Sunday Church Series - Reid Chapel, Samford University

Samford University's Reid Chapel at twilight.

Balustrades

Last Sunday, after our last Samford After Sundown photography class, some of my students joined me in a little walk about on Samford University's beautiful campus.

HUMANS OF BIRMINGHAM I - Samford University

If you follow me on Facebook , you know that I have fallen in love with Brandon Stanton, the photographer behind the wildly successful HUMANS OF NEW  YORK. He started out doing street in several cities but when he landed in NYC, he stayed and now his FB page and blog have blown off the charts. His book by the same name came out this week and when I got mine in the mail I read it from cover to cover. He has that fabulous way of connecting to strangers and I'll tell you, it's contagious. I'm not starting a new blog, heaven knows I can't keep up the two I have, but I"m up for a good challenge and Brandon's inspired me. I love his way of asking questions and interacting so......yesterday at Samford University I was out shooting with some students and found my first HOB ( Humans of Birmingham). I will never be as good as my new friend Brandon Stanton, but he is my new inspiration and I will share from time to time right here for you!

"What are you majoring in "

"Religion"

"What will you do with that degree?"

"I hope to do counseling or social work."

Reid Chapel

Samford University has a beautiful campus south of Birmingham in Homewood.  It's a special place for me as my mother was the president's secretary for over 30 years. I grew up there.

I will be teaching my photography class, From Snapshots to Creative Photographs at Samford After Sundown again this fall. Please share this link with anyone who might be interested in the Birmingham area.

Also, for those of you planning a trip to Paris, or just dreaming of one, I"ll be teaching a one day workshop, Weekend In Paris at Samford on Sept. 28 from 9-3.  I will share travel tips, a bit of French culture and language as well my favorites things to see and do in Paris. In the afternoon we will talk photography and how to bring home fabulous photographs from your travels.  

Look!!!

Yesterday I joined some of my Samford After Sundown students for a little field trip. We gathered late in the afternoon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and stopped first at the Kayser Lily Pool.  We weren't disappointed. The blossoms were gorgeous,  and we had a few dragonflies that performed nicely. After a very hot and humid hour of shooting, as we decided we'd have enough, I  decided to take one last look at the lily pool and found these adorable children looking for goldfish.

Sunday Church Series - Reid Chapel, Samford University

Samford University's Reid Chapel is name for A. Hamilton Reid.  "Built in the image of the first Baptist church built in the Americas."

Golden Stairway

Today we step inside the beautiful Harwell G. Davis Library on the campus of Samford University.  Major Davis, as he was called,  was president of Samford from 1939 till 1958 .  He was instrumental in moving Howard College from East Lake to this magnificent campus in Homewood  where it was renamed Samford University in 1955 .  I had the privilege of knowing Major Davis.  My mother was his secretary for many many years. This library is a fine tribute to this kind and gentle man.  

While I was in the building I decided to look around and take some photos.  Actually, the steps are black marble,  but the lighting turned them into this warm golden color.  I'm adding a ceiling detail as well.  You can see its reflection on the stairs.  While I was wandering around, a young man stopped me and asked if I taught elementary school. He was one of my former students that in now in his second year of law school!  I recognized him beard and all.  It was so great to see him again,  and he wasn't too big to give his third grade teacher a hug!

Catching Some Rays

We're back at Samford University again.  Do those balusters look familiar??  While taking a few shots of them, I walked up on this student hard at work on his tan on the steps of Cumberland School of Law.  I think I woke him up so we chatted and he told me he was from Georgia.  A new "stranger" to add to my cache!  ( Other Samford posts here and here.) I don't know about any of you, but when I was a coed at Auburn University, spring quarter + serious tanning time = less class attendance!

* My friend Marie Reed sent me to this blog yesterday.  Wonderful Birmingham vintage postcards and you will get to see the Alabama and Lyric Theaters on one!  

Balusters

A few days ago I was on the Samford University campus,  and I noticed these beautiful balusters in front of the Cumberland School of Law.  The lighting was a little bright,  but the shadows were nice I thought. Check out Meandering in Lotus Land today.  I think Wayne I might be on the same track.  Could this be history in the making??

Back to School??

Oh my yes , I've enolled in Conversational French I as part of  Samford University's Metro program.  Tuesday night was my first class,  and I joined 7 other intrepid souls as we tried to see how fast we could slaughter the French language!  Actually, I have more than a few doubts about my pronunciation abilities.  ( Alice, Peter, and Marie-Noyale I can hear your gales of laughter!) I am not sure that it's possible for my southern lips to ever roll that "r" , but I am going to give it my best shot.  As you can see by my photo, I have amassed an impressive library of "how to" books.  Did I think I would learn it by osmosis??  I will keep you all up to date on my progress, should there be any.  Let's just all pray that Madame Delo has infinite patience and can indeed teach an old chien a few new tricks!  

The Tune du Jour is "La vie en rose" 

Discover Patrick Cascino!