I rode the 5:18 a.m. “Rapid” (train number 183) from the Brookpark station today and thought I was going to suffer hearing loss. This was the second time in a week that the train speakers used for announcements were way too loud. I even saw a deaf person plugging their ears! It’s tough reading on the train with such high-decibel noise.

When I asked the train operator about turning the volume down last week – he mumbled something about not having any control over the volume. If that’s true, then these speakers should be checked and adjusted at the maintenance yard before the train is put in service.

Meghan Johnson, class of 2011 at Olmsted Falls High School, had a fantastic photo shoot a week ago. She brought a fun selection of clothes and looked great in everything. Read what she thought about her photo shoot and see a slide show of her pix at: http://www.spectralight.com/spokesmodels/2011/johnson/index.html

Today, I had the opportunity to photograph an amazing fellow. Mel, the three legged dog had a leg amputated not quite a month ago and you would never know it! He came “motoring” into my studio with tail a wagging. He and his best friend, Catie Wightman, were wonderful subjects.

Mel is undergoing chemo treatment to knock out the cancer that cost him is leg. Catie is accepting donations for the chemo and the amputation. Check out Mel’s blog at http://melsmom.tripawds.com and his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mel/206416653352?ref=sgm&v=wall#!/pages/Mel/206416653352?v=wall&ref=sgm

I had fun photographing my first SpokesModel from the class of 2011 – Cassandra Cooper. She is a very outgoing girl with plenty of self-confidence. She takes pretty darn good pictures, too! Check them out at: http://spectralight.com/spokesmodels/2011/cooper/index.html

Have you ever tried to get a photo of something but your view was blocked by an object or group of people?

The photo on the left shows a fence blocking the view of final preparations of a float for the Rose Bowl Parade.

For the photo on the right, I raised the camera over the fence and took a series of photos tilting it up, down, left and right until I captured a photo that was nicely composed. I then deleted all other photos that were not as pleasing this.

Other notes: These photos were taken the day before the 2010 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. Featured here is a float honoring the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII.

Architecture lends itself to striking full building views as well as detailed close-ups.

The photo at left shows the whole building. I then zoomed in on some interesting details that are easily missed in the first photo.

Other notes: These photos are of Pasadena City Hall taken in December, 2009.

Here’s a photo of me getting up close and personal at the Rose Bowl Parade. The red arrow is pointing at my face with a camera up to my eye.

If you’re on Facebook, check out my pix from the parade: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=148358&id=58764471726

Sometimes taking a minute to walk around your subject while taking photos will present a more interesting composition than what you first see.

In photo at left, the building is somewhat hidden by the trees and the lighting is pretty one-dimensional.

I then moved to the opposite side of the building where it had some sunlight and shadow and a little less trees blocking the view.

Other notes: These photos are of Pasadena City Hall taken in December, 2009.

Sometimes tipping your camera a little sideways can give an ordinary composition a lot more interest. The photo at left shows the palm trees growing naturally.

I then tipped the camera to one side for a more interesting take on a subject that’s been photographed millions of times.

Other notes: These photos were taken two days before the 2010 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena.