2.25.2007

To Arms or To Armor?

There is a gem located in Worcester, MA called the Higgins Armory Museum. This historical museum is filled with over 5,000 pieces spread across 4 floors and is the personal collection of Mr. John Woodman Higgins himself.

An excerpt from official site:
"Artifacts ranging from Corinthian helmets of ancient Greece to ornate suits of armor from the height of the Renaissance give our visitors an exciting glimpse into the past, while our many informative and entertaining programs help to interpret the collection in a broad cultural context."

Get up close and personal with these fine pieces that are exhibited in full models, wall adorning, and painted murals. Walk the halls of generations past as the Higgins Amory Museum brings with the pieces an atmosphere that is worth it in itself. The dimly lit halls and architecture is amazing!







If you like hands-on activities, this will surely satisfy your cravings with several arts and craft sessions where you can build your own flags, shields or even try on some helmets from ages past!

REFERENCE SITE:
Higgins Armory Museum


All pictures were taking hand-held and some without flash. You have to be careful when using flash in these dark or dimly lit environments because it'll completely discolor your image. This is where you'll master the use of your camera's different preset lighting options. We'll talk more about this soon.






2.22.2007

Time For The Beach!

No, not today, but soon! We all look forward to the times we spend at the beach where we can enjoy fun in the sun with family and friends. Don't make travel plans yet though, the weather forecast does say a chance of snow again tonight! *frowns* So we can't use those sand shovels, castle makers, and body boards yet but you can enjoy these few pictures until then.

Today's posted pictures were taken at the Narragansett Beach in Rhode Island last summer. The beach is clean and has plenty of nearby facilities for dining afterwards. Bring the family and enjoy this beautiful clean beach.




Have you noticed these pictures are a bit different than normal?
You might have to click on them to see what I'm talking about. The top two pictures were converted (or digitally altered) using what's called filters (or ways you can make images look different).

The filter that I used is called watercolor, which makes the picture look like it was actually painted. Also, notice the additional filter I used on the bottom image which is the EXACTLY the same image above it. This is called a lens flare and can act, as I did in this picture, as a point that attracts the eye and imitates sun glare. It adds warmth and increases the overall image appearance.

On the 3rd picture with the Seagull, I applied a canvas texture filter. You guessed it, it makes the picture appear as if it were painted on canvas!

When you get use to various photo editing programs, you'll be amazed on how much you can alter a picture of your own by either making it look completely different or by adding your own unique filters. Be creative and enjoy working with digital images. You're only limited by your own imagination.

2.20.2007

Local Shows In Style and Comfort

Do you enjoy going to concerts without having to travel for hours? Well you'll be pleased to note both The Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casinos are exemplary places to hear live music. Why do I say that? All the seats in the arena are perfect for viewing the stage and there are no so called nose bleed sections. You know what I'm talking about. Those seats so far up, the band looks like ants!

The seats are very comfortable and the acoustics and lighting effects are phenomenal! It's a no smoking environment and local tribal security as well as state authorities are typically on site to ensure all enjoy the shows respectably. Do you have kids? Bring them along! Unless noted, all shows are open for all ages.

Here are some pictures I took from the Live 2004 Alanis Morissette show at the Mohegan Sun. These were all handheld shots taken without flash with a 300mm zoom lense. I took 214 pictures that night from this concert alone.





If you enjoy music, I'd recommend you visit one of these resorts and enjoy the entertainment. They publish on their websites what shows are coming up (See references below).

Have you been to a show recently at one of these locations? If so, I'd like to hear about it. Send in your experience!

Reference Sites:
Mohegan Sun
Foxwoods

2.19.2007

Fenway Franks!

Being a native to Northeastern, CT for my entire life, my son and I finally went to a baseball game last summer together. It was the first for both of us as we sat and enjoyed a couple Fenway Franks, popcorn, cotton candy, soda pop, peanuts... ok ok.. I'll stop here! It was fun being there with him and sharing in this first experience together for the both of us.

