Month: October 2022

A portrait photographer’s hardest challenge is persuading people to sit or stand still. That was even more true in the old days when camera shutter speeds were slower and the slightest twitch blurred the picture. The problem was compounded with babies, who are notoriously difficult to persuade to sit still.

One trick old-time photographers used when they were asked to make baby portraits was hiding the baby’s mother in the photograph.

“All right, we’re going to do a quick mic test first. Could you introduce yourself—name, pronouns, title—and give just a little greeting? Then I’ll play it back and start the intro.”

As they ran through the line, I turned in my chair to flick a switch. Outside the recording room, a bright red light cast its cheerful message in the hall: RECORDING.

Steven Wise: O…Is for Ozarks

On view through Saturday, October 29, 2022

Loft Gallery, CALS Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square, Roberts Library

O…Is for Ozarks is made up of large pictures inspired by artist and naturalist Steven Wise’s study of the Ozark Mountains. (Click to expand the images.)

Johnnie B. Pugh was born Johnnie Beatrice Newton to Moses and Odessa Newton in Snyder, Arkansas, on October 1, 1926. Pugh was a nurse, maid, community activist, political leader, and businesswoman. Unfortunately, I was unaware of Pugh, her major and minor contributions, or her personal and professional achievements until I decided to pursue a Master’s in Library and Information Science with a concentration in archival studies and wanted some practical experience in the profession.