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Turning the Big Five Zero!

Here it is, some 50 years later…

Once again, it did rain, so with that in mind, the kids and I decided to play in the studio…

Still can’t believe I am really that old!

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4th of July Adobe Camera Chester County Events Lionville Long Exposure Nature Photo Journal Photography Tone Mapping

Fireworks & Super Moon

Yesterday was the annual Lionville Community day, which ended with a great set of Fireworks!!

Hope you enjoy!

On a technical side, this was my first real chance to use my new Canon T5i (700D), and for some reason, it takes SO LONG to cycle between pictures, even with a fast memory card!

I’m going to do some more testing, but my much older Canon XTi seems to be a much better camera for Fireworks.

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4th of July Adobe Announcements Chester County Downingtown Events Featured Holidays Information Location Long Exposure Photo Journal Photography Published Tech Talk Tips Tone Mapping

Fireworks time again!!

It is that time of the year again for fireworks!!

For those of you in Chester County PA area, here is a guide to local events that my friends of at County Line Magazine put together!

Where to Find Fireworks? (PDF)

My fellow photographer friend, Dan Potter, also put together a nice list of do’s and don’t when photographing fireworks!

I do take issue with his Bulb settings (#2) comment.

Looking back into my collection…

  • Canonet (circa late 1960s) – B on the Lens
  • AE-1 (circa early 1980s) –  B on the Dial
  • F-1 (circa mid 1980s) – B on the Dial
  • PowerShot A70 (circa early 2000s) – M on the Dial
  • PowerShot SX130 (circa early 2010s) – M on the Dial
  • Rebel XTi (circa 2007) – M on the Dial
  • Rebel T5i (circa 2014) – M on the Dial

What my data suggests, that you might be referring to an older analog film based camera, and if memory serves me correctly, Nikon did the SAME THING on their line during that time!

In both cases (Canon vs Nikon), it was the nature of analog film cameras to have the Speeds on the Upper Dial and the Aperture on the Lens itself.

These days, both are done via the various digital modes, one being (M)anual.

Dan also makes a good point to “know your location” and to be able to “adjust quickly”. (#4)

In the various years that I have photographed the Good Neighbor Fireworks, their launch area does seem to be a moving target from year to year!

In any case, enjoy the tips and have a GREAT 4th of July Weekend!!

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Adobe Black & White Chester County Digital Painting Photo Journal Photo Manipulation Photography Tone Mapping Water

St Peter’s Quarry

My sister has been talking about St Peter’s Village for some time now, and with the kids just starting vacation, I was looking for something quick and easy to do.

After taking a scenic 30 minute drive, we parked and walked up the small little hill to the quarry, and from there I took these quick images.

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Images of the quarry at St Peter’s Village in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
St Peter's Quarry 013
Images of the quarry at St Peter’s Village in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
St Peter's Quarry 001
Images of the quarry at St Peter’s Village in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In image processing, I went with a higher saturation and vibrancy then normal, to emphasize the colors from the paints and chalk that have dripped down over the rocks from the graffiti art, but the greens of the trees became to “hot”.

I took the color image and converted into a Black and White layer, and from there I cut a mask to enhance the colors of the rocks.

Certainly not the image I had in mind when I stood there, but I kind of like it.

What do you think?

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Chester County Chester County Balloon Festival clouds Events Facebook Fields Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography Sunsets Weather

2014 Chester County Balloon Festival

I FINALLY got through the gates and found a place to park, and it feels SO good to stretch my legs!

I gathered my gear, and started up the hill.

I HOPE I can find my spot later…

As I got to the dirt road, I heard a voice call my name, and it was Brian A, a fellow local photographer in his car with his wife, and they were leaving.

We chatted for a little bit, and I headed off for my well deserved beer!

It was quit noticeable, the lack of balloons in the air, just laying on the ground like colorful shadows…

Walking to the Victory beer truck, I did see someone was taking advantage of the strong winds, by flying a very colorful kite!

You might be able to notice, the long grass had just been cut, and was laying in the sun to get dry, but that did not stop the children from building hay forts in the fields!

I finally got my beer, and quietly drank it, as I surveyed the fields and the setting sun…

My stomach and nose also told me, it was time to get something to eat, so I ventured back up the hill and into the vending area.

and of course, there were kids and parents all over the place!

All eyes were on this man and his flying kite! – As long has his kite was flying high in the air, no balloons were taking off!

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Image of the FAA Kite Man, monitoring the winds at the Chester County Balloon Festival.

Eventually, one brave group decided to give a balloon raising a try!

As the sun faded, the temperature began to drop.

Folks began to cuddle up, as a few more balloons attempted to fill the night sky.

Cuddling up 171
A couple cuddle up during the flame glows at the Chester County Balloon Festival.

But the winds refused to die down, as the balloons began to slowly sink back to the ground, a mere shadow of what they could have been.

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