The SpectraLight Photography Blog

The place to expand your knowledge and love of photography.

Recent Posts

Browse by Tags

babies baby Blurb Cleveland contest Facebook Golden Gate Bridge graduation pictures identity theft Inspirational job seeker Mark Madere Mocha Monkey model North Ridgeville Olmsted Falls Pacific Ocean Pasadena photo contest photography photo restoration Photoshop picture portrait Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital San Francisco scholarship senior pictures Spectralight travel photos

Scenic photos available for purchase by SpectraLight photographer Mark Madere

Art Prints

Browsing Posts published by maderemark

Your “One Day” photo could land you a trip to Paris

August 10, 2011 4 comments
My "One Day" moment - my daughter

My "One Day" moment - my daughter's birth

From the movie – One Day…

After one day together, Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) begin a friendship that will last a lifetime.

What’s your One Day? Your college graduation? Your first kiss? Your wedding day? A visit with your mother? Share the memorable moments of your life with a snapshot.

Enter the One Day Kodak Photo Contest for the chance to win a trip to Paris planned by STA Travel. Get details and enter now.

My One Day moment was when my daughter, Jacqui, was born. Like most first-time parents, I was in awe of the responsibility that this beautiful little baby brought. As she cried while the nurses cleaned her up, I trembled at the thought of how my wife and I could raise her to be the best Jacqui she could be. Moments later, the nurse handed this amazing, red-faced, wailing newborn to hold. As I took her into my arms, I asked God for the strength to handle my newest role – that of a father. Almost instantly, a calm came over her… and then over me as I gazed into her tiny, angelic face.

What a wonderful sign my heavenly Father gave to me in the peacefulness of that moment.

What One Day moment would you enter in this contest? Please leave a comment on this post.

Just for the Fun of it, Personal, Photo Contests , , , ,

Boo! Boo who? Not a riddle – just the cutest darn dog you ever did see!

August 4, 2011 2 comments
Boo, perhaps the World’s Cutest Dog, has over 1 million Facbook Fans

Boo, perhaps the World’s Cutest Dog, has over 1 million Facbook Fans

Is this the “World’s Cutest Dog” or what?

Boo, an adorable Pomeranian, has really hit the “big time.”  He has several videos on YouTube and was even raved about on Khloe Kardashian’s personal blog! Parade Magazine just did a story on him and he has a rapidly expanding following on his own Facebook page with well over 1 million fans.

 

The little guy will soon be featured in his own book by Chronicle Books. It features exclusive new photographs of Boo doing all his favorite things: lounging around, playing with friends, exploring the whole wide world, and making those famous puppy-dog eyes. To know Boo is to love him, and this book is for anyone who loves the cutest dog ever.

What a great gift for someone you love. Oh, heck, just get it for yourself!

Do you have a pet as cute as this? Send me a photo and it just might get posted in a future article! Please leave a comment about this article here.

 

Amazing Photos from Around-the-World, Just for the Fun of it , , , , ,

Out-of-focus pictures – NEVER AGAIN with amazing Lytro camera!

August 4, 2011 No comments

 
Ever lose a great photo because it was out-of-focus? That may soon be a thing of the past if the Lytro camera delivers as promised!

Before reading any further, click on different areas of each photo (above) to see how this camera allows you to choose any part of the scene to be in sharp focus.  (If the focus doesn’t change, you may not have Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer. Get it here for free.) What is so unique about this feature is that you choose your focus point (the area of interest that you want to draw the viewer’s attention too) AFTER you take the picture. Until now, there has never been a camera or software that gives that kind of capability! This could be a real “game changer” for anyone who has trouble taking pictures in sharp focus.

See more amazing photos like the ones shown here at the Lytro web site. They even give a technical explanation as to how this amazing camera works.
 
Unfortunately, Lytro isn’t saying much about the camera specifications other than it will be small enough to fit in a pocket and that it will be “competitively priced.”

Lytro expects to roll out the cameras to consumers by the end of the year. (Hopefully in time for Christmas.)

Does this camera seem like something that you might purchase? What would be a fair price to pay? Please comment on this post.

Side note: Lytro has contacted me to be a possible “beta tester” of their camera. I’ve completed a questionnaire and am awaiting a response. If or when I receive the camera, I’ll post some pictures and a review of my personal experience using it in “real-world” situations.

Cameras, Current Events and News, Just for the Fun of it, Tips & Tricks - Improve Your Personal Snapshots , ,

Former Olmsted Falls resident needs our help dealing with severe wrath of tornadoes

May 5, 2011 No comments

First grade teacher, Jenna McGilvray (formerly of Olmsted Falls) is seeing her students suffer the wrath of severe tornadoes that hit Dunn, North Carolina on April 16th. The area has been declared a disaster. Five of Jenna’s students have lost their homes completely and many other students’ homes sustained severe damage.

