Paul Contino | Photographs - Photoletter 36

Paul Contino | Photographs

Photoletter Issue No. 36 | April 2024

Small Town USA

Garfield Meats, a small town local butcher in operation since 1955.


A lot of the United States is [still] agriculturally rooted; and there [still] exist small town communities that support - and are supported by - local farmers.


Driving through these locales gives one the impression of observing relics of the past, while continuing to provide an integral service to both the farmers and the surrounding community.

Solar Eclipse 2024

From where I was geographically located, the percent coverage of the sun during this year’s solar eclipse across North America came came to just under 30%.


Nothing noticeable unless you were donning some type of protective eyewear or viewing through special solar-centric equipment.


Thanks to a last-minute gift from a friend I was able to safely observe the sun’s consumption by the moon for the hour or so eclipse duration.

A large part of experiencing such an event is in being in the community of others.


People react in different ways:


Some individually … unexpectedly surprising themselves by their own enthusiasm as them as they gaze skywards up towards the sun - with glasses - and realize that part of it really is missing!


Others in communal response to the lights going out completely, with the exception of a sliver of remnant illumination surrounding the dark side of the moon.

So … when’s the next opportunity to experience a total solar eclipse?


There are various resources available online, but I like Time magazine’s list for the next 50 years with illustrated trajectory maps.


Spain 2026 here I come!

POSTCARDS

A postcard depicting a winter view of the Norwegian town of Sakrisoy on the island of Lofoten

The back of the above postcard could read:


Greetings from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming …


… during an early, eerie morning walking the planks among hydrothermal vents over the world’s second largest volcanic caldera.


You won’t find this in any park visitor center, though, as it’s a one-of-a-kind original, with the thinking of “What better way to preserve an experience than sending a postcard using an image that I took myself!”


When no postcards are available that quite capture an experience or event in your life, why not consider creating one of your own?


Mail one to yourself as a memory of an adventure you may have had. Or send one to others that would appreciate a unique greeting!

GUEST GALLERY

Ted Dawson was in Lofoten, Norway, this past January to attend a workshop focused …hehe… on photographing the Northern Lights.


Resident of Vermont and winner of the 2024 Spring/Summer Northeast Kingdom photo contest, Ted is an enthusiast of wildlife photography.


We first ran into one another while walking a trail in Montpelier, Vermont - Ted with his Nikon and me with mine (there’s bonding over photography, especially when you are like-minded in your approach to capturing images).


His pup Indy was with him as well, making quite the photogenic duo. So I asked Ted if he minded I take a portrait of the two.

Ted (and camera-shy Indy) have since been the subject of innumerable photographs over my time spent in Vermont.


He’s built a respectable real estate photography business, complementing his wife Hannah’s established realty career in north central Vermont.


I encourage you to check out Ted’s instagram images and experience a taste of his perspective on travel, photography, and Vermont.


And if you ever find yourself in the Montpelier area I am sure he’d be open for a chat about anything related to photography, Vermont, or modified Mazdas!

TRAVELERS AND THE STARS

Thoughtful sentiment from The Little Prince in reflection of this month’s celestial events.

WHAT I AM…

Watching: Photographer - I especially appreciate Season 1 Episodes 1 and 6

Intrigued about: Kiss the Future brought to you by U2 the Good Will Hunting duo

Reading: Resilience of coffee during times of conflict

-Paul

See something you like? Most images can be made into artwork - paper prints, metal prints, canvas - for display in home or office or as a gift. Send me an email and we can discuss!


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Instagram - @paul.contino
Website - paul-contino.com

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