3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Events

Baby Shower, It’s a Girl!

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I recently had the honor, and selfish fun of throwing a friend a baby shower! Excited, oh yes. To think that someone told her that a Mom should only have a shower for their first born and not a second baby.

Baby showers are just as much for the friends as the new Mama. In fact for those of us closer to being a Grandmother (no ideas kids) than being pregnant, we revel in babies. The thought of cuddling, spoiling, buying cute baby clothes and toys knowing that when the crying starts we can had them back has a TON of appeal to me right now.

Baby Shower for a girl
Baby Girl Shower

Found the rubber duck punch and LifeSaver pacifiers on Pinterest, yes there will be separate posts for those. I had just too much fun.

Initial photos were run through Lightroom, about 45 of them in about 30 minutes, then put together this simple template in Photoshop

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I Saw the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile

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“I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner, That is what I truly wish to be ..”  now everybody sing!

It’s the Wiener Mobile!! I’ve heard about it, I’ve seen it on TV, but never seen it in person. Today at lunch it drove the front door and I yelled out, “Oh my look it’s the Wiener mobile!”  The scheduled visit was at Walmart in Omaha Nebraska and to Walmart I went for lunch. (alas no hotdogs were available for eating outside)

Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile
Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile

The photo above is an official Oscar Mayer event photo taken on an iPad and automatically sent to my email with all sorts of social media possibilities. They are very well connected to Twitter, Facebook, blogging from the road and of course Kraft Foods has a very complete website.

It goes without saying  I took photos of my own, in my own style and I’m going to post them next week. But I was so excited to see the Wiener Mobile I had to post it today!! I even got a Wiener Mobile whistle!

Until next week and the full story eat an Oscar Mayer hot dog and sing a happy song.

Huey Lewis and the News: Heart of Rock and Roll

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My Adventure with Concert Photography

I love a good concert, especially if it’s free, and even more if it’s outside. Outdoor concerts are a hobby photographers dream, there are not “gate searches” or “bag inspections”, or at least not at the concert venues I’ve attended.

My favorite concert so far has been Huey Lewis and the News. I challenge anyone who grew up in the 1980’s to NOT like Huey Lewis and the News. Really, the songs from Back to the Future? “Heart of Rock and Roll”, “Power of Love“, and “Do You Believe in Love” are anthems of my generation. Ok, I might be exaggerating , but Huey Lewis songs take me back to my care free teenage days.

Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis ( ISO 800, f/5, 1/100 sec, 230 mm)

Huey is one of those rare performers that sound even better live than the recordings. Can’t say that about today’s artists that need a recording studio and a back-up of electronics to make a Top 10 song.  He has real musicians, including saxophones, trumpets and he really  rocks the harmonica! It was awesome!

Huey Lewis and the News
Huey Lewis rockin the harmonica (ISO 1600, f/5, 1/125 sec, 220 mm)

This concert was in part of the 4th of July Celebrate America free concert sponsored by Bank of the West in Omaha Nebraska. What’s better than Huey Lewis in concert, watching him for free. My friend Beth volunteered her son to set out blankets at 7 am to reserve a spot for that nights concert. So much of the time the singing idols of my youth have been disappointing as they look like aging rockers. Not Huey, he looks just as good and his voice is still pure and timely. He puts on a great show and everyone thoroughly looked like they enjoy what they do.

Huey Lewis and the News in concert Omaha Nebraska
Over 60,000 attended the Free Concert
Huey Lewis and the News in concert Omaha Nebraska
Thank You Omaha

We sat about 25 yards from the stage and below is a shot I took from our blanket. This is the closest I’ve ever been at a concert and it was very easy to go right up to the stage. The top two photos were from right up next to the stage. As I use my Canon Rebel XS more I’m learning how to tweak it to get great shots.

All Access: Your Backstage Pass to Concert PhotographyConcert Photograpy: How to Shoot and Sell Music Business Photographs

I have to say the top is my favorite, but I have many of the night. There are a couple I’ll post in the future. Scarlett Drive and Mockingbird Sun were the opening bands and they were very good. I took the opportunity that night to practice with my 75-300 mm lens and night photography. I’m becoming more pleased with the results all the time.

