We're still in Kansas and we are having an excellent visit! The children are in school during the week so MJ and Jack and I have completed several little projects around the house; we've made cookie dough for the freezer; we've explored a variety of thrift shops and we've taken a field trip or two.
This is "Pioneer Mother", a statue in Penn Valley Park. After spending the better part of two days at the wonderful World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial, we stopped by this Kansas City landmark.
This is "Pioneer Mother", a statue in Penn Valley Park. After spending the better part of two days at the wonderful World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial, we stopped by this Kansas City landmark.
The photo above was shot from the left side of the statue. The detail is much better because the light was at my back. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I'm still trying to figure out this camera.* If you click on each of the photos you'll be able to see more of the detail.
This is the Pioneer Mother from the other side and as you can see, the shadows are a lot deeper. There HAS to be a way to compensate for that but I have yet to figure it out!
If you look closely, you'll notice that she is holding a baby. The statue was much to tall for me to shoot the photo at a better angle.
I imagine that the rugged looking fellow beside her is the guide and ....
....this fellow must be her husband. Look closely at the photo and you can see the back of the baby's head.
This is the second horse...he looks tired and thirsty. I hope it's the end of the journey for them.
A much better photograph of this statue is at this Missouri Valley Special Collections page of the Kansas City Public Library website. The perspective is excellent and you can definitely see the baby in the Pioneer Mother's arms.
There's a bronze plaque at the base of the sculpture but it's quite worn. We had a difficult time reading the inscription. Then I found this page of the Historical Marker Database which shows the inscription on the plaque and the Bible verse carved around the base.
It was a perfectly beautiful day...warm and calm with blue skies. I do love a good field trip!
*Note: I finally caved and bought a book called Confessions of a Compact Camera Shooter. I haven't started reading it, yet, but I'm planning to study it while we're traveling by Amtrak to Washington state the middle of February.
It looks like the mother is riding side-saddle. I thought that was a affectation of the British. It seems like a hardy pioneer woman would have seated herself more securely if only for the baby's safety.
ReplyDeleteWell, I just don't know, Ms Sparrow. I just figured that the artists drew from some sort of historical source. Those were big skirts so probably that had something to do with it?
DeleteI love how much you have researched this statue. And your camera? I totally understand. I ordered a book (written by a freelancer, I found it on Amazon) to help me with my new one, but I get bogged down in the details. Still, it's better than the worthless manual.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Blissed-Out! I really feel an obligation to include some facts with the photos, plus I love art of any sort and knowing a bit about the piece or the artist makes it even more interesting.
DeletePoor horsey. Times were so hard back then.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
Ramona
I know what you mean, Ramona...those poor horses really earned their keep, didn't they? You have a good weekend, too...I will be by for a visit to you, too.
DeleteYou find the most interesting places to visit. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda, you are too kind! So glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteThat is a beautiful statue. Enjoy the rest of your trip xxx
ReplyDeleteHi there, Fran! I agree...it is beautiful and even more so in person. We had a wonderful trip, thank you.
DeleteCheryl what type of a camera are you shooting with? And have you tried to adjust your exposure? I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager, it's quick and easy to use and if my photos are too dark I can fix that in there. You can try the auto adjust, I do that sometimes but most of the time end up undoing it and I just play around in there until I get what I'm after.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing awesome I'd say, it's just the exposure. I've had my DSLR for at least 2 years now and I'm still learning, it takes time and tons of practice as I'm sure you're well aware of, just keep snapping away and you'll get to where you want to be... it just happens! lol
Have a fantastic Sunday!
Thanks for the encouragement, darlin! I have a Canon PowerShot A720 IS. It's not professional, by any means, but it'll just have to do!
DeleteI know it's the exposure that I am struggling with and I'll just have to take the time to work on it. I'll try Picture Manager...I am using ZoomBrowser with is a Canon product. I do appreciate your great tips, though!
What a wonderful statue! I love it.
ReplyDelete@ Ms Sparrow - riding side-saddle was not an affectation of the British - it had more to do with fashion and modesty. And an experienced side-saddle rider is every bit as secure as one riding astride. You can learn more here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidesaddle
Thanks, Baggie! And thanks for the explanation (and link)about riding side-saddle...it makes perfect sense.
DeleteI love your detailed description of this statue. I'm ashamed I would have given it a quick once over and walked on by in person, but you've really made it come to life!
ReplyDeleteYou actually have quite a lot of detail in your shadows, so I say well done! A simple remedy is to zoom in and set your light meter reading to a mid-ground area, pull back out and shoot. Unfortunately you sometimes wash out the light areas doing it that way. Still, I think your pictures are fab :-)
I just came from "In The Gutter"...what a great blog! Anyway, thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment!
DeleteIf I can figure out how to "zoom in and the set the light meter reading to mid-ground" I'll do that. Is that in the "manual" mode? But I'm guessing that your camera is much more sophisticated than mine ("sigh").
That's an interesting statue. the pioneers were brave and hearty souls to travel so far to unknown lands, especially with a baby in tow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janie...I loved that statue. Close up it's even better. It took incredible bravery to travel back then, didn't it?
Delete