Note:

To view photographs that have been cut-off on the main page, click on them to enlarge and to view them in their entirety. I've tried re-configuring the pictures, but this site won't allow me to re-size them, so you have to click them to see the whole picture.

A New Level of Photography:

Night photography has always fascinated me; however, due to the lack of a decent camera (for night photography, that is), my photos have always...been unappealing, to say the least. I've never been able to take a good photograph...without the flash - until now.

This new camera takes excellent night photographs. In the future, I will take some pictures with my iPhone, Sony Cybershot and this new Canon to show a comparative analysis of the quality of night photos (without the flash).

Another feature that this camera offers (that others had not) is the ability to adjust the shutter speed. Why is this important? Well, if an object is moving, you want the shutter to snap shut as fast as possible to avoid any blur. In retrospect, if you have it open longer, you can come up with some great time-lapse photographs (see below).

Some tips for night photography:

1. Hold your camera still. As you shall see below, moving the camera while taking low-light photographs can be detrimental. Moving can also ruin a time-laps photograph, as well. If you are able to do so, I would recommend investing in a tripod (my next purchase).

2. Take multiple photographs. Taking more than one will allow for a greater selection.


This is the first time-lapse photograph I shot (with the Canon). I left the shutter open for thirty seconds and, while I thought I was being extremely still, it's quite apparent that moving even a millimeter or two can have a significant impact on the photograph.

This photograph is, in my opinion, much better; however, you can see that I moved - notice the stationary objects and how the images seem...well, I don't know the proper term for it, but I'll say - to have moved? I was not completely still.

This third photo is the best of all. I changed the timer on the shutter to ten seconds and held my breath - while the camera did not capture as many cars, I feel that it came out excellent. What do you think?

I've added a new camera to my collection!

When I began photographing in 2003 with my HP PhotoSmart digital camera, I was, by no means, a photographer. In fact, I wasn't even very interested in photography. The time I spent snapping photos was very limited.

 

In 2006, I found a great deal on a much more advanced Sony Cybershot, which had many more features and seemed more 'my style' in terms of what a camera should feel and operate like. My interest in photography increased exponentially.

That camera has provided (and will continue to provide) many quality images and has inspired me to take my photographic endeavors more seriously. 

 

Now that I have had years of experience and have taken thousands of photographs, I recently felt that it would be beneficial to upgrade to a newer and even more-advanced amateur camera, the Canon EOS Rebel T3. While spending a lot of money on any item has never been my modus operandi, Best Buy had a deal that was too good to pass up - what would normally be spent for just the camera body, I was able to purchase the body, two separate lenses two batteries, a charger and all of the photo-editing software (which I try to avoid using) for the same price. What a bargain!

While I must admit that this camera is going to be hard to adjust to due to a plethora of available features, I know that it was a great investment and I will use it very often.

While parking near the Pucher-LeMay building last winter, I snapped this photograph with my phone. Snapping exquisite photographs requires keeping an eye open for beauty in unexpected places.

Want to become a photographer? Take a look around you. There are so many subjects that are photo-worthy - the sky, trees, flowers, people, architecture - you name it, you can photograph it.

Want to become a good photographer?

Taking a photograph seems pretty easy-to-do nowadays. With the cost of point-and-shoot cameras being relatively low and camera phones being so commonplace, it seems as though any person can be a photographer.

What is it that makes someone a good photographer? Skill, dedication, and the willingness to wait for the right shot. Shooting an image at the right moment and patience are key attributes for this hobby or trade.

Some hints, tips and tricks to keep in mind:

An expensive camera and PhotoShop do not necessarily make you a good photographer. It is not always about the price of the camera that qualifies you to take 'good' photographs. On a personal note - I did not begin taking pictures with an overly-expensive camera and do not use PhotoShop to edit my pictures; further, my current camera is nearly five years old and takes excellent photos.

A new camera is not necessarily the best - especially now that web sites make it easy for people to sell their used items.

Consider a digital camera to one that requires film. Digital cameras allow the photographer to take many shots; in retrospect, undesirable photographs can easily be deleted from memory, whereas standard cameras that require film do not have that option. Additionally, film can be costly.

What about developing pictures using a digital camera? I don't have a photo printer!

Simple: many stores offer photo developing services. Simply upload your photographs via the Internet and, in most cases, they will be ready for pick-up from the store of your choice...or, you can have them mailed directly to you.

Off The Beaten Path II*

Work woes can get you down pretty quickly - the monotony and boredom, the environment in which most Americans spend about forty hours a week. When vacation time rolls around, you want to go somewhere exciting, enthralling and that is not overtly expensive. When it's grey and dreary in the winter months, the thoughts of warm weather cloud your brain. It's time to get out of town. You don't want to remain stagnant - sitting around in a hotel room can seem quite familiar when compared to the daily routine of sitting around in your typical office or cubicle-based work position. With the price of gasoline so high, a road trip can cost an arm and a leg; then, when you factor in food, hotel room costs and ways to stay entertained, an excursion seems...well, damn near out of the question.

We've all daydreamed about what Heave would be like. Imagine if your vacation getaway could be comparable to...Heaven! Picture it - sitting on a dun-deck by the pool, sipping a Long Island Iced Tea in your sunglasses while warm zephyrs caress your skin. Not your cup of tea (or Long Island Iced Tea)? You could always open toe door to your balcony and view mountains, wilderness and the flora and fauna of the Yukon - from the ocean.

The beauty, excitement and extravagance of nature is best seen from afar. If you're more of a hands-on type of person and don't wish to remain a recluse in your stateroom, cruise ships have various port-calls in which you can be given the opportunity to explore foreign islands, cultures and cuisine. Why fly and drive when you can relax on a ship and wake up in a new part of the world every day.

