Image of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor – New York City – Thanksgiving Weekend – 2001 – Just weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks (September 11, 2001)
September 11th marks the thirteen year anniversary of the terror attacks on our country. Thousands of innocent people lost their lives that day and our country lost it's innocence as well.
September 11, 2001 was a glorious fall day in Northeast Ohio. My oldest daughter, Jacqui, was home from school recovering from her wisdom teeth being extracted the day before. Around 9 a.m., my wife called telling me to turn on the TV to see coverage of a large jet that had just crashed into the World Trade Center. As the minutes passed, another one hit the WTC, and then the Pentagon, and then Shanksville, PA. It was clear these were not accidents. …
Image of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor – New York City – Thanksgiving Weekend – 2001 – Just weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks (September 11, 2001). See this artwork larger or order a limited edition commemorative print here.I added a glow effect to the Statue of Liberty with Topaz Studio 2 software to symbolize that our freedom still shined through the darkness of that very solemn day. See this artwork larger or order a limited edition commemorative print here.This is the original image taken in 2001 from a moving tour boat. Because of the camera’s low resolution, I had to increase the photo file size with Topaz Gigapixel AI and then sharpen it with Topaz Sharpen AI. I then adjusted the color and contrast with Topaz Studio 2 to create the first image at the top of this page.
“Cancel the trip – terrorists have attacked New York!” Those were the words I heard my wife utter over the telephone from work the morning of September 11, 2001.
There weren't any more attacks on the U.S. after that, so just 10 weeks later, my wife, two young daughters and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York City. There was a somber mood cast over the city with the huge loss of life when the Twin Towers fell. …
Green Screen technique lets photographers place their subject anywhere they choose without having to leave the studio!
$$ Go Green! $$ – A Green Screen Presentation by Bill Morley of Bill Morley Photography based in Independence, Ohio.
The program will cover:
● How to incorporate green screen into engagement sessions, senior sessions, families and kids – in rain or shine!
● Event photography: offer green screen as an alternative to cheesy photo booths
● Where to get free backgrounds on the internet and with your own camera
● Foolproof lighting techniques: blend your subjects seamlessly into exciting backgrounds!
● Comparisons of green screen software
● And much more!
See how your studio can have fun and save money!
Join us for this fun and informative program that will change the way you look at green screen!
This program is offered by the Society of Northern Ohio Professional Photographers on Tuesday, March 25th at the North Olmsted Public Library at 7 p.m.
Snow rollers – a rare phenomena occurring once every couple years around the world hit parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio recently. (Photo: Marianne Atkinson)
A rare phenomena occurring once every couple years around the world has hit parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio this week.
While driving along I-80 in western Pennsylvania on Monday, a huge cluster of what appeared to be rolls of toilet paper invaded the median of the highway. At first I thought they were stacks of snow covered hay. Later that day I discovered they were “snow rollers” and were so unusual that they became an online sensation on social media sites and regional TV stations.
Snow rollers are most common in mountainous or hilly terrain. Basically, strong winds pick up moist snow and blow it along the ground, eventually building a cylinder of snow, which is often hollow in the middle. When the snow roller grows too large for the wind to propel it farther, it stops.
Here are the optimal conditions for snow roller generation, according to the National Weather Service:
Existing icy or crusty snow cover, so additional snow will not stick to it
Additional wet, loose snow on top of the icy, crusty snow cover
Wind strong enough to scoop out balls of snow and propel snow roller forward
At least some slope to the ground
A quick search of the Internet found photos and video at WPXI Pittsburgh, PA,Newsnet5 in Cleveland, OH, and NBC4 Columbus, OH.
Snow rollers can be as large as barrels, as you can see in this photo from Du Bois, Pennsylvania captured by nature lover (and my sister) – Marianne Atkinson.
Needless to say, I wish I would have taken some of my own photos along I-80; but stopping for non-emergency reasons on interstates is illegal. In this case I'll just have to adopt a phrase used by Cleveland sports fans regarding their losing teams – “there's always next year.”
Have you ever seen a snow roller in person? Please share your experience with my readers!
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Changing camera angles and take an ordinary pose and transform it to an extraordinary one. These photos are from the presentation: “7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography”
I'm really excited to be asked to show how to take better vacation photos at the May 20th meeting of the North Ridgeville Arts Council. I will be presenting “Discover 7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography.” The information can be used to improve vacation photography, pictures of friends and family, sporting events and more.
Topics to be covered include: how to choose a camera, creative composition from unusual camera angles, use of natural light and electronic flash, how to help people look their best, enhancing photos after they're taken, saving and preserving picture files to guard against loss from a computer crash, different ways to display photographs for maximum enjoyment and more.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
The meeting is on Monday, May 20th at 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville Library,35700 Bainbridge Rd, North Ridgeville.
Yes, those could be the words that a few lucky Cleveland area photographers hear after judging is completed for three amateur photo contests – one local, one national and one international. …
FREE uniquely shaped, limited edition post card of the waterfall at Olmsted Falls. Read the article to see how you can get one!
Do you like free food, rock music and give aways? Then get ready for a fun afternoon at Falls Day in the Park this Sunday – Oct. 2nd – from 1 – 4 p.m. at East River Park on Lewis Road in Olmsted Falls.
There will be free hot dogs, chili, brats, donuts, apple cider and more from local civic groups and businesses. A rock band will provide free entertainment while you enjoy local arts and crafts vendors and more. It’s a great time to reconnect with old friends from the Olmsted area.
SpectraLight Photography will be showing off and selling “Picturesque Olmsted Falls – Gazebos, Waterfalls, a Covered Bridge and More – Oh My!” Believed to be the first book of it’s kind in Northeast Ohio, it contains nearly 50 photographs that look similar to paintings created with watercolor, oils, canvas and other “Old Masters” techniques.
To launch the book, we are giving away a uniquely shaped, limited edition post card of the scene chosen for the book cover. A sample of the card is shown above. If you can’t make it to Falls Day in the Park, you can get a free post card by sending a self-addressed, long (business size) envelope to: Free Olmsted Falls Post Card, c/o SpectraLight Photography, 8367 Burlington Drive, North Ridgeville, OH, 44039.
Ever since I wrote about publishing my Picturesque Olmsted Falls coffee table book, I've been getting TONS of e-mails asking where I had it printed. Seems like every one wants to have a gorgeous keepsake of their vacations, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries – even the adventures of family pets – including a guinea pig!
After months of online research, checking forums and talking to other photographers; I found a company – blurb.com – that makes high quality books at a very reasonable price! You can download their FREE book design software from their web site right now and begin designing your masterpiece in minutes.
Prices start at just $4.95 for a 5×8 book. They have several intermediate sizes with the largest books at 12×12 and 13×11. These books are far superior in quality to other company's that are comparably priced.
So what are you waiting for? Download your free software and create your amazing book of memories today! BONUS: Save 20% with code BLURB20 through August 31, 2011.
What would your book be about? A family vacation? A special holiday? Your son or daughter's wedding? Please share your comments here.
For years, people have asked when I would publish a collection of my artistic renderings of the many notable scenes of Olmsted Falls. The wait is finally over!
Check out the book with 47 total scenes of the city. They have all been enhanced in Photoshop to look like actual paintings. It is more obvious in the printed book than what you'll see online.
What a great Christmas or birthday gift for current or former natives of Olmsted Falls.
What do you think of this book? Please leave a comment here and share this page on Facebook, Twitter and your other social media networks.
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.
