge photo will be from!

Photo was shot with the Hipstamatic App using the Helga Viking Lens with the Pistil Film setting. Some post processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

All kinds of toys and today Damion was content to just play with the dirt!

When photographing kids or adults, always keep an eye out for the things that happen that make for the unexpected photograph that will again, make for great memories down the road. That’s what photography is all about!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

Sometimes the simplest things make for a good picture.

Today I captured this shot of a hanging lamp during the West Kentucky Photography Club’s weekly Tuesday lunch.

As we sat there eating I noticed the hanging lamps over each table and booth and decided that with the right background and placement that it could make an effective photo for today’s iPhone Challenge picture.

This was over the booth next to us and I closed the blinds to help make the lamp stand out better and also shut down on the glare from the outside. I also tried to keep the lamp positioned between the vertical slats to make the image more graphic and interesting.

Always keep your eyes open for the commonplace things around you as sometimes they can make the best pictures!

Photo was shot with Hipstamatic on the iPhone 5s using the Helga Viking Lens and Pistil Film setting.

Today’s challenge photo is of Damion and his cousin from Atlanta, Georgia, Billiejean (BJ), as they played cars together on his train table.

I love the interaction between the two of them and especially the look on BJ’s face. For me it’s a great moment between the two of them.

When you’re photographing family members, or anyone for that matter, your goal should always be to capture a moment that shows the emotion of some sort between your subjects.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

Sometimes the best pictures of kids are the quiet ones such as today’s iPhone Challenge photo of Damion.

He’d had a great time at church today and by the time we arrived at our lunch spot he was sound asleep in his car seat.

I hated to wake him up, but he loves his grilled cheese sandwich with fries and one of his favorite treats that he calls a “Sticky.” It’s the rice crispy treat that comes with his meal and that in itself will be a picture sometime down the road.

Photo was shot with the Hipstamatic App on the iPhone 5s using the Helga Viking Lens and Pistil Film setting.

Damion and Elaina were having a ball today playing with their Aunt Jamie and I got several nice shots. So many that it was really hard to choose one for today’s iPhone Challenge picture, but this black and white version with my sister April sitting in the background won out over the others.

Damion and Jamie were counting and of course Elaina wanted to get into the game as well.

When capturing family moments, try to position yourself and the camera in such a way that you can see the faces. It makes for a much stronger picture.

Photo shot on the iPhone 5s using Hipstamatic with the Lucas AB2 Lens and the BlacKeys Super Grain Film.

Today’s challenge picture is of my nephew Kenneth who arrived last night for a summer visit. Being a teenager with no real responsibilities for the summer, this is one of his natural states, at least in the mornings.

Of course since there’s two little ones, his niece Elaina and Damion, in the house this year that kinda make a lot of noise, he usually stays up late after they’ve gone to bed. Besides, it’s summer. Still I love capturing a shot or two of him sleeping as I’ve done this every year for past several. Again, a nice memory well worth capturing on camera! They sure do grow up fast!

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

I really like how today’s iPhone Challenge photo turned out, of a teen running with a football, at the Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville, Tn. Plus the folks with the Segways, clouds, bold lines of the steps and the railings leading the eye into the picture, all work together in this shot. My only wishes were that the buses weren’t in the background. Sometimes you go with with you have in front of you and make the best picture you can.

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed with the Snapseed on the phone.

What can I say… Elaina was playing on the floor, surrounded by her and her brother’s toys, and I couldn’t pass up shooting this picture after her mom gave her something to drink.

When I stepped over her to shoot the picture she gave me this adorable look and I knew I had the shot I wanted. I only got off about 4-5 pictures before she was bored with the camera and off to other things.

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed with the Snapseed App on the phone.

Today I shot another Veterans portrait for my upcoming exhibit at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in the Anne P. Baker gallery this November here in Madisonville, Ky.

This little guy decided that my camera bag was quite comfortable and decided to make itself at home. Always keep your eyes open and be quick as you never know what will  present itself as a picture. The more you shoot with your camera phone, or any other camera for that matter, the better your pictures will get.

By the way, the exhibit will open on November 11th with a reception at the gallery. Everyone’s invited. It will be a series of 100 black and white portraits of Veterans from Hopkins County.

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in the Snapseed App.

Today we took my nephew Damion to the movies to watch the new “Earth to Echo” and as we were waiting for the movie to begin I caught this shot of him enjoying popcorn with his Aunt Chrystal.

While most smart phones aren’t the best for shooting in low light situations, unless you use the flash which I hate, but if you take your time and are patient you can capture nice memories for your family scrapbook.

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

Damion tried on a empty flower pot this morning as his “hat” and I was fortunate enough to catch this shot of him. I think it makes for a great childhood portrait of a little boy at play, or at least a great memory!

Remember, you don’t always have to include the faces of the folks you photograph. Sometimes a better picture only shows parts of them.

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed using the Snapseed App.

Elaina celebrated her first birthday today (July 4th) and I think she liked her cake and ice cream! Born on the Fourth of July and with red hair to boot! She’s really a fire cracker for sure!

When celebrating birthdays with kids, don’t just show them all neat and well groomed, but also when they’re messy and having a great time! The messy part cleans up pretty easy and having the ability to capture a moment like this is priceless and a memory that will live for ever.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

Over the winter I had an old oak tree fall into my yard and while I had planned to cut it up for firewood, my niece Chrystal and I decided instead to turn the area where it fell into a Meadow Garden where I can take photos of wildlife, flowers and insects. This is the first picture from the area of some daisies that we planted. I think I’m really going to like this area!

If you’re a gardener and you’re planting areas of your yard, do so with pictures in mind! That way you won’t have to venture very far to capture those nice photos of butterflies and the likes!

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

Today’s challenge photo is of two of my brothers, Danny and David, along with my niece Chrystal, working on repairing the awning over her son, Brad’s, front porch here in Madisonville, Ky.

Brad is serving in the United States Air Force and he, along with his family are currently stationed in Colorado and we’re taking care of his house here.

Don’t limit your picture taking when photographing your family. Take pictures of the things you do in everyday life as later down the road you’ll be happy you did.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in Photoshop CS6.

Kids and ice cream… they always make for a good picture!

Today Chrystal and I took Elaina to Dairy Queen for a treat and for the first time, at least with us, she held her own cone! Of course she kinda got it all over herself, but she didn’t mind at all. Never dropped the cone either, but we did end up taking it from her after she started eating it from the bottom and it started flooding out. Great time and great memories… that’s what a camera is there to capture!

I’m not sure which I like more, Elaina with the ice cream or her aunt Chrystal’s expression.

I’m sure when she’s older and looks back on this she’ll say something along the lines of… Uncle Jimmy… why did you!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in the Snapseed App.