Written by Paul on May 4th, 2011
Pope John Paul II in Prayer © 1993 by Paul F. Moloney
The beatification Sunday, May 1, of Pope John Paul II once again brought back fond memories of the golden opportunity I experienced in photographing him at the Aug. 15, 1993 World Youth Day Mass at Cherry Creek Reservoir, Denver.
During his homily he remarked, “I came that they (the youth) might have life, and have it to the full.”
To photograph the Pope was the most memorable and rewarding experience of my life in photojournalism which is now extended into the 55th year.
This moment, “Pope John Paul in Prayer” for the world’s youth is my most treasured photograph because it expresses his love and sincerity — so gentle and delicate.
Seconds after concluding the silent prayer, he turned toward me about 30 feet in front and looked me straight in the eyes. The camera was not between us, and I am grateful, for his expression and his eyes made that second or two everlasting.
This picture hangs in our home, giving my wife Annette and me daily opportunities to realize the power or the emotional relief of prayer. All we need to do is glance at him with his hands folded in prayer for mankind.
The night before the Mass 500.000 youth and adults with sleeping bags huddled together on a chilly night. My daughter Colleen, 19, and I were among them.
World Youth Day has become permanent. The 2011 WYD will be Aug. 11-21 at Madrid, Spain.
I pray Blessed Pope John Paul II becomes a saint in my lifetime.
Posted in Historical, Photojournalism, Portrait, Uncategorized | 1 Response »
Written by Paul on January 12th, 2011
Feast of Immaculate Conception, Santa Fe © 2009 by Sean Weaver
The San Luis Valley of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico has special attraction to Sean Weaver and me because of its way of life and scenic beauty.
We’ve entitled our photographic show at New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas: “The Wandering Lens: Photographs by Paul Moloney and Sean Weaver.”
Sean is the public information director for New Mexico Highlands, and from January 18 through February 20 at Donnelly Library we will exhibit our pictures, many made in The San Luis Valley.
Most of the photographs have journalistic and/or historic values because The Valley is where I was born and grew up while Sean photographed-reported for The Valley Courier, Alamosa, from May 2003 to June 2005 before moving on in his career to Highands.
Sean Weaver @ 2010 by Michael Jackson
Sean was a student when I taught at the Colorado Institute of Art, Denver (1981-1996), now the Art Institute of Colorado. He was graduated in 1992.
He achieved his bachelor’s degree from Metro State College, Denver, in 2002.
We’ve spent hours photographing together and visiting about our experiences and the Rocky Mountains, where we will likely spend our lives.
In class I repeatedly emphasized my credo, “I photograph Life being Lived,” and his ambition is, “I try to take a photograph the same way my dogs see the world: with a constant sense of wonder and excitement for day-to-day life.”
Those of you who can make time to view the photographs, please in this blog ask questions and report your comments, feelings.
Exhibit hours at Donnelly Library are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. on weekends when class is in session. Opening reception is 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Durango-Silverton, Colorado, Narrow Gauge Railroad © 1993 by Paul F. Moloney
Praying Mother Teresa, Denver © 1989 by Paul F. Moloney
Sean has received several awards for photography, design and writing at various newspapers and magazines. His current project, Rolled Sidewalks, Small Towns After Dark, explores the changing face of rural America.
Fourth of July, Creede, Colorado @ 2006 by Sean Weaver
Posted in Historical, Landscape, Nature, Photojournalism, Portrait, Sports, Uncategorized | No Responses »
Tags: Colorado, Credos, Donnelly Library, Life Being Lived, Metro State College, New Mexico Highlands University, Northern New Mexico, Rocky Mountains, San Luis Valley, Sense of Wonder
Written by Paul on December 21st, 2010
This past couple of weeks the U.S.A. weather has been devastating. Hopefully the Christmas weekend the nation will be spared, and everyone can enjoy the tranquil and picturesque beauty in the aftermath.
This brings to my attention beautiful moments I photographed in Colorado many years ago.
Those years I spent Christmas holidays at my original Monte Vista, Colorado, home and would get out in the brisk sub-zero weather with crisp, clear blue skies. The red filter with my panchromatic film also enhanced the dramatic differences between sky and land.
