Cody Tupper, 11, St. Onge, climbs the fence behind the chutes to get a better view of the Newell Labor Day Rodeo on Monday afternoon Sept. 7, 2009. (Photo by Kristina Barker/Journal staff)

The Newell Labor Day parade and rodeo is definitely something that I look forward to. I loved photographing it last year. And I did this year too. And I had a completely different experience. Last year the weather was crummy. It was overcast and cold. Which made for great even light. But this year it was bright and sunny and warm. Hot even. My cheeks are bright pink. Just that change in weather made for a different atmosphere. Everyone was really chatty and smiley. I felt like I came away with a lot different photos than last year. Or maybe it’s because I finally don’t feel like such an outcast in South Dakota and I was more relaxed and approached more people. It’s nice to walk around the streets of a small town, a ways away from home, and see familiar faces. I like that. It’s a good feeling.

And check out the slideshow here

I’ve seen big horn sheep before, but never this close. And without collars on them. Usually they are far off in the mountains of Montana near my parent’s cabin, but this was my first time encountering six sheep just hanging out in the middle of the road in Custer State Park. All the other cars were just going by and all I was thinking was, “STOP! This is so cool! Look at the sheep!” So, I channeled my inner wild animal nerd and photographed the sheep for a few minutes before getting to my assignment at the State Game Lodge. There were some females near the lodge, but by then the mystique had warn off a bit.

by Kristina Barker

Watch for Heidi’s story later this week about the barbers at Parkway Barber Shop that are retiring after over 50 years in the business.

Warren Stone sits in the waiting area after giving his last haircut of the day on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 19, 2009. Stone will be retiring along with two other barbers on Saturday Feb. 28 when the shop closes its doors. “I’m going to miss it,” Stone said. “I really am.”

by Kristina Barker

Traditional military burials are always moving. There’s something incredibly moving about the thought of one’s life being dedicated to their countrymen.

Maj. Brendan Murphy, with South Dakota National Guard, gives a final salute to Leonard Sloan whose remains were laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis on Monday afternoon Feb. 9, thirty-two years after his death. 

by Kristina Barker

Made this portrait today of George, but it didn’t quite fit into the edit. Thought I’d share it here. George has had two strokes. He’s really mobile, still plays the organ, and has a great sense of humor about him.

by Kristina Barker

Let’s all keep Ali in our thoughts and prayers this week as she gets ready for brain surgery on Friday.

by Kristina Barker

I’ve made four trips to Deadwood in the last three weeks and I still feel like I couldn’t make a picture to tell the story of the town and how it came to be. But maybe it’s a story that can’t be told in one photo. There’s so many different faces to Deadwood. Yeah, there’s the casinos and the souvenir shops and the bars. But the city and the steep hills that surround it are bursting with stories of the West and the way things were. In an effort to educate myself for this story, I found a Deadwood that I didn’t even  know I was there. Of all the times I’ve been stopped around town and had someone say to me, “You HAVE to go see this,” not once was one of those places in Deadwood. Maybe it’s just something you have to explore on your own. And maybe people don’t want tourists traipsing around in their backyards. Or maybe it’s better that the traffic is confined to the downtown streets. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I hadn’t heard of Mt. Moriah cemetery, but I had never had someone say, “Go up there, it’s beautiful. You wouldn’t want to miss it.” With some coaxing from our photo editor Ryan, I bundled up and wandered up to the cemetery at dusk, hoping to get a moodier photo that would help tell the story of Deadwood that we wanted to tell. This photo didn’t make it into the final edit. And I’m not sure my snowy footprints really need to be gracing the pages of A1 in the first place, but at this moment I couldn’t help but wonder about all of the stories buried six feet beneath me.

Go up there. It’s beautiful. You wouldn’t want to miss it.

Kristina

State tournaments make for some long days. I’ve only been here since 1 o’clock this afternoon, so I guess I shouldn’t be complaining. My fellow shooters put in the long hours today as well. But it’s 11 o’clock and I’m ready to go home, feed the dog, and hit the hay. I’m posting this photo because it didn’t fit into any sort of edit. And I seem to like this blog as a place for outtakes. The body language of this Philip player doesn’t say “win,” but I was having too much fun playing with space and this awesome red floor. Thank you to whomever opted for red. Best color ever. Good luck to all the girls tomorrow.

Photo by Kristina Barker

 

Photographing food can be a challenge. But with a little bit of back lighting, food can be made to look beautiful. This pecan pie was already gorgeous, but add the right kind of light, back light, and it pops.

Yesterday I walked around the courthouse for a solid hour, examining the lines and shapes and textures of the old building. I always like going to the courthouse because it reminds me of every other capitol-esque building I’ve been to. The sheen of the marble and the arches of the towering windows mirror the beauty of so many other city and state buildings from its time. To photograph it, I’d find a place that showed an interesting mix of the various lines and shapes, and wait for a person to walk by. You get a much better idea of the scale of things with a human shape walking through the frame. I’m sure many of you have been to the courthouse, but if you haven’t, or if you missed out on the incredible architecture of the building, take a walk through this awesome space.