Even though there was a 2 1/2 hour rain delay, we still enjoyed the sights and sounds of the baseball experience at Fenway Park in Boston, MA.

#34 - David Ortiz (Big Papi) fires one to center field


Budweiser (King of Beers) shines brilliantly in the rain but take notice of the towering Prudential Center in the distance standing as a close observer.


The sounds of local vendors selling their treats rang from all sides of us as we enjoyed the historic park and experience. "Get yer' Fenway Franks here!"


The John Hancock sign illuminated the dark skies and telecasted some entertainment while fans gathered in and waited for the rain to halt. Overall, if you've never experienced Fenway Park, even if you're not a baseball fan, you'll enjoy a visit and a game.



We had pretty good seats right behind home plate. The issue was we were behind the net! What could the photographer do in this situation? Well, understand that most cameras have a tendency to autofocus on the closest subject which would be the net and would cause all pictures to become blury. Think about your subject and always have that in mind as to what and how you want to capture the picture. I simply switched to manual focus to shoot through the net and focus on the players batting. Also, newer model cameras have options to adjust this setting for you. You could focus on the smallest object, the closest object, or contiually refocus. Keep in mind though, as the lense is refocusing automatically to try and understand what it is you want to capture, the opportunity might have already passed. Practice with your manual focus and you won't be disappointed in cases like this.

2.17.2007

Family Fun!

Are you looking for a good trip for the family that isn't too far away? Does your family like feeding and petting animals? What about go-carts or pony rides? What about running through an entire park of sprinkler systems and wetslides during the summer heat? Well here is the place for you!


Davis Farmland located in Sterling, MA. It's a great place for all to enjoy themselves. Bring a lunch and have a picnic under trees or at the picnic tables or bring a little extra cash and eat at the indoor cafeteria!

Get up close with the animals and enjoy their excitement as you approach with food! The surrounding grounds have plenty of beautiful flowers that you can sit and enjoy. For me, it's worth a picture!



Reference Site: Davis FarmLand

2.16.2007

Putnam River Fire 2006

Back on August 12, 2006 - Putnam, CT celebrated the day with live music, pony rides for the kids, dancing, plenty of food and more. People from all around, including as far as NY, came to Putnam's downtown to see and witness the River Fire!

When the daylight activities were over, many lined the riverbanks, the bridges, and even brought their own lawn chairs to witness the event. WINY Radio was broadcasting live with Putnam's very own Gary O as the night fire took place.

Here are a few captures from the many I took that evening.

Several boats were in the water lighting each fire basin with torches. The flames were like blue tongues waiting to lick the dry wood.



The fire blazed on for hours as many stayed late and some took their leave. It was peaceful staring into the blaze and wonderful reflections. Many sat close to their families, many sat close to their mates. The sounds of beautiful music whispered out from speakers placed along the banks.

2.15.2007

History is Everywhere - Are You Enjoying It?

It's interesting to see local places that are filled with precious history that often go unnoticed or overlooked by the passerby. Do you take the time to notice all these treasures?

Here is one I found in one of the lower level rooms in the Putnam Public Library. It's an old tarnished brass plate that represents a national organization dedicated to the preservation of historic sites and artifacts as well as raising funds for scholarships and educational awards.

With Charters in ALL fifty states, this National Society was incorporated in 1896!

"Daughters of The American Revolution"

2.14.2007

Storm Agatha Strikes Putnam!

Freezing rain and sleet pounded the Putnam area. Many in the community fired up their snow blowers and took out their trusty shovels for the first time and did what they could to make paths in this winter storm.

From snow blowers spraying white chill twenty feet to icicles attached to vehicles, it was exciting for many. After all, what would be a winter without going through something!






Converting Images to Sepia
What is Sepia? Sepia tone is making an image appear brownish in color. Instead of using black & white, by applying the appropriate hue/saturation values, you can alter images and make them look as if they were vintage! In the above picture with the snowblower, this was taken in color but converted to Sepia. Most photo editing software makes this a very easy process. We'll learn more about this soon and just how you can do this to your own images.