A year in C'ville!

2014 continued to be a building year for Rammelkamp Foto.  A few months in, a new freelance opportunity presented itself in the direction of photojournalism.  I would sincerely like to thank C'ville Weekly for having the confidence in me and pushing my photographic skills to new heights!  I'm very proud of this body of work and have assembled the entire year of assignments, all 56, into one 6 minute video.  I'm looking forward to 2015 and would like to wish present and future clients a very prosperous New Year!  With that, I give you... "A Year in C'ville!"  

Say hello to Jason & Patrick of MarieBette!

I really can't stop talking about this new French Bakery in C'ville!  Great stuff, great staff etc, etc...

IBG

This is Mike, not Michael from a previous post.  Mike's still out there.  Let's hope he makes it through the winter.  #hungry & #homeless.  Still..... it's hard to eat a hash tag.  It's Cold.  Be Thankful.  Give if You Can.

More to come.

Still building in Westhall.  I'm starting to see what the old timers from Crozet are getting at with the Northern Virginia jokes.

Meet Michael!

Meet Michael, 60, homeless, divorced, two kids and has serious health issues.  

I explained I was taking his picture for a news story and he spent 30 minutes telling me and showing me his doctor bills....eager to prove he is not faking his pan handling and to discuss his predicament.

Afterwards, I met a woman who told me about her intricate system of blankets and sleeping bags in the tent she shares with Michael for warmth and protection.  The contrast of Michael around the corner from Whole Foods was a major one and I guess that's why this guilt strip in Charlotesville is a popular destination for homeless folks.  A few days later, I met two new folks who told me all about foods to donate; like jerky, nuts and dried fruit.  Makes sense, no place to cook and it comes in resealable zip lock pouches.  But, blankets and woman's boots were talked about quite a bit.

Close up, it's clear to me, these folks were not faking it and could really use some help.  According to them, maybe just 1 in 10 are phony and they actually try to drive them away! If you are so inclined, but feel weird about donating directly, or worry your dollars may go to drug use, please donate to your local food bank and shelters....Ron

http://www.brafb.org/
http://charlottesville_va.suntopia.org/homeless_shelters.php

Jumping Jacks!

I was asked to photograph the "Fit Kids" program for C'ville Weekly at the Charlottesville Boys & Girls club.  I got a kick out of the kid in the middle, smiled the whole time and from what I can tell had nothing to do with me there.  Prior and post picture taking he was all smiles!  

Charlottesville street scene

Somewhat typical street scene from downtown C'ville.  Certainly the painted piano and grad school sign caught my attention.  He was playing ragtime, which was also pretty cool.

Meet Fred Hean of Hean Cabinetry!

I had the pleasure of taking a working portrait of Fred Hean a few weeks ago for C'ville Weekly.  This fellow was as nice as could be and someone who I could really relate to, considering he is an accomplished journeyman.  If you are looking for an experienced craftsman in the woodworking field, he's your man.   C'ville - http://www.heancabinetry.com/

Say hello to JR & Leah of Trocadero!

New place opening in the old X Lounge (Glass Haus) location.  CEO JR and Communications Director Lea promise to make it awesome and from what I've seen, it already is.  Opening night Oct 10, 2014!

Say hello to Christine Riggleman, CEO of Silverback Distillery in Afton!

Er...wow.  This place is cool.  As a beer and wine guy, I was pleasantly surprised with the smooth taste and flavor of their vodka, gin and "white" bourbon!  Good stuff right here in Afton.  I Highly recommend a visit and I'm glad I was chosen to do this shoot!  

Monticello

Jefferson knew what he was doing!  Had a wonderful time as invited member of the press for the pre-launch of Monticello's Heritage Harvest Festival 2014!!!

Crozet Pizza Buddhist Biker Bar presents - Kendall St. Company

Aug, 2014.  The Kendall Street Company Band plays live at the Crozet Buddhist Biker Bar in Charlottesville Virginia.  Great food, great venue, great music!  Video by Rammelkamp Foto, www.rammelkampfoto.com

somewhere in Crozet

Back alley in Crozet.  It's not all just fog you know.  Can anyone guess where specifically?

