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Zoom link to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84845821873?pwd=WUh5d21tOFZMbHVDU3UyUDRKL292QT09
You can find out more about the Hunterdon County Camera on their website. Hope to see you there!
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THAT'S BIG!
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In the lobby of the Empire State Building Summer 2019
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I just returned from my second trip to the amazing city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East. Like last year, this year I got to travel to the U.A.E. with the World Class - and Guinness World Record holder - Fireworks by Grucci®. As an Official Photographer for the company I was there photographing their World Record breaking New Year's Eve Fireworks Performance on Al Marjan Island. After my New Year's Eve show duties for the company were completed, I spent about one week on my own photographing Dubai and the surrounding area.
I did a long blog post last year after my first visit to Dubai and much of what I experienced last year applies to this trip so I won't repeat it all here. What made this year a little different was 1) I had a definite travel itinerary. Last year, due to a major snow storm which closed much of the Northeast to air travel, I spent almost an entire week in limbo regarding when I would finally be able to return to the US. While I made the most of the extra time in Dubai, to say it was a little stressful not knowing when I would be heading home is an understatement! 2) This year I got to visit the neighboring Emirate (Province) of Abu Dhabi to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. I had wanted to travel there last year but the timing didn't allow, so I was very excited to get to go this time. Referred to by some as the New Taj Mahal, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is truly a sight to behold. Constructed on more than 30 acres it includes a 180,000 sq ft inner courtyard and four 350 ft minarets. The inner courtyard, in particular, is truly magnificent with its in-laid floral design and is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world. Hopefully the photos that follow do this amazing place of worship justice. You can see all the photos from this year's trip here.
While I would certainly welcome return visits to Dubai in future years, visiting such a World-Class City has whet my appetite for other photo adventures to places like Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and more! Stay tuned for more travel news from me!
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Let us know what you think!
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I'm also including below my first person account (which I prepared for the HuffPost piece) of photographing this particular storm for anyone who might be interested in how I do what I do. Scroll down to read more. You can see all the photos from the storm here.
MY FIRST PERSON ACCOUNT OF CHASING A NEW YORK CITY STORM
As a New York City photographer, I have the privilege of seeing all side of the Big Apple. One thing most people don’t realize is Manhattan is prime real estate for more than just skyscrapers – it is one of the best places to Storm Chase in the world.
All day Tuesday I was tracking the weather. A massive front with severe thunderstorms was headed directly for NYC. As the front approached, I packed up my gear and headed off the Jersey City waterfront. This is a prime location since the Freedom Tower and other high-rises in the area are literally lightning rods for the storm’s fury. At first, I was greeted by a barrage of wind and rain. The lightning seemed sparse. But as I track the storm on the weather app on my phone, something BIG was headed my way!
One of the big challenges is just keeping my equipment dry and the lens clear. I cover all my gear in plastic when storm chasing (I am also covered in plastic!) but periodically I have to stop shooting to clean the lens. Like a NASAR pit stop, I only have seconds to get the job done lest I miss out on the action.
Soon the lighting was upon the city. The World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) takes massive hits every time there’s a storm. This night, there would only be two direct strikes. But in a storm last year, I recorded eleven (11) strikes in one night!. Also because I am so close to Lower Manhattan, the thunder clap that follows one of these strikes is deafening! Ear plugs are definitely a photographer’s best friend!
The main front soon passed but I had a feeling it was worth hanging around a little longer to see what developed. Sunset was at 8:06PM and I know from experience that sometimes, if the front is well defined enough (and in this case it was), as the back end clears western New Jersey, the setting sun can shoot right underneath the storm clouds and light up Manhattan like a golden torch. The glass and metal structures of Manhattan become illuminated with another worldly glow of orange, red and yellow.
But not only I was I hoping for a nicely illuminated skyline. I also know from experience that when the sunset follows the rain storm close enough, there is a chance we’ll get a rainbow. I have seen several of these the past few years and they are AMAZING.
Just then I noticed the orange glow on Lower Manhattan. It steadily built until the towers were gleaming brightly under the setting sun. The sky also began to turn orange and the entire area took on a beautiful warm glow.
I was frantically trying to capture it all with my camera. I was still raining a little, a good sign for a potential rainbow I thought. Then I raised my eye from my camera and looked to the south. There is was: the faint glimmer of a rainbow. My excitement swelled as right before my eyes the rainbow grew larger by the second. Within a minute it has completed enclosed the City in a dome. Everyone around me grew silent. We were awe struck at the sight. Like a protective capsule, my heart swelled as the City was bathed in a warm, serene flood of sun light and a gorgeous double rainbow!
I could only admire this breathtaking scene for a moment - I had to remind myself I was there to take pictures and I know from experience rainbows like this only last for a few minutes. So I went back to snapping away.
New York City is many things to many people. To me, I find beauty in the architecture, in the history and in the people. And this day, I also found the power of nature transform the Big Apple into a magical golden jewel of peace and beauty.
You can see all the photos from the storm here.
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Excited to announce that I will be the Featured Guest Speaker at Sharon Tenenbaum's and Rick Hulbert's 2018 Fine Art Architectural Photography Workshop. The workshop runs from Sept. 28-30, 2018, in New York City. I will be sharing some of my New York City full moon photos, including tips and techniques on how you can "shoot for the moon" in your own NYC photos. There's still time to sign up for this amazing three day event and participants from all over the world are welcome. Please visit Sharon's website for more information.
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I recently returned from nearly two weeks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and wanted to share my experience with my readers. First off, a big “Thank You” to Fireworks by Grucci® for making the trip possible. I recently started working with them and was very excited to find out I would be making my first trip to the Middle East. Grucci was attempting a new Guinness World Record on New Year’s Eve at Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven Arab Emirates that make up the UAE, and is a little over one hour away from Dubai. So after the work at Al Marjan Island was complete, I was going to spend a couple of days on my own in Dubai. I’m happy to say the New Year’s Eve show was a huge success and Fireworks by Grucci® and Al Marjan Island now jointly hold the Guinness World Record for the Largest Aerial Fireworks Shell. You can read more about this stunning achievement on my blog.
As most of you probably know, I love photographing New York City, especially night. So the prospect of photographing a world class city like Dubai was really quite exciting. I had heard and seen amazing things about it and knew it would be a photographer’s dream. But first I had to get there!
The flight from New York is approximately 14 hours. That, along with a nine hour time change, created some trepidation for me. While I can generally handle long flights, losing nearly a full day due to the time change was an unknown. Initially my sense of excitement helped carry me past the fatigue but eventually it did catch up with me and when the fireworks were over (literally and figuratively), I needed a couple of days to crash.
The UAE, being in the Middle East, is a desert climate. Winters tend to be very mild. While I was there, temps ranged from the low 60’s at night to the mid 70’s-80’s during the day. There was even a relatively rare, large rainstorm that moved through one night during my visit which created some localized flooding. Contrast this with summer in Dubai: Temperatures can get as high as 120 F degrees with very high humidity. No one I met had anything good to say about the UAE’s weather in the summer!
