Milking 101

One to make me stop and smile. One wonders these days if children understand where things like milk come from, as we consumers become more and more disassociated with the source of dairy produce......well all kinds of produce. But these kids seem to know what thay are doing.  I was convinced that a lot of them would think milk was a man made product,  though made from what I dare not speculate.  The little guy on the milking stool has got the right idea, an affectionate pat on the flanks as encouragement should yeild results, after all.....even plastic cows have feelings : - ) Very nice grouping and proportions Len.

Best Regards

Alf

The street festivities in Creemore, Ontario, including this educational prop, were to kick off the celebration for a local dairy farm which had just installed all the facilities necessary to process the raw milk on the premises instead of shipping it to a distant processor.  Cutting out the middle man so to speak.  Walking around in the 90 F heat I spotted this scene and luckily had my trusty P&S with me.  An 'F8 and be there' moment.  It's a farming community so these kids likely already had an idea of which end of the cow to start on.   City kids might have a bit more trouble.   :-) The 'pat on the flanks' is what        Jay Maisel refers to as 'the gesture'.   Thanks for your thoughts.  Best, LM.

I wondered what will be your next one....I saw it and I'm laughing not smiling... it is such a great timig ! It is all which  was needed and you were just on time and with the camera!I think that the one under,is teaching the other children a lesson  how to milk a cow.... SIMPLY WONDERFUL! great sense of humor...

Glad you got a laugh from this one.  Yah, timing was everything.  I saw the image in my mind but there were various people slowly walking back & forth, some even loitering in front of me.  I had about 2 seconds of clear view and was ready for it.  The kids came through for me.  Best, LM.

Hi Len, this caught my eye as there is a big fuss going on over milk production here in the U.K.

You can always rely on the kids to provide a good image and the title made me laugh. Daisy looks pretty happy too!!

Best regards

Gareth. 

Yes, kids and animals (even plastic ones it seems) are nearly always a fine combination for successful photos.  It seemed to me to be an entry level function of farm life and so the title came easily.  I kind of like the milking stool.  Functional but a bit cartoonish.  Thanks for your thoughts.  Best, LM.

pleasant street shot, counter to the usual urban grime shots

Yah, Farm town in Rural Ontario.  Life without the edge.  Good of you to take the time.  Best, LM.

What stands out for me is the beauty of the tonal range.

Young Farmers in the making , although not all Cows are quite so placid ! Good tonal range and composition and well worth taking ! Bill

Thanks for your take on this recent favourite.  Yes, I guess there's been more than one pail of spilled milk or a personal bruise or two due to a cow with attitude.  I always wondered why I saw shackles on the rear legs of some cows.  Guess that's the reason.  :-)  Best, LM.

Sorry, almost missed your comment there.  Regarding the wide tonal range, I really am constantly surprised at the image quality obtainable from these entry level P&S cameras.  Not to suggest that they are on a par with the highest end current DSLRs but the additional cost to get the utmost in image quality can certainly be held up to questioning for a large percentage of shots.  The P&S cameras most often give one a great return for the dollar spent.  In my opinion,  for whatever it's worth.  Best, LM.

I agree with you on that.

Technically very well rendered under the circumstances (harsh sunlight) and the kid who is milking found on the right place! Very cute company, especially the little girl! Well captured interesting moment Len!

Best regards!

PDE

Yes, the HAT!  Adds a little elegance to this pseudo farm scene.  Who among us (enthusiastic PNers) could pass by this without taking a frame or two?  Thanks for responding.  Best, LM.

I salute such a country teaching its kids their own roots,while many others teach hatred and war games.

My only knowledge about Canada is that there are areas that speak English,and some areas that speak French,but it is the only place that I wished to live on other than my own country immediately after finishing viewing the first episode I saw ever from a Canadian program called Candid Camera ,and to imagine that well ,that was in the early eighties where my own country was living its glorious days.

Those are happy kids .

Charming and heart-warming - and not just due to the sunny disposition of the photograph. It's such a natural scene, in spite of the obvious nature of the cow-statue - particularly with the boy's hand where it is on the cow's torso. It really amazes me how Canada, a neighboring country to Uncle Sam, has retained its own character. And a character which seems so much superior to the mother country. If I had spare cash lying around I'd simply invest it in C$ and sit secure - imo you have one of the safest economies in the world.

Thanks for your input on this one.  I think you see what I saw in this gathering.  As for the economy, best we don't get too complacent.  The slope to financial trouble is steep & slippery.  Best, LM.

From an indian cow to.....A nice scene perfectly captured!Perfect the BW too.Thanks for your funny and pleasant comment to my photo.Best regards from Rome..

What good is life if you can't mix in a bit of humour?  Many thanks for your visit & comment.  Best, LM.