New York State Fair Preview

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

Yes, boys and girls it is that time of the year again.  The unofficial end of summer begins in central New York with the start of the 12-day run of the 2012 Great New York State Fair. The Fair opens tomorrow and goes through Labor Day. Instead of sharing a bunch of links from years past, I am going to share a pictorial preview from last year’s NYSF.

Livestock of all kinds compete for ribbons including this curious goat.

A goat looks through the bars of his cage at The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.

A goat looks through the bars of his cage at The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/3.5, ISO 2800, EV 0, 28mm focal length.

Fair food gets a bum rap. If you look around, you can find non-fried foods like in the International Building.

A soldier walking to a table to eat in the International building which features cuisine from all over the world at The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.

A soldier walking to a table to eat in the International building which features cuisine from all over the world at The Great New York State Fair.
Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, 1/60s, f/8, EV -0.3, 16mm focal length.

Of course, if you like your Fair food fried and greasy, you will have your choice of vendors frying almost anything.

Making ribbon fries at The Great New York State Fair.

Making ribbon fries at The Great New York State Fair.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/4, ISO 200, EV -0.6, 28mm focal length.

Games and rides of all kinds will challenge people’s skill and stomachs on the Midway.

A young boy tries to make a basket at a Midway game during the Great New York State Fair.

A young boy tries to make a basket at a Midway game during the Great New York State Fair.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/3.5, ISO 640, EV +0.3, 28mm focal length.

Sometimes Mother Nature adds to the colorful atmosphere of the New York State Fair.

Sunset at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.

Sunset at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/200s, f/8, ISO 5600, EV 0, 200mm focal length.

Now, if you would like to see more posts about the New York State Fair, CLICK HERE.

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View 242: Cortland Celtic Festival

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

The Celtic gods were smiling down on the 12th annual Cortland Celtic Festival last weekend. After a summer of hot, humid weather, a cold front passed through and left a perfect day for the upstate New York festival.

Caledonian Pipe Band from Buffalo performing on a beautiful summer day in the athletic field at the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York during opening ceremonies.

Lion Rampant of Scotland flag waves in the breeze as the Caledonian Pipe Band from Buffalo performs on a beautiful summer day for the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York during opening ceremonies.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/18, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 36mm focal length.

This was the first year for the Cortland Celtic Festival at Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.  A picturesque public park eight miles north of Cortland with a wide field for the Highland Games, plenty of space for food and merchandise vendors, pavilions for entertainment and shady picnic areas for visitors.

Even more picturesque were the colorful Clans people wearing their traditional dress in attendance.

Members of Scottish Clan MacKay attending the Cortland Celtic Festival at Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.

Members of Scottish Clan MacKay in traditional dress attending the Cortland Celtic Festival at Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/320s, f/13, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 42mm focal length, fill flash.

A whole day of Highland Games included heavy stone throwing, hammer throw, sheaf and caber toss.  There was a mix of veterans and rookies competing which made for some exciting moments in the caber toss.

Highland Games at the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.

Highland Games athletes competing during the Cortland Celtic Festival.
Open Stone Throw on the left, Caber Toss on the right.

Musical entertainment is always a big part of a Celtic festival.  For bagpipes, the Caledonian Pipe & Drum Band of Buffalo kicked things off at the opening ceremonies.  For traditional and non-traditional music, I enjoyed the sounds of Doolin O’Dey and Falls Road.

Fiddle player for Doolin O'Dey Jerry Drumhalle performing at the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.

Fiddle player for Doolin O’Dey Jerry Drumhalle performing during the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 720, EV +0.3, 300mm focal length.

There was quite a variety of food on hand.  Turkey legs (aka Caveman Pops), meat pies, roasted corn, BBQ turkey, dessert crepes, grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream and maple treats and plenty of beer on tap.  No one could complain about being hungry.

Meat pies from Paddy's Pub served during the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.

Meat pies from Paddy’s Pub served during the Cortland Celtic Festival at the Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 56mm focal length.

The Cortland Celtic Festival is a fun and enjoyable way to celebrate Scottish traditions and games a short twenty minute drive on Interstate 81 South from Syracuse.  Mark your calendars for the 2013 festival on August 24 & 25.

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Photography Links Plus

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

This week I am sharing a set of photography links shared to me by my Circles on Google+.

Dumbo ride in Storybook Circus. Its new home in the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Dumbo ride in Storybook Circus. Its new home in the Magic Kingdom.
Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, 1s, f/8, ISO 200, EV 0, 15mm focal length, tripod.

Above is an example of a long exposure photograph taken at night.  Do you know how to take really long exposures in the middle of the day?  Learn how in this five minute video by Scott Kelby.