The 6 to 7 year old students are in need of any used or new clothing and school supplies (book bags, crayons, pencils etc.)

To help, contact: Jenna McGilvray, 6280 Abbotts Park Dr. Apt E., Fayetteville, NC  28311, Phone: 330-338-9258, E-mail: Jenmack7843@yahoo.com

Or Jenna’s parents: Jim & Kim McGilvray,  Phone: 440-243-7843, E-mail: Mackpack555@cox.net

Causes, Current Events and News , , , ,

Dara Hosta/Olmsted Spirit Race a huge success despite the rain

May 3, 2011 3 comments

 

The Dara Hosta Olmsted Spirit 5K Race starts with over 600 runners and walkers.

The Dara Hosta Olmsted Spirit 5K Race starts with over 600 runners and walkers.

The Dara Hosta/Olmsted Spirit 5K Race/Walk was held on Sunday, May 1st in Olmsted Falls. Over 600 runners and walkers ranging in age from infants in strollers to eighty-four took part in the fund-raising annual event. An additional 200-300 family and friends were there to cheer on their loved ones.

It was extremely gratifying to have an event that brings out the community for fun, fellowship and exercise. Although the race has been in existence since 1998, it has grown significantly since 2006 raising over $100,000.00 for scholarships for Olmsted Falls’ students over that five year period. It wouldn’t be possible without the financial support of so many businesses from Olmsted Falls and beyond who donate money and door prizes as corporate sponsors.

In 2010, $21,000.00 in college scholarships was distributed to 42 Olmsted Falls High School graduates. To receive a scholarship, the student had to demonstrate their school and/or community spirit by the activities they were involved in during their lifetime.

Originally named the “Olmsted Spirit 5K Race/Walk” when first run in 1998, the event was renamed the “Dara Hosta Olmsted Spirit 5K Race/Walk” in 2000 in memory of the OFHS freshman who passed away after winning the 400 meter run in gym class in the Spring of 2000.

Did you walk, run or just watch the race? Did you know Dara personally? Do you know someone who received a scholarship in the past from the race? Please leave a comment on this post.

For race results and photos, visit: www.spectralight.com/5krun.

Causes, Current Events and News , ,

“I finally got him” wins Lakewood Photographic Society top prize

April 27, 2011 No comments
I Finally Got Him by Lucian Bartosik

"I finally got him" by Lucian Bartosik wins Lakewood Photographic Society contest

“Click, click… did I get it?”

Fast moving, candid wedding moments are often like that. In the case of Lakewood Photographic Society (LPS) member, Lucian Bartosik, capturing his wedding photo, “I finally got him,” was a two shot moment. He took top honors in the Photojournalism category at the LPS photo contest on Tuesday evening with that image.

“The groom was in love with Classic American cars and his new bride surprised him with this red and white beauty and driver to whisk them away from the church,” says Bartosik. “There was just a few moments to freeze time, as they were about to head off to the reception and I managed to get two shots at this point. The first shot I took included the entire car with everyone looking forward, but for the second shot I zoomed in and just for a moment the bride glanced my way and I pressed the shutter button. I knew that the judges of a competition might give lower marks for not being able to see the entire car, however, I felt that the look of the bride would over ride the fact that only part of the car was in frame, and chose that particular image to include in my entries.”

Bartosik, who is originally from Wales in Great Britain has lived in Lakewood almost 5 years. Of his relocation, Bartosik said, “My brother and sister had married Americans and were living in Ohio and during our many visits up here, my now wife, liked the feel of Lakewood, with it’s many unique coffee shops and eclectic restaurants, so we decided to move north. We both ski, therefore enjoy snowy winters and the summers are not as hot or humid as Kentucky. Having the lake so close means we can do some sailing in summer too, therefore enjoying the best of both seasons.”

Bartosik produces fine art photographic works and has prints on sale in a few galleries in and around Cleveland. He also take a limited amount of wedding and portrait commissions each year and his winning photo was a result of such an occasion.

Did you have a professional photographer or just a friend take your wedding pictures? What was that experience like? Please leave a comment on this post.

Current Events and News, Photo Contests , ,

Flash mob makes surprise appearance in Cleveland

April 23, 2011 No comments

Dare2Care of Cleveland staged a flash mob at a park at West 25th and Lorain to raise awareness against bullying.

