Afternoon Sun

Summer is coming to a close and the sun is getting further away from the Earth. Cooler temperatures and longer shadows. Yesterday afternoon the sunlight was especially nice. As a photographer, it's all about finding the light and the shadows it creates. The cat found it before I did.

HS Senior Portrait Season

It's that time again to start booking an appointment for your high school senior portrait. I believe most yearbook deadlines are at the end of October, so don't delay. Call today for a consultation.

While you're thinking about it, take a look at some portraits from previous years.

518-947-9967

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Joannie and I took two weeks off, last week and this coming week. Last week we started painting inside the house getting ready for Jenna's wedding in October. We only painted it ten years ago, can't imagine why it needed it again?! But it looks great.



However, vacation shouldn't be all work around the house, so on Saturday, we, along with our friends Bob and Joan, went on a culturally stimulating adventure. We visited the Hyde Collection: Art Museum and Historic House, in Glens Falls, NY. http://www.hydecollection.org/

The current exhibition is a collection of work by famed French impressionist painter, Edgar Degas. Most of his work was inspired by the music and musicians of his day. Along with the museum, we took a tour of the Hyde personal residence and had the opportunity to see the extensive collection of classic European and American artists. Visit the website to see all the works in their collection. Better yet, take the drive up and see it first hand. Its an amazingly beautiful experience.



After a nice dinner on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, we went to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to listen to the Philadelphia Orchestra performing the music that inspired Degas' art.



Now for the best part. While we could not take photographs in the Degas exhibit, we were allowed non flash photos in the Hyde residence. I call this piece, CHRIST AND BOB WITH ARMS FOLDED. On the left is Rembrandt's CHRIST WITH FOLDED ARMS, that's Bob on the right. http://www.hydecollection.org/collections/details-image.cfm?ID=19





V. James DiPerna , American (1957 - ), Christ and Bob with Arms Folded, c. 2009 , Giclee on paper, 30 x 24 in.

Fruits of Summer

Ok, so they could be vegatables, but we picked these peppers from our potted garden. Love the colors of red and green mixed throughout. But, I like the timeless look of black and white. It's nice to have a choice. Enjoy, by time you read this, they'll be giving me agita. Agita: Heartburn, acid indigestion, an upset stomach or, by extension, a general feeling of upset. The word is Italian-American slang derived from the Italian "agitare" meaning "to agitate."

Hibiscus

The only things liking this rainy weather is ducks and flowers. We have two braided hibiscus plants at the front entry of our home. They have been beautiful all summer long. Not a bad investment of $15.00 from Sam's Club.

I really like how the color of the flower picks up the color from the Liberty Belle across the street.

Barn Swallows

There is a colony of barn swallows on the warehouse building, south side, at the Catskill Point. I took these photos at lunch today. Thanks Mary for letting me know about them.

Maria Elaina & Frank

Congratulations Maria Elaina and Frank on your wedding. Beautiful couple, beautiful family and a day sent from heaven. Rip Van Winkle Country Club, http://www.rvwcc.com/ was the setting for their outdoor ceremony. Set at the foothills of the Catskill mountains, this scene was straight out of a movie. This was a fun wedding with lots of dancing to music provided by Karoke Craig, http://www.karaokecraig.com/. It's great to see kids of all ages on the dance floor.

The center of the reception was the DELICIOUS food from the folks at RVWCC, topped off with a gorgeous wedding cake from HARTMAN'S KAFFEEHAUS in Round Top and a dessert table to please anyone's sweet tooth.

And along with having 100's of still photos to capture the memories of the day, Maria Elaina and Frank will also have a DVD video provided by Lance Wheeler http://www.lancewheeler.com/

Quadricentennial Flotilla

So we had a little excitement last Thursday, when a flotilla of ships sailed up the Hudson River into Catskill to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the day that Henry Hudson first sailed up the river to explore trading opportunities. http://www.exploreny400.com/

Thanks to the generosity of my friend Gary and his family, Joannie and I were able to view these ships from the river on Gary's boat.

More Photos

Michelle asked me to post a few more photos show she could show her family and friends. Hope you all enjoy.

Miss Greene County and Miss Greene County Teen 2009

Michelle Suttmeier, Miss Greene County, 2009






















Brittany Smith, Miss Greene County Teen, 2009
























As part of the prize packages for the 2009 Miss Greene County and Miss Greene County Teen pageant, both Michelle Suttmeier and Brittany Smith won a photographic portfolio package. So for the past two weekends, I've been working with them on some of their photos. Now, I can only shoot, I don't do hair and makeup, thank God. But hair stylist, Cathy Mondeverde and MAU, Chrissy Dushane, from Adam & Eve Beaute Centre, Leeds, NY, http://www.adamandevebeaute.com/ brought along their talents to make these ladies look as beautiful as they do. We were also fortunate to be able to work with Kathy Clearwater from Revolution, A Contemporary Woman's Boutique, Main St, Catskill, who provided wardrobe, jewelry and accessories.


All of this was made possible by Angela and Danielle Lanuto, owners of Astara Enterprises and producers of the Miss Greene County Pageant. Any young lady interested in this year's pageant should visit their website. http://www.missgreenecounty.com/

Second Saturday May 09

This past Saturday night was the second Saturday stroll on Main Street in Catskill http://www.catskillny.org/. Joannie and I had dinner at 355 Cafe http://cafe355.com/, great meal and their 1st anniversary of being open. Congratulations Jeff and Eddie, we wish you continued success. And thanks for a dry place to wait out the rain!

After dinner we went up to Doubles II http://doubles2.com/. There were a few musicians in there jamming away. It's always fun to listen to live music. Later on latin dance music was provided by DJ Zeffi Zeff. Again, good music, fun crowd and a light show that's not seen in many places around here. Nice job Mike and Sam.

In My Life

Probably one of the best songs ever written. If you're not familiar, google the lyrics of this Beatles song.

One of the friends that I always think about when I hear this song is Jeff Brisbin, http://www.myspace.com/jeffbrisbin . Jeff and I worked together at Radio Shack about 30 years ago. After we both went on to different careers, we lost touch, got together 15 years later, lost touch again and another 15 years got back in touch with each other. When you have a real friend, time doesn't matter, it seems like we spoke every day.

Ok, so why am I blogging this? Last night Joannie and I got the idea to drive to Saratoga Springs, NY to Gaffney's on Caroline Street, to see our friend Jeff perform in the outdoor courtyard (sorry Joe C., it wasn't planned but now I have your phone number and next time we will plan this properly). We arrived unannounced, took two days to find a place to park, but got there in time to listen to Jeff's last set. If you haven't been to Gaffney's to hear Jeff, do yourself a favor and get there. Great original music, great covers of songs we all know and love. Gaffney's is a cool place with an outdoor patio perfect for a cocktail and great entertainment.

So here are a couple of photos of Jeff at Gaffney's. I've also included two shots of Rick Bolton & the Fabulous Dwyer Sisters, http://www.rickboltonandthedwyersisters.com/, who came on right after Jeff. More great music, definitely worth the trip to Saratoga.

Thanks to everyone for a great evening.

Rachael and Michael

The first wedding of 2009 was Rachael and Michael. The rainy weather couldn't dull the day of this wedding. Rachael and Michael are a beautiful couple with such warm wonderful families that made this celebration a joy to be part of.

Congratulations and best wishes for a long happy life together. Thank you for the opportunity to capture this special time of your lives.