Alice Pose

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography
Alice striking a classic pose when meeting young guests in Epcot's United Kingdom pavilion in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Alice Pose, originally uploaded by Scott Thomas Photography.

Alice striking a classic pose when meeting young guests in Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

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Assignment 16: Best Photos of 2011

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

As in the last two years, the last assignment for this year is about what you have already photographed.  Assignment 16 gives you the opportunity to share your Best Photos of 2011.  I am looking for a minimum of three (3) photos.  You may share as many as you wish.

What do I mean by Best?  It can be a photo you are particularly proud of.  Maybe it was a new technique you learned, a favorite vacation photo, a unique photo of something/someone or a photo which has a special meaning for you.  I only ask for the photos to have been taken in the last twelve (12) months or from November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2011. For example, the photo below is my favorite sports photo I took this year.  It has all the elements I look for in a sports photo: the object of the sport which is the baseball, action of the ball player throwing the ball in mid-air and the player’s look of concentration.

A baseball infielder throws the runner out at first base during the CNY Thunder Classic baseball tournament in Rome, New York.

A baseball infielder throws the runner out at first base during the CNY Thunder Classic baseball tournament in Rome, New York. Nikon D700/80-400VR, 1/2000s, f/11, ISO 800, EV -0.3, 400mm focal length.

As in the other assignments, do not send me your photos. What I would like you to do is post them on your blog, flickr, Google+ or other photo sharing site, personal website or any other place on the Internet where you can place a link to it here by making a comment to this blog entry. Then we can visit those sites and enjoy everyone’s Best Photos of 2011.

Please, have your photos posted on or before Midnight (your time), Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Don’t have a place to post? Might be a good time to start up a blog or join a photo community like flickr.  As I have done for all the Assignments, I’ll put together a recap with my comments.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I will be happy to answer them. By the way, I would really appreciate it if you would help spread the word about this assignment so we can get lots of people to participate. Blog it, tweet it, Google+ it, email it and talk about it to your fellow photographers, bloggers, friends and family. Thank you!

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View 201: Beebe Lake at Cornell University

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

Beebe Lake on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York, was created back in 1828 to harness the hydro-power of Fall Creek. In 1898, the dam was raised another ten feet to bring the lake to the size it is today. Like most colleges and universities in America, Cornell is located on the valley hills surrounding Cayuga Lake overlooking the city of Ithaca on land which could not be easily farmed.

NOTE: I know a lot of people from a message board post about Cornell are visiting this article.  Just wanted to extend a warm welcome to you all.  The campus and the surrounding parks are amazingly beautiful. Almost like the area is out of Middle Earth.  Click Here for more photos I have taken of Ithaca and shared here on Views Infinitum.

Beebe Dam on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York.

Beebe Dam on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/38-300VR, f/16, ISO 1100, EV +0.3, 28mm focal length, HDR.

During my visit two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being guided by Ithaca bloggers Barbara of The Aspiring Photographer and Debbie of My Life in CNY.  Both have lots of knowledge of Cornell. The nature trail they took me to had some of the best fall foliage I had seen this year.

Barbara (on the left) and Debbie (on the right) with her husband following on the Beebe Lake nature trail at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Barbara (on the left) and Debbie (on the right) with her husband following on the Beebe Lake nature trail at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/100s, f/16, ISO 3200, EV +0.3, 98mm focal length.

The nature trail takes you to an old stone bridge over Fall Creek as it flows into Beebe Lake.  The trail’s return leg back to Cornell’s main campus had views of the lake with colorful trees reflected in the water.  Even the clouds had thinned a bit to show some blue in the sky.

Colorful fall foliage reflected in Beebe Lake at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Colorful fall foliage reflected in Beebe Lake at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, 1/100s, f/16, ISO 3200, EV 0, 15mm focal length.

With November historically being a cold, gray, wet month, I’ll be taking the time to catch up on all the photography I have done the last two months I have not had time to share with all of you.

NOTE: With the U.S. Holiday of Thanksgiving being early this year, I will be announcing the next photo assignment this Wednesday.

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Photography Show for Hospice of CNY

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

Central New York: People, Places and Things photography show.I am very pleased to announce the date and time of the opening reception for a Photo Exhibit I was asked to do for Hospice of CNY.  Hospice made a big difference during the last few weeks of my sister’s battle with brain cancer two years ago.  They were also a great comfort on the day she passed away.

When I was approached to provide photos for a show in their offices near Syracuse, New York, I was very happy to do so.  Then I found out that would require upwards to 60 hanging photos, I quickly asked the help of the Syracuse Photographer Association members.  They were happy to pitch in.

Hospice of CNY is very excited for this show which will feature people, places and things in and around central New York.  The photos will be bright, colorful and cheerful.

If you live around Syracuse, you are invited to the opening reception which will be held next Friday, November 4, 2011 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the offices of Hospice of CNY (see banner for address).  Refreshments and snacks will be provided.  This is a great opportunity to see the works of some of the finest photographers in our area.

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Idioms in Disney

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

The October Photo Hunt over at Karma’s is about Idioms this month.  I was a bit worried about it until I remembered I was going to Walt Disney World.  Ideas started to come to me.  I came up with two quickly, the third I found on the idiom list Karma linked to.

Idiom 1: Any Day above Ground is a Good Day

I say this to myself when I am feeling down or things are not going my way.  It is hard not feel good when one is above ground.  What better way to show this then by visiting a graveyard like the one at the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom where all the denizens are below ground.

Scott is trying to get some of Uncle Jacob's money in the Haunted Mansion's new interactive queue at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Scott is trying to get some of Uncle Jacob's money in the Haunted Mansion's new interactive queue.

Obviously, Uncle Jacob did not understand he could not take his money with him.  Darn if I could not pry it out of his cold, dead hands. At least, I am above ground!

Idiom 2: Pedal to the Metal

I have been known to have a little bit of a lead foot.  Driving a sporty car tends to give one such a reputation. 🙂 During the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the red Hero car is being chased by the bad guys in the black cars.

Red Hero car being chased by the bad buys during the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show in Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Red Hero car being chased by the bad buys during the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The hero definitely had his pedal to the metal and foot to the floor.

Idiom 3: It was all started by a Mouse

Walt Disney was fond of reminding people that without Mickey Mouse, there would not have been Walt Disney Studios nor Disneyland.  I found a tribute to this saying which has become an idiom in Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

A young Walt Disney at work creating a Mickey Mouse cartoon on a wall display in One Man's Dream exhibit in Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

A young Walt Disney at work creating a Mickey Mouse cartoon on a wall display in One Man's Dream exhibit in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

As I looked upon this display in the middle of the wonders of a park built years after his death, I had a new appreciation for what Mickey Mouse did for Walt’s legacy.

Bonus: Halloween

Did you know there is a campground at Walt Disney World?  It’s called Fort Wilderness. Each year during the Halloween celebration period, campers decorate their campsites for the holiday.

Disney style Halloween decorations at a campsite in the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Disney style Halloween decorations at a campsite in the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

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