They danced to Abba’s “Dancing Queen.”  The group was suppose to perform at the West Side Market but was bumped to the park so market vendors could service their Easter customers.

Have you ever seen or been in a flash mob? What was that experience like? Please leave a comment on this post.

Causes, Current Events and News , , , , ,

Sue Sawyers – Let them eat cake

April 1, 2011 6 comments
I had a piece of cake in Sue’s memory. Why? See article.

The world lost an amazing person this week.

Sue Sawyers passed away March 29, 2011 following a courageous battle with cancer.

I came to know Sue as a new member of the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce in 2006. From the moment I met her, she was a warm, welcoming person who clearly wanted her fellow business person to succeed. To that end, she gave me a few photography assignments with the company she worked for – Great Lakes Publishing – the publisher of West Shore Magazine.

Throughout her career, Sue became active in many chambers of commerce, including North Ridgeville, Lorain County, West Shore, North Coast, Lakewood and Beachwood. She served on numerous committees and held several offices for the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce, most recently as Chairman of the Board from 2008 to the present time.

In 2010 Sue received the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce Bright Star Award for her exemplary service. In 2009 she was presented with the Hugh Dawson Service Award for outstanding volunteerism with the West Shore Chamber. To honor her accomplishments, Mayor Dennis Clough of Westlake proclaimed December 8, 2009 as “Sue Sawyers Day” in Westlake.

Probably the thing that Sue was well known for was her love of cake. At a recent North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce event, they gave away door prizes from local businesses. The last prize was a gift card to Ruby Tuesdays. Before drawing the winner, it was requested that the recipient of the card have a piece of cake in Sue’s memory. Its funny how I had a feeling that it would be me who would fulfill this bitter-sweet assignment.

 Yesterday, just two days after Sue’s passing, my wife and I used the gift card and had a piece of cake in Sue’s memory.

Sue, may you and the angels in heaven share your cake together – for eternity. We love you and miss you.

Did you know Sue personally? Please share a fun experience you had with her by leaving a comment on this post.

Current Events and News, Personal ,

34th anniversary of incredible flying saucer sighting

April 1, 2011 7 comments
A “flying cup-and-saucer” captured 34 years ago in Du Bois, PA by Cleveland photographer Mark Madere

April 1st marks the 34th anniversary of the day I captured a “flying cup-and-saucer” hovering over a local fast-food restaurant in the sleepy town of Du Bois, PA.

Although I’ve lived in Cleveland for 31 years, I was born and raised in Du Bois. During my senior year in high school, there were several reported UFO sightings in the area. On the evening of April 1st, 1977 – I was cruising down “The Boulevard” when the flying cup-and-saucer caught my eye as it swooped in from the east. I and the four teenagers in this photo were the only eye-witnesses of this amazing event. Fortunately I had my camera loaded with high speed film – ready to document this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Later that night, I captured a photo of four “Martians” checking out some electronic gadgets at a local store. They appeared to take on the bodies of the four teenagers who witnessed the flying cup-and-saucer earlier that evening! Check out that photo and the article that appeared in the Du Bois Courier Express on April 1, 1977.

The next day, I sent the newspaper article to Corning – the company that makes dishes that look eerily similar to the flying cup-and-saucer. Check out the reply I received from the president of Corning Incorporated.

Happy April Fools Day!

Have you ever seen a UFO or other unexplained event? Please leave a comment on this post.

Just for the Fun of it, Personal , , , , ,

I shot the moon – the “Supermoon” that is

March 20, 2011 No comments

The "Supermoon" - seen in the top photo after manipulation in Photoshop to help the background appear more visible than the orignal photo shown at bottom.

The moon hasn’t been this close to the earth since 1992. 

Because the moon’s orbit around the earth is oval, it is sometimes  closer to the earth and other times – it’s farther away.

Last night, it appeared larger and brighter than normal earning the name “Supermoon.”

Although Supermoons have a slightly stronger pull on the earth’s tides, NASA states that last night’s event did not cause the earth quake and tsunami in Japan.

I took this photo at Huntington Beach in Bay Village – looking east toward Cleveland and Lake Erie.

Upon returning home, I adjusted the contrast and brightness of the original image in Photoshop to better show the size of the moon in relation to the city in the background.

The actual size of the moon was not altered in these photos.

There were several “moon seekers” at the beach – observing and photographing this amazing phenomena.

Current Events and News, Tips & Tricks - Improve Your Personal Snapshots , , , , ,
Powered by WordPress Web Design by SRS Solutions © 2012 The SpectraLight Photography Blog Design by SRS Solutions