Welcome to Crozet!

A frequent occurrence of clouds, brought to you by summertime and being located in the valley of Afton Mountain.   

More C-Ville Weekly assignments!

This was fun.  I had to cover the pie eating contest at Carter Mountain Orchard for C-Ville Weekly.  I have to say, the kids really went at it and a good time was had by all!  A young girl named Fraser was the winner and I imagine her picture will be in the paper this Wednesday, stay tuned!

Thursday's Frog

On Facebook, I've been posting a frog photo almost every night using a pen light and iPhone. Tonight, I decided to use my 35mm with a 24mm f/1.8 macro and the same pen light.  Much better than the iPhone captures, still...I had to work at it.  I went back and forth with the ISO, f-stop and color temperature.  Makes me wonder about the future of automation.  

right before the storm

This was the scene in Crozet right before the big rains came....a day before the 4th.  Maybe we'll get a reasonably dry one for the fireworks?

backyard view of the chimney

This baby was sparking pretty good, so I took a picture.  Not much more I can say.

Local talent performing at the new Crozet Pizza Pourhouse!

On a relatively cool night in June, Chamomile & Whiskey performed at the new "Pourhouse" inside Crozet Pizza, Crozet VA.  It was a great show, the joint was shaking!  I was happy Crozet Pizza asked me to be there and put this video together!

 Ron - www.rammelkampfoto.com

up the road

Up the road on 250, exit 99, Afton.  This had a real "carni" look to it all lit up in the mist.  I stopped to take a photo, someday I'll stop and try the popcorn.  

240...250, whatever it takes

Three Notch'd Road, Crozet

recycle. reuse and reread

The coolest thing I've posted yet!  The Crozet library has a Magazine swap area!!!  You can swap and contribute recent magazines!  I'm proud of the mastermind and initiator, my wife!  It's a great idea and I'd love to see it grow.  

trough the train

This train is a familiar site for residents of C-ville and Crozet.  The scene is off Water Street downtown.  I've been trying to get a "cool" shot of the train going by for some time and this one seemed to fit the bill with it's dramatic color, peek-a-boo and motion blur.

Say hello to "Here We Go Again Resale Store"

Sometimes you walk in a shop and just feel welcome.  John and Ruby, who run HERE WE GO AGAIN RESALE STORE in Crozet, really know how to pique the customer's interest.  Just take a look around - cool glassware, furniture and a whole shelf of retro salt & pepper shakers!  This shop is a great addition to Crozet and I wish these folks the very best!!!

Morgan the snow beagle!

It's been awhile since I did an animated gif.  Basically a digital flip card.  Here's to you Lady Morgan!

Outside festival of the book

Right now, the festival of the book is going on at the downtown mall in C-ville.  I stopped after a book talk the catch a snap of these street performers.  After I got home and zoomed in on the monitor, I loved this kids reaction since it expressed what we all were thinking.

Last snow day photo?

Just when we thought the winter was behind us, another snow storm hits the area.

Bring it!

Last snowstorm was nothing, Crozet handled it like a champ!  One more, sure,why not?

Back to the creek!

Can't really get enough of the creek off Crozet Trails between Westhall and Cory Farm.  After shoveling a ton of snow it was a bit tiring getting there and back.  Still, this is the first time I got a streak of sunlight!

Crozet Creek with snow

I needed knee high boots to get this one today.  Fresh air, nice trek, good photo.

toy like

I recently purchased a cheapo screw on wide angle lens attachment for a whopping $15.  It distorts and renders really soft corners.  Tonight I photographed the United Methodist Church in Crozet with this on a standard lens that gave me (or mimicked)  a 35mm angle of view.  I set the camera on auto HDR, 16x9, landscape setting and presto....a toy church!

The old Batesville store.

Part of the old Batesville store, towards the back wall.  It must has been a beautiful post office in the day.  I cropped out some of the extraneous stuff to create a glimpse of how the post office wall looked. Side light and B&W seemed to help.  The store was real cool, good food with live music.  Sorry to see it close.