There is one thing easy to notice, if you shoot after dark in Spokane. The first thing you notice is the absence of photographers shooting after dark. Next thing you notice, is that local photog groups tend to focus their efforts on daylight ventures such as photo walks, photo tours, and other daytime adventures. Any training, if offered or experienced may be good or bad, depending on the skill levels of the participants rather than a direct result of the skills of the project leader. As a result, marginal or worse photogs can develop other participants into marginal or worse participants.
My opinion? Certainly. Participating on group activities with photogs running helter skelter for their shots, can be problematic. How many times have I seen several photogs shots with two or three other photogs all lined up in the shot of the one wanting a photograph of something. How many times has one small subgroup of participants distracted other photogs from concentrating on what they intended to do, only to be looking at what this small subgroup is involved in.
Organizing small group activities is a challenge for the leaders, of that there is no doubt. If you are the leader, you need to focus most of you time on the group members, and not on what you think you might get in this photo shoot. Why? Some members of the group are just learning and they have questions. "How do you do this, how did you do that, why did you do that, where do I find that on my camera, how does it work, why should I do it that way?" In fairness to these members, they really need coaching. For a group leader interested in shooting, boy does that make it hard to do. So there is balance and there are sacrifices to be made on behalf of those who are learning. When I do small groups of night shooters, I shoot the scenes they will be taken to, days or even weeks BEFORE the group meets. I can concentrate on what I want, and when I take the group out, I leave my cameras in the office. Displaying some of your earlier results on a laptop or other such small display, can give the group members ideas on what you did, and how you did it. Then you take them out to the locations and walk them through their efforts. Some participants will succeed, some will not.
Many photogs simply enjoy the social aspects of the group shoot, and gaining technical skills is not their highest priority. Nonethleless, each member of the group can learn from each group leader, given the amount of time the leader can spend with each participant.
In my view, I wish there were more night shooters. In some communities there are night shooters, and they are formally organized into 501 C3 type organizations, and in other communities there are less formal structures. These groups shoot at night, although many of them begin their activities at sunset or slightly before. So, are there night shooters in Spokane? I have no clue, since in the past 5 years I have seen but a handful of photogs shooting after dark. It's too bad, since after dark, everything changes. By changes, I mean, REAL changes. Not just technical photography, but issues of safety. As a result, small groups of people together for an evening, is a very good thing...assuming that the leader spends time on what the group is doing, rather than what individual leaders are doing for themselves.
Night shooting is fun. It plainly is fun, and with a small group, it can be loads of fun. Yet, if there are few groups who have a particular night shooting interest, it can be very hard to find a learning experience. As a result, there seems to be an interest in beginning some type of night time shooters group. As done in San Francisco, and elsewhere, there are many groups who cater solely to night shooters. Since there has been some interest in a night shooters group of one kind or another, perhaps it is time for an assessment.
I would invite any photog interested in s night shooters group, to contact me. I can disseminate to interested parties, and perhaps, if the participant level seems adequate, we target a night shoot for the group members.
Keep up the good work everyone, and let me know if there is any interest in a night shooters group.
John
John D. Moore, CPP
spokanenightscenes.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Night shoots – A Spokane update.
In one sense of the word “Springtime,” it is a pleasure to see that it has arrived. After all, this winter was a disaster in more ways than one, and once again, it seemed to go on day after day with no end. Since complaints generally go on deaf ears, it is just one more notch in the level of experiences shared by many people, not just me.
Yet, it is the subtle changes in seasons that impact, at least slightly, what I do. Simply put, I shoot at night, exclusively. I can go out there with the masses with digital cameras in the daytime, but unless it is a community service project I am doing for someone, daylight is not a challenge. It just isn’t. Night shoots are ALWAYS a challenge, in many more ways than one. Yet, it is the challenge of darkness that is of interest to me.
In the past few months, I have focused on either downtown Spokane, or the North Side. One very fun project was for the Northeast Youth Center, at their annual Nighttime Easter Egg hunt. When I first got the announcement/release from Spokane Parks, I could imagine lots of colorful light trails running all over the place, perhaps with varied colors, and directions. After it began to get dark at Hays Park, the lighting possibilities were obvious, with hundreds of children and parents/grandparents running all over with glow lights or flashlights. Here are some of the images from the night:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/eggs.htm
Capturing all of the lights as they wandered through the field of view was pure fun and enjoyment. It can be said matter of factly, that the photographers that night (3) had as much fun as the kids did. I would not hesitate to jump out there next year when they do this event again. Now that I know the ropes of the event, capturing the lights will be much easier since I know how the process works for all of the people and kids.
In downtown Spokane, there are some new sites/sights. Maybe just new to me, but they are very colorful additions to different neighborhoods. Beginning with this next link, are a short series of images captured that evening. Just when you think downtown has nothing new; the camera can show that all things change over time.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cops.htm
A little more recent was a return to the Wandermere area (Business Park). There is something about these built up hardscape areas that make for some great intellectual challenges. It no longer is an issue of what the cameras can do, but what can you do to change or modify the appearance of the images at night, including a great deal of water. I shot this area last year, but along with another photographer, we went after the water up there once again. Painting somewhat drab waterfalls with light, can go a long way to modifying the look, without much alterations in RAW post processing. Taking the bracketed shots in various colors and blending them, can take each waterfall into something that could be, rather than what is currently.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/wandermere.htm
On another occasion, I went down to Riverfront Park, as it was supposed to be a very foggy night. I got there ahead of most of the fog, but within a half hour of walking around and shooting a number of locations, on came the dense fog. Here is a short series of images, as the fog finally arrived down there.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/riverpano.htm
JDM
Yet, it is the subtle changes in seasons that impact, at least slightly, what I do. Simply put, I shoot at night, exclusively. I can go out there with the masses with digital cameras in the daytime, but unless it is a community service project I am doing for someone, daylight is not a challenge. It just isn’t. Night shoots are ALWAYS a challenge, in many more ways than one. Yet, it is the challenge of darkness that is of interest to me.
In the past few months, I have focused on either downtown Spokane, or the North Side. One very fun project was for the Northeast Youth Center, at their annual Nighttime Easter Egg hunt. When I first got the announcement/release from Spokane Parks, I could imagine lots of colorful light trails running all over the place, perhaps with varied colors, and directions. After it began to get dark at Hays Park, the lighting possibilities were obvious, with hundreds of children and parents/grandparents running all over with glow lights or flashlights. Here are some of the images from the night:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/eggs.htm
Capturing all of the lights as they wandered through the field of view was pure fun and enjoyment. It can be said matter of factly, that the photographers that night (3) had as much fun as the kids did. I would not hesitate to jump out there next year when they do this event again. Now that I know the ropes of the event, capturing the lights will be much easier since I know how the process works for all of the people and kids.