Weather back home also came into play during my trip. The morning I was supposed to return to the US, a huge winter storm hit the East Coast, cancelling my flight and many others. JFK was closed for nearly 48 hours creating a huge international backlog of air traffic. As a result, it was six days before I could get another flight home. At first it was a little upsetting, especially because the information as to what was happening in New York was slow to come through. But once I saw that my home town had gotten 15 inches of snow and was being hit with record-breaking Arctic temperatures, I was happy to be in the warm, sunny embrace of the Middle East.
Modern Dubai is a relatively new city. Since the 1960’s, the forward-thinking government there has had a grand vision to make the city a world class destination for tourism, banking, aviation and real estate. And for the most part, they have achieved their goals. Dubai has a reputation as a top international destination and everyone I told I was going was very excited for me. Its futuristic skyline is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. At 2,717 feet, the Burj Khalifa is an absolute masterpiece of design and held great interest for me as a photographer. (For my New York City friends, the Burj Khalifa is nearly as tall as the World Trade Center plus Empire State Building combined!) There’s also a 12 lane highway and a modern monorail train system that run right through the center of the city. And Dubai’s skyline continues to grow and change - everyplace I looked there were new construction projects, many being manned around the clock. Dubai seems to be in a race to outdo itself, and I can only imagine what the city will look like in ten years from now.
Culturally-speaking, Dubai is a modern Arab state. Many Emirati citizens wear traditional Muslim clothing, and several times a day (during prayer times) the air is filled with beautiful Islamic chants played over loudspeakers across the city. That said, Dubai has a huge immigrant population (mostly from India and Southeast Asia) that outsize’s the native Arabic citizens four to one. The city itself also has a distinctly Western feel: almost everyone speaks English and all the road signs and most commercial advertising are in Arabic and English (and sometimes only English). The streets of Dubai are filled with the same automobile brands we have in the US and the city has whole-heartedly embraced the Western ideal of high-end retail shopping. The Dubai Mall - the world’s largest - occupies nearly six million square feet and welcomes more than 80 million shoppers a year. It has 1,200+ retail stores, include flagship luxury brands Valentino, Gucci, Chanel, Guess, Ralph Lauren and more. It took me nearly 25 minutes to walk from one end to the other!
That said, what impressed me most about Dubai was the warmth and friendliness of the people. There were several instances where I asked a local for some kind of assistance – driving directions, food purchases, etc. Whether they were native Arabs or one of the many different immigrant groups, the people I met were all very helpful, friendly and welcoming.
One particularly wonderful person was fellow photographer Ihsan Salhia. I found Ihsan on Instagram a few weeks prior to my trip and reached out to him once I knew I was coming. He ended up helping out on the New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Al Marjan Island, and then showed me around Dubai during my visit. A great photographer and a kind, generous person, please check out Ihsan’s work on Instagram and Facebook.
My time in Dubai was initially supposed to only be 2 ½ days. The plan was to cram as much photography in as I could during that time. But when the weather in New York turned for the worst it was really a blessing as I was able to take full advantage of the City. Without that weather delay I would have ended up missing a whole lot. Ihsan got us access to several rooftops around the city during my extended stay and all I can say is the view of Dubai from 50+ stories up is truly breathtaking!
I’ll let my photos do the rest of the talking. You can see the entire Dubai Collection here. Again, I want to thank Fireworks by Grucci® for this wonderful opportunity to travel to Dubai, and also thank Ihsan and all the other wonderful people I met for their warm hospitality and welcoming smiles.
And thanks to you, my readers, for taking the time to go on this little journey with me. Please feel free to share this post and don’t forget to post your comments on my adventure!
Until we meet again, thank you Dubai for a wonderful - and wonder-filled - couple of weeks! All the best!
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IT’S OFFICIAL! Fireworks by Grucci® is the new Guinness World Record Holder for the Largest Aerial Firework shell. As the finale of this year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show on Al Marjan Island in the Ras Al Khaimah UAE, Grucci successfully launched a 55 inch 2,400 lb firework shell. The shell obtained a launch height of more than 2,000 feet and burst diameter of 3,300 feet. This shattered the previous record which was less than ½ this size and weight. Realizing the World Record was result of a strong collaboration between Grucci and Al Marjan Island. It was very exciting to witness this monumental achievement and play a small part in documenting the event. Special thanks to Fireworks by Grucci® for making it possible for me to attend. It’s hard to judge the scale of the World Record Shell from this image, but if you look towards the lower left portion of the image you can see viewing area and award podium. This thing was massive! The first part of the show also included an impressive end to end fireworks performance covering the entire four mile length of the Island. All in all it was a very exciting night! Congrats to Fireworks by Grucci® and Al Marjan Island for this wonderful success! Special thanks to my fellow photographers Lauren Grucci and Benny Migliorino. You can watch Benny's video of this historic event here: https://youtu.be/h62_RVLEZzs Check out all Benny’s work on his website: http://www.bennymigsphoto.com/ and Lauren's work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgrucci/
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NOTE: THIS BOOK IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE - I AM SEEKING A NEW PUBLISHER AND WILL UPDATE MY WEBSITE WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE
Excited to announce publication of my first book, "New York City Nights - Book 1". It is an 8.5" x 11" hard-cover book containing more than 70 of my favorite photos on 120 pages. The book is divided into four sections: "Manhattan Skyline," "Lunar City," "Bridges of NYC" and "Stormy Weather." Most importantly, it's full color bleed with most of the photos presented in two page spreads (see photos below).
On "Being Bigger Than I Think I Am"
But the book is about more than just my NYC pictures. In the Introduction, I reveal that when I first started working as a photographer full time in 2009, I was riddled with fear and self-doubt. I had degrees in economics, law and business, but absolutely no formal training in art or photography. This conspired to rob me of my self-confidence and thus it was a very long time before I could show my work publicly. At one point I realized the problem was not "out there"; rather it was inside my own mind. It was my own negative thoughts and beliefs about myself that were holding me back. So with the help of some trusted friends, I began to work on seeing myself differently. And as I saw myself differently, slowly new actions followed. I started to post my photos on Social Media and submit my work to contests and exhibitions. I even started doing cold calling for my headshot and commercial photography businesses. The fact that I was always expecting rejection and disappointment made these things were very difficult. But I kept at it and slowly things started to change. I still remember how utterly shocked I was when I won my first award in a little art exhibition on Long Island. I was certain they had made a mistake and the ribbon was supposed to go to someone else. The more I stuck with, the more things happened. First one award, then two, then five and so on. But there was also lots of stuff that didn't happen - some major failures, rejections and disappointments. These were (and still are at times) very hard to deal with. However, I see now what defines my career is not how I handle the successes; but rather, how I handle the disappointments. I'm beginning to see that everyone has to deal with setbacks - often, the most successful people seem to have had the biggest challenges in life. What differentiates them is they don't quit in the face of those challenges. I've heard more than one very successful person say the reason they've succeeded is not because they are so talented - it's because they never gave up. So that's the message I hope to share in publishing this book. That in order to get where we want to be in life, many of us have to be "bigger than we think we are". We have to overcome those negative voices that say we're not good enough, and then muster the courage to move forward even when it seems like things aren't working out. My goal is to inspire myself and others to pursue our dreams even when faced with failure or disappointment. That means being courageous and taking action every day towards our vision, and equally important, forgiving ourselves on the days we don't. There is no guarantee of success in life. But there is one guarantee of failure - and that's if we give up.
