2009_01_30_Kansas sheds her light

2009_01_30_Kansas sheds her light

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to travel about four hours west of Hutchinson to a small town near the border of Colorado called Marienthal, Kansas, where a fresh set of Vestas wind turbines is sprouting from the ground. I can't post any of the actual windmill photos since the paper is not publishing the story until later in February or even March, I'm not quite sure. They'll be up at some point in time though.

Here's just a little peak at the western Kanas sky. I was banking on an amazing sunset to really make the photos while shooting the wind farm and she didn't disappoint. At first I was a little worried as the sun dipped behind the clouds before it had a chance to really make the sky glow. But just as I was getting ready to call it a night it started to peak back out and eventually came out right before it dipped below the horizon.



Thanks for the light Kansas, I'll put it to good use.

be well,
Brad Vest

Listening to: I.H.O.J, Destroyer

2009_01_29_Desolation

2009_01_29_Desolation

Kansas is a very different place than anywhere that I have come from. Parts of it show a likeness to the flat and open parts of northern Illinois, but it's different. It seems more open, old, worn, and in some parts very desolate. Desolation is a theme that I seem to keep on seeing throughout where I travel for assignments and just around town in general. Parts about Kansas also seem to really sync with the economic perspective of the entire United States right now. While I've been here I've seen and heard commercials that say that Kansas is still going strong and it's doing much better than the rest of the United States. There are still parts however that seem very impoverished and showing the wear of the ages.



I am going to start exploring these parts of my city, Hutchinson, and the state more in depth. There are so many possibilities for photos here it is sort of mind boggling, maybe it's just because it is completely foreign to me, but I feel I am drawn to a lot of different subjects here.



Here are just a few shots of sort of a theme I am trying to build on while here, open spaces, desolation, deterioration, etc. etc.

Thanks for looking,
Brad Vest





Listening to: Chicago, Sufjan Stevens

2009_01_28_A hound's handshake

2009_01_28_A hound's handshake

If you've been keeping up with this blog you know how attached I am to animals, especially dogs. I just can't get enough. One of the best parts about wandering around everywhere for assignments is that it's not a rarity to see a lot of animals, birds, deer, and especially dogs. It's great to run into dogs because I've always had a dog around my entire life and while out doing internships like this it stinks to be away from my dogs at home, Maize and Holly.


Oh hello there. It was muddy outside, whatever though, jump on me all you want.

The other day way out on the west side of Kansas, about 30 minutes from the Colorado border. While shooting art for a story The Hutchinson News is writing about the new wind farm going up I ran into the a very cool dog whose owner lives very close to the windmills. While the writer interviewed the man to get his opinions on the wind farm, the money it brings to town, and such, I politely excused myself to wander around his property and take photos on the wind turbines to show the proximity of them to his property. Ahem, hang out with the cool dog.


He was sorta scared of my camera, I assume he has never seen one before. The initial fright turned to curiosity though.

I did take some pictures, but there really wasn't a great angle to capture the wind turbines and his property. I ended up just hanging out with the awesome dog that he had adopted from the pound as a puppy a year or so earlier. I love big dogs, and this dog was large. Most likely a cross between a golden retriever and a german shepherd if I had to guess.

The hound was really energetic and loved jumping up to my chest to be pet on the head. He also did this hilarious thing when I stopped petting him or when I was walking around to get better shots.... he'd latch onto my hands with a very gentle chomp. Just enough to hold on to as if saying, 'let me walk with you' or 'start petting me again please'.


Hand Shake.


Hand smell.


Gentle hand chomp.

What a great day.

Best,
Brad Vest



Overexposed the first frame since I was still set for indoor exposures. I think this turned out really cool though. That's a reflection of me in his eye.

Listening to: Campus, Vampire Weekend

2009_01_26_Wireless bradbook pro

2009_01_26_Wireless bradbook pro

I don't leave home without having at least one camera, this notebook (or an offspring to come), and a great pen. Nothing really beats a reliable pen. The wireless bradbook pro features wireless 0.1 capabilities. It can't connect you with the world, you need a writing utensil, and it doesn't beep when you get a message. It can go anywhere with you though, no wires necessary.


No signal at the Hutchinson Airport.

I know Moleskin(e)s are expensive, but I only go through maybe one every 3 months or so, in pages that is usually 3-4 a day. With the audio tagging on my Canon Mark III I usually only take notes if it's a very important subject, or if it is a noisy area where I am working. I do jot down a lot of ideas I have or projects I want to get started.

It's the size of a wallet, usually more valuable monetarily, and almost always of more importance if lost. I wouldn't want to lose my wallet or have it stolen, but chances are whatever is in the wallet can be replaced.


Customizable to each consumers need.

Weather is set to be amazing this week for January in Kansas, only two day's under 50, really looking forward to trotting around meeting some people and making some photos

Best,
Brad Vest


This guy has been with me since Seattle. The landscape has definitely changed, a lot.

