<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>My oldest daughter and her husband have ten children and live in a big house with a good number of windows. This makes natural-light photography of domestic scenes a joy. The Lensbaby Spark lens allows me to choose what I focus on, while blurring everything outside that circle, with specular highlights (natural, bright spots in the image) showing up as stars. (The Spark has a number of options for lens inserts. I have used the star one by force of habit more than anything. I'm going to have to experiment with the other options.)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Art is at least in part <em>abstraction </em>-- taking away what is extraneous or demoting the secondary (in the artist's vision), so that attention goes to what is important. Sometimes, art involves <em>complication </em>or<em> obscuring </em>-- teasing the viewing or hearing mind to find a pattern. The seeking of visual or dramatic intelligibility is itself satisfying. Impressionism is an example of this abstraction and complication in painting -- and photography. Here is a Turner that I photographed in Paris last summer, that draws the viewer in because it is deliberately obscure.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15880,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A9599-1024x762.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15880"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">J. M. W. Turner, "Landscape with a River and a Bay in the Distance" </figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Black &amp; white photography takes away color. That, coupled with the Spark lens's ability to put part of the image out of focus, and increasing the contrast between light and dark in software, makes the subject stand out from the surroundings. The image has an immediacy or intensity that others, in color and in focus everywhere, generally lack. At the same time, the viewer needs the blurred parts of the image for social context and meaning.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"imageCrop":false,"linkTo":"none","lightbox":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default has-lightbox"><!-- wp:image {"id":15860,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1648-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15860"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Renata dressed up for St. Nicholas Day, and for the celebration of her sister's birthday.</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15862,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1657-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15862"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Renata looking back, as my wife gives some piano instruction to Susannah.</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15863,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1692-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15863"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Papa kisses Beatrice as her birthday party begins</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A house full of kids, even a big house, can be a pretty noisy place -- especially for old geezers! There is a lot of -- what do they call it? -- "social interaction" between the kids. These are home-schooled kids, who get together with other home-schoolers for some activities, so they are well "socialized." The Spark lens is great for showing how the kids can withdraw occasionally from the group and <em>read.</em> Framing the image helps.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"imageCrop":false,"linkTo":"none","lightbox":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default has-lightbox"><!-- wp:image {"id":15865,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1649-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15865"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kevin and Tintin</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15866,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1731-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15866"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Isaiah off on his own</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>As children mature their personalities both emerge and mature. Very few are averse to having their pictures taken (though one in the family has been). The boys especially like to clown for the camera, and tell me, "Take my picture, Grandpa!"</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"imageCrop":false,"linkTo":"none","lightbox":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default has-lightbox"><!-- wp:image {"id":15869,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1711-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15869"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Isaiah against the window</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15870,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1714-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15870"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gideon pretending to punch the camera</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>There is a lot of care for one another in a big family. Older children, especially the girls, tend to the younger ones. Sexual differentiation could be argued about forever, but from what I have seen, boys tend to <em>protect</em> and <em>solve problems</em> for younger ones, while girls tend to <em>nurture</em> and <em>help them</em>. The tendencies should be seen as overlapping circles in a Venn diagram -- boys can be nurturing, to some extent, and girls can be protective, and so forth -- but I think this holds as a generalization.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":15871,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1733-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15871"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Naomi and Beatrice</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15872,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1734-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15872"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beatrice sees Grandpa and the camera's big black eye</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15873,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1735-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15873"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mom fixes Katie's hair, while Naomi looks on with Beatrice</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Spark lens is great for putting the focus on people in conversation, either speaking or listening.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"imageCrop":false,"linkTo":"none","lightbox":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default has-lightbox"><!-- wp:image {"id":15878,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1663-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15878"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lori in conversation</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15876,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1682-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15876"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alexandra and Lydia</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15877,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1701-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15877"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lori with Katie and Gideon</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A birthday party, and especially the opening of gifts and the presentation of the birthday cake, is a natural opportunity for photography. The Spark lens does what camera phones can't, but so much depends on being in the right place at the right time.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"imageCrop":false,"linkTo":"none","lightbox":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default has-lightbox"><!-- wp:image {"id":15885,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1572-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15885"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beatrice and mom</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15886,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1575-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15886"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yes, that's Grandpa!</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15888,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1670-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15888"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">First birthday candle</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15889,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1675-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15889"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">What's this all about?</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15882,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1679-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15882"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Being initiated into the candle-blowing-out ritual</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15883,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1708-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15883"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A happy baby</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15887,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1716-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15887"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">And what's this?</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15884,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1723-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15884"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A doll of her own!</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Look at the last photo. St. Augustine observed (roughly) that we are to <em>love people</em> and <em>use things</em>, but that we tend in our weakness to <em>use people</em> and <em>love things</em>. With dolls, however, baby girls develop an attachment to a <em>thing </em>that will prepare them for their later love for their own children. Familial love is learned and fostered.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I took a ton of photos in the few days I was at Linthicum, Maryland. Only a few of them did I turn into black &amp; whites. Here are the remainder of those few.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:gallery {"imageCrop":false,"linkTo":"none","lightbox":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default has-lightbox"><!-- wp:image {"id":15898,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1609-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15898"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mom is concerned.</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15897,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1639-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15897"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Renata loves the camera and it's mutual</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15899,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1650-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15899"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grandma is a born teacher</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15900,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1661-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15900"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Piano lesson</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15901,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1662-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15901"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Susannah</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15896,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1703-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15896"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Renata at the party</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15894,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1743-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15894"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alexandra against the light</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15895,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1747-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15895"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some of the kids waiting for the family photo</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15905,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1756-Edit-Edit-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15905"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The fam (with only one head substitution)</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15909,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1758-Edit-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15909"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The kids in the tree</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":15910,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://christopherhumphreyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/O3A1769-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15910"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The requisite goofy shot</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></figure>
<!-- /wp:gallery -->