29 April 2010: A Living Legend

Bill and I went to see Annie Leibovitz tonight at the Syracuse University Lecture Series. She has a niece that is a student at SU so she was instrumental in bringing her there. She is an amazing photographer with some of the most iconic photos of rock stars...celebreties...royalty. Check out some of her iconic photos (the most famous ones being John Lennon and Yoko Ono Rolling Stone Cover and a naked pregnant Demi Moore). However, she is not a great speaker. She seemed to stumble a lot over her words but there were several nuggets where she seemed to let her guard down and engage the audience. That being said, I am glad I had a chance to see her and hear her speak about her work. Bill bought me one of her books which we stood in line to get signed - she seemed a bit more relaxed when she was not speaking to a standing room only audience.

28 April 2010: Blustery Bristol

I was back in Bristol for a meeting and captured some pictures with storm clouds in the distance.

27 April 2010: The Doctor Is In

My best friend completed his Psychological Doctorate and now he expects me to call him Doctor! He had his research colloquium and a party which I catered. Here is the nearly minted doctor (not quite official until June.) And another shot of the cakepops from a couple days ago - I was too busy with the hot food to get more pictures of the rest of the set up. It was a great accomplishment for him and he worked hard for it. Friends, family, colleagues, former students all came together to celebrate his accomplishment. Breathe a sigh of relief Dr. LaFarr - you've done it!

26 April 2010: A Slice Of Americana

Fountain? Bidet? Nothing like a functional lawn art. This is a sight we saw in Connecticut and I had to turn around to go take a picture of it.

25 April 2010: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I made cake pop-like cupcakes for a party I am catering.

24 April 2010: Movin' On Up

The baby foxes are back...well not the same ones from last year but new ones. They have also moved their den from under our back shed to a deluxe apartment in the sky. Their new crib appears to be a duplex and there are at least 4 babies living there. No sign of the mama but I am sure she was not too far away.

23 April 2010: Morning Glow

There are magical lighting times in photography - morning glow or golden hour as they are sometimes referred. These were taken in the early morning "glow" as the light is just coming over the horizon and it is not too harsh. I was having a conversation with someone earlier this week about what it takes to make a good photograph and I truly believe that understanding your equipment, "having a good eye" and understanding light are at the top of the list! I believe I have a good eye (actually two) and I still have more to learn about lighting and have truly gotten to know my equipment much better since I started this blog.

22 April 2010: Ten Thousand Hours

I went up to Syracuse University tonight to see a lecture by professional photographer, Stephen Wilkes. He was phenomenal and his work was quite amazing. My favorite was the Ellis Island series he did: http://www.ellisislandghosts.com/ Check out his work, he is truly a master of this craft. He said something during the lecture that I have heard/read several times before but it reminds me how long it takes to really be "an expert". He said you have to do something for at least 10,000 hours to master it. I have many more hours to go!

21 April 2010: More Tulips

Still more tulips blooming - glad I didn't totally miss them in my yard!

20 April 2010: The Tree Path

I have driven by these trees several times on my way to and from Burlington and today the morning light was perfect.

19 April 2010: Burlington Beauty

There are certain places I will never tire of taking photos and Burlington is one of them.

18 April 2010: Vermont Vittles

I am in Vermont for a couple of days for work and took this shot of some locals heading to a favorite diner in Burlington - just off of Church St.

17 April 2010: Family Values

Excuse me while I step on my soapbox for a moment...

I went to visit some friends who just had a baby. Two people who love their daughter with every fiber of their being. A couple that is so in love with each other that there is no doubt that their love will be passed on unconditionally to this child and any other children that they welcome into their family. How anyone could question their right to marry and have children makes me angry. Thankfully they live in a state where they can marry and they did have a child. They are truly an inspiration to me...I have every confidence that they will raise this child to an open-minded, community focused and strong woman! There are far too many children in their world who are not loved, who are abused, who are being taught that not all people are due the same rights - I love that these two women are just being who they are and committed to raising their daughter in a loving home. Isn't that what "family values" SHOULD be all about???

16 April 2010: Spring In Philly

Flowers in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood in Philly. Did I mention I love spring!?!?

15 April 2010: Putting Out Fires

This is the fire house near the hotel parking garage. The day before I walked by and there was a dalmation out front - I wish I had my camera then.

14 April 2010: Central Park Spring

During a walk through Central Park, I came across ferns in various stages of growth - here are two of my favorites!

13 April 2010: Tip Toe Through The Tulips

Spring in NYC...just magical!

12 April 2010: Cloud Formations

Come...lie on the couch...what do you see in these cloud formations?

11 April 2010: The Hungry Little Caterpillar

Hungry caterpillar or decomposing leaf???

10 April 2010: April Snow Showers...May Kill My Flowers

It is only fitting that getting early snow in mid October this "winter" season should be followed by getting late snow in April.

http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/10/16-october-2009-photo-weather-gone-wild.html

9 April 2010: The Bee's Knees

Can you see them? Her knees are furry! I am always intrigued by the origin of words and sayings and here is what I found out about the phrase...the bee's knees:

A bee's "corbiculae", or pollen-baskets, are located on itstibiae (midsegments of its legs). The phrase "the bee's knees," meaning "the height of excellence," became popular in the U.S. in the 1920s. Also popular was "the cat's whiskers" (possibly from the use of these in radio crystal sets), "the cat's pajamas" (pajamas were still new enough to be daring), and similar phrases which made less sense and didn't endure: "the eel's ankle", "the elephant'sinstep", "the snake's hip".

So I hope you think this photo is the bee's knees or the eel's ankle!

8 April 2010: Bokeh Brazenness

I was out taken some photos in the early morning light. I knew I would get some cool bokeh effect but a few of the pictures made the bokeh the subject. I like it!

7 April 2010: Purple Passion

Everything is starting to bloom or bud. I love this time of year as life starts to flow back into nature after a long dormant winter in Central NY. The lilacs above are going to be gorgeous and fragrant in just a few short weeks!

6 April 2010: Foggy

A quick little night shot using only the ambient light bouncing off of the fog!

5 April 2010: HDR - Happy Daffodils Returned

The flowers are blooming...spring is here!

4 April 2010: Happy Peepster

Happy Easter! In the spirit of the day...here is a little lawsuit that is just ridiculous. http://video.foxnews.com/v/4133576/marshmallow-peep-lawsuit?playlist_id=87249

Hope you find more appropriate ways to enjoy this day.

3 April 2010: We're Having A Heat Wave!

The flowers have bloomed over night. Just yesterday they were starting to bud and then today boom...they opened their little petals and declared it spring! Heck, I think we went right to summer as it was 86 yesterday and 84 degrees today. So wonderful after a long, cold winter!

2 April 2010: Live Laugh Love

My friend, Linda, started making thess windchimes after she saw them here last year when she was visiting. She gave me one of her beautiful handmade chimes for my birthday and it has found it's home on the porch outside.

1 April 2010: Up In The Air

My fair today was at UMASS Boston which is a beautiful campus right on the water. It is also near Logan Airport so I watched planes all afternoon.