Category: Photo Journal

For Photo Journal entries

2013 Downingtown Fireworks

Post author By Andrew
Post date July 4, 2013

Some images taken during the 2013 Downingtown Good Neighbor Day Fireworks held July 4th!

Images taken during the 2013 Downingtown Good Neighbor Day Fireworks on July 4th

Many thanks to all those that helped to put on this wonderful performance!

[contentblock id=1]

Tags Downingtown, Event, Fireworks, Good Neighbor Day, Good Neighbor Day Fireworks, Lightroom

Adobe astronomy CCPaPhoto Chester County Long Exposure Marsh Creek State Park Nik Software Photo Journal Photography Science Sunsets Tone Mapping

Super Moon 2013

Post author By Andrew
Post date June 23, 2013

I started posting on Facebook, Flickr, Google+ and Twitter a while ago, so everyone knew it was coming…

Last year, in early May, there was a dense cloud cover over the whole area, but the small group of us, still managed to have some fun with night-time photography.

Back in April, we gathered for the Lyrid meteor shower, but did not see anything with the naked eye, but did manage to do a few light drawings!

Early in the week, the weather reports suggested that once again the Chester County area was going to have clouds, and as Sunday approached, watching the reports, I was skeptical.

By Sunday afternoon, I started to see posts from folks wondering when and where to meet, and it was agreed to meet at the usual location, the Boat Launch side of Marsh Creek.

All afternoon, I was looking at the sky, and by 7:45pm, I left the house.

While I drove along Creek Rd (282) heading north, I could peek through the trees, and began to think that our atmospheric luck was beginning to change.

As I turned right on N Reeds Rd, and looked over my shoulder into the horse field, I was greeted with this –

Hilltop Sunset - Super Moon 2013 — Hilltop Sunset – Super Moon 2013

I continued down the park road, and turned into the front parking lot,nearest to the lake, and was looking for tripods.

Passing the first group, I did not see anyone that I knew, and continuing on until I thought I recognized a truck, and then I saw a friendly wave.

After parking, I got out of the car, walking over to Dan and Brian, shaking their hands in greetings.

Canoes at Sunset - Super Moon 2013 — Canoes at Sunset – Super Moon 2013

We chit chatted as I unpacked and setup.

It did look like a good night!

Not perfect, but it will do, and for the next two hours, I had some fun with the event!

Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 - 01 — Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 – 01

Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 - 03 — Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 – 03

Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 - 04 — Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 – 04

Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 - 02 — Canoes at Super Moon Rise 2013 – 02

I knew I could not stay out late, and said my ‘goodbyes’, and headed home.

While driving back along Creek Rd, the brightness of the full moon pierced the leaves of the trees, making me think of a quick picture to end the night.

Eventually, I found myself in the small parking lot across the street from the new Minquas Fire Company Station House.

I was about 5 minutes late, but what are you going to do…

Minquas Fire Company HQ - Super Moon 2013 — Minquas Fire Company HQ – Super Moon 2013

From here, I headed home…

[contentblock id=1]

Update

Facebook Profile picture for Minquas Fire Company!

Tags CCPaPhoto, Chester County (PA) Photography, HDR Efex Pro, Lightroom, Marsh Creek State Park, Meet-up, Nik Software, Photoshop, Super Moon, Viveza, Weather

Adobe CCPaPhoto Chester County Chester County Balloon Festival Events Facebook Flickr HDR Long Exposure Nik Software Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography Sunsets Tone Mapping

2013 Chester County Balloon Festival

Post author By Andrew
Post date June 15, 2013

The last time I went to the Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival was back in 2011, when it was held at the Embreeville Athletic Fields along Telegraph Road (Rt 162).

Back then, I remember that at the gates closest to the balloons, were packed with people and one could hardly move!

This year, the festival was held at Plantation Field Horse Trials just outside of Unionville, and the venue change alone was awesome! Chester County at it’s finest!

That being said, be prepared to walk, up and down the long public slope that features live music, arts & crafts and food booths.

In the small valley, the balloons were unfurled and prepared for flight.

The extremely long fence line offered great close-up views for hundreds at a time, which was a welcomed change!

Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival at Plantation Field, Unionville PA.

Sunset w/Patriot – Space Shuttle – Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival at Plantation Field, Unionville PA.

Sunset at the Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival at Plantation Field, Unionville PA.

Detail Patriot – Space Shuttle – Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival at Plantation Field, Unionville PA.

Moon w/Patriot – Space Shuttle – Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival at Plantation Field, Unionville PA.

Earlier in the year, I contacted the festival organizers about getting some Passes for the Chester County Photography Groups (Facebook, Flickr, Google+ and Twitter) and they provided me with 5 All Access Passes!

I posted that I had the Passes to the groups, and with an hour, they were spoken for.

After several round-robin emails and phone calls, I was able to give John Griggs and Michael Weinstein their tickets for the event.

To say that we were not excited would be a gross understatement.

With the passes, we were able to walk freely in the Launch area, as the hot air was being blown into the balloons as they slowly rose into the sky!

Just before sunset, after most of the balloons had launched, the Shaped balloons began their rise, and a featured balloon was the Patriot – The Space Shuttle.

It is HUGE!

It is 190 feet Tall, 115 feet Wide and weighs 992 pounds! [usflagballoon.com]

It is something that really needs to be seen live!

Some of the earlier launched balloons returned, and set up to do some night time glows for the large audience that was still there.

As 9:30 rolled around, there was a general slow exodus from the grounds.

[contentblock id=1]