Self Portrait

Yesterday I worked a golf outing here in Southampton. It’s very nice to work right here in my hometown. Sebonic Golf Club is a private club that hosts outings for not-for-profits. It’s nice to get a peek at how the other half lives.

My self-portrait was made in the serving dish cover before they put out lunch. My reflection is also in the glass door in the background. I made a few frames, but I liked this one the best. The awning and the second reflection helped me choose this one.

Fashion photographer great, Irving Penn passed away today at 92 years old. Penn never cared about the separation of commercial photography and art photography. He just always stayed true to his style. He died in his apartment in New York City.

Checkers

I made this photo two weeks ago and never had a chance to post it. I started to edit photos last night after a political fundraiser, but I feel asleep at the computer.

This is the side of a Checkers Drive-thru. I was attracted to the red on black and white. It reminded me of the joke that the boys used to ask me when they were small. What’s black and white and red all over? A newspaper. I made this photo with the Canon G10 and processed it with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and resized it with Photoshop

Rugby Helmet

This photo is from last Saturday's Rugby match up in Northfield Vermont. Some of the players wore these helmets. They don't look like like they offer much protection, I guess it protects you from getting your hair pulled.
I made this with the
canon 5d and processed it with ACR.

Sayville Diner

I had an assignment in Sayville tonight and to save on the mileage, I decided to eat at the Sayville Diner. What’s so special about this place is that I used to frequent this place about thirty years ago. This was the small village diner that we went to after a night on the town. I’m sure we were thrown out once or twice for being too loud.

They redid the place with a retro look, which I found a bit funny. It didn’t look like this thirty years ago.

The Greek Salad I ordered was very good, and too large for me to finish.

Today’s picture is of the diner rendered in grey scale. The image was made with the Canon G10 and processed with both Canon Digital Photo Professional and Photoshop.

October 1, 2009

I can’t believe how fast this year is going. Another month, gone, and before I know it I’ll be writing 2010. When I was a kid, I use to think about what things would be like in the yea 2000. It’s not like the Jetsons that’s for sure.

Some of the new autos look futuristic but still no hover cars. I didn’t give much thought to communication technology back then, but I think I would have thought that cell phones would be fairly futuristic; especially the Bluetooth devices people walk around with in their ears today. I most definitely didn’t give any thought to the future of photography. Digital capture, the Internet, blogging, it all would have seemed unbelievable back than. No more mini labs on every corner. Well when I first started making photos, you sent film away to get processed. What will the next ten or twenty years bring?

Not so long ago I went to a 100-year birthday party with the Town of Babylon Supervisor. It was in the basement of a church, he had a proclamation he gave her and he talked about the things a person would have seen being alive for 100 years. The first flight and all the advancements in air travel, men in space and on the moon. How about the atom bomb, the end of the cold war and Sept. 11, 2001 for change? I made a photo and showed her the back of the camera. Another technological advancement.

Technology happens so slow and nonchalant in some ways. Computers evolve, from desktops to laptops to web books. Where will it all end?

Today’s picture I made this morning while waiting to make foursome photos at a golf outing. This golf outing was from hell, a very disorganized event. These backlit leaves were about fourteen inches long. I couldn’t pass them up.

Rockin & Rollin

I had my annual physical today and my doctor says everything is looking good. That surely helped me to feel better, especially after hearing about my dad falling again and my younger brother getting admitted to the hospital because he lost his vision. What a week.

Monday I needed to photograph a town building at a park complex in Babylon. The schools were closed because of a holiday and the skateboard park was rockin’ an rollin.’

It’s wild! Some of the older boys are really good at what they do on those boards.

Today’s picture is from the skateboard park at Tanner Park in Copiague. I used ACR to pump-up the contrast.