Here is a link to the 10-Stop Neutral Density filter he used in the tutorial.

I do not agree with all of them but here are Fifty (yes I said 50) Quick Photography Tips in Less Than 15 Minutes.  They will make you shake your head in every direction and give you lots of ideas. Worth every minute of your time.

Like Kathy mentioned this week, let us explore the flip side: 17 Things Photographers Should Not Do.  A few are directed towards full time photographers.  Just ignore those which do not pertain to your current stage of photography.

The last one is a general tip for all of us.  The story was making the rounds on the Internet this week but bares repeating: How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking.

Have a great weekend everybody!

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Tale of the Orange Moose

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

In early January of 2010, I was driving west on Interstate 94 in a 25 foot rental truck full of my daughter and her belongings in the state of Wisconsin on our way to North Dakota.  Needing fuel, I told her we would stop at the next exit.  As we came around the bend slowing down to exit, this giant orange moose came into view.  We both started laughing and I knew I would have to get a photo to share with my family.  Otherwise, who would believe us?

Orange Moose roadside attraction off of Interstate Highway 94 at the Black River Falls, Wisconsin exit 116. January, 2010 on the left, July 2012 on the right. Both photos taken with an Apple iPhone using the Pro HDR app.

Orange Moose roadside attraction off of Interstate Highway 94 at the Black River Falls, Wisconsin exit 116. January, 2010 on the left, July 2012 on the right. Both photos taken with an Apple iPhone using the Pro HDR app.

The exit was for a place called Black River Falls.  It had a couple of restaurants, a truck stop and a Best Western hotel.  Across from the hotel is the Orange Moose Bar and Grill. Ah, you say, the orange moose is just a form of advertising.  Not so fast, my friends.  There is a legend which accompanies the large ungulate.

About a hundred years ago, an old Norwegian bachelor farmer Torvaald Kjorvak found a wounded moose calf in the northern part of the Black River Forest.  He nursed the young moose back to health by feeding it an experimental grain mixture.  This grain caused the moose to grow and grow and turn a bright orange color.  There is more to the legend and you can read the full account here: The Legend of the Orange Moose.

As you can see, when I was again driving with Krystal back from North Dakota a couple of weeks ago, we stopped at the Black River Falls exit.  This time we did not need fuel.  I only wanted to photograph the Orange Moose one more time.  This time in warmer and dryer conditions.  I even got out the Nikon D700 digital SLR camera with 28-300VR lens and had Krystal pose next to the moose to show its size.

Krystal next to the Orange Moose at the Black River Falls I-94 exit in Wisconsin.

Krystal next to the Orange Moose at the Black River Falls I-94 exit in Wisconsin.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/320s, f/9, ISO 200, EV 0, 36mm focal length.

I may never again visit the Orange Moose but he will be forever a part of the stories I tell of my travels around the United States of America.

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View 241: Human Interest

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

As I was reviewing the photos I choose to share last week, I realized something was missing.  Technically they were good.  They were informative but did not include a lot of storytelling.

New Graduates pose for photos in front of the Westcott Building on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee.

New Graduates pose for photos in front of the Westcott Building on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/320s, f/9, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 35mm focal length.

Take the Westcott Building I posted on Friday.  Lovely photo but very static.  What you did not see were the people behind the fountain taking photos.  The three of them, all graduates having finished the summer session at Florida State University, took turns posing in front of the fountain.  What I like about this photo is the story it tells without having to read the photo’s caption.

The post about the Gateway Arch in St. Louis did have some human interest.  If you call a photo of people’s rumps in the air looking out windows interesting. 😉  I know some of you were wondering how small those tram pods really are.  Well, here is your answer.

Flickr friend Steve (with camera), my daughter Krystal and Steve's brother, Tom, inside a Gateway Arch Tram Pod at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri.

Flickr friend Steve (with camera), my daughter Krystal and Steve’s brother, Tom, inside a Gateway Arch Tram Pod at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri.
Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV 0, 15mm focal length, flash at -2.0 power.

Cozy, wasn’t it? Make sure you use plenty of deodorant if you plan on riding in these.

Of course, there is the ever popular You Were There vacation photo which are not very storytelling or even interesting to most people.  They will make family members happy and is that not one of the reasons we love photography?

Blog author, Scott, with his daughter, Krystal, at the top of the Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri.

Blog author, Scott, with his daughter, Krystal, at the top of the Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo taken by Steve Wise.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 1600, EV 0, 28mm focal length, bounced flash at -1.3 power.

Whether you add your own family or include strangers, adding human interest will spice up your vacation and travel photography.

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