On the fourth we like to stick close to home. We were lucky enough to have the golf cart at our disposal, so we hopped in and drove to Point Beach to watch the Bayview fireworks. I have to say this vantage point is absolutely perfect in my book. It’s a great spot overlooking Bayview (and this year’s killer sunset) and you’re bit out of the fray. As Officer Smitty wisely noted, watching the Bayview fireworks can feel like you’re in a war zone. I cannot even begin to convey the amount of illegal fireworks that were launched here on Sunday night! Our former neighbors were still going strong an hour after it got dark. Aerials were shooting above our head and showering us with debris and ash. It was smoky and noisy and a bit even felt a bit dangerous… but I suppose that just added to the thrill of it all!
Point Beach gets in on the action and now the debris starts to rain down.
We started and ended the evening driving by the Morningside shoreline. It was a quiet oasis next to the activity in Point Beach and Bayview. 
Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category
freestyle fireworks in bayview
July 7, 2010west haven fireworks
July 7, 2010D and I call them the Kahunas. Mary and Steve have a wonderful home right on the shore of West Haven. Every year they throw a party for the 4th and graciously let us crash their front porch to watch the fireworks. We headed here on Saturday night to show Brent how the pros do it… 
perfect 10
July 5, 2010Three days, sun, surf, sandbars and fireworks. My cousin Brent came to town for the holiday weekend and we had three full days of exceptional summer beach weather. The paddle board came out and we also hit the streets in the golf cart to watch the festivities in Point Beach. I was glad we got there a little early before the skies darkened. What a view to over our old neighborhood of Bayview:
focus
May 21, 2010I’m trying to get a better handle on my camera by practicing with more still lifes. It’s much easier to get your shot when you’re subject doesn’t move! Maybe that’s why I like photographing food so much! I was attracted to the carved details on this sculpture in my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Hawaii. They lived in Guam for over 20 years and have seen quite a bit of of the world, especially the countries around the Pacific! All the unique treasures that decorate their house must make for lovely reminders of a life well-traveled. Next time we visit Aunty Jean and Uncle Harry, they will probably be situated in a new abode and I can’t wait to see all their thoughtfully curated possessions re-arranged into new surroundings.
lights…camera…
February 23, 2010The real truth about this blog that all of the shots that end up on here are the result of sheer luck and a bit of Photoshop magic. In the interest of improving technique and getting the right shot more quickly… I spent the day with Aurora Oronato shooting on manual and exploring the wonders of lighting. It was an amazing day of learning new things and being a bit overwhelmed. In the end, I need to spend more time thinking and revising my work while I’m behind the camera. Luckily, there should be plenty of time to practice while we’re on vacation!
First shot is of Savannah, who braved a lot of chilly, whipping wind in downtown New Milford. 
Melissa was our afternoon model. Aurora brought a lot of lighting gear I’ve never worked with before. A softbox, a heavy huge battery that looks like it could power a car, reflectors… It was amazing to take control of the light instead of feeling frustrated that it’s an uncontrollable factor in a shot. Since I don’t own all this equipment, I doubt my photos will be taking on this kind of effect any time soon, but it was fascinating to see it behind the scenes. I loved trying something new and can hardly believe these photos came from my D50 with a 35mm lens.
And those eyelashes! Girls- they are real… I am so jealous.
snowflakes
December 31, 2009Back to the jewelry box on last time for 2009. I’ve photographed this piece before, but it reminds me of a snowflake so I set it out among the millions of other little white pieces of fluff that fell from the sky this morning. I’d say we got about 2″ in about 2 hour’s time.
clip one on
December 1, 2009I don’t know many women who don’t have pierced ears, but back in the day… my mom wouldn’t allow it. Even when everyone else in middle school was busy getting their second and third sets. Thanks mom!
As a sign of the changing times, this entire jewelry box from my aunt is filled with clip-on earrings. You don’t see many of those in stores anymore!
happy thanksgiving
November 26, 2009Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Here’s a pearl necklace from my aunt’s vintage jewelry collection. Soon I’m headed to her home for some turkey. This year we are taking a break from our usual Thanksgiving routine at my sister-in-law’s in Yardley, PA. I will miss the sausage and chestnut stuffing!
married: a + j (part 1)
November 19, 2009Ann and I went to the same college, at the same time, but we never crossed paths. After graduation, we became fast friends when we both took our first jobs in Stamford, Connecticut. Over the years we’ve stayed in touch, even after Ann moved back to Illinois and later on to Arizona. I wouldn’t have missed her wedding for the world and it was just the ticket to finally visit her hometown of Moline that I had heard so much about. Of course Ann + Jason had a photographer documenting their day, so I just grabbed a few shots here and there and mostly tried to stay in the moment, as a guest. 
This was the first time I met Jason. Over the years, I’ve heard so much about J, I felt like I had met him before. And how lucky to have a brother like Bob officiating your ceremony. I love how Bob and Ann have the same laugh!
A few musical interludes:
The weather turned chilly when the sun went below the treeline. Here’s Ann rockin’ out in her grandmother’s fur jacket. 
I’ll wrap things up with a reading from their ceremony, from Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece:
And then one day it came upon another piece that seemed to be just right.
“Hi!” It said.
“Hi!” said the piece
“Are you anybody else’s missing piece?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Well, maybe you want to be your own piece?”
“I can be someone’s and still be my own.”
jewelry box: back in time
November 12, 2009Instead of waiting for interesting moments to come to me, I decided on a new winter project: photographing bits and baubles from my aunt’s costume jewelry collection. There were so many great pieces bursting out of the jewelry boxes I didn’t know where begin!