Listening to: Zimbabwe, Bob Marley (live version)

2009_01_23_Tag em' and bag em'

2009_01_23_Tag em' and bag em'

It's begun, again. I received my new press credentials today. Time has been flying, it seems like just yesterday I was waiting at the Daily Illini for my first press tag and just this morning I was back at the Post-Intelligencer going through the introductions and receiving all of my credentials, papers, and such. I guess time flies when you're always on the move.

I know the time will go by just as fast while I'm here and I definitely need to make the most out of it. I've been kicking around ideas and brainstorming lately to get started on a few long term stories while I'm here. I've always had trouble with this and I am hoping to break into some pretty interesting stories while here. Make something that's worthwhile and has meaning.

So, here's to starting something new. As always, thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Brad Vest



Listening to: Walking on a Dream, Empire of the Sun

2009_01_23_X-Raying clementines

2009_01_23_X-Raying clementines

Not much to say. I enjoy the little things in life such as seedless clementines. Why does such a small piece of fruit have to have such big of seeds?

Seeds or not though, soooo tasty and easy to peal. I usually x-ray the slices out my front window while I chill out in the morning before heading to work.

Best,
Brad



Listening to: Pterodactlys, Fujia $ Miyagi

2009_01_22_Dodge City with a side of beef

2009_01_22_Dodge City with a side of beef

I've never seen as many cattle as I've seen while trotting around in Kansas so far. They're everywhere. Just the other day I was sent out to Dodge City, Kansas to shoot a high school basketball game in a tournament. As I was nearing the town I was hit by the overwhelming smell of cow, every single thing about a cow, all in one, all at once. I didn't notice the actual cattle at first just the huge plant with hundreds of freezer trucks waiting to be filled.



I arrived in town an hour or so early so I decided to check around and find the cattle. As I turned back to follow my nose I found a 'scenic overlook' on the outskirts of town. Not overlooking a majestic forest, mountain, or body of water, just a huge mass of cattle mooing and feeding.

It was an experience.

Best,
Brad Vest




Way to many cows to fit into a picture. This is just one of the many feed lots. It was crazy.

--2009_01_20_Obama for the inmates--

--2009_01_20_Obama for the inmates--

My second assignment for the Hutchinson News was to shoot the Reno County Jail Annex in downtown Hutchinson. The county closed down the annex for almost a year to do some repairs and restoration. Using mostly inmates to do the work it was done for a very small amount of money and is reopening soon. As I walked through the annex shooting environmental portraits and searching out subjects for my photos I saw that one of the two large bunking rooms for inmates was broadcasting the post Inauguration coverage. I asked the Sergeant who was touring me around if I could go in and make some photos and found it strange when he had to unlock to door to let me in since I couldn't see anyone in the room.



As I was making images I heard a rustling from the shower and a few whistles, turns out there was some last minute cleaning going on. I'm not aloud for legal reasons to show photograph the faces of any of the inmates, I made some quick pictures and then the man came out all finished up and we talked for a little about the cleaning and the annex, then he brought up the inauguration and we talked about its significance and historical value very briefly before he went to the Sergeant and updated him on his progress before getting back to work.



I love the number of assignments I seem to be getting starting out with this paper. I always seem to make my best images while I'm busy but still have time at assignments to work the situation a little more in-depth than just your regular everyday hit and run photography.

From Kansas with love,
Brad Vest

Listening to: Time to Pretend, MGMT

2009_01_20_Congratulations Mr. President

2009_01_20_Congratulations Mr. President

It's a special day. I wish I had the opportunity to be in DC for the inauguration, it looks like some amazing photos and stories are coming back.

Obama in Danville, Illinois in 2006.


I spent my Inauguration Day at a famous Mexican restaurant here in town called the Anchor Inn. One of the workers in particular was extremely touched by the peaceful transfer of power when Barack Obama was sworn in. Here are a few images over the years of Barack Obama and events surrounding him. At the end I have shared a few images from the restaurant on Inauguration Day. It's so refreshing to see people excited about this country again, people who didn't even vote for Barack Obama can't help but be caught up in this exciting time and transfer into a new era of United States rule.

Thanks for looking,
Brad Vest

Listening to: The sounds of a once again invigorated country

Public art along Pike street in Capitol hill in Seattle, Washington in 2008.


Election night celebration Rainier Avenue in Seattle, Washington.


Election night celebration on the corner of Pike and Broadway in Seattle's Captiol Hill neighborhood.



