How to create a professional looking book of your personal snapshots

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Mark Madere, SpectraLight Photography, North Ridgeville — Mark Madere - SpectraLight Photography

The North Ridgeville Arts Council has asked me to present to the community my special, free presentation: “How to create a professional looking book of your family snapshots, child’s wedding, vacation pictures and more.”

Discover how to create a beautiful, coffee table-style book of all your snapshots as a lasting keepsake for family and friends. You will also learn how to quickly and easily publish books of your travel, nature, and scenic photos and earn income from them with minimal effort, NO expense and NO inventory.

I have taken photos of area landmarks throughout my career with my largest collection of images of Olmsted Falls – where I lived and operated my studio for 19 years.

View a sample of my self-published book – Picturesque Olmsted Falls – Gazebos, a covered bridge, waterfalls and more – Oh My!
http://bit.ly/olmsted-book

The meeting is on Monday, March 19th at 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville Library, 35700 Bainbridge Rd, North Ridgeville.

Have you ever wanted a high quality, hard cover book of your personal photos? Have you already created one? What company did you use and how did it turn out? Please comment.

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Top 10 reasons why I decided to shave my head

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St. Baldrick's Foundation, Mark Madere, Glenn Barton — Mark Madere and Glenn Barton after getting their heads shaved at a St. Baldrick's Foundation charity fundraiser at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

Top 10 reasons why I decided to shave my head:

10. My co-worker – Glenn Barton – said he was going to shave his head for the St. Baldrick's cancer fund raiser and I thought it would be cool if we confused our co-workers with the same new “hair” style. (Photo at left)

9. I hate “bed-head” in the morning. (Photo below)

8. The Mocha Monkey said he would if I would. (Photo below)

7. I thought I saw some grey hair coming in and thought this was easier than plucking them individually. (Sorry – no photo with this one. You don't need to see what those nasty grey hairs looked like!)

6. Women just LOVE bald guys. (Photo below)

5. Have you seen my hair in the wind? No Fabio look-alike here. (Photo below)

4. I shaved my head 8 years ago and really dug the look.

3. My wife threatened to divorce me if I ever shaved my head again. (OK – she gets half the bills in the settlement.)

2. The money is going for a great cause – cancer research – so how could I say “no.”

1. I know that everyone who has followed this post would like to contribute to the cause. I, and future cancer survivors, THANK YOU. Please donate here: http://bit.ly/spec-bald

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Here's your chance to help!

I've answered the call to help a great cause! I had my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. You can help. The good news is that you don't have to get your head shaved to support cancer research!

Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government.

Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids.

Thank you!

Click the link to make a donation online, or donate by phone or mail. http://bit.ly/spec-bald

Do you feel that cancer research is important? Please share this article with your family and friends on Facebook, Twitter or any other way you communicate via the Internet.

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Wild monkeys to invade Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland

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Mocha Monkeys for Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital

The nursing staff at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital will soon be bracing themselves for an invasion of cute, cuddly mocha monkeys – just in time for Christmas! That's because I've decided to provide each child patient who is spending their Christmas at Rainbow a free monkey to brighten their stay.

My first visit to Rainbow was in the early eighties when I visited a teenager who had Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Her name was Betsy Baker and she was the daughter of the minister who would preside over my wedding. Betsy was a dear friend of my wife and a cherished bridesmaid at our wedding. A few years later, Betsy succumbed to CF.

My other experience with Rainbow occurred when a friend of my oldest daughter – Dara Hosta – was taken there after collapsing in gym class from an unknown cause in ninth grade. Dara passed away six days later at Rainbow. Because of that experience, I became the Founding Sponsor of the Dara Hosta Olmsted Spirit 5K Race/Walk in 2000. The event has raised over $150,000.00 for college scholarships for Olmsted Falls graduates since its inception.

I now pass through the halls at Rainbow each day as I come to work as an Ophthalmic Photographer at University Hospitals. I witness ailing children arriving with their parents and concerned grandparents pacing the floors. It was an easy decision to make Christmas just a little more fun for the special children at Rainbow.

So here's where I need your help. Could you find it in your heart to give a monkey to a child at Rainbow this Christmas? I've set up a web site with a link where you can donate to the cause. It's at the MochaMonkey.NET. Just skip a beverage or two at your favorite coffee shop and support a great cause this Christmas season.

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Get a GREAT Freebie at Falls Day in the Park this Sunday

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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.

