Current Events and News Archives | Page 4 of 5 | The SpectraLight Photography Blog

14 brave souls venture out in near-blizzard-like conditions to see presentation

mark_madere_spectralight_photo_restoration — Mark Madere of SpectraLight Photography shows a before-and-after example of how two separate pictures of a man and a woman can be digitally combined to create a new photograph depicting them as a couple.

On February 21st – amid blustery weather conditions, 14 people made their way to the North Ridgeville Library to see my special presentation: “Photo Restoration – The Art and Science of Resurrecting Damaged and Faded Photographs.”

The presentation was sponsored by the North Ridgeville Arts Council and was open to the community. I covered the causes of damage and fading to photographs and how to avoid it. There were several before-and-after photos showing how pictures that were once unsalvageable using old restoration techniques can now be restored to their original glory with “digital magic.”

See examples of photos that were in near-unsalvageable condition that were restored to their original condition: http://www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoRestoration

A special thank you to Alan Willoughby who e-mailed the following comment: “Janet and I enjoyed your photo restoration presentation at the Arts Council meeting on Monday evening. It was time well spent despite the snow.”

I am available to speak to other groups or clubs on this topic. Just comment on this post or contact me here.

Learn about our photo restoration services here. Get our FREE guide with tips for saving water or flood-damaged photos here. See a photo restored in a high-speed video here. Read our photo restoration FAQs that may answer questions pertaining to your faded or damaged photo here.

Have you had a damaged or faded photograph restored? Why did you have it restored? To preserve a special memory? To remember a special family member? Please share your story with a comment, below.

14 brave souls venture out in near-blizzard-like conditions to see presentation Read More »

Beyond the shadow-of-a-doubt – unforgettable Groundhog Day memories

6 Comments

I grew up 30 just minutes from Punxsy but never experienced the fun and festivities of Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day.

In 2003, I decided to document all the crazy activities surrounding this world renown occasion. This video captures the residence of Phil (the Punxsy library), the members of the Inner Circle with their top hats and tuxedos and photos of the news media from around the world. Even Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell got it on the action!

You'll also witness Phil's wedding chapel where couples actually get married to coincide with Groundhog Day, Phil-themed games for the kiddies, vendors selling groundhog mementos, ice sculpture and wood carving contests and even a 5K race.

The last photo in the video is a three story groundhog located next to a burger joint on the edge of town!

Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney is a “must-see” event that will warm your heart.

Have you ever been to Punxsutawney to see whether Phil would see his shadow? If not, do you think you'll ever make the trip? Please share your thoughts with a comment here.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: https://SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: http://HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: http://HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: http://SpectraLight.com/Gear

Beyond the shadow-of-a-doubt – unforgettable Groundhog Day memories Read More »

Groundhog Day magic

4 Comments

: See article for how the top photo was created.

February 2nd – the magical day when the world’s attention turns to a little town in western Pennsylvania where an over sized rodent predicts whether spring will arrive early.

I had the opportunity to witness the fun and festivities in 2003. My goal was to capture the essence of the celebration in just one photograph. A monumental task when you discover all the cool things going on around Punxsy (that’s what the locals call their town) during the week surrounding the great prognostication (prediction).

Although I created a photo that captures the spirit of the day; it required three different photos blended together in Photoshop to create the image seen here. I first took the photo of local high school boys on stage as they “entertained” the 25,000 spectators at Gobbler's Knob. About 18 minutes later – the fireworks were set off. In fact, the fireworks were in a different part of the sky – not over the stage. After I overlaid the fireworks over the boys, I had to digitally “erase” some of the fireworks so they wouldn’t appear to be exploding right in front the boys.

This year's festivities may be the best yet as they celebrate their 125th “Groundhog Day.” For more information, visit the official Groundhog Day website.

As a side note, I found that battling the photographers who came from around the world for best photo position was worse than photographing Jimmy Carter's arrival in Cleveland for the Presidential Debates in 1980!

Groundhog Day magic Read More »

Mark judges Lakewood Photographic Society contest

2 Comments

Yesterday, I was honored to serve as a judge for the Lakewood Photographic Society (LPS) photo contest. Having judged their contests for the past five years, I couldn't turn down this opportunity to view some of the Cleveland area's most creative photography. As usual, I was not disappointed. Photographs covered a wide spectrum of subjects: portraits, flowers, animals, scenics and more. There's always something for every taste.

Susan Johnson of Lakewood did extremely well with two of her images taking top honors in the two categories she entered. She was gracious enough to allow me to post those images here.

LPS is a club for all camera enthusiasts serving the Cleveland area for over 75 years. Their members range from beginners with easy-to-use point-and-shoot cameras to very advanced, experienced photographers. They use everything from 35mm cameras to 4×5 view cameras and of course – digital.

LPS meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Lakewood Senior Center at 16024 Madison Avenue. Check 'em out – you'll be glad you did.

Mark judges Lakewood Photographic Society contest Read More »

Our art photos are now available for your home

Leave a Comment

: One of our art photos that is available to grace the walls of your home

After we posted our article about four of our scenic art photos being accepted into the University Hospitals of Cleveland Art Show, we have been deluged with requests by our readers wishing to purchase these images.

