Testing a Video Clip

This is my first time doing a small video here. I'm doing this test because we are ttraveling to Italy again this year and I want to do short video intros to the segments I post.

This first one is a conversion of a slide show.

So, bare with me as I do some of the tests to get it right! Thanks!

Winter Time - Keep Warm and Dry!

Here is the Northeast, we get a chance to enjoy beautiful snowfalls, however, occasionally, these beautiful winter marvals turn into an icy mess as did this past week. but, as photographers, we need to take advantage of natures wonders!

Here are some images taken of our back yard! The first is our weeping Apple tree. I have found that most of my ice scenary images are best taken during or just after the storm with heavy overcast. I've done some in bright sunlight and I wasn't happy with my results - I need to practice more!!!



This below is our pergola!






These below are our Dogwood tree in the front yard - note some shallow depth focusing on either the front or the back of the image.







And last, our hand made (by my father) bird house!



Remember, for outdoor wintertime photography, keep both you and your camera warm and dry. These images were taken from inside our home, lucky for me on this one!

So, don't let bad weather spoil your fun - take advantage of what mother nature brings to us and capture her beauty!

Good Weekend For Aerials

I picked up a new client and while on assignment to photograph his location, we flew over a local park in our area. My wife suggested that it would be neat to see this park empty! So below is a photograph of Dorney Park and below that is my client's site.





I really enjoy doing aerials of the Lehigh Valley because I know the area and I get to see a different perspective of the land, buildings and the beauty. If you ever get a chance to fly over the area you live, take the time and your camera and enjoy. Words can't discribe, pictures sometimes can!

As I get the oppertunity to do more, I will post images for everyone to enjoy!

Travel Photography Class

Starting Tuesday, October 12th, I will be teaching my first "Travel Photography" class. I'm looking forward to it. I hope to learn as much as I will be teaching because this topic can go on forever! I will be applying what I've learned and what I've researched and also tips and pointers from some of my past students, one in particular who is a world traveler. I've learned from him as well - thanks Larry!

My wife and I have been to Canada and Italy one time each so far, planning another trip to Italy in October of 2011. We have done some domestic traveling as most of you have, both by car and air, and the challanges between the two are so different. Overseas is an even greater challange as everyone is well aware of. For me, I want to take all of my camera equipment, but, you just can't. That's when you learn to be more creative, composing beautiful images with less!

I hope the class goes well and we all learn! I've spent many hours preparing and creating the PowerPoint. The critiques will tell-------

Test of Image Size

Since I've widened my blog, I want to take advantage of the width and place larger images here. This is the reason for going bigger! Below are a few of the 1800 images taken on our Italy trip!














I think you'll agree that larger is better. Enjoy!

Artwork On Display

As most photographers, I do some travel photography and one of my students, an art teacher from Palisades School District; has asked me and another friend to display some of our favorite travel images. I was very excited, I've never displayed in a gallery! After looking over the gallery and choosing the wall to display on, I set out to choose about 10 images from thousands I have archived. That in itself was a task. With the help of my wife, we came up with 9, which is all the space would allow for the size images I chose to hang.

Here is the invitation poster!



Needless to say, we all could have filled the gallery with our works! Below are 2 images of my artwork that I placed on display. It was too wide for one photograph!



Top is the left side, bottom is the right!



I had 9 images displayed from Longwood Gardens, Niagara Falls, Biltmore Estates and of course, Italy!

We had a good time at the opening, lots of great comments about all the images. Hors dovours were served, unfortunately no wine - boo, we are in a high school.

We each had our favorite image and it was interesting to see the reactions from the visitors as to their favorite. For me, most chose the one I did. Not sure of the others artist....

If you are in the Bucks County area of PA, please take the time to stop by and see three different styles of beautiful artwork! It will be up until the beginning of November.

If you ever get the chance to do an exhibit in a gallery, do it! It's great to listen to the comments for viewers!