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Your pet’s photo could be on AAA’s Petbook AND win prizes

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: Monet was one of many cherished pets in our home. She didn't do well in a car so she never went on vacation with us.

Do you love your pet so much that you take him on vacation? If you answered “yes,” do you have some really cool or crazy photos of him taking in the sights?

Even if you don't have pet photos from past vacations, there's still time to squeeze in a trip and grab some cute photos of Fido or Tabby to enter in AAA's PetBook Photo Contest. Entry deadline is November 30, 2011.

Two winning pet photos, chosen in January 2012, will be featured on the cover and spine of the AAA PetBook, published in May 2012.

The first place winner, featured on the back cover, will receive $300, a $150 Best Western Travel Card (valid at any Best Western Worldwide), pet treats and five copies of the book. The second place winner, featured on the book's spine, will receive $150, pet treats and two copies of the book.

Check out the Photo Gallery to see who the winners and runners-up were for 2010. For information on how to submit your photo, visit AAA's PetBook Photo Contest page.

Entries are judged on such artistic qualities as photographic composition and ability to convey the joy of safely traveling with a pet. Candid compositions are preferred over posed, and studio photographs or those determined to be significantly altered will be disqualified.

What kind of pet would you enter? Do you have something unusual like a snake or frog? Please leave your comments on this post.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

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

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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.

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

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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 videos of past races, click here.

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Secrets to Saving Flood Damaged Photos

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Before-and-after restoration of a flood damaged baby photo. (Restoration by SpectraLight Photography) — *Before-and-after restoration of a flood damaged baby photo by SpectraLight Photography*

With the recent flooding in Northeast Ohio and possibly more high water on the way, I decided to put together several tips to save water-damaged, heirloom photos.

When floods and fires hit, most people don't grieve losing a stove or couch. It’s the loss of valued family photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia that makes them cry. Living in North Ridgeville and seeing how hard the residents were hit was a real “eye-opener.” It motivated me to do some research and put together a guide to help flood victims save their photos.

When facing piles of soggy, mud-spattered photos and other valuables – saving them may be possible by using some of following tips.

Carefully extract photos from muddy water. Remove photos from soaked albums and separate any that are stuck together. Be careful not to rub or touch the wet surface on the image side of the photos.
Gently rinse both sides of the photo in a sink filled with clear, cold water. Again, don't wipe the image side of the photos. Be sure to change the water often.
If you have time and space, immediately lay each washed photo – picture side up – on clean blotting paper like paper towels. Don't use newspapers or printed paper towels because the ink from those materials may transfer to your wet photos. Change the blotting paper every hour or two until the photos are dry. It is best to dry the photos indoors if possible because wind and sun will cause photos to curl more severely.

For additional tips on saving flood-damaged photos and the bonus resources listed below, download our free guide: www.SpectraLight.com/SaveWaterDamagedPhotos

Save money with a company that allows you to back-up your files online to secure web servers.
See an affordable photo restoration software that will help you fix your photos on your computer.
Buy archival storage products for your photos.
More photography related resources to be added as I discover them.

As a photo restoration specialist, I combine today's digital technology with old-fashioned artistry to repair worn, stained, spotted, torn, cracked, bleached and faded photographs to their original luster. Digital restoration costs have been reduced to at least half of what they used to be and the quality has improved substantially!

See samples of badly faded or damaged photos and how they look after restoration here. You will be amazed with the results.

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 photograph here.

Do you have damaged, faded or crumbling photos representing an important part of your family history? Don't give up on them just yet – they may be recoverable! For a no-cost, no-obligation appointment to examine your photographs and receive a quote – contact us TODAY through this link or call 440.748.6300… BEFORE it's too late. (NOTE: This is a landline so text messages won't come through.)

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

Have you have a personal experience with photos damaged by a flood? Why did you have them restored? To preserve a special memory? To remember a special family member? Please share your story with a comment, here.

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

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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.

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.

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Mark spoke about the miracles of photo restoration at North Ridgeville Arts Council

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Before and after restoration photos show show how badly damaged pictures can be restored to their original glory.

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of presenting, “Photo Restoration – The Art and Science of Resurrecting Damaged and Faded Photographs” to members of the North Ridgeville Arts Council and the community.

The presentation covered what causes damage and fading to photographs and how to avoid it. There were several before-and-after photos showing pictures that were once unsalvageable using old restoration techniques that can now be restored to their original glory with “digital magic.”

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.

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Mark Madere

Top 10 reasons why I decided to shave my head:

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