Huey Lewis and the News
Huey Lewis and the News (ISO 1600, f/5, 1/125, 130 mm)

Night Photography Tips

This year I have upgraded to a Canon 7D camera, but you don’t need a fancy camera to get the great shots. All the photos here were taken with a low level Canon Rebel XS camera. The secret is knowing how to use all of your cameras resources.

  1. Shoot on manual, seriously, you can make your camera take better pictures when you have more control.
  2. Don’t be afraid to push your ISO to the highest level. If it’s grainy Lightroom has a great noise feature to fix in processing
  3. Shoot RAW, you can get another 2 stops exposure steps in a really dark setting.
  4. Shutter speed, the more you zoom in the faster your shutter speed will need to be to compensate for hand shake.
  5. Use a tripod, or mono-pod, if that option is not possible, brace your hand/arm against an immovable object. This is NOT your friends shoulder as she jumps and dances around. Let out your breath as you click the shutter.
  6. Push the aperture as low as you dare, most of mine were taken at f/5, it allows more light in and gives you a higher shutter speed in return.
  7. Meter for the light. Most stages are well lit and you don’t want to blow out the lights. The dark backgrounds on the stage remains “pure” Push your shutter half way down and move your camera to the background and the lighted foreground. Notice how the red light on your meter moves.
  8. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take LOTS of pictures. They can be deleted in Photoshop or Lightroom in editing and post production
  9. Use your histogram on the back of the camera, to a point. It’s night time, it will push to the left, but aim to have a lot of the information in the midtones.

Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm IS II Lens and Canon EF 75-300mm III Lens + 16GB Green’s Camera Package

Night and Low-Light Photography Photo WorkshopNight Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark

My Favorite Huey Lewis Songs and Videos

 

The Power Of Love (2006 Digital Remaster)Huey Lewis and the News Songbook

Information and Facts About Huey Lewis

The Classical Beat: Tanglewood Defines Summer Music in the Berkshires

Sunday, June 28, 2:30 p.m. in the Shed: Huey Lewis and the News 2015 Tour: Featuring special guest artist Jamie Kent. • Monday, June 29, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.: Tanglewood presents their traditional String Quartet Marathon featuring string TMC …
Have A Question For Huey Lewis and the News? Go To …

Ironically, for important news on Huey Lewis and the News, the “Ask Huey” section of his website might not be the best place to go. … Latest Galleries · 2015 Summer Blast Off – Seaside Heights, NJ. Radio.com; Music News.
The 5Cast: Top 5 Huey Lewis and The News Songs …

In this week’s episode, Tyler and Ben rank the Top 5 songs of one of their favorite bands, Huey Lewis and The News. This is what pop music used to sound like, before these damned kids turned it into bleep blorping computer …
{outfit} Romping Around with Huey Lewis and the News …

We got to see Huey Lewis and the News, who were amazing! They did one of my favorites songs, … new post: http://melodyjacob1.blogspot.com/2015/06/summer-style-kimono-inspiration.html. ReplyDelete · Rachel Dinh June …
How Back to the Future II Got 2015 Surprisingly Right

Marty inadvertently stumbles upon a Huey Lewis and the News concert, but realizes in short time that the band isn’t actually there. Instead, it’s a realistic hologram on a theater stage, eternally preserving his idols in their best …
Huey Lewis Talks ‘Frightening’ New Song | Billboard

Huey Lewis & the News are starting to think about new music — and even have something in their pocket already. … Hot Rock Songs Jan 10, 2015 8 With A Little Help Fro… Classic Joe Cocker: The Universal Masters …

How Beautiful, A New Mother To Be

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Who loves babies? Me! Especially now that my youngest baby is 17 and my oldest 23. I also love pregnant mama’s. Probably because I know I’m not anywhere close to middle of the night feedings and dirty diapers.