Autumn

Autumn is a reflective time of year for me. I think about life and about death. With two sons in college and the third just starting high school I think about age more than I want to. Every ach means something different now.
Calls to my parents in Florida are not like they once were. My mom tells how dad fell again, how she’s getting too old to look after him. She wants to find a senior care facility they can live in. Autumn in their lives doesn’t look the same as autumn in mine.
The feelings I’m having are best summed-up by Carrie Newcomer’s song
“Leaves Don’t Drop, They Just Let Go.”
Leaves don’t drop they just let go,
And make a place for seeds to grow.
Every season brings a change,
A seed is what a tree contains,
To die and live is life’s refrain.
It’s a song about letting go, and that’s what autumn is to me.
I’ve quoted this song before on this blog. Carrie is a awesome songwriter.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009

I’m home again after a great time at parents weekend up at Norwich University. The leaves are starting to change and nights are getting colder in Vermont. Adam seems very happy and well adjusted, Norwich is agreeing with him.
Parents weekend included us seeing the school football team win and the rugby team lose. We met Adam’s wrestling coach and team and went to dinner with all the parents.
That’s a story in itself.
Today’s photo is the view from the third floor of the Kreitzberg Library; made with the Canon G10. Post processing was with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photoshop.

40

Here’s another number post. It’s from the track around the football field from Tuesday’s game. I was drawn to the design, color and the opportunity to compose the number and lines and create negative space.
I used the Canon 20d and processed it with ACR.
My wife and I leave in the morning for parents weekend at Norwich University. Adam called twice tonight. He's looking forward to our visit. I miss him.
Because of the condition of my laptop, I wont be able to post again until Monday. Have a good weekend.

Pop football

Yesterday was a busy day. I hade a press conference in the morning, Evan’s football game late afternoon and a little league team getting a proclamation from the mayor photo in the evening. I was wiped when I got home.

Today’s post is from Evan’s football game. (They won!) I used the Canon 20d so I could take advantage of the magnification factor the small sensor has on the telephoto lens. The 200mm becomes a 320mm.

I used ACR to process this image.

Stemware, less stems

Well, it was bound to happen. After six years, I finally dropped my laptop and now have a smashed corner. What’s worse is my Power Book doesn’t recognize the airport card, long story short… no more internet on the laptop. As of right now, everything else is fine. I am considering repair at this point, I can’t afford a new laptop right now.
Today’s picture is a still life of wine glasses lined up in two rows. I made it with the Canon 5d and processed it with ACR.

Bay Shore

I just returned form the surf fishing tournament and now I’m watching football with my son. It’s what he lives for. Unfortunately his favorite team is not playing a good game. Oh well.

Today’s post is from last night. Babylon Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Inspection and Awards Dinner held in Bay Shore. While I was waiting for things to start, I saw the reflection of the American flag in the window. Bay Shore is one of Long Island’s struggling communities. Once a prosperous community with a thriving downtown and a beautiful waterfront, it fell early due to a large shopping mall. It’s had several eras of revitalization, but it still suffers.

Looking out the catering hall window one would never know you were in the same Bay Shore. The harbor boat slips are all full. I guess it’s the economy that’s keeping, many of the boats moored on such a beautiful night.

Made with the Canon 5D and processed with ACR.

Chasing Butterflies

It’s that time of year when butterflies and yellow jackets are abundant. I went chasing butterflies twice this week and both times I wasn’t successful in my quest for a photo. I guess I need to get up and out earlier.

Today’s post is of another Gazania in the yard. I really lucked out when I found these at Lynch’s Garden Center in town.

This is a straight photo from the Canon G10. I tried to fiddle with the color in Photomatix, but nothing looked better than it God given color.

17 to 23

Friday, the end of another week. I have a light weekend with a fire department inspection dinner Saturday evening and the end of a fishing tournament on Sunday. As a freelance you take work when it comes around. Next Friday we are going up to Vermont for parents weekend. I can’t wait to see Adam. He sounds so excited about college.

Today’s post was made at self-storage units at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton. These units were ammunitions storage units in building D, which was a post, a few days back.

I used the Canon 5d and post processing was with ACR.

Raindrops

We had some rain yesterday right before dusk. I was able to make this image of the sky reflection and raindrops on the roof of my car before the sun set. I made this image with the Canon G10, processed it with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix Tone Mapping programs.