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And of course dozens of artists like myself will be selling our art. My table will be located at 1544 Main St, Rahway, NJ 07065, in front of the brand new Meridia Lafayette apartment complex. Please come out to say hello and enjoy the festival. You can message me for details and find out more information about this year's Culture Crawl on ww.culturecrawl.org. Hope to see you there!
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But the best thing that happened was on the last night of my stay in Colombia. I was out shooting with the gentleman who did the live translation for some of my talks along with his wife. They are amateur photographers and after hearing me say I was looking for someone to drive me around Cartagena to take pictures, they very generously volunteered. It was nighttime and we were at a distant location away from the colleges. I was helping them with various camera settings and so on. While we were there, a group of young college age men sat down near where we were shooting. After about ten minutes, one of the young men came over and said “I know who you are. You’re that American who is visiting this week talking about your photography.” I was a little surprised he recognized me but after he recounted several points of my talk in great detail, I thought he had attended one of my lectures. I was about to ask him if he had enjoyed the conference when he said he had not been there - it was a friend that told him all about me and my photography. He said his friend was telling everyone about me because I had totally inspired him to pursue his own passion for photography and to live a creative life. I was blown away. I couldn’t believe that someone would be telling their friends about me, especially in such detail. It felt amazing to know that I had made a difference in at least one person’s life while I was there. I'm really happy I was able to go to Colombia and grateful to the Colegio Mayor De Bolivar for inviting me to speak at this year’s conference.
I'm also really happy I was able to take some photos of the beautiful City of Cartagena, Colombia while I was there. You can see all those photos here.
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On Monday, August 21, 2017, the US experienced its first total solar eclipse since 1979. I was just a kid 1979, but I vaguely remember the excitement surrounding the event. I think we viewed the eclipse through a pinhole in a shoebox. Cut to 2017. I am no longer a kid, we have cardboard eclipse viewing glasses, and I am a professional photographer.
A few months before the eclipse, my good friend Neeti Kumthekar, who is also a photographer (check out her Instagram page), told me she was going to shoot it. I was a bit lukewarm on the idea because I didn’t really appreciate how spectacular an eclipse could be. I also had no idea how to photograph one. But she had planted a seed so I decided to find out more. It turns out there are a lot of challenges associated with photographing an eclipse. It requires a special filter on the front of the lens to block the sun’s rays from damaging your camera and your eyes. It also requires anticipating transitions in the moon’s location during the eclipse and quickly switching between camera settings. You also had to be able to track the sun and moon for over two hours as the eclipse progresses. And finally – despite the event being over two hours long, I would only have 2 ½ minutes during the Totality to capture those amazing one-of-a-kind shots of the sun’s corona. Sound a little daunting?
Once I got the technical stuff together, we had to figure out where to be to get the shots we wanted. Once again I have to credit my friend Neeti. During an eclipse, the moon casts a shadow on the Earth. To get the best photos, you have to be in the Zone of Totality - the 70 mile wide patch where the moon’s shadow would block out the sun entirely. (For everyone outside the Zone of the Totality, the eclipse would be partial.)
On the East Coast, prime viewing was down in South Carolina. Neeti’s son goes to school in Clemson, S.C., and it just so happened Clemson was right along the path of Totality. Neeti and her husband would be moving their son into school that weekend, and that they had an extra hotel room. (This was fortuitous since hotel rooms anywhere along the path of the eclipse were booked months in advance.)
After a 12+ hour drive from New Jersey with another photographer friend, we arrived in Clemson Sunday night and planned our strategy for the next day. We ended up having a group of six photographers and it was great fun to be with friends while shooting this event.
The first part of the eclipse (before the Totality) would last about 1 hour 15 mins. At a little after 1PM, we saw the initial incursion of the moon upon the sun. It was amazing to watch as the moon took larger and larger “bites” out of the sun as the eclipse progressed. We all quickly got into a rhythm of taking shots to track the progression. But at about the 30 minute mark we had a problem: clouds. My mind immediately went to a negative place. I feared the weeks of planning and preparation would be lost because of the weather. My friends and I do a lot of full moon shooting over New York City at night and so are familiar with having a shot ruined by clouds. But at least with the full moon you get a chance to get the shot every month. With an eclipse it would be years before I’d get another chance if this one didn’t work out. (The next total eclipse in the US is in 2024.)
I tried to stay positive, but when the clouds got a little worse, I decided to take a break. It was well over 100 degrees and quite humid in South Carolina that day so I went to get some water. When I came out from under the tent and looked up, the sun was still shrouded in clouds. In an attempt to not to let the negative feelings get the better of me, I returned to my camera and starting taking photos as if there were no clouds in the sky. I am happy to say that within a few minutes the sky began to clear, and in a short time the clouds were a non-issue.
With the clouds out of the way, I turned my attention back to tracking the moon’s movement and noticed the it was now taking quite a large bite out of the sun. I also noticed it was getting darker and darker on the ground. At a certain point, we became aware of a strange clicking sound coming from across the field. As my friends and I exchanged puzzled looks, I overhead someone nearby identify the sound as crickets. Because of the loss of daylight, the crickets thought it was night and time to come out! (I have to say those Southern crickets must be a whole lot bigger than what we have up North because this was the loudest - and strangest - cricket noise I’ve ever heard!) While hearing crickets in the middle of the day was weird and cool, nothing compared to what was about to happen next…
“Totality” is the point of perfect alignment of the moon inside the sun. As I watched the crescent shape of the sun get thinner and thinner in my photos, I knew we were just a few minutes from entering Totality. Right before the moon transitioned to completely blocking the sun, we had to remove the protective filter from the front of our lenses. This was the only way to capture the “Diamond Ring” effect, which is the final burst of light from the sun before it is completely covered. This is also the point when the sun’s otherwise faint corona can finally be seen. But this was a tricky maneuver since if you went too early you could damage your camera. I also had to radically change my camera settings to compensate for the loss of the dark solar filter (think welding mask dark).
I have to admit I did fumble a bit at this crucial moment and ended up with a couple of very overexposed shots. But I managed to recover pretty quickly and get a couple of shots of the Diamond Ring before it completely disappeared.