I’m closer to being a grandmother (not that close kids) than a mother again and the prospect of cuddling a sweet-smelling baby, without the full-time responsibilities, is very attractive. There are two people in my life now who are pregnant and it’s a whole different perspective.

Maternity portrait
Maternity portrait

Professional maternity photography is very popular now. However, back when I was pregnant,  there is no way I would of even thought of doing a maternity portrait session, I didn’t want anyone to see me being as big as a whale. This was my first baby shower in many many years. The daughters of my friends are now getting married and having babies. Being the serious amateur photographer that I am, my camera is always with me.

This is one day it paid off. Both grandmothers forgot their cameras and were more than happy for me to document the shower. The result was an a group of professionally looking photographs I printed at work that everyone just raved about. The great thing about NOT being a professional, there is no pressure and no expectations. If they turn out good, GREAT! If not I just took snapshots to share on Facebook.

I have often said, “I don’t photograph people, I stick with things that stay still like landscape, scenery and food.” This young Mother looked so gorgeous in a simple tank top I had to try. Luckily there was a blank empty wall in the basement of the church that just screamed “BACKDROP” so here are a few I took that day.

It's a Boy baby shower
IT’s a BOY!!

I was able to give the Mother and her family  about 80 edited prints (all processed  in Lightroom 4) and it only took me about two hours post production. Have I said how much I love Lightroom? Obviously the collage I created in Photoshop.

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4th of July Fireworks

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What do you think of on Independence Day, or the 4th of July? Do you think of fireworks, picnics, concerts, family, friends and barbecues? Personally I love firework displays, even though personal fireworks were illegal in Connecticut where I grew up, my family would often travel to Oklahoma during the first part of July and we got to experience poppers, firecrackers and roman candles.

Now that I’m grown I’m just as happy sitting on the grass watching someone else shoot off the pyrotechnics. The photo below was taken at the Omaha Memorial Park fireworks display after the concert in the park. I try and go every year and have seen Foreigner, Styx, Kansas, Huey Lewis and Pat Benatar in concert while sitting on a blanket and enjoying the summer sun.

Every year I attempt to take a memorable fireworks photo, one that isn’t just a sky full of color. This one of my favorites that not only captures the color in the sky, but the feeling of the spectators.

4th of July Fireworks at the Celebrate America Celebration in Omaha
Fireworks at the Celebrate America Celebration in Omaha, Nebraska

There are “safe” firecrackers and noise makers that are pretty much legal in all 50 states. So legal that Amazon sells them. So if you want to make a little noise on the 4th of July and have some safe fun check out the legal fireworks that will still impress the young at heart. Heck, I still like to throw poppers.

Safe Fireworks for Kids

Some people might not consider smoke bombs, snappers, and battery operated fountains fireworks, but the young kids won’t know the different.

Super Fireworks Smoke Sticks – Better Than Smoke Balls!Pow Pow Party Snaps, a Super Noisemaker, 50 BoxesUncle Milton Grand Finale Light Show Room DecorSnappers (1 Dz Boxes)

Happy 4th of July everyone, have fun, be safe and remember the service men and women who have served our country to protect the freedoms we have here in the United States.

Photo Details: Canon EOS Rebel f/5, 0.8 sec ISO-1600, 18mm

4th of July Fireworks

List of fireworks, festivals celebrating 4th of July in Hudson County

Macy’s 4th of July fireworks will not be visible from Hoboken. STATE FAIR MEADOWLANDS. You can get double the fill of fireworks if you head to the State Fair in East Rutherford to catch a show two nights in a row. On July 3 and 4, Garden State …
As 4th of July Approaches, Be Aware of Fireworks Laws

Patch’s BIG LIST of 4th of July Fireworks in Southeast Michigan. Dearborn residents are encouraged to call (313) 943-3030 to anonymously report unsafe or illegal activity in their neighborhood, or to call 911 if there is a dangerous or emergency situation.
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The Benjamin Franklin Parkway welcomes tens of thousands of people for the annual 4th of July fireworks show. (Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia). • XFINITY Fireworks Show at Citizens Bank Park. July 1-2.
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