Fence and Wall

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I was intrigued by the color of the fence post and the peeling painted bricks. This was the back wall of a law office in Hempstead. I made this image on Sunday when I went to see Kara’s photos in the group show. The photo doesn’t do the area justice. As I walked the block to the gallery, the smell of urine and bleach assaulted my senses. I needed to step over litter and broken bottles. Needless to say Hempstead is a very poor community.

This image was made with the Canon G10 and processed with Photo Digital Professional from Canon and Tone Mapping from Photomatix.

Sunset through the Pines

I’m always a sucker for the glow of the setting sun through leaves or grass or anything really. This is a Black Pine with yesterday’s sunset behind it.

Made with the Canon 5D and processed with ACR.

The letter D

I had a rough day today. I accidentally erased a compact flash card without downloading the photos first. It’s very embarrassing to have to call a client to tell them. I should know better, this is the second time I’ve done this. I think it’s time for a portable back up. I started looking at them today.

My post today, the letter D, I found at an old ammunitions storage unit in Westhampton. They use the property now for self-storage units and when we were between homes we stored our stuff there.

This image is an HDR creation from three exposures. I finished the HDR file with Photomatix Tone Mapping program.

East End Vinyard

What a day. A former student invited me to a juried photography exhibit; she was awarded Best in Color for a wonderful abstract. It was good for me to see some quality printing; it has been a long time since I saw good local photography. Kara Reyes has a great eye and is a talented photographer.

Today’s picture post was made yesterday on my way home from Greenport. The east end of Long Island has become our own wine country. At one of the vineyards along Main Road in Southold I saw these grape trellises with white netting. Most of the vineyards use black netting. The white looked cool and I thought it might make an interesting photograph. So here it is after being processed with both Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix Tone mapping program. I made this image with the Canon G10.

Push Down Hard

We had another rainy day today. But I was able to get in most of my son Evan’s football game and an outside photo-op. Later I was in Greenport for the Suffolk Count Police Department’s Annual Conference where the Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature was honored as Man of the Year. Bill Lindsay is definitely the Man of the Year.

Today’s photo is from Greenport. I had some fun with the color in Photoshop.

Queen Ann's Lace

We had buckets of rain today, buckets. My morning assignment was cancelled after I got there. And my afternoon assignment was moved indoors. Between, I was able to make a few personal photographs of a barn.

Today’s photo was made a few weeks ago. It was inspired by another blogspot. Georgia is very talented and her blog is an inspiration.

I made this photo with the Canon 5D and processed it with Photoshop.

Bohemia

I didn’t make any personal photos today. It started out as an ok day, but it declined fast, even though I did get a lot of work done.

I needed to drop off a disk of headshots in Bohemia, the town I grew up in. While I was on Church Street, I stopped by St. John Nepomucene’s cemetery. I have a bother buried there, a brother I never met. Thomas was born early and died a day or two after being born. He would have been 46 years old this year. I just was wondering what he’d be like, married, children, what would he be today if he had lived?

All my family live down south, I don’t get to spend any time with them. I wonder if we would have been closer.

Today’s photo is from the comedy troop job. This is a worked photo, processed with Adobe ACR.

Habanero Peppers

I was given some pepper plants this spring from an acquaintance and four of the plants turned out to be habaneros. I am going to attempt to make a habanero pepper sauce. If nothing else, I was able to get a nice photo.

This image was made with the macro mode on the G10. It was processed with Canon Digital Photo Professional.

Nails, screws and staples.

Tuesday and it’s back to the routine for most. Here in Southampton it’s called tumbleweed Tuesday. That’s the day after all the city folk return home and the village is empty.

I had a busy day, hence the late post. This image was made today with a Canon Rebel T1i with the packaged lens. I like the camera, but the lens seems soft. Anyway, it was processed in Canon’s Digital Camera Professional and then in Photomatix Tone Mapping program and further in Photoshop.

Sasha

Cats are funny animals, and Sasha is no exception. She is the dog in the family. Isabel, our adopted Greyhound is a couch potato, even though she’s not allowed on the couch.