But this was not the craziest part of entering Totality. What really surprised me is that it suddenly got much darker. Whereas up until now we had been experiencing a kind of gradual transition from day to night, now all of a sudden we “popped” into much greater darkness. Like any object placed in front of an intense light source, during an eclipse the moon casts a very well-defined shadow across the face of the Earth. I realized later that reason it got so dark all of a sudden was that the leading edge of the moon’s shadow had just crossed over our location on the ground. Woah!!! How cool is that!!
I remembered that during the Totality you can see stars in the sky. At that moment I looked up and sure enough many of the brighter stars were visible. I drank that in for a moment and then my eyes then drifted off into the distance where I noticed an orange glow just above the horizon. It looked almost like a sunset. Problem is, I was looking South (the sun normally sets in the West) and it was only 2PM (the sun normally sets around 8PM this time of year). It turns out that during Totality the edges of the Zone of Totality can take on a dusk-like orange glow. What was wild was that there appeared to be two sunsets at the same time - one to the South and another one to the North. Now my head was really spinning!
But I couldn’t spin for long: I needed to get back to taking photos! We only had two minutes 36 seconds to capture the most amazing photos of my life.
For about the next minute I snapped photo after photo. But at a certain point I thought I should stop shooting and just experience what was happening. First thing I noticed was how intensely quiet it had gotten. Everyone had stopped talking and was just absorbing this amazing experience (I realized later even the crickets had stopped chirping during the Totality!)
I also have to admit it was a little eerie to experience darkness in the middle of the day. I can see now why ancient civilizations would be freaked out when an eclipse hit. On August 21st we knew the eclipse was coming and yet it was still kind of crazy to experience it firsthand. I can’t imagine what is was like for ancient peoples to lose daylight and not have a clue why. Realizing there was no way they could know what to make of all this, I laughed at the thought that I, too, would haul a few thousand granite boulders up a hill to build a temple if I thought it would keep this $hit from happening again!
Yet even in the midst of this intense silence and strange eeriness, the whole thing was totally awesome and awe-inspiring for me. I was experiencing something very special.
During Totality you can look up directly at the sun without glasses. When I did, I was completely amazed to see a black hole in the center of the sun. It’s hard to put to words how strange this was. My whole life I had experienced nothing but intense brightness when glancing toward the sun. Now I was staring right at it and could see - with my naked eye - a pitch black darkness at its center. This alone was a totally unbelievable experience.
It was also totally unbelievable to see the sun’s corona in the photos I was taking. Normally invisible due the brightness of the sun, the corona is the outer-most layer of the sun’s atmosphere. The sun is a huge atomic furnace, constantly pumping material far out into space. The whispy tendrils of the corona were now totally visible in my photos. While the sun’s corona is still a mystery to many scientists, it was an immensely awesome and beautiful sight to see right on the back of my camera.
While the rest of us were shooting, Neeti’s husband, Girish, was periodically calling out the remaining time of the Totality. So much was happening so fast that when he said the first minute had passed, I remember thinking “How could that be?” It felt like it had been an hour since the Totality had begun. When he got to less 30 seconds remaining, I kind of snapped back to reality and prepared for the exit from Totality. I knew I only had a few seconds to replace the solar filter that would save camera - and my eyes - from the sun’s damaging rays.
It was about this time that perhaps the most incredible thing of the entire day happened. I mentioned earlier that we more or less popped into darkness at the beginning of Totality when the leading edge of the moon’s shadow crossed overhead. Well now, out of the corner of my eye off in the distance, I saw something racing towards us. I wasn’t sure about what I was seeing until later, but it turns out it was the trailing edge of the moon’s shadow streaking over us. It took only a fraction of a second to pass, but it was the most intense thing ever. I had to resist the temptation to duck – that’s how visceral it was.
After the shadow passed, the air was filled with spontaneous cheers and applause from all around us. I don’t know if anyone realized that moon’s shadow had just passed overhead, but the intensity of the applause made it clear everyone knew that something amazing had just happened.
I exchanged “high-fives” with some of my friends and we all agreed it was an incredible thing we had just witnessed. And yet I also knew this meant the Totality was over and things would be winding down for the next hour or so. For me it was bitter-sweet: I felt a little sad that the eclipse was now almost over, and yet, there was also a profound sense of exhilaration at what we just experienced. I knew in my heart this was a life changing event for me.
For the next hour or so, I completed my self-assigned task of photographing the eclipse. Compared to the excitement of when the eclipse first began, my friends and I were mostly silent now. As I looked around, I noticed that the other people near the lake had already returned to their normal activities – swimming, boating, etc. I was struck by how quickly life moves on. By the time we finished shooting, except for a stack of disposable eclipse viewing glasses sticking out of a nearby trash can, you’d be hard pressed to tell that anything out of the ordinary had happened at all.
My friends and I packed up our gear and said our good-byes. Right afterwards, I fantasized about flying around the world chasing eclipses. Yet I also knew my life back in New Jersey was waiting for me. Still, this amazing event had changed me in some way. I felt larger, more expanded. It’s hard to put the feelings into words other than to say it was “freakin’ awesome”!
Of course one of the great things about being a photographer is that I get to share my pictures with others and see their reactions. The response on social media to my solar eclipse photos has been “out of this world”! (Pun intended.) It has been incredibly gratifying to see how people appreciate the beauty and awesomeness of the eclipse. Sharing my photos in general gives me the ability to take other people along on my journey. The joy of sharing my experiences is a big reason I do what I do.
So I’d like to thank you for coming with me on this particular journey. I hope you enjoy all the photos and consider owning one for yourself. Signed, Limited Edition prints are available for purchase. Contact me for details.
And thanks again to my friend Neeti Kumthekar (and her husband Girish) for arranging the South Carolina eclipse shoot. Check out Neeti’s amazing photos on Instagram @neetikumthekar .
See all my photos from this Collection here.
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From David’s website:
David Jacobson makes hand-blown and kiln-formed glass utilizing contemporary designs based in the Venetian tradition. Jacobson makes brightly colored functional objects, such as bowls, glasses, vases and platters, and also sculptural objects.
"I employ contemporary colors with classical forms to create a unique expression in each piece. Texture and vibrant color combinations are vital; my pieces are meant to be touched and explored as well as viewed. For me, making glass is an honor.”
Born and raised in New York, Jacobson graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he first studied glassblowing. He has since studied with Lino Tagliapietra, Elio Quarisa, Jiri Harcuba, Davide Salvadore as well as other leading glass artists. His work may be found in major collections, galleries, and shops around the country."
My interview with my friend:
1. Please introduce yourself
I was born and raised in White Plains, New York, a suburb of New York City. I have always been artistic, drawing and sketching and getting in trouble with it all throughout school. Fortunately, I was able to transform that doodling into a career as a professional cartoonist, freelancing as well as on staff for 18 years with a Gannett newspaper in White Plains.