I kept my 35 mm camera on my tripod because of slow shutter speeds. Inside my car I’d survey the landscape, establish my settings then quickly step outside, promptly make the picture and re-enter the car to avoid fogging over the lens.
So please sit back and enjoy the photographs.
May your Christmas be blessed and the New Year be bountiful with joy and happiness.
"Home Lake Lanadscape" -- Monte Vista, Colorado © 1966 by Paul F. Moloney
"North San Luis Valley Snow" © 1981 by Paul F. Moloney
"Mt. Blanca Pinnacle" © 1984 by Paul F. Moloney
Posted in Landscape, Nature, Uncategorized | 1 Response »
Tags: 35 mm Camera, Christmas Holidays, Monte Vista Home Town, Panchromatic Film, Red Filter, Rocky Mountains, San Luis Valley of Colorado, Slow Shutter Speed, Sub-zero Beauty, Tripod
Written by Paul on November 6th, 2010
"Sun's Rays on Tree, Brilliant Bench" © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
The panoramas of Bittersweet Park in Greeley, Colorado, are the ones easily and most often seen and appreciated. The sun’s rays and the brilliant park bench truly fascinated us — Photo colleague Bret Jenkins of Greeley and me.
When we observe close up, the intricate detail quickly becomes graphic, at times poetic. A second glance at the pictures are most important for us.
Bret Jenkins - by T.J. Daviet
Bret and I often set our cameras at their nearest point of focus to fill the frame with those intricate views and give the reader rare and special glances or stares — something that makes them look and think deeper into the subject.
We love selective focus to isolate or accentuate the center of interest. This makes it become assertive.
The face in the bark of the tree emerged in lower half of photo below, therefore I studied the compositional angles until I found one that gave me a sense of rhythm and the whimsical expression.
"Face in the Bark" © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
Next I worked with 45-degree angle light to produce the brilliance of the milkweed pods and their leaves. The surrounding plant life was in diffused light.
"Milkweed Pods" © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
Bret exemplifies the value of close focus in his portrait, below. The angle of light brings out the brilliance of autumn in its full glory.
"Seed Head Closeup" © 2010 by Bret Jenkins
Autumn red penetrates the mind and, perhaps, the soul. Bret’s photograph, below, does that for me and completes our season’s photographic pleasure.
"Red Penetration" © 2010 by Bret Jenkins
Viewer reaction is always varied, so please add yours to “Recent Comments,” to the right. Thanks.
Posted in Landscape, Nature, Uncategorized | 6 Responses »
Tags: Autumn, Bittersweet Park, Bret Jenkins, Center of Interest, Golden Aspen, Greeley Colorado, LIght Angle, Lightning, Morning Sun, Panorama View, Rotting Tree Trunk, Selective Focus, Tree Bark
Written by Paul on October 25th, 2010
"A Child's Grave" © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
Autumn light with its low, extensive angles provides wonderful landscape photo opportunities. My son Kevin Moloney and I spent a wonderful morning in September photographing at the cemetery, a mile northwest of the mountain village of Como, Colorado.
The cemetery is protected by a beautiful aspen grove. Fences help control the activity. A path and a ditch run through it with “Withering Bridge” enabling people to cross over. The elongated shadows across the bridge give it mystery.
The low angle sun gave everything sharp definition, and several headstones were brilliant among the numerous trees and native grasses.
“A Child’s Grave” was particularly interesting the way the light struck the lamb figurine, and the shadowed toy truck on top reminded me how precious it was to grow to adulthood.
"Sunlit Grave" ? 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
There was a family plot, “Sunlit Grave,” with three graves covered with white stones with one being highlighted by the 9 a.m. sun.
The cemetery was peaceful.
"Withering Bridge" © by Paul F. Moloney
Como is just off U.S. Hwy 285 about eight miles northeast of Fairplay and 75 miles southwest of Denver.
Como was a narrow gauge railroad stop in the early 1900s and late 1800s. The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (later the Colorado and Southern Railway) ran from Denver through Platte Canyon and over Boreas Pass to Como.
For the history, link onto:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver,_South_Park_and_Pacific_Railroad
Today it is a summer vacation spot with colorful, unique buildings for the mountain living enthusiasts. Featured are a rustic restored hotel, the old train depot which now houses a restaurant and the rock roundhouse — a photographer’s paradise.