(She has been found on the couch many times, it’s a favorite spot when we are not home). Sasha makes all the noise in the animal part of the family. Her loud meows wake Isabel and I up in the morning, “time for breakfast.” Isabel sometimes whimpers, but rarely barks.

This is Sasha on the windowsill being a cat. She’s always been an inside cat, so the sill is her view of the big outside world. She sits up there and watches the birds and she’ll meow at Isabel as she runs around outside. Sometimes, like today, she just enjoys the heat of the sun. I made this image with the Canon 5D and processed it with ACR.

sunlight

What a day, I am very tired. The Town of Babylon had its’ annual Beach Blast with live music, ice cream eating contests, water balloon tosses and more. I’m exhausted

from photographing all of it.

Today’s post was from a walk I took yesterday morning. I liked the way the sunlight illuminated just what I was to see. Made with the Canon 5D and processed with ACR.

Clouds

Driving home from Potsdam on Monday these clouds were in the sky in front of us for almost six of the eight and a half hours. I couldn’t help thinking of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now. A favorite song by a favorite artist.

Years ago I heard a Pete Seeger version of this song with a verse that he penned for Mitchell. If I remember correctly it was a live recording on Folkways Records. Although I haven’t see that record in decades, I often think about that version as well,

This was made with the Canon G10 and processed with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix Tone Mapping programs.

September 3, 2009

What a beautiful day weather-wise. Unfortunately I was only outside for a press conference in the morning. Te rest of the day I spent processing photos and framing an enlargement.

I’m tired of sitting at the computer; it’s the one aspect of digital photography I hate. Working in a wet darkroom was a lot different. I miss it.

Today’s photo was made on Tuesday at the golf outing I worked. This photo was made with the Canon 5D and processed with Adobe Camera Raw.

I llove photographing these grass plants. I've posted two other photos of them, After the rain and A Day Late which were both early in my blogger career.

Windshield Rain Drops

I had a fun assignment today photographing an improv troop. It’s a whole lot different from politics and elected people. After I process them. I post one or two.

Today’s photo is of water on my windshield. I took the liberty of processing it with canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photomix Tone Mapping programs.

Church & State

For some reason I’m always drawn to the flag and church steeple photos. This was made in Warrensburg New York on the return trim from Potsdam. There are two churches across from each other, and I made this photo when we stopped to gas up the car.

We do have a beautiful state if I may say so and not sound like I’m bragging. Many parts are really run down; some are almost ghost towns. I don’t know why more economic development isn’t done in many of the distressed upstate towns.

This photo was made with the Canon 5D and processed with Adobe Camera Raw.

Everyone should visit my friends The Homegrown String Band, Rick's latest post features one of my photos of them. They are one talented family.

New London Lighthouse

It’s a chilly morning in Canton New York. We helped Brian move into his new digs in Potsdam. He shares half a house with four other young men. It reminds me of one of the places I lived after moving out of my parent’s house. He’ll be fine.

Today’s photo is of the New London Harbor Lighthouse. This is the nation’s fifth oldest lighthouse and the oldest and tallest in Connecticut.

I made this photo from the ferry on the return trip from Vermont with the Canon G10. Processed with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix Tone Mapping Programs.

Adam

It’s only been two days since we dropped Adam off at college and tomorrow morning we leave to take Brian to Potsdam. My wife cried for some time Wednesday, there was nothing I could say or do to help matters any. I’m sure Monday’s trip home will be similar.

This is Adam at Norwich. As usual he’s not happy with me making a photograph of him. I’ve used the old, “It’s for your grandparents in Florida” line; works every time. Norwich University has a long history, and the second photo gives you an idea of that history. These were steps leading from the ground floor of Crawford Hall, the freshman dorms. Maybe they put them there to remind the freshman that they are part of something bigger, older and of sound footing. Maybe it’s to show them they are not alone, many have climbed those steps before them, and they’ll manage.

I can use some of that reassurance myself.

Old Doors

I love afternoon light; the color of the light and the old weathered wood doors caught my eye. I found these doors in Northfield Vermont in the little village where Norwich University is located.