In downtown Spokane, there are some new sites/sights. Maybe just new to me, but they are very colorful additions to different neighborhoods. Beginning with this next link, are a short series of images captured that evening. Just when you think downtown has nothing new; the camera can show that all things change over time.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cops.htm
A little more recent was a return to the Wandermere area (Business Park). There is something about these built up hardscape areas that make for some great intellectual challenges. It no longer is an issue of what the cameras can do, but what can you do to change or modify the appearance of the images at night, including a great deal of water. I shot this area last year, but along with another photographer, we went after the water up there once again. Painting somewhat drab waterfalls with light, can go a long way to modifying the look, without much alterations in RAW post processing. Taking the bracketed shots in various colors and blending them, can take each waterfall into something that could be, rather than what is currently.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/wandermere.htm
On another occasion, I went down to Riverfront Park, as it was supposed to be a very foggy night. I got there ahead of most of the fog, but within a half hour of walking around and shooting a number of locations, on came the dense fog. Here is a short series of images, as the fog finally arrived down there.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/riverpano.htm
JDM
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Shooting in Hillyard
This week I visited Hillyard, and it was a tough photo op. Tough for a number of reasons, which included three or four drunks in the street screaming at each other. STA mercifully came by and picked up one of the drunks, and the others wandered off westbound from Market Street.
After getting the cameras and tripod out of the truck, I noticed an absence of color. Other than high pressure sodium street lights, there was not really any illumination to speak of. So, it was going to be a challenge to find some shots. Let’s remember, Hillyard is a historic community…..and I was determined to try and capture some of the buildings, poor lighting or not. Hillyard holds some historic moments for me, too…coming from my days at Spokane PD.
I captured some views of the Alaskan Lounge (Tavern), and then moved south shooting some angles of the street scenes. I found one well placed Mural, and that was about as far south as I made it on this visit.
Editing posed some challenges, since what I had really captured was an absence of color. So I began to layer each series of images, and I converted the top layers into black and white versions. As a result, I could then bring out any objects with color from the background layer. Mostly, it was the interiors of the buildings with large windows that offered some color. A few signs, and voila, some image captures in Spokane’s historic Hillyard.
I’m not done shooting in Hillyard, and perhaps there are a few locations I need to visit the next time out. I think I will try and make some contact with representatives of the Hillyard community and see if they have any ideas. One thing still holds true, as far as night shoots go. Some historic buildings that look great in daylight can look absolutely horrible after dark. Conversely, some things that are as ugly as the day is long (in daylight), can look vastly superior after dark. Only one way to find out which, is to go and take a look when the sun goes down.
So, at this point, I have added 4 images from the nights visit to Hillyard. They are largely grayscale, but as I mentioned previously, they are not totally black and white creations. Image number one is located:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/alaskan.htm
JDM
After getting the cameras and tripod out of the truck, I noticed an absence of color. Other than high pressure sodium street lights, there was not really any illumination to speak of. So, it was going to be a challenge to find some shots. Let’s remember, Hillyard is a historic community…..and I was determined to try and capture some of the buildings, poor lighting or not. Hillyard holds some historic moments for me, too…coming from my days at Spokane PD.
I captured some views of the Alaskan Lounge (Tavern), and then moved south shooting some angles of the street scenes. I found one well placed Mural, and that was about as far south as I made it on this visit.
Editing posed some challenges, since what I had really captured was an absence of color. So I began to layer each series of images, and I converted the top layers into black and white versions. As a result, I could then bring out any objects with color from the background layer. Mostly, it was the interiors of the buildings with large windows that offered some color. A few signs, and voila, some image captures in Spokane’s historic Hillyard.
I’m not done shooting in Hillyard, and perhaps there are a few locations I need to visit the next time out. I think I will try and make some contact with representatives of the Hillyard community and see if they have any ideas. One thing still holds true, as far as night shoots go. Some historic buildings that look great in daylight can look absolutely horrible after dark. Conversely, some things that are as ugly as the day is long (in daylight), can look vastly superior after dark. Only one way to find out which, is to go and take a look when the sun goes down.
So, at this point, I have added 4 images from the nights visit to Hillyard. They are largely grayscale, but as I mentioned previously, they are not totally black and white creations. Image number one is located:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/alaskan.htm
JDM
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Former scenes of madness and crime, in Spokane
I have three short term goals, and to take advantage of the early darkness, I need to get the goals completed soon. Goal one involves Spokane Night Scenes photography in Hillyard. Next, I want to shoot around the neighborhood in Spokane’s South Perry business district. My third goal was to get out in the fog, which I did a week or two ago in Spokane's Riverfront Park.
Hillyard has a history with me, although I am sure it is not of any official historical value. Each time I drive through Hillyard, I think of two things. First, was the madness of a street fight I responded to one night. I was working graveyard shift in my early police career (Spokane PD), and patrons from a bar emptied into the street at Queen and Market. A fight commenced that required just about every police officer in the city, as well as many Spokane County Deputies. We arrested 16 people, and a couple of our SPD guys had to make stops at Holy Family ER, before heading in to the jail to book in prisoners. That was one of my early police experiences with total and complete madness, and will not be one ever forgotten.
Another Hillyard memory is also police related. It involves the former US Bank location. I did a lot of robbery training for the staff at this former bank branch, with a very good friend and mentor Richard “Dick” Long who was the security director for ONB and later US Bank. Dick was such a good friend, that when he passed away, police department photographs of he and I doing training in Hillyard, became a much better memory than the total madness of the huge street fight at Queen and Market.
Since there is some historical value, generally, I am going to have to visit Hillyard after sunset, and see what things look like. I’ll have to deal with some parked cars, and considerable northbound traffic, but if I don’t like what I capture, it does not have to make it onto the web.
South Perry also has car parking and traffic flow, but there is something about what has transformed that small area into something very attractive, at least in daylight. To be sure, there are some police memories of mine in this area, too. The south Perry district was always good for an armed robbery or two, at the same locations (still is). Over the years, some really strange things happened in this area, but armed robberies seemed to be the bulk of my memories up there.
Today might be the day I can visit the South Perry district. I have a visit to the area on an unrelated issue, so maybe bringing some camera gear might give me the opportunity (if there is one) of capturing the South Perry district after dark.