2. How long have you been doing glass blowing and what got you started?
I first saw glassblowing my freshman year of college, and I knew that that was what I really wanted to do. So, I graduated from U of Minnesota in 1977 with a B.A. in glass, promptly quit, and began my cartooning career. I resumed in 1994, while working at the paper. I would drive to Brooklyn, NY after work and on weekends to rent time in a public-access studio called Urban Glass. I took classes there, as well as at the Corning Museum of Glass. I’ve been glassblowing ever since.
3. Who or what inspires your art?
I’ve been inspired by all sorts of glass artists, and mainly Italian glass. It is beautifully intricate, finely crafted, well designed and never-ending in its ability to amaze me. I’m also inspired by textiles, animal markings, and nature. I love my glass to have texture to it, as well as being pleasing to view.
4. What's ahead for you as an artist?
I have recently started carving glass to make sculptures, having learned this technique at The Corning Museum of Glass this past January. I am continuing that study this summer in Prague, where I will take a week-long class in this whole other way of working, called cold-working. It is not with blown glass but with large masses of glass that have already been cooled down. I am really excited about the possibilities.
5. How can people get in touch with you?
Please visit my website www.davidjacobsonglass.com or you can reach me by phone 914 715 6848 or email [email protected]
In addition to being a master glassblower, David teaches glassblowing and runs a small B&B in his home adjacent to his studio for people who like an extended experience. He welcomes individuals and corporate clients and can accommodate up to six people at a time in his glass studio. Please check out his website to get more information and to book a visit. Also please “Like” his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheDavidJacobsonGlass/
David Jacobson: YOU INSPIRE ME!
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He recently placed second in the sculpture category at the Works in Wood National Juried Exhibition, and was a Best in Historic Category at The New Jersey State History Fair Art Exhibition. His paintings have been accepted in the Monmouth Museum's International Exhibition, the American Watercolor Society's Annual International Exhibition in New York City and the American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition in New York City. His work has been featured twice in The New York Times and today he is a highly sought after demonstrator, judge and lecturer.
This is what Jack has to say about his work:
“Although I’ve been drawing and painting all my life, I was also a former systems engineer for Bell Labs. I embrace the technical challenges that different media present to me. My art is all about satisfying my personal aesthetic -- it doesn’t have to tell a story, it doesn’t have to accurately capture a scene, it doesn’t have to have a deeper meaning – it just has to look good! And when I say good, I mean a design that pulls in the shapes, colors and textures that visually please me. Every piece of artwork I produce comes from my imagination – beginning with a white piece of paper and nothing else – even for realistic work. I conjure up a design and some textures and then figure out how I might lace them together – sometimes it takes on the form of real objects, sometimes not. Although I do a lot of work on wood (because I love to use the grain as a design element), I am beginning to explore the use of metal and other found objects to drop into new designs.”
On a personal note, in addition to enjoying his unique and thought-provoking art, I would like to thank Jack for his commitment to the New Jersey Arts Association (formerly Millburn-Short Hills Arts Center). He’s not only an active exhibiting member, but he is also a great asset through all the service he does for the group. Much appreciated Mr. Quinn!
When Jack is not at home in Morris Plains, NJ with his family, he can be found roaming the regional countryside in search of raw materials and/or subject matter for his next project. Feel free to visit his web site at www.jackquinnart.com or e-mail Jack at [email protected]
Jack Quinn: You Inspire Me!
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You can watch the video here:
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LINDEN, NJ - I recently had an opportunity to take my first helicopter ride over New York City. Actually it was my first helicopter ride ever. I have been photographing New York City from ground level (or slightly above) for several years now and I love the NYC skyline at night. So when my friend and fellow photographer Jennifer Khordi told me about Heliflights Helicopter Tours, I jumped at the chance. Honestly I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I didn’t really have a fear of flying but it had been many years since I been in anything other than a car when it came to transportation. Heck, I can’t even remember my last amusement park ride.
As the day approached, my anticipation built. The plan was to take off right around sunset to catch the City lights coming up. We arrived at the Linden, NJ airport, headquarters for Heliflights, and were greeted by Jeff Vicente. Jeff is the chief pilot and co-owner of Heliflights and would be taking us up that night. We discussed the landmarks we wanted to see – Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, World Trade Center, Mid-town, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Jeff assured us we could get everything during the 45 min flight.
ALL ABOARD!!
After a brief safety overview, we donned our life vests, secured our camera gear and headed out to greet the chopper. Even though it was April, it had been a cold, windy day and the evening was turning out to be even colder. This would be important later since we had made the decision to fly with the doors off. “Doors Off” means just that – no doors on the rear of the Helicopter. We chose no doors to avoid glare on the inside of the windows that would result from flying at night. Anyway, filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation I had not experienced in years, we got strapped in and moments later we were airborne.
I will say the first few minutes were a little unsettling. Jeff and his co-pilot were obviously very skilled and the take-off was quite smooth. But it did take a few minutes to adjust to the fact we were essentially floating on air. Definitely different than flying in a plane, but once we were underway the adjustment was pretty quick. And by the time New York City came into view (Linden Airport is seven minutes by air from the City) I almost completely forgot any uneasy feelings and really began to enjoy the ride.
NEW YORK HARBOR AND STATUE OF LIBERTY
Since we were coming from the South, the first thing we saw was New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. What an awesome feeling! The Statue is one of my favorite photographic subjects and now here we were approaching Her from an angle I had only seen on television. Jeff took us around the Statue twice – once so I could get some shots out of the right side and once so Jennifer could get them on the left. (He would repeat this with all the major landmarks to be sure we both had an opportunity to get great photos.)
After the Statue of Liberty we set our sights on Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center. At that point I began to notice just how cold and windy it was in the back of the helicopter. Without the doors, the air was rushing in at a good 60-70 mph. This created two problems: first it was hard to steady the camera for good clear shots. Imagine trying to hold your camera steady in a hurricane. Second, it soon became hard to see since my eyes were tearing up from the wind. Eventually I figured out how to prop my body against the inside of the helicopter to steady my shots. And after a while my eyes adjusted and I had less of a hard time seeing. But next time I’ll take swimmers goggles with me to protect my eyes from the wind.
WORLD TRADE CENTER
By this time the lights of New York City were visible. Before I knew it, we were eye-to-eye with the observation deck of the new World Trade Center. Another one of my favorite photographic subjects, the building formerly known as "The Freedom Tower" shone like the beacon of hope it was intended to be. I had to stop shooting just for an instant to take it all in. Due to air traffic restrictions we were not allowed to circle the World Trade Center so quickly moved on to our next location, Mid-Town.
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
In the distance, I could see the Empire State Building. Having grown up in the New York City area, this building always fascinated me. I think I have more photos of it than anything else in my portfolio. As we approached, I could see the lights were red, white and blue. We found out later this was to celebrate the US Olympic Committee. (For those who don’t know, the Empire State Building lights are different most nights – the colors are meant to commemorate various notable events and organizations.) Jeff ended up doing four circles around this legendary structure – two to the right for me and two to the left for Jennifer. At one point we were so close I felt like I could reach out and touch the spire. Just awesome! Once again I had to stop shooting for a moment to take in the sheer beauty of what I was seeing. I felt very blessed indeed.
