Spring Market Treats

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Scott Thomas Photography

The Central New York Regional Market in Syracuse, New York was brimming with activity last weekend with people looking over the local farmers and vendors fresh and locally grown Spring treats.

From top left, fresh picked strawberries, salt potatoes, raspberries and blackberries and early sweet corn.

From top left, fresh picked strawberries, salt potatoes, raspberries and blackberries and early sweet corn.

Strawberries were king as I saw people buying them in flats of four and eight quarts to take home and make into strawberry shortcake, sundaes, pies, muffins or dip them in melted chocolates.  Raspberries and blackberries are tasty natural sweets or to use as toppings on ice cream or waffles.

Before one can get to the dessert, you have a meal.  Salt potatoes and sweet corn are Central New York staples at summer cookouts, clambakes and barbecues.

What are some of your favorite summer treats?

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View 284: Russian Father

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Scott Thomas Photography

Normally the captain of the hockey team takes part in the ceremonial puck drop before a game. However, when a teammate’s Father traveled all the way from Russia, Syracuse Crunch Captain Mike Angelidis made an exception and let young rookie Vladislav Namestnikov do the honors.

Former Syracuse Crunch player, Evgeny "John" Namestnikov, dropping the puck in between his son, Vladislav Namestnikov (18), and Grand Rapids Griffins Nahtan Paetsh (4) before an American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff game at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

Former Syracuse Crunch player, Evgeny “John” Namestnikov, dropping the puck in between his son, Vladislav Namestnikov (18), and Grand Rapids Griffins Nahtan Paetsh (4) before an American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff game at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Nikon D700/24-85G, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 400, EV 0, 24mm focal length, flash.

Back in 1996, Vladdy (as the fans call him) was just a toddler when Evgeny “John” Namestnikov was a player for the Syracuse Crunch.  Vladdy does not remember playing in the hallways of the Onondaga County War Memorial where his Father practiced.  He does remember a nearby hill by their apartment his Father would take him sledding.

Russian players were just starting to come over to North America then as the Russian Hockey Federation allowed their players to go to leagues outside of Russia for the first time. I can imagine it was quite a culture shock for John and his family as well as Syracuse fans.  Today, there are many Russian and European players in the American and National Hockey Leagues which has increased the quality of play in both.

John retired from hockey back in 2006 after playing for several AHL, NHL and Russian teams.  I doubt he thought his son would return to Syracuse to play for the Crunch seventeen years after he did.  Made for a great moment in a year full of them for the Crunch to see Vladdy and his Father together on the ice where they both played.

Syracuse Crunch Vladislav Namestnikov (18) is greeted by his father, John Namestnikov, who played for the Crunch in 1996, before the Crunch played the Grand Rapids Griffins in an American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff game at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

Syracuse Crunch Vladislav Namestnikov (18) is greeted by his father, John Namestnikov, who played for the Crunch in 1996, before the Crunch played the Grand Rapids Griffins in an American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff game at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013.
Nikon D700/24-85G, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 400, EV 0, 42mm focal length, flash.

Hope all of the Dads had a Happy Father’s Day yesterday.

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Art of Panning Photography Workshop

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Scott Thomas Photography

Over the years, I have featured many motion photos using the technique called Panning. Many people have expressed an interest in learning how to create panning photos. Today, I am announcing my first ever Art of Panning Workshop to be held at the ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip in Cicero, New York on Sunday, June 30, 2013.

The two hour morning workshop will include group and individual instruction with lots of opportunities to photograph the racing action and practice the skills needed for great panning photos.

Click photo below for details and to sign up.

Click Photo to Sign Up for the Art of Panning Workshop.

Click Photo to Sign Up for the Art of Panning Workshop.

If you are attending the class, you must sign up at the Meetup website by clicking the photo above. Registration is free for the Meetup Group.

SPECIAL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

If you only want to come and photograph the cars and not attend the class, I have arranged a $10 All Day Pit Pass ($5 off the regular price) for an additional eight (8) photographers.  If you are interested, use the Contact Form to notify me of your interest.

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Hockey in June

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Scott Thomas Photography

Syracuse Crunch fans are experiencing something that has never happened in the team’s 19 year history, playing playoff hockey games in June inside the War Memorial.  Previously, the latest the team has played was late May.  While it has not gone well for the Crunch so far, the games have been entertaining, fast and full of action.  Here are a few photos from the first two games of the 2013 American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals played in Syracuse, New York.

Regardless of the results, Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins has kept the Crunch within striking distance of the Griffins during both games.

Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) snags a shot by a Grand Rapids Griffins player in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Saturday, June 8, 2013.

Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) snags a shot by a Grand Rapids Griffins player in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Saturday, June 8, 2013.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1000s, f/3.2, ISO 1400, EV +1.3, 155mm (233mm DX) focal length.

I was in the right place at the right time here. Too bad it was the wrong team scoring.

Grand Rapids Griffins Triston Grant (23) scores past Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.

Grand Rapids Griffins Triston Grant (23) scores past Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1250, f/3.5, ISO 2200, EV +1.3, 200mm (300mm DX) focal length.

The puck shot by Crunch J. T. Brown (not pictured) you see here just under the STP logo not only went into the net behind the players, it went THROUGH the net. It wasn’t ruled a goal until the next stoppage of play after the referee reviewed it on the video monitor.

Syracuse Crunch J. T. Wyman (15) screens Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek (34) as a shot by Crunch J. T. Brown (23) goes into the net in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.

Syracuse Crunch J. T. Wyman (15) screens Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek (34) as a shot by Crunch J. T. Brown (23) goes into the net in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.
Nikon D7100/24-85G, 1/800s, f/4.5, ISO 4000, EV +1.7, 70mm (105mm DX) focal length.

The Griffins defense kept the reigning AHL MVP, Tyler Johnson, off the scoreboard in the first two games.

Syracuse Crunch Tyler Johnson (9) being defended by Grand Rapids Griffins Nathan Paetsch (4) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.

Syracuse Crunch Tyler Johnson (9) being defended by Grand Rapids Griffins Nathan Paetsch (4) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1250s, f/3.5, ISO 1800, EV +1.3, 150mm (225mm DX) focal length.

Tonight is the first game in Grand Rapids and the Crunch being down 2 games to none really need to come out and win.  A win would extend the series to five games and hopefully to six or seven for a return of the series back to Syracuse next week.

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View 283: Playoff Hockey Intensity

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Scott Thomas Photography
Syracuse Crunch Ondrej Palat (12) hits Grand Rapids Griffins Brian Lashoff (32) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

Syracuse Crunch Ondrej Palat (12) hits Grand Rapids Griffins Brian Lashoff (32) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1250s, f/3.5, ISO 4000, EV +1.3, 200mm (300mm DX) focal length.

The intensity of playoff hockey has players skating faster and hitting harder. Syracuse Crunch Ondrej Palat (12) is not the biggest player on the ice.  Still, he took on Grand Grand Rapids Brian Lashoff (32) during the Calder Cup Final game last night.  Even though Lashoff had over 35 pounds in weight and 3 inches in height over Palat, Ondrej was able to separate the puck from him with this hit.  It lead to a scoring chance for the Crunch a few seconds later.

This was one of the few highlights over the weekend as the Crunch lost both games and are now down to the Griffins, 2 game to 0, in the Best-of-7 series with the next three games in Grand Rapids.  I will be routing them on as they will need to win 2 of those games to bring the series back to Syracuse for game 6 next week.  Go get ’em, Crunch!

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