Guadalupe Ochoa, a waitress at Anchor Restaurant, crosses her heart during the Inauguration of President Barack Obama while preparing for lunch at Anchor Inn, January 20, 2009. 'I'll pray for him, and I'll pray for our country,' said Ochoa about the transition of power.
(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News)


Guadalupe Ochoa, a waitress at Anchor Inn Restaurant, prays along with the Inauguration of President Barack Obama while preparing for lunch at Anchor, January 20, 2009. 'I'll pray for him, and I'll pray for our country,' said Ochoa about the transition of power.
(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News)


Guadalupe Ochoa, a waitress at Anchor Restaurant, reacts as President Elect Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at Anchor Inn Restaurant in Hutchinson, Kansas.
(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News)

2009_01_19_Onward to Kansas

2009_01_19_Onward to Kansas

Following the wonderful breakup breakfast I headed on my way to Hutchinson, Kansas. The drive was uneventful and pretty long for one day. Once I was through Kansas City the few miles afterwards still had lights and signs of civilization as the sun was just dipping under the horizon. As I swung off the four lane highway with a little over an hour to go the lights seemed to disappear. The last leg of the drive was pretty rough, no lights, very few cars, and no idea if I was even heading in the right direction. The one thing that was spectacular though were the stars, without any light pollution so to speak the sky was as dark as I have ever seen it with the stars popping like holes drilled through a black lamp shade. (I have no photos of this, but I will eventually)

Either way I'm here, Hutchinson, Kansas. I'm slated to be here through the end of June so from here on out most posts will come from this strange and foreign place to me.

Thanks for looking,
Brad Vest

Crossing the Mississippi along with a flock of birds.


Kansas.


I don't normally do self portraits, however the light on the way to Kansas was a very intense orange and I couldn't resist. Pardon the scummy facial hair, it was a long week with little time for frivolities like shaving.


The only lights for miles around were the cars passing by me on the two lane highway towards Hutchinson.

2009_01_19_Breakfast fit for a farewell_bv

2009_01_19_Breakfast fit for a farewell_bv

I left for Kansas this past Monday. After the short week or so at home then a wonderful weekend in Champaign-Urbana it was time to head out to the next internship. As a farewell my friends that are still in town at school and I cooked a great breakfast to fill my up for my 10 hour trip back across the vast openness of the midwest.

It was an amazing little cook up at Aaron's apartment that he will soon be leaving, and even though a couple people in our core group are spread across the country I feel they were there in spirit celebrating, hanging out, and eating a massive plate of great breakfast food.

I'll miss everyone so much, again, as I head out for the next 5 months into the unknown. It's a very strange time to be trying to make it as a photographer, crap, make it as anything. Just remember what really matters; friends, family, great times, and pursuing your dreams.

Again, thanks for looking. Have an amazing day.

Best,
Brad Vest

Listening to: Birds without wings, David Gray



Erica works the light and the coffee cup. We love light.


Babs, you have to crack the huevos before adding them to the mix. Oh, that was just erica throwing them into the mix, acceptable.










Food coma sets in.

2009_01_18_Zumi Zumi

2009_01_18_Zumi Zumi

On Sunday friends and I headed over to Murphy's to hang out. It was a Sunday, but due to having no school the next day to honor MLK the bars were packed and we were relegated to the basement. The basement at Murphy's is horrendous and it seemed to have gotten worse over the past few months.

To top it off after we were situated a group of people moved into the booth next to use and started playing this came that I can only assume is called zumi zumi. I have never heard of this game, zumi zumi, but apparently it was all the craze with the table next to us at Murphy's. It's a pretty loud and obnoxious game which involves thumping the table and screaming numbers.

It was a great time though even with the unnecessary ruckus coming from next door. Nothing could have dampened my spirits while seeing some of my best friends. Great times.

Cheers,
Brad Vest



This is when babs was pretty close to destroying the zumi zumi game. (photo: Erica)


It was getting pretty rough with all the table pounding and yelling. Oh, there was a side of drama also so it seemed when someones boyfriend left the zumi game without saying goodbye. (photo Adam)


It nearly killed face.


Sway sweatshirts. (photo: Face)


This should be an advertisement for something. (Photo: Face)


We don't pose for photos often. That's probably a good thing.


It was another great night.

2009_01_17_Driving like a Blind Pig

2009_01_17_Driving like a Blind Pig

After my brief week at home I headed a little out of the way to go south to Champaign-Urbana to visit with a few friends there before heading out to Hutchinson, Kansas. Just as Seattle's weather tried to hold me back when I left there, I had to brave pretty treacherous roads to make it down to U of I. There was no way I was going to head out to Kansas without making it to see a few great friends first however.

The usual two and a half hour drive turned to be a close to four hour slick endeavor with a few snow drifts along the way. There were quite a few cars in the ditch along the way but as long as you drove slow it was pretty safe. There was one area where a ton of police cars were and such but it seemed to only be a fender-bender that was blocking a couple of lanes.



After arriving safely in town the weekend began as a few friends and I hit downtown Champaign for a great time.

Cheers,
Brad

Listening to: I love you more, The Streets.

The Blind Pig, a great little establishment in downtown Champaign.


I think Face was in awe, or shock, for a little bit over the fact that I was going to the famous land of Kansas. (photo: Adam JB)




The end of a very long night.