The winters are mighty cold, windy and only the rugged spend them in Como. I’ve photographed there many times en route to and from Denver to my childhood home in Monte Vista.
Most fascinating and a subject every time I visit is the “Roundhouse.” Also the building I’ve dubbed “Turret Building” is easily noticed from all directions.
"Roundhouse" 1977 by Paul F. Moloney
"Turret Building" 1983 by Paul F. Moloney
The hotel has been restored, and the depot is now a restaurant. A couple or so buildings are surrounded by trees and underbrush. Some homes are colorfully painted and others abandoned to the weather.
The fading sign says, “Barn Under Repair!” This was in 1983, and it is now Rita Derjue’s studio.
"Barn Under Repair!" © 1983 by Paul F. Moloney
There is no end of discovery in Como, Colorado.
===============
Please link onto “Perfesser Kev” for Kevin’as latest article.
Posted in Architecture, Historical, Landscape, Photojournalism, Uncategorized | 1 Response »
Tags: Boreas Pass, Colorado and Southern Railway, Como Cemetery, Como Colorado, Denver, Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad, Fairplay Colorado, Kevin Moloney, Monte Vista Colorado, Platte Canyon, US Hwy 285
Written by Paul on October 11th, 2010
"5-Generation Portrait," formal, by Paul F. Moloney
The privilege rarely comes about.
Because life expectancy has lengthened, I am grateful I could wind up the “Summer of Celebrations” by making 5-generation pictures of our family’s women and the newest member.
For months we planned a formal photo portrait which required a trip from northern Colorado to Great, Great Grandma Dorothy Henscheid’s at Rupert, Idaho.
On Sept. 5 I made the picture of 3-month-old Marlee Mervin with her flower headband being held by Mom Kendra Payne. Clockwise Great, Great Grandma Dorothy Henscheid, 96; Great Grandma Annette Moloney and Grandma Regina Payne join them.
That was the obligatory one, but the picture I particularly like was when Marlee “listened” on the kitchen floor to Great Grandma Annette “talking.” From left, Great, Great Grandma Dorothy, Mom Kendra and Great Grandma Regina look on.
"5-Generation Portrait," informal by Paul F. Moloney
When she met Marlee I was not present and missed Great, Great Grandma Dorothy’s wonderful smile as she said, “She’s so cute.”
A rare circumstance is that in each generation, the mom was 24 years old when the daughter was born. The birthday years: Annette Henscheid (Moloney) in 1937, Regina Payne (Moloney) in 1961, Kendra Payne in 1986, and Marlee in 2010.
Great Great Grandma Henscheid was born in 1913 and she’ll soon celebrate her 97th birthday.
I am convinced as we become more-and-more lacking in live conversation, the more-and-more important moments like this one become more-and-more important to record to see and listen to later on, especially for our descendants.
Posted in Family Life, Historical, Photojournalism, Portrait, Uncategorized | 1 Response »
Tags: Annette Moloney, Dorothy Henscheid, Kendra Payne, Marlee Mervin, Northern Colorado, Regina Payne, Rupert Idaho
Written by Paul on October 5th, 2010
"Me and My Shadow" in color © 2010 Paul F. Moloney
My shadow always goes with me, especially early or late in the day when it is long and prominent.
When I began photographing the landscape and people with the sun to my back, I was plagued with getting my shadow interfering with my pictures. I worked to get my shadow out of my images.
But, in doing so, I found that by including my shadow with intriguing body language or design, I could effectively create or complete the picture’s “story.” The shadow becomes the “headline” for other elements in the picture.
I most often use my shadow working with my camera, and I place it on a diagonal to create a lead-in line toward the center of interest. I “shape” the shadow to contribute to the picture not dominate it.
I increased the contrast of “Me and My Shadow” to make the textures in the abandoned building distinct and dimensional. Thus, this lightened the shadow and put it into relevant perspective.
The counterpoints of the chips in the wall , door and my shadow blended with the torn away wood in the door. This fixed my attention on the scene.
"Me and My Shadow" in black and white © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
I give you a choice of black and white or color. Let me know which one creates a double take for you?
Each year I endeavor to do at least one “Me and My Shadow” picture somewhere or of something I haven’t previously photographed.
“Still Alive” was made in the spring after sunrise at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal northeast of Denver.
