View 333: Fireworks Season

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Scott Thomas Photography

The days leading up to and after the July 4th holiday in the United States of America is, what I call, Fireworks Season. Cities, towns and villages big and small celebrate the birth of their country with patriotic displays featuring fireworks. I attended the following shows over the last couple of weeks.

The City of Syracuse decided to combine their annual July 4th Fireworks show with the Syracuse Chiefs AAA baseball team.  The city bought out the general admission seating at the NBT Bank Stadium and gave the tickets away to anyone who wanted them.  This amounted to the first Sold Out game of the season for the Chiefs.  While the home team lost in extra innings, the fireworks show afterwards was spectacular.

Fireworks explode over the NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, New York after the Syracuse Chiefs baseball game on July 4, 2014.

Fireworks explode over the NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, New York after the Syracuse Chiefs baseball game on July 4, 2014.
Nikon D700/Sigma 15mm, 1/2s, f/8, ISO 3200, EV 0.

The above photo was taken hand held as the stadium rules do not allow fans to bring in tripods or monopods.  I did brace myself against a cement wall and set the upper ISO limit to 3200.  Using the Sigma 15mm Fisheye lens helped as it is very light and easy to keep stable.

My home town of Baldwinsville ended their Seneca River Days celebration with fireworks over the river.

Seneca River Days fireworks show over the Seneca River in Baldwinsville, New York on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Seneca River Days fireworks show over the Seneca River in Baldwinsville, New York on Saturday, June 14, 2014.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 22.7s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 24mm focal length, tripod, cropped.

Here is another one from the LEON Day fireworks show I shared with you last week.

LEON Day Festival at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool, New York on Thursday, June 26, 2014.

LEON Day Festival at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool, New York on Thursday, June 26, 2014.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 9.8s, f/11, ISO 200, EV 0, 24mm focal length, tripod, cropped.

The last two were done the more traditional way with a tripod, cable release and using my camera’s Bulb mode.  Click Here for my Fireworks Tutorial detailing the technique. There is still plenty of summer left with more fireworks shows to photograph.  Enjoy!

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View 332: LEON Day

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Scott Thomas Photography

LEON Day – halfway mark to Christmas. Leon is Noel spelled backwards. It is celebrated on June 25th, i.e. the turning point when Christmas begins to come closer on the calendar.

For the first time ever, Syracuse had a LEON Festival to celebrate LEON Day.  Local radio station Sunny 102 played Christmas music all day, Onondaga County Park and Recreation put up a few Lights on the Lake displays and many free family oriented activities. After sunset, the dropped an Orange Ball half way to mark the half way point to Christmas followed by fireworks.

LEON Festival montage at the Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool, New York.

LEON Festival montage at the Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool, New York.

From top left, a Bouncey House was one of the free activities for the kids, LEON Festival logo, a Lights on the Lake display  with the Orange Ball in the background.  A series of firework photos from the show at the bottom. The middle photo is the Mercy Flight helicopter getting ready to take off from the festival grounds after the fireworks show.

LEON Festival was delayed a day due to some very inclement weather in the Syracuse area on June 25th.  Did not deter from the enthusiasm of the large crowd which attended including Santa Claus, Elves and many families.

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View 331: Summer Breeze

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Scott Thomas Photography
Sailboat eclipses the sunset on Lake Ontario as seen from Brennan Beach RV Park & Campground as the first day of the Summer of 2014 comes to an end.

Sailboat eclipses the sunset on Lake Ontario as seen from Brennan Beach RV Park & Campground as the first day of the Summer of 2014 comes to an end.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/200s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 120mm focal length.

The first day of Summer for 2014 lasted 15 hours and 34 minutes at my latitude and ended in a beautiful sunset.  I photographed the event from the eastern shore of Lake Ontario as a sailboat taking advantage of the summer breeze moved past.

Reminded me of a time back in 1972 as my parents drove us to St. Louis, Missouri, to visit my sister and her family.  The hit song at the time was Seal & Croft’s Summer Breeze.

 

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View 330: Frozen Dome Classic Press Conference

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Scott Thomas Photography
Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon addresses fans, guests and local media at the press conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.

Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon addresses fans, guests and local media at the press conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York on June 11, 2014.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 900, EV 0, 30mm focal length.

Howard Dolgon, owner of the American Hockey League (AHL) Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club, has been trying for the last few years to find a way to play a game inside the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. It is not like SU did not want the game. The problem was finding a time slot during a busy late autumn time frame when football and basketball games are being played.

Fans, media and invited guests at the Syracuse Crunch Press Conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.

Fans, media and invited guests at the Syracuse Crunch Press Conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 1250, EV 0, 24mm focal length.