This was made with the Canon G10 and processed with both Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix Tone Mapping programs.

Vermont

Vermont is a beautiful state, and I’d bet that it’s better in the autumn with all her green covered mountains aflame with fall colors. We are staying in Stowe / Waterbury at the Best Western. The free Internet worked before we went out to eat, but now I’m not sure what happened to the connection.

I’ll wait and see

Today’s post is not from the trip, I’ll get some of them up in a day or two. I’ve had this photo of golf putters that I wanted to work on, and here it is. Everything was done with Adobe Camera Raw, I made this photo with the Canon 5D.

Busy Bee

I’ve been dealing with this cold and a sore throat for a few days, it’s not fun having a summer cold. This is the first time in my life I’ve hade a cold in the summer.

Tomorrow we leave for Vermont to take Adam to school. There’s a lot of tension in the house; emotions are running high. We are all running around trying to get everything done. Maybe, we shouldn’t have had the in-laws over. We spent all day Sunday getting ready for the barbeque yesterday instead of packing.

Well it’s over and done, move on.

Today’s post was made around 6:00pm tonight. I was looking at how the setting sun was shining through the sunflowers and I say this bee. I wish I had a real macro lens for my Canon 5D.

Processed with Adobe Camera Raw, and cropped about twenty percent.

Gin Lane, Southampton

Across Gin Lane form Agawam Beach is Agawam Lake. Most people know this lake from the village side. There’s a park and a large lawn where the Cultural Center holds concerts in the summer and the tree lighting for Christmas. I don’t know what this plant is but there’s a few of them at the south end of the lake. They make it look like a tropical island somewhere.

I processed this image with Canon Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix, Tone Mapping. It was made with the Canon G10.

Today we’re having the family and friends over for a barbeque to say goodbye to Adam and Brian. Tuesday we take Adam up to Norwich University in Vermont for his first semester in college. A week for today, Brian go back to start his third year at SUNY Potsdam. …my money…I don’t know where that’s going it’s just not staying with me!

Agawam Beach

Went over to the ocean this morning to see what the surf looked like. The tide was coming in and shrinking the beach big time. There were two four wheelers looking to ride on the beach, but what was there wasn’t wide enough to drive on.

I made this image at Agawam Beach off Gin Lane. I think that’s what it’s called. My very first blog post was also made there, but I called the post Carnival Beach because of the colorful bike rack.

This image was processed with Canon Digital Professional and Photomatix Tone Mapping software. It was made with the Canon G10.

Sunflower III

It’s another hot, sticky day, but the forecast is calling for rain. Last night I covered a concert at the Smithtown Library for Legislator Lynn Nowick. The hours before the show the library staff was watching a large storm move through New Jersey and head towards the island. Thankfully, we never saw it.

Today, my picture post is another Sunflower photo. These are the so-called Giant Sunflowers. I planted these in the back yard and the Mexican Sunflowers in the front. The regular sunflowers in the front yard are probably self-seeded plants from last years crop.

I made this picture with the Canon G10 in the macro mode, and processed it with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional and Photoshop.

Almost Prefect

What a stressful day, but it’s over. Car shopping is a royal pain, I’m glad it’s over. Everything is done. We took advantage of the cash for clunkers and traded the car my oldest son drives. He’ll get my pick-up truck and I’ll get the new Ford Focus…and the payments.

Today’s post is another Mexican Sunflower from the yard. Processed with Adobe Camera Raw to add contrast and vitality.

Sunflower II

Well, it’s late but summer is here. We have had heat in the ninety and humidity for the past four days. The heat feels good though I could do without the humidity. This is what you get when you live on an island. I’m not complaining. Maybe my tomato plants will catch a second wind. My plants have fallen to the blight that is going around; even though they weren’t purchased at a box store.
Well Mrs. E, today’s post is another yellow on blue. I think I planted Mexican Sunflowers, but this looks like a small regular sunflower to me. Sunflowers are my favorite. Processed in ACR.

Exit

This sign reminded me of the sunflower, the yellow against blue. Might be a message in the obvious?
I processed it in ACR adding a bit of contrast.

