Does your image tell a story?
A while ago we talked about making sure your horizons are straight. So your viewer finds the image restful.
But even the most technically correct pictures can be dead boring if they don’t tell a story. If they do not bring value to your narrative.
These images of Black Cat contribute to two narratives in my opinion.
The delicious haughtiness of the cat. This is the obvious story.
Then the deeper story of the construction of the old barn, with a hundred years of farmers improving and adjusting the structure to suit her needs.
I think that this picture is my favorite for telling a story lately. (Below). I can’t even tell you why. There is so much technically wrong with this image but it appeals to me. The hose and the puddles and the cats in tandem with Quacker in the background. Though I hate a subject looking out of the edge of the frame (TomKat) – it works here.
Do you have a favorite from the last week or so?
Good morning!
I have help coming today. My old school friend, who I meet for a drink every now and then, is coming out for some farm therapy. She is going to help with the tasks I cannot do alone and, because John has been incapacitated, have not been able to get to.
Mowing time is coming and we have been saving for a new mower for two years now, hopefully it is delivered today. I am hoping that it will not only mow but carry plants and trees and my weed eater, and pull a trailer and pour my wine.
I was hoping for one that would also help me scoop cow shit out of the barn but apparently that is not a thing.
My old mower is over 15 years old and is no longer capable of doing its job. I cannot even begin to list its problems. So it will be taken apart and stored as parts or scrap metal.
I told John the first thing he can mow (you know he will be desperate to get on it) is the Mulberry Forest and the Fellowship Forest so we can do photo shoots of the trees. Trees I might add that you all contribute to, either through PayPal on this site or TKG TAKE TEN on the SubStack site. (Thanks Deb for the reminder).
Next we will mow the paths through the wild grass that we are not burning before the birds start building their nests.
Burning the CRP land is going horribly by the way. It is all still too wet. We get a government subsidy for not farming these wet areas. And they really are swampy. Why the conservation departments insist on burning and no trees is beyond me.
If you want to read more about the program go HERE. It reads better than it works.
Ok!
To work!
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
14 responses to “Blog Photo Tip”
I’m always amazed by how your cats leave the birds alone. My dad had a Siamese called Tiger, who was always trying to get in to the hens and ducks. He was a very sweet cat, but loved hunting.
You need a 1970s teenager and pocket money for the shit shovelling – I’m not sure modern teenagers leave the house! I hope your new mower does pour the wine – that would be fabulous!
It is true! I cannot imagine any of the kids I know coming out to work. Though I am trying to tee one up for the summer! As to the wine – we will just have to see.
Pouing the wine is more likely than teenage farm help 😂
Laughter!
I hope John enjoys his new toy while you are gone. If it really does serve wine think of what fun chores will be 🙂
Chores are always better with wine. ! As we know!
I like the shot of Black Cat looking away, disinterested.
Yes! Pretending he does not care at all or maybe he doesn’t!! Probably doesn’t.😂
I love shots of cats for any reason whatsoever, or no reason. I post many of my black cat, just because I love her and she’s sleek and beautiful. I do find that going off photos can keep my writing a bit more focused. Generally!
I agree. When I see a good image in the mornng – it brings the whole day back. And all these shots are real. NO manipulation.
I bet that new tractor will do all of that stuff. Except, possibly, the wine thing. That seems a little bit iffy. But it would be lovely in the evenings to sit down with a nice glass of Merlot and watch the sunset. You have such a wonderful unencumbered view it should be viewed often.
Yes! I can even drive my new mower down the back to see the sunset from the creek. Speaking of which I might go out now and try to start the thing. It looks quite terrifying! And orange. Orange and terrifying>
John will certainly be looking forward to that. Black cat in the barn rafters, lovely pictures. He might look haughty but he seems to have well and truly made his home with you all.
John is happy never to mow again – but I still cannot see how I can stow my weed eater on the bally thing. Still working on that.