EAST RIVER
Soon we were on the move again, first doing laps around the Chrysler Building and then down the East River to the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Even though I had seen many pictures of NYC from the sky, there was something different about experiencing these beautiful landmarks from above in person. Being used to the hustle and bustle of the City streets, there was a magical quality to being so high up above it all. Jeff slowed his craft as we got to the Bridges letting us take in the scene below. Even at more than 100 years old, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge are both breathtaking structures. It was also a little crazy to see my feet dangling off the side of the helicopter, 1,500 feet above the streets below, with nothing but a seatbelt to hold me in. After a quick circle around the Bridges and Lower Manhattan, we were headed back out to the Harbor. A bonus loop around the Statue of Liberty and we were on our way back to Linden Airport.
Moments later, the ride of a lifetime was over and we were back on the ground.
"DID YOU SEE.... !!!"
The other thing I want to mention is that it’s very loud up there. Even with headsets on, it was difficult to communicate. So other than pointing and occasionally poking each other, Jennifer and I had not been able to speak during the entire flight. Which meant once the engine shut down and the headsets came off, there was a lot of “Did you see the…” “Were you able to get the….” “I couldn’t believe how beautiful the… was,” etc. After almost 45 minutes of exchanging notes like that, it was time to head out. Jeff and his crew had been gracious hosts and I was grateful to Jennifer for including me on this trip. As I made my way home, I kept going back to the beautiful scenes I just witnessed. Also, the adrenaline was still going so it would be hours before I would finally fall asleep. All in all it was an evening to remember.
Do you have any doubt that I will be doing this again real soon? I don’t…
You can see all the photos from my flight here. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in taking a flight, I am arranging another one real soon and would enjoy the company. Thanks HeliFlights for an amazing night!
I wanted to share the story behind this photo since there seems to be some misconception about the amount of time and energy that is needed to pull something like this off. The short answer is, these shots don't just happen. This particular shot was planned at least two months in advance. I have to consult the tools that I have to show me the phase of the moon (e.g., crescent, full, new, etc), along with the location and elevation of the moon rise or set, as well as its alignment with objects/landmarks on the ground. The reality is, there is only one place and time where everything lines up perfectly to get a photo like this. I have - if I am lucky - a 10 minute window to capture such an image, although the precise alignment happens for only a few seconds. So everything had to be made ready in advance for that one moment in time.
This was second attempt in as many days to get the shot. The first attempt the night before was thwarted by clouds on the horizon. The weather is a big variable in this kind of photography. So even with all the right planning and preparation, I can still walk away empty handed. This particular photo required a total of three hours round-trip drive time - and $32 in tolls - to get from my home in Northern New Jersey to the location in Brooklyn where this needed to be shot. Because the moon rises and sets approximately one hour later each night, the second attempt had me out until well after mid-night (I have learned to go on less and less sleep as my career progresses.)
I also need special equipment to make these photos happen. I use a Canon 20 megapixel digital SLR that has very high sensitivity settings. But the camera isn't enough - I also need a very long telephoto lens to capture all the detail in the moon. The lens I use is a 150-600mm zoom lens that allows me to record details that are far away as if they are close up. This is why the moon looks so big in relation to the Statue in this photo. There is no Photoshop trickery going on here. The magnification of the lens let's me get up-close and personal even with objects that are actually very far away.
Now honestly all that preparation and planning is easy compared to what I encountered when my friend and arrived at the shooting location that night. The location is in a very old and industrial section of Brooklyn. Normally Brooklyn is gorgeous - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anyone thinking of New York City to check it out. And like all cities, there are some less than desirable areas within it. This particular spot is surrounded on three sides by a 15 foot cyclone fence. Since there's no way around it, we were forced to try to shoot through it. Not only that, but the fence is topped with prison-grade razor wire, some of which has come loose and now dangles dangerously close to where we need to setup the camera (so close, in fact, that on my last trip I actually tore a hole in my jacket on my way out.)
If that's not enough, the end of the street is overgrown with thick weeds and covered with trash, making it difficult to get a firm footing for both people and tripods (all these nighttime shots need to be taken with a tripod - it is impossible to keep the camera steady enough otherwise to get a clear shot). This location also has broken glass and rusty nails everywhere. (I got a nail in my tire the last time I was there.) But wait, there's more. The wind from the water is particularly crazy in this spot - it blows very erratically and makes getting a steady shot even from a tripod very difficult. Plus in the winter (I was there in both December and January), the cold wind off the water is particularly wicked. One time I was shaking so bad from the cold, I almost couldn't work the camera buttons! And the best part is the downed power line that runs right through the spot. I assume it is dead, but I have no idea. Monday night I had to literally limbo to get underneath it because of the delivery trucks parked in the spot. Two large delivery trucks for the local beverage distributor were backed up to within four feet of the cyclone fence, meaning we had only about three and a half feet of room to shoot in. Good times!
But despite all that (and more - I didn't even go into the type of people who frequent this area at late at night), I got the shot. I'm usually very pre-occupied while I am shooting, trying to make sure all my camera settings are correct and what-not. But this time I was able to pause for just a moment when I first saw the moon peek through the clouds. I was completely enthralled by the beauty that was unfolding before me. Like ABC 7 NY said, it took my breath away. I am so grateful I made the effort to go back another time to get the shot. And based on the overwhelming positive response I've gotten on Social Media, tens of thousands of other people are too.
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Please follow me on Instagram. Thanks to #ig_northamerica for acknowledging my work!
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Please follow me on Instagram. Thanks to igglobalclub for acknowledging my work! See all the photos from my George Washington Bridge Collection here.
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The Exhibition runs from Feb. 10 - April 9, 2016, at the County College of Morris's Sherman H. Masten Learning Resource Center, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ, 07869. There will be an Artists' Reception Thursday Feb. 25th from 6-8PM. Refreshments will be served and all are invited.
The New Jersey Photography Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the photographic arts in New Jersey. It is open to photographers of all skill levels and anyone is welcome to attend their regular monthly meetings and special events. I want to personally express my gratitude to the Forum for including me in this year's show as well as for all the support I've gotten from this wonderful group of people over the past few years. I know I wouldn't be the photographer I am today without their support and guidance. To find out more about the New Jersey Photography Forum visit their website.
Hope you can make it to this year's Show. In addition to the Reception on Feb. 25th, the Exhibition is open to the general public during normal business hours. Hope you can make it!
UPDATE: I recently shot and edited a five minute video highlight reel of the show in case you missed it. You can view it here.
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You can watch the video here:
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I am still pretty new to Instagram but enjoying a new community of photographers and their inspiring work. It is great to be acknowledged by them! See all the photos from this 9/11 Tribute Collection on my website here.