Cruise ships are floating palaces. With a variety of amenities and destinations possible, a stagnant vacation is out of the question. Whether you're wishing to visit the Caribbean, South America or even the Alaska coastline, there is a cruise package available for you. If you conduct an online search for 'cruises', you will notice that prices of cruise excursions are comparable to those of, say, four-star resort hotels.

While I have never partaken in the cruise experience, there are quite a few people that I know who have. Britanny Johanssen is no stranger to sailing away for vacations - she has spent over twelve weeks vacationing on these ludury liners. She says, "There is so much to do! I would live on a cruise ship if I had the option!"

Horseback riding, swimming, jet skiing, surfing, movies, gambling, live entertainment and dancing are just a few of the many activities that are available to passengers who embark on a typical cruise. Sure beats sitting in a hotel room or doing the same monotonous thing on a daily basis for the duration of your holiday, doesn't it? What about the kids? Good question. Most cruises have babysitting (formally called "children activities") where you can deposit your hellions, and they will be taken care of by trained, professional staff. Alone time is definitely an opportunity to be taken advantage of!

So, when you're feeling land-locked and in need of some excitement, don't worry! Think about the fun you could be having on an ocean-bound luxury liner! The sights, sand and sea will refresh even the most tired of souls. Before you attempt to engage in the mundane, hum-drum 'motel' vacation, it would be in your favor to explore the more exotic options - let your next getaway 'sail' be on a cruise ship! Bon voyage!


*This is another 'warm-up' piece.

Off The Beaten Path*

I met Dr. Katharine Boyes in August of last year - this short-statured, elegant British woman was my music appreciation professor. Her warm smile and tactful demeanor appealed to me - as did the fact that she kept the class interesting with her brilliant interactions and knowledge of music from around the world. 

Dr. Boyes' journey began as a child. In her hometown of Lee-on-the-Solent in southern England, she lived with her conservative family. They never traveled abroad on holiday to other parts of Europe. Her studies in music began early as she played the trumpet in grade school. Her prime musical instruments are her voice and the piano; despite familiarity with an array of other instruments, playing them would "be a strain...on the ears, as well."

Dr. Boyes studied under "the best piano teacher in the country" and, for this, says that she was extremely lucky. Her skill and abilities followed her opportunity to perform via the radio and led to her winning numerous awards and prizes while at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied Piano Performance. Upon graduating, she went on to teach at an all-girl's school. It was at this point in time when she read an article in the newspaper about a pianist with whom she competed against. The piece discussed his studies at the University of Illinois - it was this that intrigued her to think beyond her circumstances - and she began to wonder what it would be like to come to America...

While applying to graduate schools, a preference for a smaller institution led to her accepting a scholarship to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she received her Master's in Piano Performance. It was while residing in California that she had her first taste of one of the greatest American traditions of all time: Thanksgiving. She shared an apartment with an older single lady who was from Lake Tahoe in northern California and was invited by her for dinner with her aunt and uncle - and it was spectacular. The traditional meal was served - turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, rolls, cornbread - and it was enormous.

When she went home that December to visit her family, she decided to go to the store and purchase some of the items included in the feast - cornbread and the like. Upon arriving in England, she prepared the meal for her family, but distinctly remembers that her family was not too keen on the pumpkin pie.

In addition to having the opportunity to engage in November's traditional festivities, Dr. Boyes was able to live and work with students among many different cultures. While working in ensembles, various students brought with them their own perspectives of various musical pieces. Russian and Hungarian students with whom she worked interpreted some scores in a different way - and they showed her how they should be played to be worthy of respect, which excited her.

Upon completing her Master's, Dr. Boyes continued on to the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was awarded a scholarship to complete her Doctoral of Musical Arts. While there, she completed her thesis on Women in Music that portrayed seasons and months of the year. Upon completing her doctorate, she went on to work at Wake Forest, where she recorded a CD that incorporated the pieces included in her thesis. She then moved to the Triangle region with her husband and worked at UNC - Chapel Hill.

While the economy has effected numerous people in negative ways, its collapse can be thanked for Dr. Boyes' tenure at Wake Tech. Prior to teaching here, she was employed at North Carolina State University where she was charged with writing a degree curriculum for what was, at the time, to be a prospectively-implemented music program. In the first year of this five-year plan, she completed two programs; however, due to funding, the program was disbanded and, to her advantage, Wake Tech happened to be hiring.

Dr. Boyes began her career at Wake Tech as an adjunct. Two years ago, she was offered a full-time position, which she welcomed with open arms. When asked about the greatest rewards of being able to teach at a smaller school, she told me that "universities have specific ways...(I) did not realize the constraint prior to working here." The demographics of the student body of Wake Tech, as well as the fact that the administration supports her endeavors, add to the pros. Dr. Boyes expressed that she "can make unique, special touches" to the music program here; she can also "do a variety of things" and has the freedom to be creative in her teaching style as compared to being constricted to a pre-created syllabus, like positions she had held prior.

As you may already be aware, music can play a major role in the learning process. Dr. Boyes agrees that music can have a profound effect on one's ability to learn and recognizes the connections between math and music, in particular - "music teaches discipline; practice teaches young children responsibility and parents encourage their children to improve." She continues by stating that you should be very open-minded in the selection of music you study, you shouldn't pigeon-hole yourself to one single style or genre of music, depending on where your interests take you. By doing this, you'll be able to appreciate music on a variety of different levels - and, of course, you should "practice all of the time - never be satisfied that you are the best that you can be - you should always want to do better."

*: While it is quite apparent that my blog is about photography, you are probably asking why this piece is here...consider this a practice piece that I have written to get into the mindset of writing. There may be a few of these from time to time. Consider this a warm-up exercise!