Last week all that changed. A press conference was called where Howard Dolgon along with representatives from the Syracuse University Athletic Department, Onondaga County and the Utica Comets announced the Frozen Dome Classic event which will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2014, right on Jim Boeheim Court at the Dome.  I call it an event as it will feature, at least, two other games besides the Syracuse Crunch hosting the Utica Comets. Below is an artist rendering of what the Dome might look like with a hockey rink.

An artist's rendering of how the Carrier Dome will look on Nov. 22, when the Crunch hosts the Utica Comets. (Image courtesy of the Syracuse Crunch)

An artist’s rendering of how the Carrier Dome will look on Nov. 22, when the Crunch hosts the Utica Comets. (Image courtesy of the Syracuse Crunch)

As you can see there will be more going on than just the hockey games. The area not being used for the ice and stands will be hosting all kinds of activities for people to enjoy.

Crunch players Joey Mormina (3) and Luke Witkowski (82) at the Syracuse Crunch Press Conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.

Crunch players Joey Mormina (3) and Luke Witkowski (82) at the Syracuse Crunch Press Conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 450, EV 0, 38mm focal length.

The Crunch put on the very first American Hockey League (AHL) outdoor game back in 2010 which drew over 21,000 people.  The staff is ready to take on a new challenge to get 29,000 people for the Frozen Dome Classic. If you are interested in attending, tickets will go on sale to the public on June 24, 2014. If you are a season ticket holder of the Crunch, Comets, Oswego Lakers, Utica College Pioneers and for either SU football or basketball, you can contact the Crunch now for tickets by calling 315-473-4444.

Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon talks to a television reporter after the press conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.

Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon talks to a television reporter after the press conference announcing the Frozen Dome Classic at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 1400, EV 0, 98mm focal length.

Personally, I can not wait to photograph all the games and events the Frozen Dome Classic is going to have. I was a student at SU when the Dome was built back in 1980 and never would have dreamed one day there would be ice hockey played there.

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View 329: Oswego Balloonfest

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Scott Thomas Photography

Attended the Oswego Balloonfest which was held at the Oswego County Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York over the weekend.  Late in the afternoon as the daytime temperatures began to drop, one of the balloons was inflated with cool air for people to walk through for a small fee. The sunny day made the rainbow colors of the balloon’s fabrics really pop.

A young woman inside a rainbow colored hot air balloon at the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.

A young woman inside a rainbow colored hot air balloon at the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York. on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV 0, 24mm focal length.

While waiting for the hot air balloons to launch, people could eat at the various food vendors, shop at the crafter’s tents and listen to live music around the Oswego County Fairgrounds.  I recommend a Cheesecake on a Stick. I had mine with orange cream poured over it.

Soon, balloonists were getting ready in the launch field.  Balloons’ envelopes were filled and passengers loaded into the gondolas.  The colorful balloons then lifted soundlessly up into a cloudless blue sky.  Pilots would occasionally run the burners to control the height of their aircraft.

Hot air balloons in the air over the Oswego Country Fairgrounds during the Oswego Balloonfest in Sandy Creek, New York.

Hot air balloons in the air over the Oswego Country Fairgrounds during the Oswego Balloonfest in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 640, EV +0.3, 98mm focal length, polarizer filter.

After all the balloons were launched. One hot air balloon in front of the grandstands gave rides while being tethered.  The balloon would go up to about thirty feet (9 meters) giving riders a beautiful view of the fairgrounds and surrounding land.

A tethered hot air balloon gives spectators rides during the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.

A tethered hot air balloon gives spectators rides during the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 75mm focal length, polarizer filter.

This proved to be very popular as the balloon was kept busy until after sunset. Giving me the opportunity to capture a flying balloon as blue hour started.

A tethered hot air balloon pilot uses a burner to lift passengers over the Oswego Country Fairgrounds during the Oswego Balloonfest in Sandy Creek, New York.

A tethered hot air balloon pilot uses a burner to lift passengers over the Oswego Country Fairgrounds during the Oswego Balloonfest in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 2500, EV +0.3, 24mm focal length.

This was the first ever Oswego Balloonfest and what really intrigued me was they were promoting a balloon glow on the Saturday schedule of events. I have never seen nor photographed such an event as no balloons at the Jamesville Balloonfests I have attended did them.

A balloon glow happens after sunset.  Crews inflate their balloons until they are upright but are kept on the ground. Pilots will then light their balloons up using the burners. Add blue hour, the moon and a clear sky to the formula and it is an awesome sight.

Balloon glow event during the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.

Balloon glow event during the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 0.4s, f/8, ISO 800, EV 0, 24mm focal length, tripod.

I will have to find a larger balloonfest with a balloon glow.  I have seen photos with dozens of balloons glowing all at once.  Loved the single balloon but now I want to see more. 🙂

 

 

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