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Founded in 1978, the Art Alliance of Monmouth County has over 300 members representing a vast array of artistic disciplines, including sculpture, painting, drawing, fiber, photography, collage, and digital art. The Alliance's mission is to promote the advancement of the visual arts and provide exhibition, studio, and classroom space to local artists. New members are always welcome and membership by art lovers is also encouraged. Find out more about the Art Alliance on their website. Special thanks to Jill Kerwick for recommending me to the AAMC board and extra special thanks to Joyce Urbanski for her help and guidance in hanging my work. I am truly humbled as it is quite an honor to be selected as the December window artist for the Art Alliance.
Hope you can make it to the Gallery soon!
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Every now and again I like to feature the work of other artists who inspire me. This month I am featuring the work of photographer Jude Allen. Jude brings something special and unique to the world of landscape photography. His photos contain all the important elements of good landscape photography: composition, foreground and background elements, leading lines, color & contrast, etc. But then he adds one more element that is uniquely his - his photos are just totally cool!
I have been following Jude for a couple of years now. It's hard to believe he started taking photography seriously less than three years ago. Whenever I see a new photo from him, I am always amazed. I stop and ask, "How does he do it?" We may never know for sure, but I hope he keeps doing it for a long, long time. I'm sure he has a totally amazing future ahead of him!
I had a chance to interview Jude recently about his photography.
Hey Jude! (Sorry couldn't resist :-) ) Please introduce yourself:
Hello my name is Jude Allen. I am based out of the San Francisco Bay Area in California.
How long have you been doing photography and what got you started:
I have been taking photos of random people and places for a while but only started to really take it seriously two years ago when I started taking skateboarding photos. I had to learn my camera and how to compose a shot. I immediately started to receive recognition for my skateboarding photos on Instagram which is what inspired me to push it further. A few months later I got into landscape photography and became obsessed.
Most of us have outside influences on our work. Who or what inspires your photography?
I get inspired by people that push the envelope of creativity whether it be music, art, skateboarding etc. Also, people that have a drive to progress mentally, physically or spiritually. There are a lot of other photographers that inspire me but its usually the ones who are more creative and have a different approach than the norm.
What's ahead for you as a photographer?
Seeing how this is currently just a hobby / obsession for me, I would say to be a working professional is what is next for me. I aspire to learn everything I can about photography and anything related and push the limits as far as I can take them.
Thanks for your time. I'll keep an eye out for all your new photos. Jude Allen - you inspire me!
See more of Jude's work on his website: http://www.judeallenphotography.com/
And follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jude_allen/
And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judeallenphotography
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Every now and again I like to feature the work of other artists who inspire me. This month I am featuring the work of photographer Corinne Cavallo. I have been following Corinne's work very closely for the past few years and it's wonderful how her photos continue to impress. She clearly has a dedication to the craft of photography and her passion comes through in every shot. I am especially taken with her equestrian photography. It amazes me how she captures the beauty of these magnificent animals - her photos really bring the moments to life. Corinne Cavallo - you inspire me!
1. Introduce yourself
My name is Corinne Cavallo, and I'm a born and raised Jersey girl.
2. How long have you been doing photography, what got you started
I've been taking pictures since I was 10 years old. My father was an internationally published African wildlife photographer, and during my first trip to Africa he put a camera in my hand and let me take pictures. I loved the idea of telling the story of my adventure there through pictures. However, it wasn't until 5 years ago, and a visit to Monmouth Park racetrack, that my world and direction with photography changed. I really owe it to my boyfriend, Mikal, who suggested I bring my camera that day. That started my love of photographing racehorses, and I haven't looked back since.
3. What's the inspiration for the equestrian photography
Growing up, I was completely obsessed with horses. My neighbor's daughter had one, and she took me to visit him. The moment she put me on his back, I was hooked. Ironically, my last name, Cavallo, means 'horse' in Italian, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before my photography took me deep into the equestrian world.
My inspiration comes straight from these beautiful animals, whether I'm photographing them on a farm, at a horse show, or at a racetrack. They are beautiful and powerful, and there's an excitement that comes from working with them, and communicating with them through the lens of my camera. Recently, Monmouth Park had American Pharoah visit. They opened up morning workouts to the public, so I was able to get some shots of several Haskell contenders, including Pharoah. Seeing that horse work in the morning light was absolutely breathtaking. I believe that my passion for working with these animals comes through in my photos.
4. What's ahead for you as a photographer.
The ultimate goal for me as a photographer would be to get more freelance work photographing racehorses for various publications, however, I'm still working on growing my business with equine/farm life/equestrian shots, too. But, while I'm known for my work with horses, I still love photographing bands, as well. Last summer I had the opportunity to photograph Queen with Adam Lambert at MSG, and I've worked with the tribute band, Almost Queen, for many, many years now. This year I've photographed The Alternate Routes (one of my favorite bands), and my friend, Remember Jones's epic tribute to Joe Cocker where he, with special guests and a 20+ piece band, performed Mad Dogs and Englishmen to a sold out theatre. I also frequently photograph the NYC artist, Kiirstin Marilyn. Ideally, I'd love to continue do more freelance work with musicians in the near future.
You can view all Corinne’s amazing photos:
Instagram and Twitter - @FotoCavallo
Her website is : http://fotocavallo.smugmug.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fotocavallo
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"Simply put, Peter’s image is powerful. I was immediately struck by the warm, orange-ish clouds against the blues of the water and how they lined up above the Freedom Tower. Since I am a painter, for me to have chosen a photo as my “Best in Show” award, it would have be a fantastic one – and it is.”
Much thanks to Mr. Doney, the Millburn-Short Hills Arts Center, and the Carol Simon Center. It is an honor to be recognized for my work.
ORIGINAL POST:
I am excited to announce that my photo "Waiting" is an official entry in the Millburn-Short Hills Art Center's Juried Art Exhibition at the Carol Simon Healing Arts Gallery at the Morristown Medical Center. There are 38 pieces featured in the Show including paintings, drawings, collage and photography. The show is Juried by Todd Dony, a world class artist, teacher, curator, and juror. The Show will be up from August 1 thru Oct. 30, 2015. There will be an artist's reception open to the general public on Thursday, Aug. 13th from 6PM-8PM. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. The address is Carol Simon Center, Healing Arts Gallery, Level B, 100 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960. If you can't make the reception, the Gallery is open during normal hospital hours. 20% of all sales benefit the Healing Arts Program at the hospital. Call 973-540-9061 for more information. Hope to see you on August 13th!
This photo is from my New York Cityscapes 2015 collection.
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Please visit Mike’s website www.thefineartofmikedziomba.com to see all of his wonderful work. His original paintings make a great gift for yourself or someone special in your life. He’s also available for commissions.
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This photo, which was taken in August 2014, is of the Milky Way Galaxy above an abandoned house in Sussex County, NJ. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye at certain times of the year. This image was created by using a wide angle lens and long exposure to capture the gas, dust and star formations that make up our Galaxy. We also got lucky: the house was almost completely dark on the side we were shooting. I did bring a flash light to do some "light painting" but during this exposure a car drove by on the road behind us and lit up the house and barn perfectly. How cool is that! Prints are available for sale. If interested, please contact me for more information.