Sunflower

This is a sunflower from the yard. I thought I planted Jumbo Sunflowers. These are not large. The two blooms I’ve had so far this year have not been very photogenic. Hopefully some of the next batch to bloom will yield some better images.
Processed with ARC.

58

I find it funny that I’ve been to four car dealerships and all have been too busy to help me. One dealer was out of the car I wanted to look at. The new models will be in the showrooms sometime in September I was told. The lots and the showrooms were filled with SUV and larger cars but the compacts and small sedans are sold out.
Just a few months ago the big three were lining up in Washington looking for a handout. Here I am looking to take advantage of the cash for clunkers and it’s just not happening.
Oh well.
Today I was driving behind this truck and the 58 was looking right at me. This usually happens when I’m driving and that was my reason behind the Canon G10, so I’d have a camera with me all the time. I did wait until he stopped.
Processed with Canon Digital Professional and Adobe Photoshop.

Big hearts

What a beautiful day I had yesterday. I was assigned to go with the Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature to the Sayville Docks to make some photographs of a Not-for-Profit organization. The Not-for-Profit, Every Child’s Dream, was taking 450 homeless, economically disadvantaged and vulnerable youth on a ferry ride for the time of their lives. Breakfast, a ferry ride to Fire Island, real live pirates and pirate bounty, games, a barbeque, swimming, live entertainment and a whole lot of fun. Aeropostale donated bathing suits for everyone, each child got their own pirates tee shirt, bandana and beach towel it was very cool.
And even with the grey skies and the looming heavy clouds, there were over four hundred smiling faces to brighten up the day.
Today’s photo is a snapshot I made from the event. This little guy was so excited when the ferry pulled. His smile also shows a touch of fear as he told me “that’s a big boat mister.”
He should only know that the folks behind Every Child’s Dream have even bigger hearts.

You snooze you loose.

Playing with depth of field, I made this image while on a walk in Rocky Point late this afternoon. I was looking for something else. I saw the sun setting through the trees and how it backlit the green Oak leaves. By the time I parked and found a path into the woods it was gone. That’s the second time this happen in the past few days.
I’ve been watching some Queen Ann’s Lace on the side of the road for a week or so and I went to make a photo of them and the highway crew cut the lawn and the flowers.
On a different note, all the blogs I was following are missing from my dashboard tonight! I think I’ve been googled.
No post processing to speak of. I adjusted contrast and exposure in photoshop.

Faded Stop

I came across this stop sign and had to add it to my sign collection. It is posted at a vacant shopping center here on Long Island.
I used Canon Digital Professional and Photomatix Tone mapping programs to process.

52

Usually in the past I’ve used numbers for post titles only when I had a photo to match. Today, I turned 52 years old.
Today’s post has nothing to do with my birthday or the number 52. This plant is next to our back door. One morning this past week I made this photo as the morning dew covered the grass plant.
This photo was processed with Canon Digital Photo Professional and Photomatix Tone Mapping programs.

Walt Whitman’s Wall

What a beautiful morning, the sun is shinning and there is no humidity. Here on Long Island we often have hot humid summer days, today is a blessing.
I’m off for the weekend but I have high hopes of accomplishing a number of things around the house. I’m sure at the end of the day I’ll have wished I were working!
Today’s picture post I made yesterday. I needed to buy a new power adapter for my PowerBook at the Apple Store. At the mall, I notices the outside walls all had verse, but it didn’t dawn on me whose or why until I recalled that I was at the Walt Whitman Mall. Silly me. There is no post production on this image.

A well needed rest.

I need to apologize to my followers for the long hiatus between posts. As a freelance photographer, I have to take work when it comes and I’ve been super busy.
I have made some personal photos but none of them are worthy of posting. I even went for a walk without a camera to try and clear my head and regain a new focus. It's not my camera as much as it is sitting at the computer and processing images.
Today’s post was made last week at the Smithtown Public Library. I was there for a legislator but came across some chalk drawings along the sidewalk.
This was processed in ACR and Photomatix Tone Mapping programs.