B’ville from Space

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Scott Thomas Photography

I was trying to come up with a unique idea since I have featured my hometown of Baldwinsville (known as B’ville to many in these parts), New York several times on this blog.  The one idea I had went by the wayside when the Mite tournament opportunity presented itself last week.  Then, Carsten posted the Google map of the Seneca River and this post was born.  Thanks, Carsten!

This satellite view of the bridge and some of Paper Mill Island will show you where the photos are located by the numbers you see.  The area changes from year to year and seasonally.  There are stories to be found, told and shared each time I drive or walk through here and this is just a small, though very important, section of the village of Baldwinsville.

Seneca River Photo Map. See the numbers below for the corresponding photos.

Seneca River Photo Map. See the numbers below for the corresponding photos.

Below are the photos which go with each numbered map location.  Some are new to you while others I’ve used previously.  I have included links to the blog posts for photos I’ve used before (see photo captions.)

Photo Number 1. Edgewater Grill restaurant right on the edge of the Seneca River.

Photo Number 1. Edgewater Grill restaurant right on the edge of the Seneca River.

Photo Number 2. Tractor trailer rig exiting the Seneca River bridge.

Photo Number 2. Tractor trailer rig exiting the Seneca River bridge.

Photo Number 3. A River Runs Through It. Click photo for blog post.

Photo Number 3. A River Runs Through It. Click photo for blog post.

Photo Number 4. Red Mill Inn. Click on Photo for Blog Post

Photo Number 4. Red Mill Inn. Click on Photo for Blog Post

Photo Number 5. Dr. Paul entertaining at the Lock 24 restaurant.

Photo Number 5. Dr. Paul entertaining at the Lock 24 restaurant.

Photo Number 6. Erie Canal Lock 24 during maintenance last March. Click on Photo for Blog Post

Photo Number 6. Erie Canal Lock 24 during maintenance last March. Click on Photo for Blog Post

This is my submission for Assignment 6: Your Hometown.  Remember you have until midnight (your time) tonight (March 24th) to add your link to the assignment post (use previous link).

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View 117: Mighty Mites

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Scott Thomas Photography

I have spent the last three days photographing the 2010 Mite Meltdown ice hockey tournament which was held at the Greater Baldwinsville Ice Arena (GBIA).  Mites are boys and girls aged 8 years old and younger.  I was very surprised at the ability of these kids.  Some where better than others but all gave it their best.  It was a lot of fun to watch and photograph.

Here’s the link to the tournament galleries: 2010 Mite Meltdown Photo Galleries

A player from one of the Mite B teams I photographed over the weekend. The boards in a hockey rink are 42 inches (1.07 meters) in height to give you an idea of the size of this player.

A player from one of the Mite B teams I photographed over the weekend. The boards in a hockey rink are 42 inches (1.07 meters) in height to give you an idea of the size of this player.

Pucks are blue for this age division.  They are lighter in weight and seem to bounce like a superball at times.  Some of the kids could really launch them.

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Outdoor Portraiture

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Scott Thomas Photography

Been seeing this topic come up on a few photography boards this week as the weather gets warm and sunny.  People start to get outdoors with family and friends.  The photographers bring their cameras ready to capture special moments and portraits of loved ones.

Sadly, many are not happy with their results.  Most think they should put people right out in the bright sun.  This is a no-no.  Bright sun causes people to squint and deep shadows appear under their eyes.  This is termed raccoon eyes and is none too faltering.

As all wedding photographers know, you move people into the shade.  I can bet you have never seen a wedding party photographed in bright sunshine in the middle of the day.  At least not from a good photographer.  The shade gives a more pleasing light and people open their eyes.  Getting everyone to not blink is a whole other story. 🙂

The background is very important for portraits.  Open up the aperture to soften the background focus (see Bokeh).  Make sure the background is pleasing with not a lot of bright and dark areas.

The last secret to a good outdoor portrait is using fill flash to further open up the shadows, bring out the color of a person’s skin and clothing and create those lovely catchlights in the eyes you see in fashion magazines.

Of course, you know me.  I tend to use different subjects for my examples.  Last year, I was fortunate to come across the lovely and narcissistic DiVine in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.  Using the Nikon 18-200VR zoom lens and Nikon SB-600 Speedlight flash, I got just the kind of outdoor portrait I aim for.

DiVine in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length.

DiVine in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length.

Flash notes: The SB-600 was set to Balanced Fill Flash mode with the power setting at -1.

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Wishes II

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Scott Thomas Photography

The Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show called, Wishes, is a beautiful display of choreographed pyrotechnics, character narration and music as only Disney can do.  The show runs approximately 12 minutes, has 557 fireworks firing cues and 655 individual shells launched by air canons instead of rockets.  I photographed Wishes back in December and thought I would share some of the show since I just finished processing the photos this week.  Hey, it takes time to cull out 1,200 keepers from some 3,000 photographs. 🙂

Wishes 1. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 4.9 sec., f/29, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 35mm focal length.

Wishes 1. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 4.9 sec., f/29, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 35mm focal length.

Wishes 2. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 3 sec., f/22, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 31mm Focal Length.

Wishes 2. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 3 sec., f/22, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 31mm Focal Length.

Wishes 3. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 7.5 sec., f/25, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 31mm Focal Length.

Wishes 3. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 7.5 sec., f/25, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 31mm Focal Length.

This summer (2010), Wishes will be temporarily replaced by the Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular and the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade.

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View 116: Melting Away

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Scott Thomas Photography
Snow melting away on the path used for the blog author's lunch walks. Taken with the Apple iPhone 3G.

Snow melting away on the path used for the blog author's lunch walks. Taken with the Apple iPhone 3G.

Two days before I took this photo, the path was 90% snow covered with just enough clear on one side to walk.  Two days of sunny and warm weather later, it’s only 10% covered in this stretch.  There’s a part which still had six inches of snow on it.  Should be gone by the time of my next lunch walk.

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