Posted in Architecture, Historical, Photojournalism, Portrait, Uncategorized | 2 Responses »
Tags: Denver, Diagonal Placement, Early Morning Sun, Old Building, Paul F. Moloney, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Shadows in Photography
Written by Paul on August 10th, 2010
Nostalgic Moment © 2010 by Kevin Moloney
Dorothy Henscheid, my mother-in-law, will be 97 come November 14. She has extreme difficulty hearing and seeing — conditions typical of a nonagenarian. But her spirit is remarkable, worth making pictures of her expressions.
July 24-25 she was the principal guest at the Henscheid-Rausch family reunion at Rupert, Idaho, and her grandson Kevin Moloney was thrilled with the wide grin she gave him during their conversation.
This moment characterized her enthusiasm for the reunion. Before it got underway, Kevin sensitively photographed her in her kitchen (“Nostalgic Moment”) with her thoughts about the 65 years in her home, with her family which is now spread throughout America, and being without her husband, Carl, who died in 1972 at age 64.
Dorothy’s spirit and enthusiasm highlighted the two days of activities.
Both Kevin and I kept our cameras trained on her to capture the special moments and deep seated expressions she displayed. The pictures are keepsakes, not just “mugshots,” as photojournalists might describe some of their portraits. Every picture has its story, and Dorothy enabled us to tell them, especially “Joyous Laugh.”
Joyous Laugh © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
Weather and working situations will keep her birthday celebration minimal with her three Rupert sons (Jim, John and Paul) and her Twin Falls son (Tom) and their families the ones attending a party.
She has 14 kids. All attended the 2-day July reunion. She has 50 grandchildren, 78 great grand children, and one great, great granddaughter, Marlee Monroe Paloma Mervin (born June 4 to Kendra Payne and Merv Mervin), who is Annette’s and my first great grandchild.
Marlee Monroe Paloma Mervin, 10 Days Old © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
Annette and I celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary June 18-19, and I smiled from ear-to-ear, so did Annette and family, during repetition of our wedding vows at Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Westminster, Colo.
Ear-to-Ear Smile © 2010 by Kevin Moloney
Pictured from left: Rev. John Hilton of Holy Trinity, son Lex Moloney, Paul Moloney, Annette Moloney and daughter Regina Payne.
It has been a wonderful year for Annette, our family and me — the reunion, Marlee’s birth and our golden anniversary. A 5-generation portrait is to be made over the Labor Day weekend at Dorothy Henscheid’s — Dorothy, Annette, Regina, Kendra and Marlee.
Posted in Family Life, Historical, Photojournalism, Portrait, Uncategorized | 1 Response »
Tags: Annette Moloney, Carl Henscheid, Dorothy Henscheid, Golden Anniversary, Henscheid-Rausch Reunion, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Jim Henscheid, John Henscheid, Kendra Payne, Kevin Moloney, Lex Moloney, Marlee Mervin, Nonagenarian, Paul Henscheid, Paul Moloney, Regina Payne, Rev. John Hilton, Rupert ID, Tom Henscheid, Twin Falls ID, Westminster CO
Written by Paul on June 3rd, 2010
June 18, 1960 © 1960 by Ken Hikida
Come June 18, Annette and I will celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary, and it is befitting to write how our invitation portraits came about:
Paul and Annette were married on the 47th anniversary of his parents’ (Alexis and Casilda Moloney) wedding, June 18, 1913, at San Luis, Colo. At that time a popular and novel portrait was the pose of the bride standing and groom sitting, both with “serious” expressions, after all weddings were very, very important moments.
Though no such portrait was made of Casilda and Alexis, I saw several in photo books of that time period, so I suggested the pose to my photography mentor Ken Hikida. He took an “instant” Polaroid™, the predecessor to digital photography.
My Greeley, Colo., Tribune editor Floyd E. Merrill was fascinated with the picture and ran it on the front page of the sports section while putting a more traditional portrait in the society section. I was sports editor in 1960.
In reflecting upon the picture during our 50 years of marriage, I’ve come to a variety of conclusions on its meaning and significance. The fact it provokes curiosity and thought encouraged me to ask our photojournalist son Kevin to duplicate the pose in 2010.
