Going Fast
Formula Vee 50th Anniversary
The speed of a race car is hard to capture fully. Photography stops the motion and tends to make the cars look like toy cars on the track even when they are traveling at 100 miles per hour. If you blink the cars will barrel by and you will miss them. I wanted to capture a bit of that feeling as well as the old-time feel of the Formula Vee 1960′s car.
I decided to use stop motion slide show to contrast the movement of the man waving the flag with the race cars going by below on the track. During the race I pressed my camera’s motor drive as the cars passed the finishing line. My camera often missed the cars below as the motor drive recycled, but the camera was able to fully capture the movement of the man waving the flag. When I created the slide show I extended the viewing time of the images with cars or you might not see them at all.
To see the slide show click here or click on the image.
To learn more about Formula Vee racing click here
50th Anniversary Celebration of Formula Vee Racing. click on image to see more photos
Delfest, Del-Yeah
Journalist goes native
I pitched the idea to photograph Delfest to Maryland Life Magazine on a curious whim since my friends were filled with excitement about the festival. I confess my astounding cluelessness, I did not know of Del McCoury or his fame last spring. But I ended up staying longer at the festival than my friends, camped through the rain and came home with 5 CD’s of bluegrass music. I unexpectedly went native. The lure of continual quality music in comfy natural setting settled me into place of appreciation for the calm, but subtly invigorating nature of bluegrass. To see a slide show of images from the festival press here. To read the Maryland Life article press here.
Del McCoury at Delfest 2012 - Press on image to make slideshow play
Kids in enjoying class, lots of fun
I have photographed classes at McLean Community Center for about 10 years. Even when I photograph the same class the photography never gets boring. The kids enjoyment and fresh curiosity about life is a pleasure to witness. I picked out a few of my recent favorites. To check out the classes that McLean Community Center offers go to: http://www.mcleancenter.org/classes-trips
Remembering what is important
House Women’s Democratic Caucus standing on the steps of the Capitol during the opening day of Congress. Lisa Helfert
Women’s Democratic Caucus Photo
When I attended Women’s Democratic Caucus photo-op on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, I never thought events surrounding the gathering would make national news. For me, this was just a typical photo-op. On Thursday, the altering of the official photo of the House Democratic Women by “photoshopping” in four missing members, was the most read article on-line in the Washington Post. Papers from Maine to Nevada wrote stories. Photo District News even wrote an article today.
My memory of the real moment is something I enjoyed. I am guessing this is why Nancy Pelosi set aside the time for the photograph. For all the time I spend around politics and photographs set-up to embellish the ego, I must admit that my mind wandered to a place of respect for the moment as I stood in front of the Capitol. The country has come a long way to elect into office this many women coming from so many different backgrounds.
I am sharing this less than perfect image I took during the set-up time. The image shows the women just as they were then, a few missing, some not paying attention, several joyful, most of them shivering, some proud and I am sure a few wishing they could check their cell phones. The photo is less than perfect, but I still think the moment is special.
Seasons Greetings
Walking in the Winter
My fall flew by this year.
So I am looking forward to a winter filled with festive gatherings with friends and family, cooking warm meals, reading books with tea and a comfy blanket and taking rejuvenating walks in the woods.
I captured this image along the Capital Crescent Trail several years ago. I challenged myself to get out of my house before everyone else so that I could be the first person to make tracks through the alluring display of snow coating everything. A scene more magical than Christmas lights. The quiet beauty after a snowfall highlights what winter can give us. Enjoy the winter!
Capital Crescent Trail after snowfall
Giving Back
Alternative House
When I heard about Alternative House I was happy to volunteer my services. Alternative House is a refuge for abused and homeless children, teens, and at risk adults. Their programs include a shelter for teens, a program for homeless young mothers and their children, a youth and teen outreach program, and one of the first young adult’s homeless programs in the country that helps homeless high school students.
I really enjoyed photographing the young mothers and their children from the Alternative House assistance program. I came to the shoot exhausted after a long day of shooting, but found myself delighted and energized by children. My heart warmed witnessing how much love the women had for their children.
Check out Alternative House
Eating on the job, soft shell crab sandwiches
Sometimes I get lucky as a photographer, really lucky. My assignment is a lot of work, but I enjoy the shoot and the layout of the images in the magazine turns out beautiful. But this assignment came with another bit of fortune, it was tasty. Thank you Maryland Life!
I usually do not eat the food I photograph. I usually do not eat fried food. But after sinking my teeth into the first soft shell crab sandwich I could not stop. I had to taste each fried delight that I photographed. First the fantastic fancy sandwich at Shirley’s in Baltimore, next the traditional sandwich with fries at O’Donnell’s in Gaithersburg and last the california-like sandwich with avocado and green tomatoes at Nick’s Airport Inn in Hagerstown. I highly suggest a food road trip.
In terms of photography, making fried food look yummy is very different from eating fried food. Especially something with eyes and legs. But I found the patience was worth the knowledge I gained along with the weight around my tummy.
Check out the full story by Shirley Grace on the web : softshell crab story
Or pick up a copy at Barnes and Noble or any store to enjoy the hard copy and a chance to view the beautiful layout created by Maryland Life’s art director Marie Boshoff.