JDM
Hillyard has a history with me, although I am sure it is not of any official historical value. Each time I drive through Hillyard, I think of two things. First, was the madness of a street fight I responded to one night. I was working graveyard shift in my early police career (Spokane PD), and patrons from a bar emptied into the street at Queen and Market. A fight commenced that required just about every police officer in the city, as well as many Spokane County Deputies. We arrested 16 people, and a couple of our SPD guys had to make stops at Holy Family ER, before heading in to the jail to book in prisoners. That was one of my early police experiences with total and complete madness, and will not be one ever forgotten.
Another Hillyard memory is also police related. It involves the former US Bank location. I did a lot of robbery training for the staff at this former bank branch, with a very good friend and mentor Richard “Dick” Long who was the security director for ONB and later US Bank. Dick was such a good friend, that when he passed away, police department photographs of he and I doing training in Hillyard, became a much better memory than the total madness of the huge street fight at Queen and Market.
Since there is some historical value, generally, I am going to have to visit Hillyard after sunset, and see what things look like. I’ll have to deal with some parked cars, and considerable northbound traffic, but if I don’t like what I capture, it does not have to make it onto the web.
South Perry also has car parking and traffic flow, but there is something about what has transformed that small area into something very attractive, at least in daylight. To be sure, there are some police memories of mine in this area, too. The south Perry district was always good for an armed robbery or two, at the same locations (still is). Over the years, some really strange things happened in this area, but armed robberies seemed to be the bulk of my memories up there.
Today might be the day I can visit the South Perry district. I have a visit to the area on an unrelated issue, so maybe bringing some camera gear might give me the opportunity (if there is one) of capturing the South Perry district after dark.
JDM
How many individual parts equal one camera?
How many individual parts equal one camera?
That is a question being asked by a photographer I ran into last week in Riverfront Park. I was out one evening to get some fog shots, and I was approached by two people sporting a new Canon camera that they had gotten for Christmas. Although I am not exactly sure, it looked like one of the fairly new XSI models. It also looked like it had a 28 X 135 lens on this camera.
The couple initially asked questions about shooting images after dark, and as I conversed with them, I began to get the almost overpowering odor of beer breath. In my old job I used to smell that all the time, and to be sure, I was getting it again. In this process, I changed locations a couple of times, and they followed me around, with the camera carrier staggering from one side to the other on the wide pathway inside the northwest gate to the Park. I actually had tried to recruit this couple to the Spokane Camera Club, so I began to wonder what would happen if they ever showed up.
The two interested photographers stayed with me for a while longer, and were shooting something in the dark, about 50 feet east of where I had my tripod set up. I heard some yelling, and I saw one of them fall on the ice. There were the usual crashing noises, breaking glass, and swearing. Then silence.
The person who had been carrying the camera, got up and wiped all of the snow off, Then it looked like he was searching for something. The search went on for about 5 minutes, and then when I saw them pick up several different things it dawned on me that their new camera was now trashed. I know of three separate parts that were retrieved, and the lens was now a separate piece, and it was rattling when the guy shook it. The camera body (or what was left of it) was also rattling quite a bit.
Is there a moral to the story? Beats me, but maybe a little less liquor before a shoot might be a starter. Also, wearing shoes that can provide traction, and having a flashlight when shooting at night.
So, anyhow, maybe all of the pieces of this camera system will be put back together, although I doubt it can be saved. So, if a couple shows up to a Spokane Camera Club meeting with duct tape all over their camera, they might have an interesting story to tell you.
One other thing. Things have begun to slow down for the Moore family, so our night shooters will be back out shooting once again. I want you guys to shoot some motion shots, and if we have time next trip out we will do some panoramas after dark.
I’ll let you night shooters know the next targets, and locations. Likely in a week or two.
JDM
That is a question being asked by a photographer I ran into last week in Riverfront Park. I was out one evening to get some fog shots, and I was approached by two people sporting a new Canon camera that they had gotten for Christmas. Although I am not exactly sure, it looked like one of the fairly new XSI models. It also looked like it had a 28 X 135 lens on this camera.
The couple initially asked questions about shooting images after dark, and as I conversed with them, I began to get the almost overpowering odor of beer breath. In my old job I used to smell that all the time, and to be sure, I was getting it again. In this process, I changed locations a couple of times, and they followed me around, with the camera carrier staggering from one side to the other on the wide pathway inside the northwest gate to the Park. I actually had tried to recruit this couple to the Spokane Camera Club, so I began to wonder what would happen if they ever showed up.
The two interested photographers stayed with me for a while longer, and were shooting something in the dark, about 50 feet east of where I had my tripod set up. I heard some yelling, and I saw one of them fall on the ice. There were the usual crashing noises, breaking glass, and swearing. Then silence.
The person who had been carrying the camera, got up and wiped all of the snow off, Then it looked like he was searching for something. The search went on for about 5 minutes, and then when I saw them pick up several different things it dawned on me that their new camera was now trashed. I know of three separate parts that were retrieved, and the lens was now a separate piece, and it was rattling when the guy shook it. The camera body (or what was left of it) was also rattling quite a bit.
Is there a moral to the story? Beats me, but maybe a little less liquor before a shoot might be a starter. Also, wearing shoes that can provide traction, and having a flashlight when shooting at night.
So, anyhow, maybe all of the pieces of this camera system will be put back together, although I doubt it can be saved. So, if a couple shows up to a Spokane Camera Club meeting with duct tape all over their camera, they might have an interesting story to tell you.
One other thing. Things have begun to slow down for the Moore family, so our night shooters will be back out shooting once again. I want you guys to shoot some motion shots, and if we have time next trip out we will do some panoramas after dark.
I’ll let you night shooters know the next targets, and locations. Likely in a week or two.
JDM
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Shooting Spokane, “the plain old views.”
So, why go to the same old places to see the same old sights? Photographing night scenes in Spokane is absolutely a different experience every single time I go out. Even the same locations are different, albeit most people would say they all look the same each day. Yet, they look different based on time of day, time of year, and the conditions of the weather at a given moment.
This week, my shoot involved carrying no additional lighting with me, and there were literally no targets identified in advance. The timing of the downtown visit was at sunset, and as the sun went down, ambient lighting changed, the skies changed, and the shadows changed. As it got darker, what were most enjoyable were the seasonal holiday influences, no matter where you looked.
A couple of places had shadows where I hadn’t seen them before so I shot some images of some “regular old places, and yet even they looked different through the lens of the cameras. One of the locations was immediately north of Escent on Spokane Falls Blvd. The shot had been done before in some earlier foggier shoots, but I shot it again as the light and shadows were different. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/escent2.htm)
Then there was the Olive Garden downtown. The angle of the approaching night sky and the angle of an overhead light shining on a sign, made this location a perfect time for some shots. At the corner of the building the Olive Garden sign was featured, along with shadows that I had not seen before. Add the interior lighting and it was a no brainer to just grab this shot. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/olivegarden.htm)
A little later in the evening it was time to capture a little of the downtown seasonal decorations and lighting. Adjacent to the downtown Library and connected to Nordstrom is a skywalk. The holiday decorations along with lighted outdoor trees made this view come alive, although it is just a plain old site that “we see everyday.” The sights after dark, are always different, and in my view……many times are improved over the plain daylight views. A look at this view demonstrates that fact immediately. Here is a site, and also a sight, that now looks remarkable different from the “norm.” Take a look:
(http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/nordstrom2.htm)
Even the Lincoln building looked different tonight, and comparing it to some shots I did a few years ago was a must do: (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/lb.htm) The traffic was so busy at the Riverside and Lincoln intersection, I reversed the shot location to try and capture the traffic and the structure(s) southwest of the Lincoln building on this evening. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cwest.htm)
Plain old downtown sites? Maybe, but after dark and as the sun disappears, these “plain old locations,” have a completely different look to them.
If you haven’t tried shooting these “plain old sites,” after dark, give it a try. I think your evening photo shoot will be a very pleasant surprise to you.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
This week, my shoot involved carrying no additional lighting with me, and there were literally no targets identified in advance. The timing of the downtown visit was at sunset, and as the sun went down, ambient lighting changed, the skies changed, and the shadows changed. As it got darker, what were most enjoyable were the seasonal holiday influences, no matter where you looked.
A couple of places had shadows where I hadn’t seen them before so I shot some images of some “regular old places, and yet even they looked different through the lens of the cameras. One of the locations was immediately north of Escent on Spokane Falls Blvd. The shot had been done before in some earlier foggier shoots, but I shot it again as the light and shadows were different. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/escent2.htm)
Then there was the Olive Garden downtown. The angle of the approaching night sky and the angle of an overhead light shining on a sign, made this location a perfect time for some shots. At the corner of the building the Olive Garden sign was featured, along with shadows that I had not seen before. Add the interior lighting and it was a no brainer to just grab this shot. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/olivegarden.htm)
A little later in the evening it was time to capture a little of the downtown seasonal decorations and lighting. Adjacent to the downtown Library and connected to Nordstrom is a skywalk. The holiday decorations along with lighted outdoor trees made this view come alive, although it is just a plain old site that “we see everyday.” The sights after dark, are always different, and in my view……many times are improved over the plain daylight views. A look at this view demonstrates that fact immediately. Here is a site, and also a sight, that now looks remarkable different from the “norm.” Take a look:
(http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/nordstrom2.htm)
Even the Lincoln building looked different tonight, and comparing it to some shots I did a few years ago was a must do: (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/lb.htm) The traffic was so busy at the Riverside and Lincoln intersection, I reversed the shot location to try and capture the traffic and the structure(s) southwest of the Lincoln building on this evening. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cwest.htm)
Plain old downtown sites? Maybe, but after dark and as the sun disappears, these “plain old locations,” have a completely different look to them.
If you haven’t tried shooting these “plain old sites,” after dark, give it a try. I think your evening photo shoot will be a very pleasant surprise to you.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Hi, what are you doing?
I’m sure it does look a bit unusual, I mean, there is a guy standing in the dark with two cameras and a tripod. Considering that it isn’t an everyday experience for people to see night photographers, it is understandable that someone might wonder “what you are doing?”
I had such an enjoyable contact in Riverfront Park the other night, as I was in the midst of some “painting with color shots."
(http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cflag.htm). I think I was in the midst of a series of shots using a blue filter on one of my Big Max flashlights. The blue light was pointed 30 degrees or so away from the object I was lighting (the Canadian flag sculpture north of the Carousel), and the reflection from the stainless steel sculpture was seen by RFP security officers.
The two young officers stopped by to see what I was doing, and it was a totally enjoyable conversation with these fine young security officers. A photographer that brought his own “color,” was unusual according to one of the officers.
After I finished shooting in RFP that night, I shot off an email to RFP management about the great security officers that I met with the night before. I wanted to make sure I thanked them for stopping by to visit, and for their inquiry. On this night I heard once again how different it is to see photographers who shoot after dark. In daylight, everyone walks around with a camera. At night, it is much less so.
The contact with RFP security officers added a lot to the night out, and it just represents why shooting at night is so much fun.
I'd name the two officers, but I'd rather have their bosses give them a pat on their backs.
JDM
I had such an enjoyable contact in Riverfront Park the other night, as I was in the midst of some “painting with color shots."
(http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cflag.htm). I think I was in the midst of a series of shots using a blue filter on one of my Big Max flashlights. The blue light was pointed 30 degrees or so away from the object I was lighting (the Canadian flag sculpture north of the Carousel), and the reflection from the stainless steel sculpture was seen by RFP security officers.
The two young officers stopped by to see what I was doing, and it was a totally enjoyable conversation with these fine young security officers. A photographer that brought his own “color,” was unusual according to one of the officers.
After I finished shooting in RFP that night, I shot off an email to RFP management about the great security officers that I met with the night before. I wanted to make sure I thanked them for stopping by to visit, and for their inquiry. On this night I heard once again how different it is to see photographers who shoot after dark. In daylight, everyone walks around with a camera. At night, it is much less so.
The contact with RFP security officers added a lot to the night out, and it just represents why shooting at night is so much fun.
I'd name the two officers, but I'd rather have their bosses give them a pat on their backs.
JDM
Painting the town with light
Painting the town with light
So, the reality of shooting at night is that it gets dark. Yep, it can be really dark. So, then the issue is, you need to bring your own lights…..even lights you want to use as a basis for adding color to a scene.
One of the darkness challenges in the Spokane area is not unlike other communities. Yet, locally we have some very interesting sculptures, which are at best “bland,” and at worst, “ugly,” after dark. Conversely these sculptures would easily be observed as the artist rendered them, in daylight. So, night shooting requires an entirely new approach in trying to make sense of some local art….including adding some color.
In the photo “Aliens” (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/blueheads.htm), this art project was huge, yet it was invisible after dark. When I brought a group of photographers to this location to get them familiar with “painting with light,” the members of the group were not sure there was even a piece of art there. So, in my own visit, the challenge was to light the object, and include the use of color. Obviously, using red and blue filters do something to the sculpture, but in the real world this location is almost totally dark. This location was easy to paint, and the camera settings had to move very little as the color was added over a series of shots.
In another photo “Alive,” (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/alive.htm), this location was dark, but considerable lighter than the other one. Yet, after dark, there was no color, and ambient lighting was placed to light newly planted trees and not the sculpture. So, it was time to add color once again, and in this case the sculpture was painted with red, amber, and blue filters using a Big Max handheld flashlight. Since this sculpture was stainless steel, each color reflected from one surface to another, and color bounced pretty much everywhere.
The Wandermere waterfalls (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs4.htm) has been written about before, yet it is one more example of something which can be lost by darkness, yet brought to life is you add colored lights/filters. Trying to find a balance of objects in the darkness and then adding color is nothing short of fun. There are many other things which can be painted with light, even in very dark conditions.
One of the darker areas, yet totally interesting, is the Olmstead overlook, at the extreme west side of Liberty Park. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/redgreenandblue.htm) To say this area can become dark is an understatement. Yet, for a target area to attempt to use color and light, it is perfect. There are old pathways, rock walls, and lots of shadows. If any of you want a place to go with endless possibilities, this would be it. Further, most of the area is a great start for handheld lights which would not interfere or distract passing motorists. On the south side of this area is I-90, so your primary areas of interest will be well away from the east-west bound freeway traffic.
There are many other places to discover and toy with painting with light, and I am sure there are more for me to discover. I’ll be taking some local photogs (Spokane Camera Club) out for a few more night experiences, and depending on time available I may take them to the Liberty Park area.
Any of you other photogs that want to hook up with my night groups, just let me know. If any of you can help me coach future night shooting groups, we can get each phog a little more personal attention.
Enjoy painting the town with color. I totally enjoy it.
JDM
So, the reality of shooting at night is that it gets dark. Yep, it can be really dark. So, then the issue is, you need to bring your own lights…..even lights you want to use as a basis for adding color to a scene.
One of the darkness challenges in the Spokane area is not unlike other communities. Yet, locally we have some very interesting sculptures, which are at best “bland,” and at worst, “ugly,” after dark. Conversely these sculptures would easily be observed as the artist rendered them, in daylight. So, night shooting requires an entirely new approach in trying to make sense of some local art….including adding some color.
In the photo “Aliens” (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/blueheads.htm), this art project was huge, yet it was invisible after dark. When I brought a group of photographers to this location to get them familiar with “painting with light,” the members of the group were not sure there was even a piece of art there. So, in my own visit, the challenge was to light the object, and include the use of color. Obviously, using red and blue filters do something to the sculpture, but in the real world this location is almost totally dark. This location was easy to paint, and the camera settings had to move very little as the color was added over a series of shots.
In another photo “Alive,” (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/alive.htm), this location was dark, but considerable lighter than the other one. Yet, after dark, there was no color, and ambient lighting was placed to light newly planted trees and not the sculpture. So, it was time to add color once again, and in this case the sculpture was painted with red, amber, and blue filters using a Big Max handheld flashlight. Since this sculpture was stainless steel, each color reflected from one surface to another, and color bounced pretty much everywhere.
The Wandermere waterfalls (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs4.htm) has been written about before, yet it is one more example of something which can be lost by darkness, yet brought to life is you add colored lights/filters. Trying to find a balance of objects in the darkness and then adding color is nothing short of fun. There are many other things which can be painted with light, even in very dark conditions.
One of the darker areas, yet totally interesting, is the Olmstead overlook, at the extreme west side of Liberty Park. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/redgreenandblue.htm) To say this area can become dark is an understatement. Yet, for a target area to attempt to use color and light, it is perfect. There are old pathways, rock walls, and lots of shadows. If any of you want a place to go with endless possibilities, this would be it. Further, most of the area is a great start for handheld lights which would not interfere or distract passing motorists. On the south side of this area is I-90, so your primary areas of interest will be well away from the east-west bound freeway traffic.
There are many other places to discover and toy with painting with light, and I am sure there are more for me to discover. I’ll be taking some local photogs (Spokane Camera Club) out for a few more night experiences, and depending on time available I may take them to the Liberty Park area.
Any of you other photogs that want to hook up with my night groups, just let me know. If any of you can help me coach future night shooting groups, we can get each phog a little more personal attention.
Enjoy painting the town with color. I totally enjoy it.
JDM
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Spokane Night Scenes, an exercise in Night Photography
Spokane Night Scenes, an exercise in Night Photography has been updated to include details for 2008.
2008 updated details for this PDF file are in italicized text.
The direct download for the 2008 update is located at:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/SNSNP.pdf
Since the 2008-2009 night season has begun, updates will continue as they are developed.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com
photos@spokanenightscenes.com
2008 updated details for this PDF file are in italicized text.
The direct download for the 2008 update is located at:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/SNSNP.pdf
Since the 2008-2009 night season has begun, updates will continue as they are developed.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com
photos@spokanenightscenes.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Have Space Aliens landed in Spokane?
Have aliens landed in Spokane, or is it just artistic obelisks? I am betting that it is an artists sculpture, titled “Cooperation.”
Cooperation—Michihiro Kosuge, 1998, http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/campusresources/Facilities/art/kosuge.asp
In a recent night sojourn, I made a visit to the WSU-EWU Campus in Spokane (Riverpoint Campus). Things have changed indeed, and I discovered artistic objects that were not there (or I had not seen them), when I visited this campus a year or two earlier (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/blueroom.htm).
I observed three very tall granite looking obelisks, with an unusual shape. Framed against a bland sky, I decided to see if I could spruce things up with some color.
One image was bracketed using a blue filter on a Big Max flashlight. Another bracketed series of images was with a red filter using the same flashlight. The images were combined in post editing (CS3, PSE6, Photomatix 3) What appears now, is a completely different view of the same three obelisks, with a completely different quality, at least in my view. All timed exposures, this was one of the easiest shoots I have had in one evening. Hauling around additional lights and filters was a bear, but it appears to have been successful in this Spokane Night Scenes image.
The low-res image is located on the website at:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/blueheads.htm
JDM
Cooperation—Michihiro Kosuge, 1998, http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/campusresources/Facilities/art/kosuge.asp
In a recent night sojourn, I made a visit to the WSU-EWU Campus in Spokane (Riverpoint Campus). Things have changed indeed, and I discovered artistic objects that were not there (or I had not seen them), when I visited this campus a year or two earlier (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/blueroom.htm).
I observed three very tall granite looking obelisks, with an unusual shape. Framed against a bland sky, I decided to see if I could spruce things up with some color.
One image was bracketed using a blue filter on a Big Max flashlight. Another bracketed series of images was with a red filter using the same flashlight. The images were combined in post editing (CS3, PSE6, Photomatix 3) What appears now, is a completely different view of the same three obelisks, with a completely different quality, at least in my view. All timed exposures, this was one of the easiest shoots I have had in one evening. Hauling around additional lights and filters was a bear, but it appears to have been successful in this Spokane Night Scenes image.
The low-res image is located on the website at:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/blueheads.htm
JDM
Monday, September 08, 2008
Spokane waterfalls after dark
I had the pleasure, with my family, of visiting TWIGG’s Bistro, in the Wandermere Business Park area (Northside). One of the things I noticed were some nicely hardscaped waterfalls in several locations. I was trying to imagine what these things would look like after dark, and I asked the Twiggs staffers about the waterfalls. They were less than knowledgeable about the lighting situation after dark, so it was time to visit the hardscapes myself.
This week I finally visited that target area, and those hardscaped water features looked better at night than they did in the daylight. I bracketed over three hundred images that night, with the last 50 or so images using colored filters for flashlights I had, to add some interest to areas that were the most drab at the particular water feature I was shooting.
The recent additions to the Spokane Night Scenes website are located at:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs.htm
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs2.htm
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs3.htm
There are a lot of possible angles to shoot the water features, but one of the best is behind the Bank of Whitman. You may actually be the focus of adjacent party revelers, at Twiggs. Their outside dining area gives the customers full view of the water features behind Twiggs. I know that I was the focus of attention when the Big Max flashlight and colored filters came out for use on some of the shots. Nonetheless, this was an evening well worth the drive north.
JDM
This week I finally visited that target area, and those hardscaped water features looked better at night than they did in the daylight. I bracketed over three hundred images that night, with the last 50 or so images using colored filters for flashlights I had, to add some interest to areas that were the most drab at the particular water feature I was shooting.
The recent additions to the Spokane Night Scenes website are located at:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs.htm
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs2.htm
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/twiggs3.htm
There are a lot of possible angles to shoot the water features, but one of the best is behind the Bank of Whitman. You may actually be the focus of adjacent party revelers, at Twiggs. Their outside dining area gives the customers full view of the water features behind Twiggs. I know that I was the focus of attention when the Big Max flashlight and colored filters came out for use on some of the shots. Nonetheless, this was an evening well worth the drive north.
JDM
Friday, August 15, 2008
Spokane copyright theft
Once again, I have been placed in a position in which my copyrighted image has been taken for someone else’s use. Finding my images misappropriated and on someone else’s website is getting more routine these days, but nonetheless, it is a disappointment. It is more of an ethical issue, when you think of how many people just “take,” anything they want, when they know it isn’t theirs to take. Here is the URL of my misappropriated image:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cawhite/SpokaneWAMyHometown/photo#5138090057029577474
The user of this image is called CA White, and as stated on this URL, the images are “from their hometown.” So, apparently, walking around
Would I have allowed the person to use my work? If they had asked, would I have allowed them to do it? At this point, it is rather moot, since they went ahead and took my image and used it without any discussion. When I think of all the money invested in my photographic hardware, software, and office hardware, it makes little sense for me to put up with copyright infringement. To run a small business, it takes a lot of money, and even more effort. So, when I see someone take my stuff and use it without any thoughts given to my ownership, I can see myself becoming a lot more hard nosed about this issue.
Picasaweb apparently is a Google prodigee, so I have filed notice this morning with the Google legal staffers about this use of my image. The image in question is a December 28 image, in 2005. It has been displayed in print form at First Friday Galleries (2006 and 2007), as well as appearing on Channel 14 locally. This year the arena image was replaced with another view of the arena, although I am giving some thought to putting it back on the Spokane Night Scenes website, since the image is apparently good enough to be stolen.
One of these days I would like to have a long chat with the person who takes my stuff for their own purposes. Why did you take the image, when you already know it wasn’t yours? There are only two places the images could have been taken from, and both of those locations are owned by me. Why is it that you failed to email me to ask about using it? When the Google attorneys contact you, are you going to tell them you are sorry for using the image? Or are you just sorry that you got caught using my image?
Ironically, meeting the Google requirements for filing the complaint actually took almost as much time as I took to register just under 500 images with the Copyright Office at the Library of Congress.
CA White, shoot me an email, if you read this. Even after spending 31 years in policework, I am still very curious as to why things get taken by someone without permission.
JDM
Friday, July 25, 2008
Having some fun with copyright theft
So, last night I decided to try something a bit different and have a
little fun.
I found a link in my webstats program that came from
http://www.allempires.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=24898&KW=spokane&PN=2
I'm not sure if that URL will successfully reach your browser header,
but lets give it a try. At any rate, I find an image of mine used by
someone without permission. What to do, since this is the zillionth
time it has happened to me.
I wanted to try something different, so I find that the image is
actually linked directly to my website image file name. I opened up
my photo editor and created a second copy of the image that was taken,
and changed the file name for it. I opened up my html editor and
inserted the new image, so everything is as it was originally. Now I
brought up the taken image and added Image stolen from just above the
copyright details added.
Today I am getting slammed in terms of site visitors, from the people
who found my stolen image. The site traffic has been great, and I
even got some emails from the site visitors, kinda laughing about this
guy taking my image and not knowing it says stolen from on it.
Anyhow, today should be interesting and my site can handle the
additional traffic okay. I'm not sure I will do this technique very
often, but for once I can smile as my stolen image keeps appearing on
this website each day. With or without the knowledge of the image
thief, I had a little bit of fun doing this.
Based on the pure numbers of people who arbitrarily steal images from me, I am almost overjoyed when I speak with people who wish to legally use the images. It is an absolute pleasure to speak with ethical people, whether it is for a commercial sale or a non-profit or 4th grade teacher asking to use an image for a classroom project.
So, for all of you ethical folks, feel free to keep the emails and phone calls coming. For those of you who manage a website with your images, just remember, the unethical folks out there will be taking your work, so stay active in your discovery methods.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
photos@spokanenightscenes.com
little fun.
I found a link in my webstats program that came from
http://www.allempires.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=24898&KW=spokane&PN=2
I'm not sure if that URL will successfully reach your browser header,
but lets give it a try. At any rate, I find an image of mine used by
someone without permission. What to do, since this is the zillionth
time it has happened to me.
I wanted to try something different, so I find that the image is
actually linked directly to my website image file name. I opened up
my photo editor and created a second copy of the image that was taken,
and changed the file name for it. I opened up my html editor and
inserted the new image, so everything is as it was originally. Now I
brought up the taken image and added Image stolen from just above the
copyright details added.
Today I am getting slammed in terms of site visitors, from the people
who found my stolen image. The site traffic has been great, and I
even got some emails from the site visitors, kinda laughing about this
guy taking my image and not knowing it says stolen from on it.
Anyhow, today should be interesting and my site can handle the
additional traffic okay. I'm not sure I will do this technique very
often, but for once I can smile as my stolen image keeps appearing on
this website each day. With or without the knowledge of the image
thief, I had a little bit of fun doing this.
Based on the pure numbers of people who arbitrarily steal images from me, I am almost overjoyed when I speak with people who wish to legally use the images. It is an absolute pleasure to speak with ethical people, whether it is for a commercial sale or a non-profit or 4th grade teacher asking to use an image for a classroom project.
So, for all of you ethical folks, feel free to keep the emails and phone calls coming. For those of you who manage a website with your images, just remember, the unethical folks out there will be taking your work, so stay active in your discovery methods.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
photos@spokanenightscenes.com
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Spokane photography, after hours
Shooting photos after hours gets a little more difficult in the summer. Simply put, it gets darker later, so I generally take a month or two off and focus on other photographic interests.
Recently, I began an opportunity to work with the Spokane Parks Foundation. Their executive director, Toni Nerserian made contact with me, and as a result the Spokane Camera Club is now actively involved in getting photos for the Spokane Parks Foundation. Ten of the Spokane Camera Club’s photographers were issued photographic permits for shooting in Spokane City Parks, so as we go along there will be some great shots in and around Spokane Parks coming in the future. This week the Spokane Parks Foundation was given a PowerPoint slide program with 100 parks images on it, for their marketing use. 7 Camera Club photographers donated images to use in the Park project, and the finished product is dynamite.
Yesterday I was contacted by the Public Affairs office at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Next year is the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and the Spokane Camera Club figures to being heavily involved in supporting the VAMC effort in July of 2009.
So, event when there is some personal downtime as far as night photography goes; there are always plenty of things to stay busy. The 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games is a very worthy project, and will be in Spokane, July 13-18, 2009. These games are described by VAMC as the “largest wheelchair event in the world,” and they expect over 500 participants.
These projects, among others, will keep the shutters active this summer. Then, it will be time to get back on the Spokane streets doing lots of after hour’s photography.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com
photos@spokanenightscenes.com
Recently, I began an opportunity to work with the Spokane Parks Foundation. Their executive director, Toni Nerserian made contact with me, and as a result the Spokane Camera Club is now actively involved in getting photos for the Spokane Parks Foundation. Ten of the Spokane Camera Club’s photographers were issued photographic permits for shooting in Spokane City Parks, so as we go along there will be some great shots in and around Spokane Parks coming in the future. This week the Spokane Parks Foundation was given a PowerPoint slide program with 100 parks images on it, for their marketing use. 7 Camera Club photographers donated images to use in the Park project, and the finished product is dynamite.
Yesterday I was contacted by the Public Affairs office at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Next year is the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and the Spokane Camera Club figures to being heavily involved in supporting the VAMC effort in July of 2009.
So, event when there is some personal downtime as far as night photography goes; there are always plenty of things to stay busy. The 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games is a very worthy project, and will be in Spokane, July 13-18, 2009. These games are described by VAMC as the “largest wheelchair event in the world,” and they expect over 500 participants.
These projects, among others, will keep the shutters active this summer. Then, it will be time to get back on the Spokane streets doing lots of after hour’s photography.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com
photos@spokanenightscenes.com
Monday, June 09, 2008
Photographers rights, a look from the other side.
Each time I read about alleged encounters, or alleged incidents, it makes me think about my career in public police services, and “what would I do.” In the last 7 years of my police career, I had photographic responsibilities at crime scenes, and fatal collisions. In some incidents I also had photographic responsibilities for intelligence gathering, and in the main, I had fun anytime I could get a camera in my hands.
Yet, the issues of photographer’s rights are “what I care most deeply about.” I think about this a lot when I shoot for my ongoing night project at Spokane Night Scenes. I think about the safety issues more than most other things when I shoot after dark, but that also might be a time when a photographer somewhere reports on being questioned about their activities by “some local authority, in some place.”
So, “when would I have ever stopped a photographer who was shooting/taking pictures in an obvious public place?” Is it possible that I would have? Well, it isn’t likely, absent some other reason which represents a physical danger to some other person. In 31 years of law enforcement, I have been around cameras in the hands of adults, children, and even members of the former KGB. My photo is probably still sitting on the desk somewhere of me in uniform standing next two KGB officials at the worlds fair in Spokane when the Soviets would have two KGB members always follow me around whenever I entered the Soviet Unions Pavilion at the Worlds Fair.
It just makes no sense to me, about why I would ever tell a photographer not to take a photo in a public place. If there is some other reason, other than just the motions of taking a photo that might be an exception. If the photog is endangering themselves or others, or creating a traffic problem, or is drunk or disorderly, than I would contact that person for those reasons, but not for simply taking a photo. It just makes no sense to interfere with members of the public doing what they legally have a right to do. Not only is it a waste of my time, but it isn’t what I was sworn to do in the first place. If anything I find myself siding with legitimate photogs who are simply doing what is in their rights to do. It is why we are in democratic societies, and why we actually benefit from the artistic abilities of the same photogs who are legally in a public place.
Look, and please understand, not all photographers do things the right ways. Yep, I have had some bad experiences with photographers who would wind up in and on private property without permission, and that always made things tougher on the remaining photogs who did things right by asking for and receiving permission to take their photos. But as most of you know, there are those kinds of people in virtually all professions. Some photographers pride themselves on never having to ask permission. I still hear that all the time, and I then think of all the other photographers who will have troubles getting permission to shoot photos on the private property based on what the “other photographer did.”
This commentary however, is largely based on my observations of reported incidents which relate to photographers who are legally in a public place, doing a legally permissible act of “taking photos.” Lets assume they are not disruptive etc (most are not), and just wanting to take a photo. Would I tell them “not to take that photo?” Nope, I can think of few reasons that would cause me to do something to interfere with the rights of the photographer since they are not creating havoc or disorderly activities. The simple act of taking a picture in a public place is not disorderly or disruptive.
In looking at my past in public policing, I may have approached a photographer however. I can see myself starting up a conversation about their equipment, or techniques, if the photographer had time to speak with me. Not only would I have left a good feeling with a photographer, but maybe I would have made a friend in the months and years ahead. In approaching the photographer and introducing myself, if the photographer did not have time (or had a desire) to speak with me, then I would go on about my business, someplace else. Telling anyone, who is legally in a public place, that they had to stop what they were legally doing are absolute nuts, unless there is something else occurring at the same time.
So, for those of you, who think that all of them (the police) are like those who are reported, then think again. If anything, members of your local police friends will likely find themselves on your side of an issue defending your right to take a photo in a public place. Happened to me at least a dozen times in my career, that someone who took a picture was definitely okay in doing so, and those who had accosted the photographer were in the wrong. Two of the people who accosted one photographer were taken into custody, and the photographer continued on his way, doing what they were legally entitled to do.
So, in my view, keep having fun out there in your public places. I’ll be out there with you, although mostly at night.
John D. Moore, CPP
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com
photos@spokanenightscenes.com)
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Mother natures discrimination
The feedback from the posting of the “One legged Gull,” image was quick in coming yesterday afternoon and evening. The initial image was taken in mid summer of 2006, and an additional image of the Gull was added to the web this morning.
The web link for the additional Gull image is located here:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/oneleg2.htm
The shot location is:
N48 14.285 W122 42.538
JDM
Monday, June 02, 2008
Mother natures discrimination. An evening with Whidbey Island Seagulls
In late 2006 though mid 2007, I had quite a number of photo opportunities on Whidbey Island . My son was a Deputy Prosecutor for Island County
On one such occasion I noticed a number of Sea Gulls lined up along two sides of handrails on a northside Penn Cove Pier. There must have been 50 Gulls facing into the wind. One of the Gulls was separated by several feet from the mass of Gulls along one handrail, and I snapped a photo of as many of the Gulls as I could. Later when I begin to view the images on my laptop, I noticed that the Gull that was set apart from all the others only had one leg. I had witnessed that Gull fly up to the handrail and land on it, and nothing in way the Gull flew was any different than watching the other Gulls fly up to the Piers metal and wooden handrails.
After observing that the Gull had only one leg, I began to see this Gull a lot in the Penn Cove area. He was now easy to distinguish, as he was virtually always set apart form any other groups of Gulls that were present. I happened to mention this Seagull to my grandchildren, and they felt sorry for this Seagull because he was always “alone.”
I was not Biology major in my 7 years of College, nor do I consider myself as an expert in any matters at all related to animal/bird social practices. Yet, in this case, I did see that the one legged Gull was always apart from the other Gulls that had two legs.
I kinda got attached to this particular Gull, and in my
It’s been about a year since I have been to
So, if anyone happens to be in or around the north side of Penn Cove, on
Here is a photo taken one evening before sunset, and also the closest I ever saw that one legged Gull to any of the other Whidbey Island Gulls.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/oneleg.htm
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Artluck 2008
Last Thursday night, I was able to participate in the May 2008 Artluck show, at Spokane Falls Community College Fort George Wright Drive Institute of Extended Learning
The Artluck event was cosponsored by the Photography program at SFCC, as well as the Spokane Camera Club. Camera Club President Will Murray and I were the coordinators from the Spokane Camera Club, and from the reactions of the attendees and artists that I spoke with, they all felt that the event was very successful.
This event easily surpassed the attendance of the last two events, even if the attendance of the last two were counted together. I was pleased to see that and investing my time and website to help market/promote this event was well worth it. I’ll be happy to do it again for the next event, which we will try and do in November of this year.
Artluck is a great opportunity to meet artists and photographers who have common interests, as well as those who can spur you to try new techniques and methods. I think that we had 22 slide programs that we accepted for this event, including at least three high school students work, as well as some photography students from area colleges. These kids were all very talented people, and they can only get batter as the years add to their experience and skill levels.
Although there were a number of the artists that displayed great work, I found that photographer Kent Henderson and artist Erin Gibson were at the top of my list. I also liked the work of both Will and Barbara Murray (photography). In fairness and full disclosure, Erin Gibson is my daughter. How she can take out a pencil and piece of paper and draw like she does is an absolute amazement to me. Obviously she didn’t get that skill from my side of the family, but the more drawings she does, the better she gets. In looking at Kent Henderson’s photography, I also think that his demonstrable talent is evident now, but if he spends more time on his skills, look out. I spoke with
If I were to have any concerns at all about this months Artluck event, it is based on two issues. One, we are likely going to need a larger facility as we plan ahead. As more artists and their families/friends find out about this ongoing series of events, we are likely to get quite a crowd, even larger than we had at this month’s event. The other issue is the number of talented people in
I think that those of us who are coordinating these events will at some point, have to evaluate each submission/entry, so that we keep the evenings slide displays at or under two hours. Many of our attending photographers are from out of
For this month’s event, we did have to sort through a large number of programs submitted by students, and these kids made it really hard to choose the top programs for display. Yet, that is a task that coordinators have, and if we need to, we are prepared to do the same evaluations in November for the next event.
At Spokane Night Scenes, I get feedback from photographers, all the time. When I look at the work done by these people, I am really surprised that they did not submit their work for others to admire. I really hope that you photographers who have emailed me from either the website or this blog, will get you work together for us to show, in Novembers event.
For those of you, who are learning about this Artluck event for the first time, keep in touch with me and I’ll update you on the next event as we get closer to getting it off the ground.
If possible, I want to see if I can identify a weblink for you to look at the work of the artists that I have mentioned in this article.
Erin Gibson:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/ebg/ebg.htm
Kent Henderson:
http://www.hendersonphoto.blogspot.com
I’ll see if the
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Spokane’s Riverfront Park
I made a photo trip into the Park this week, and I could instantly see the difference between our normal river flows, and the massive flow going on right now. We are told that we will be at or above flood stage for another week, and you can see that even when you set foot into the 104 acre
(This spot was dry a couple of days ago, http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/spotwasdry.htm)
The evening I made it into the park was almost as though I was there for a major event in downtown
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/mf.htm (Reaching flood stage May 2008 (PDF 460K)
If you have not witnessed this year’s water display, take a few minutes and head downtown and enjoy it. There was not much we could enjoy during the winter that lasted forever, but now Mother Nature is giving us an opportunity to enjoy the moisture that we received over the winter.
I plan on making one more trip today or tomorrow with my grandkids. I think that the power of the river will be an intimidating experience, but also a family outing in a beautiful community. I’ll take a tripod and one DSLR with me (Canon 40D), just in case something presents itself, but I’m more interested this time in how big the kids eyes get when they see the falls.
JDM
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