Don't be Afraid - Act Quickly and Just Get It!

Many times I've seen things I should just stop the car and pull the camera out and take the photograph! But, always worried about being late for an appointment or stopping, and the car behind me becoming upset.

Ya know what, just do it! This has happened too many times to me and I'm always then saying, "why didn't I stop and grab that photograph"!

Remember a few months ago I mentioned about keeping your camera at the ready? This evening a storm blew threw and a beautiful rainbow appeared - actually 2, the second was hard to see. It was only there for 3 ~ 5 minutes.



Here is one of 4 shots I took just outside my home, it was still raining slightly. I wish I have a clear shot, a helicopter would be nice for this. The point here is - have your camera ready! If you're not comfortable with changing setting quickly, keep it on Auto, which I'm not a fan of, but it just may be the difference between getting a photograph or not.

Act Quickly and Just Get It! It's digital, if you don't like it - delete it, but, you'll never know!

Watch that Heat!

Here in the Northeast, we aren't used to the excessive heat. And just to show how hot it is, this is day 2 of our 7 day heat wave, take a look at the bottom set of numbers, this is a remote unit showing the shade area in the back of my home!




This is the temperature in the front of my home,



Fortunately, these images were taken from inside my home.

Be careful of the heat, both you and your equipment! Some cameras will actually shut down in excessive heat to protect their internal componients. If you need to be out there to do photography in these conditions, guard your equipment from direct sun as much as possible. Also, be careful of taking your camera in and out of air conditioning, this can cause your lens and image sensor to fog. Most of all, drink plenty of water! You want your photography to be a fun time, not a time spent in the hospital because you didn't take care of yourself!

Enjoy the outdoors, but, "Watch that Heat!

Digital Class has Started - Easter's over--

As mentioned, I'm getting more time to blog! Easter has come and gone very quickly. The other part of our family; Sarah, Mike, Anthony and now Dominic celebrated in NC. Well, unfortunately Mike is in Afganistan. But, as with new technology - "Skype" - we were able to see the addition to the family - Dominic! Don't you love technology when it works? We set up a time, got on Skype where all of us at Mom and Dad's got to see 4 day old Dominic for the first time! It was great - Anthony was in the background carrying on, it's really neat, as if you're right there. We are traveling down at the end of the month, so, pictures then!

OK, as the title states, "Digital Class has Started"! I have 10 in the class and all are very enthusiastic! This coming week is the third night. I got them through "Getting off the Dreaded A" (automatic). They had to learn all about using "Manual" settings. Yes, this is quite challenging, everyone pulling out their owners manuals, however, I think they all got it! I think the bucket of water therory helped, along with the charts on the marker board!

So this week, Composition - Rules of the Thirds - Fill Flash - Depth of Field - Shutter Speed and more. It's a night of hundreds of images showing what works and what doesn't and the mistakes I've made and the learning curve from them. Actually, I need to add more to the presentation - images from Italy, some of the grandkids. etc.. I hope they enjoy it!

Ok, so back to work. Stay tuned!

Jan-----------

Spring Time!

Hello All, yes, it's been a while since I've written anything. Time to get back into it.

Spring is here - warm weather is upon us and time to get out with our cameras and dust off the sensors for another season. Did you reset your clock in you camera? Flowers starting to bloom - how about trying macro! Most point and shoot cameras have excellent macro capabilities. Try it! You may want to use a tripod for some of your creations. Macro will show lots of movement because of zooming in tight to the image. Practice - the results are really neat.

Also, spring brings about my photography classes. I will be starting my spring Basic Digital Photography class, Tuesdays for the next 8 weeks, and keeps me busy. As much as I have researched most topics for the class - things change and I must keep up. Cameras are changing - more capacity, faster, more features, you know - it's endless. So, back to research-----

I'll be back to you in a few days, after class starts and Easter has passed.

Keep that camera at your side!

Jan