Calm Photos

And I thought photographic portraits of toddlers was a challenge.

“Sit. Be Still. Stay” 

“I said SIT. DON’T MOVE !”

“For crying out loud ! SIT. BE STILL. Let go of that.” 

“I said let go. STOP IT. Be still.” 

“Okay, how about a funny noise to get your attention ?” 

“FINALLY !”

‘Allo Paris, we have a problem….. - Reuters Blogs

I noticed this story from a posting on the Aperture Users Network blog. It’s a bit of a long read, but be sure to scroll down for the pics.

And I thought I getting stuck in the sand at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in southern Utah was challenging ???

Summer in Ohio is chock-full of opportunities for colorful event photography, from county fairs to small town festivals to art shows to music performances.

This past Saturday was the reenactment of Morgan’s Raid at the Gorman Heritage Farm in Evendale, near Cincinnati. For those who may not know their American Civil War history too well, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was the cavalry raider who personally brought the Civil War into Ohio through a daring incursion that involved nearly 2,000 rebel troopers, skirting the northern neighborhoods of Cincinnati on July 14, 1863. The raiders traveled light and fast, taking what they needed in the way of food and fresh horses as they went. Unlike Lee’s much larger and more spectacular invasion of Pennsylvania just a few days prior, Morgan’s objective was not to actively engage in a fight but rather to divert Union forces away from their campaigns in central Tennessee. Morgan and his men were eventually caught. To this day his famous raid is still marked with several reenactment events in towns along his route.

Although I’m not quite yet to the point of dressing in a wool uniform, eating hard tack topped with weevils and collapsing from heat stroke under a July sun, I do enjoy attending Civil War reenactments. Not only are there some wonderful opportunities for candid and event photography, but these events are also a great way to learn about history and get a glimpse of just how difficult life was in mid-19th century America and the physical, mental and emotional price paid by those who served in what I consider the one conflict that truly defined the United States of America.

At the event at Gorman Farm I had also had the opportunity to meet Civil War author and researcher Richard Baumgartner who recently wrote a fascinating book titled “Buckeye Blood,” published by Blue Acorn Press. Richard did the research for this book, which is a complete account of all the Ohio regiments that served at Gettysburg, over a period of seven years. I literally devoured my copy when I got back home that afternoon. The first-hand accounts of the battle, as well as the profiles of individual soldiers and officers serving in these units, were fascinating to read, especially from the viewpoint of the citizen-soldiers who came from my home state.

The Gorman Heritage Farm was the perfect setting - restored barns, rolling fields and gardens full of summer flowers. Most of all I was impressed with the friendliness of the staff and volunteers - quite welcoming, cheerful and helpful. Perhaps because they knew I wasn’t there to steal their horses and raid their crops, unlike a previous visitor who came through during another July morning back in 1863.

The gardens and grounds of the Gorman Heritage Farm -

During the middle of this past week I had the opportunity to travel to Cleveland for a photography assignment, shooting an architectural design project for both editorial and advertising use by one of my newer clients.

I had previously been to Cleveland a number of times, but now I was returning with strictly a photographer’s eye.

And here’s a little secret I would like to pass on to those who have never been or to those who may have a preconceived notion of Cleveland as colorless and industrial. Cleveland is a beautiful city. Not only is there a richness in the architectural design of its’ many downtown buildings, Cleveland is a very walkable city with most of the main attractions being within a few square blocks of the downtown waterfront - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lake Science Center, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field, fine hotels and a whole host of dining and entertainment venues.

Cleveland has also done an admirable job of establishing and caring for a very nice green space within the middle of the city, a city that is surprisingly cosmopolitan for good ol’ Ohio, with easy and safe pedestrian access directly to the waterfront attractions on Lake Erie.

Although I didn’t have the best of weather, I did enjoy capturing just a few photographs of the downtown park and surrounding scenes.

If you’re thinking of great weekend vacation spot, I highly suggest Cleveland.

  

The following photographs are a few samples from a food photo shoot I recently completed for the Inn at Cedar Falls, known for the quality of their food and the talent of their head chef, Anthony.

The first tip I have for doing food photography is the same tip I have when grocery shopping while on a diet - never do it on an empty stomach. I did this shoot late in the afternoon, after a full-day of interior photography of rooms, cabins and gift shop, and skipping lunch. It was excruciating, to say the least, but the results were well worth the effort.

My second tip is to not let the food sit around too long. It if does, well, then it’s bit a like me back during my days working in a corporate office: I look good for the first few days, but then I go bad real quick. It is important to photograph the dish as soon as it comes out of the kitchen.

Of course the obvious question is did you get to eat any of the food that you photographed ? Nope. Not that Chef Anthony didn’t offer, however, it’s just not my professional policy to become that involved with my subjects. It would be kind of like your car mechanic asking to take your car for a lengthy test drive after he has fixed it. Not cool.

But dinner sure was good later that evening.

September Dawn, the official site – a film starring Jon Voight and directed by Christopher Cain; in theaters August 24.

We lived in Utah from February 1997 to December 2000. The story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre was pretty much well-known and common knowledge amongst most of the people I came in contact with and in the local media. I never had the impression that it was some deep, dark secret kept under wraps by the LDS Church.

Not that I’m trying to make excuses for what happened or trying to defend the past actions of the LDS religion, but I can’t help but question the timing of this movie. Perhaps some political implications ?  You decide.

I’m on the Little Miami Bike Trail, taking a longer than usual rest stop because I’m making an entry from my new iPhone. So far I absolutely love it.

It’s kind of like puberty all over again, except without the angst and acne.

I can’t stop playing with the darn thing.