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_16_Not enough hours in the day

2009_01_16_Not enough hours in the day

It was great being home for a tad between internships. I only had the chance to spend a little more than a week at home between traveling from Seattle and to Kansas. A month would have been nice, and a week was far to short. However, it was great to catch up with family and friends while I was home for that short period of time before heading off on the next adventure.

Thanks for looking,
Brad Vest

Listening to: Place to belong, Little Dragon

Giant slice of pizza from the new place in DeKalb.


Curious pup watching the grill.


Collision? or a little love?


Coming from Seattle where the weather is not exactly ideal in the winter, a little cold and rainy, it was a sunny day on the beach compared to the -10 to -20 degree weather northern Illinois was having when I returned.


Very, very cold.

01_10_2009_Home, past the holidays_bv

--01_10_2009_Home, past the holidays_bv--

After ~2732 miles, a little over a day of driving, and a few seedy hotels I've finally arrived home, DeKalb, Illinois. In 9 days I'll be starting my second internship with the Hutchinson News in Hutchinson, Kansas. But for now it's nice finally spending more than a few hours awake in some other position besides being behind the wheel of a car.

necessary?


The last leg of the trip was uneventful as far as scenery goes. Along interstate 80 Nebraska is about as visually interesting as a beige piece of construction paper. Though it would be great to spend some time in that strange state making photos. After all, everywhere has amazing people and photos, you just have to look.

Dirty window, clean energy.


In this short time at home I have a lot of things to keep me busy, this little vacation is going to go by very quick. Home with friends and family, a trip to Chicago for a couple days, reorganize my stuff and get ready for the trip to Kansas, and finally a little get together down in Urbana with a few great friends.

Due to this and the fact that I'll most likely be off the internet grid for a while I may not be updating much over the next week. I'll be shooting as always, things will be up eventually.

Thanks for looking.

Best,
Brad Vest

Biggest full moon of the year. It would have been great to have a 400mm in the trunk and really take advantage of this guy, it was huge.


Sunset in the side mirror, oh man, mind blowing, original, awesome. (ha)






I love being home to see my family, but they knew I was coming home. It's always fun to see how the dogs will react.


Nice to see you too.