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Ricciardi Brothers Inc.
This is a rain or shine event. Hope to see you there!
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EDIT: Thank you PhotoSpiva for selecting my photo as the cover image for this year's competition!
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You can see - and purchase - all Dante's great work on his website: www.dantefrattophotography.com
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You can read the article about me and the show from CentralNewJersey.com here.
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Speedwell LakeScenic Speedwell Lake near Morristown New Jersey
Daze at the Beach #1Daze at the Beach #1
Daze at the Beach #2Daze at the Beach #2
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Jill's creative process is quite unique. For the subjects of her images, Jill uses her own animals (she and her husband have a small farm on their property), as well as her own body parts. All the female bodies in her pictures are her! The doll heads are from her own collection too. For the backgrounds, she uses her 92 year old father's paintings and other pieces she finds while antiquing with her sister. She photographs each of the elements separately then combines them in Photoshop.
To me, Jill's images throw open a thought-provoking, often whimsical door down the rabbit hole of an "Alice in Wonderland" world of curiosity and imagination. With all her photos I'm never quite sure what I am seeing but always feel better having seen it.
Please visit Jill's website at www.jillkerwick.com to see more of her images and to keep track of her busy exhibition schedule. You can also purchase prints by contacting Jill directly. I look forward to seeing much more of Jill's work in the future and hope you do too.
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Two minute video interview with TV34 Union NJ regarding the show:
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My winning photograph is a composite of 360 photos of star trails above the Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick, ME, taken last September. You can see a timelapse video of the images used to construct this image here.
I am grateful to the Alliance, and juror Mary Birmingham, for recognizing my work. The Art Alliance of Monmouth County is the premier Central New Jersey showcase organization for traditional and nontraditional art, including sculpture, painting, drawing, fiber, photography, collage, and digital art. Its mission is to promote the advancement of the visual arts and provide exhibition, studio, and classroom space to local artists.
NubbleStarCape Neddick, Nubble Lighthouse, star trail
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The New Jersey Photography Forum is dedicated to furthering the interests of photographers living or working in New Jersey. The NJ Photo Forum has been a tremendous help in my own development as a photographer and artist. Please visit the Forum's website for more information and to view upcoming events: http://www.njphotoforum.com/
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This weekend I will be at the Montvale Craft Show at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale. The "must see" event of the gift buying season, the Montvale Craft Show features the work of dozens of talented artists and crafters from around the TriState Area. I will be showing my photos both days from 10AM-4PM and will have many pieces for sale, including some new, previously unseen work. The address for the show is 40 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ 07645. Call 201-391-3300 for more information. Hope to see you there!
I am super excited to announce that my photo (seen below) won FIRST PLACE in the juried group art exhibition "A Summer Pavilion II" at the Alpha Art Gallery in New Brunswick, NJ. The show was sponsored by the Milburn-Short Hills Art Center (M-SHAC) and I am very grateful to M-SHAC and juror Jeffrey Wechsler for recognizing my work. M-SHAC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support New Jersey visual artists. The Alfa Art Gallery is also a non-profit and is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of New Brunswick and surrounding areas. You can find out more information about the show here. You can see more photos from this collection here and you can learn how I made these photos on my YouTube video.
This is what the Juror Jeffery Wechsler had to say: "In an effective artwork, a complementary interaction of the medium and technique with the image is often significant, and this factors into the choices for this exhibition's award-winning entries. As a prime example, Peter Alessandria's photograph of figures at the New Jersey shore takes a sometimes cliché-ridden technique -- multiple exposure [NOTE: I actually shot this in one long 30 second exposure] -- and cleverly and carefully controls it to enhance the image both conceptually and compositionally. Given the shifting effects of the figures, the unmoving shovel in the foreground becomes a focal, commanding presence. The slight blurring of the figure at the right offers an intermediary hint of motion that is quite unexpected and intriguing. Also, the colors of the scene emphasize a visual give-and-take between areas of bright primaries -- red, blue, and yellow -- producing a strong, almost classical composition that binds together the whole image."
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The "Colorific" show will be on display at the MAYO Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ, from Sept. 9 thru Oct. 21, 2014. Please stop in during any performance at the theater and enjoy the work of local artists.
http://www.artsyshark.com/2014/09/09/the-nature-of-art/
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Photo © Izumi Tanaka - created on her iPhone, her new favorite toy to explore her creativity :-)
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I am honored to announce that my photo "Dover Dairy Maid" received the Award of "Honorable Mention" (4th Place) in the Milburn-Short Hills Art Center's "Possibilities" fine art group exhibition. The exhibition includes a variety of fine art works including paintings, drawings, and photography, and was juried by Mark de Mos, an award-winning painter, artist and watercolorist. Of my photo, Mr. de Mos said: "Beautifully framed photo, great color and balance! Almost Norman Rockwell, it’s the perfect vision of a Dairy Queen, it feels like a painting." The show runs from March 3 thru April 28, 2014, at the Bouras Building Gallery, 25 Deforest Ave., Summit, NJ 07901.
The Milburn-Short Hills Art Center (M-SHAC) (now called "The New Jersey Art Association") is one of the oldest nonprofit, community-based arts organizations in New Jersey and was founded to promote art education and appreciation. Bouras Properties, owner of the Bouras Building, Gallery, is very community oriented and has supported many charitable and civic organizations in and around Summit, NJ. A portion of all sales from the show benefits Overlook Hospital so please visit the show if you can to support local artists and the hospital.
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Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ
Please join me this weekend at the 39th Annual Christian Brothers Academy Fine Art & Antique Show. Dozens of artists will be selling art. There is also a food Café and art/antique raffle to benefit the school. The Academy is located at 850 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738. Show times are Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 11AM-4PM. Please call 732-747-1959 for more information and make sure to stop by if you are in the area.
UPDATE: My photo received an Award of Merit (4th Place). The Show's Juror noted that the photo made use of "strong, dynamic composition with powerful use of shape & line." The show consists of an amazing collection of paintings and photography. I was honored to be able to participate and would like to extend my thanks to the Show Juror and members of the Millburn-Short Hills Art Center for acknowledging my work.
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© Sara Hudock
To everyone else out there who has purchased my prints, send me photos of them displayed in your home and I'll feature them on my blog!
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To anyone else who has purchased one of my prints, please send me your photos of it hanging your walls! I love knowing that you, your friends and family get to see and enjoy my work everyday.
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My work as a fine artist is the culmination of a long journey for me. You can read a fuller description of that journey on the About page of this website.
I hope my photos bring as much joy and inspiration to you as they do to me. Also, I have included THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTOS for each of the photo galleries. This will give some insight as to what went into capturing the images. I think this is a fun addition beyond the typical user experience on most photography websites.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to hear from you soon.
Peter Alessandria
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