We have good news! Not only are those art photos available for purchase but many more from across the U.S. and Mexico. And we continue to add to the collection as time permits.

See our artwork at http://www.spectralight.com/fineart.

There's still time to get art prints in time for Christmas AND save 17% on the print portion of any order. Guaranteed Cristmas delivery ends on December 12th (Ground Shipments) or on December 15th (Overnight Shipments).

Our art photos are now available for your home Read More »

Our Scenic Photographs Accepted for University Hospitals Art Show

Leave a Comment

Nightfall_At_The_Golden_Gate — Nightfall At The Golden Gate

University Hospitals of Cleveland is pleased to announce that four scenic photographs by Mark Madere have been accepted for exhibition in the UH Employee & Volunteer Juried Art Show. Only 86 of the 200 entries submitted by University Hospitals employees and volunteers were accepted for display.

Madere is an Ophthalmic Photographer at University Hospitals and owner of SpectraLight Photography in North Ridgeville.

The juror for the show was 1987 Cleveland Arts Prize recipient and internationally recognized artist Brent Kee Young. Young has been professor and Chairman of the Glass Department at the Cleveland Institute of Art since 1973.

This exhibition, which is held every 2 years, exposes UH's hidden artistic talents, which are often overshadowed by the exceptional skills these individuals display each day in the clinical environment.

The show runs through Jan. 7, 2011 at University Hospitals Humphrey Atrium Gallery at 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH.

For more of Madere's scenic photography, visit http://mark-madere.artistwebsites.com/

Our Scenic Photographs Accepted for University Hospitals Art Show Read More »

Re-elect Richard Cordray – Ohio Attorney General

Leave a Comment

I met Richard Cordray in 2008 when he was campaigning for Ohio Attorney General. I was hired to photograph two of his appearances in Cleveland for publicity purposes. After he was elected, I had the privilege of photographing his inauguration in Columbus.

I am usually skeptical of anyone running for elected office – always wondering about their true motivation for seeking that position.

Spending time with Mr. Cordray allowed me to see a side of him that the general public doesn't as he interacted with his wife and children, staff, the news media and local politicians. What I found was a man who is committed to his family, is respectful of others and truly passionate about the legal rights of Ohioans. I believe Mr. Cordray is an excellent Attorney General and has earned the right to continue fighting for Ohioans for the next four years. Please join me in returning him to office as Ohio's Attorney General.

Re-elect Richard Cordray – Ohio Attorney General Read More »

New high tech energy storage solutions explored

Leave a Comment

daniel_scherson — Dr. Daniel Scherson of Case Western Reserve University

On Thursday, high tech innovators from Northeast Ohio gathered to provide insight on their role in energy storage research and how they are developing real products and solutions to address the world's increasingly ravenous appetite for energy.

The presentation was held at Lorain County Community College as part of the NorTech Energy Enterprise Speaker Series.

Addressed was the need for new energy storage solutions that are readily available, truly efficient, reliable and cost-effective – a priority for our energy future and economy. Presenters included Dr. Daniel A. Scherson of Case Western Reserve University, John Butkowski of R.W. Beckett and Herbert Crowther and John Miller of MegaJoule Storage.

For future NorTech events, visit http://www.nortechenergy.org/news-events/

New high tech energy storage solutions explored Read More »

Help me make miracles at Rainbow!

Leave a Comment

I'm helping Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital raise money to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

100% of the funds raised go directly towards critical programs and services for the patients and families at Rainbow.

It's all about the children. Please give generously: https://www.uhgiving.org/SpectraLight

If 500 people “Like” my SpectraLight Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/SpectraLight) by October 8th, I will donate $250 to Rainbow.

If you already “Like” my SpectraLight Facebook Page, go to http://www.facebook.com/SpectraLight and click “Suggest to Friends” on the upper left part of the page and invite your Facebook friends to “Like” it too.

Help me make miracles at Rainbow! Read More »

$74 billion wedding

4 Comments

wedding_photos — Double click a photo to see it larger.

Americans spent $74 billion just to say “I Do” last year.

A story on ABC's Nightline focused on a couple that budgeted a “mere” $75,000.00 for their wedding.

So what could possibly add up to that kind of figure? For starters, they spent over $9000.00 for French tips and pedicures for the bride, mom and sister compared to $3800 for professional photography! That's an interesting difference of priorities. The couple feels their wedding photos – which they will have for a lifetime – are less important than finger and toenails – something that will grow out in a couple weeks.

As a wedding photographer for nearly 30 years, I've witnessed couples who chose their photographer based mainly on price – only to be disappointed with their photographs later. Suddenly, the price becomes inconsequential and the lost wedding memories the priority. Unfortunately, there is no going back to re-photograph the wedding day.

Avoid having your wedding memories shattered by choosing the most skilled photographer available. We've created a guide to help in your search. Go to http://spectralight.com/weddings/weddings.html and choose FREE Wedding Photography Shopping Guide.

So what is the most important aspect of a wedding to spend your hard earned $$? Please click “Comment” and share your thoughts.

To see the story and video on Nightline – click here.

$74 billion wedding Read More »

Current Events and News

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :-)