Kevin made the golden anniversary portrait with his 1958 Rolleiflex 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 medium format camera. What wonderful memories.
June 18, 2010 © 2010 by Kevin Moloney
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My apologies for the blog’s hiatus. My computer died in its sleep, and I’m undergoing a frustrating and slowly developing learning curve. Hopefully I’m now back on my schedule of blogs.
Posted in Family Life, Historical, Photojournalism, Portrait, Sports, Uncategorized | 1 Response »
Tags: 1958 Rolleiflex, Casilda and Alexis Moloney, Floyd E. Merrill, Golden Anniversary, Greeley CO Tribune, Ken Hikida, Kevin Moloney, Paul and Annette Moloney, Polaroid, San Luis CO
Written by Paul on April 27th, 2010
"Sr. Regis Leahy, 'Hunter/Gatherer' " © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
On the first Tuesday morning of each month the “Bags of Love” volunteers get together in the Ruth and Joe Akin garage in Firestone, Colo., to stuff bags, visit and have lunch.
They are loving, smiling and positive in preparing their gifts for youngsters of southern Weld and Adams counties of Colorado, at the north edge of Denver. The bags are distributed through social services. They produce 8 to 16 cloth or back pack bags of contributed clothing, books, crayons, toys and stuffed animals each month.
Organizers were inspired by a similar project reported by 3-Angel Broadcasting. Then the Akin couple and Sr. Regis Leahy began their slow organizational process in 2005. The Fort Lupton Seventh-Day Adventist church donated the Fellowship hall for two years.
When the church discontinued housing the project, Ruth and Joe Akin, both retired, bought a home in Firestone and now provide their garage for the project.
The old Frederick library is now closed — has been for three years — with a new one opening recently at Firestone. The “Bags of Love” group is negotiating a lease with owner Weld county to move the project into a portion of the closed Frederick library.
“Child Protection Services of Weld county is grateful for the assistance we have given them,” Sr. Regis said.
She describes the project:
” ‘Bags of Love’ is a project that began back East when a grandmother was called in the middle of the night by police to come and get her grandchildren because their mother had been arrested for having a meth lab.
“As the outcome of this experience, the grandmother began making bags with hygienic products and school supplies to get the children through the first hours until they had been placed in foster care. There have been a number of these products across our country and into Canada to take care of children who have fallen through the cracks.
“As a result, we have had four to five years of experience putting together our own project and have supplied Weld county with at least 450 bags and Adams county 300 bags. The bags are sorted according to age and needs of the boys and girls, toddlers and teens. Because of the privacy act, we are never permitted to know the identity of the children who receive our help.”
Sr. Regis is the “hunter/gatherer” type person, said occasional volunteer Marge Seery of Denver. Sr. Regis considers this a “loaves and fishes” project as it is not funded by any particular organization — just these men and women. They consider it an adventure to fund the items required for the bags. Sister says she has a “porch ministry” as people leave things for the bags on her front porch,” writes Mrs. Seery.
"Sr. Regis Leahy Sorts and Places Gifts in Bag" © 2010 by Paul F. Moloney
Tuesday, April 6 the group that included stuffers Shirley Landweher and Doreen Towey filled eight bags with $35 worth of items each. Joe Akin was the lunch chef.
Another element of the project is to make or obtain quilts for the newborn at the Salud Clinic at Frederick.
In 2005 Sr. Regis celebrated her 60th jubilee as a Catholic nun. In September it will be her 65th jubilee. She’s now retired.
Please write a note in this blog if you wish additional information about the Bags of Love project.
——————–
My apologies for the hiatus. About three weeks ago, my computer died in its sleep. I immediately replaced it, but the learning curve for the updated and new programs stalled my production of the Wondering, Wandering Photographer. It is great to be back on line.
Posted in Photojournalism, Portrait, Uncategorized | 3 Responses »
Tags: "Bags of Love", "Hunter/Gatherer", "Loaves and Fishes", "Porch Ministry", 3-Angel Broadcasting, Adams County, Dacono CO, Denver, Doreen Towey, Firestone CO, Fort Lupton Seventh-Day Church, Fort Lupton.CO, Frederick CO, Greeley CO, Joe and Ruth Akin, Marge Seery, Salud Clinic, Shirley Landweher, Sr. Regis Leahy, Weld County
