Bernstein’s Mass
October 17, 2008 | Filed Under Performance Arts | 1 Comment
Mass is the centerpiece of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s 2008-2009 season and celebrates the 90th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth and his enduring legacy.
I was commissioned to cover the rehearsal this past Tuesday and the performance held last night. This production features nearly 250 performers with the BSO divided into two different orchestras with two organs and nine percussionists, the Morgan State University Choir, Marching Band, Peabody Children’s Chorus, plus the cast of dancers and singers. For more information visit Bernstein: Mass — A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers from the BSO’s website.
Without the ability to use flash, the key to getting the shots in this low-light environment is to combine my f/1.8-f/2.8 lenses, plus high ISO.
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The NFL Experience
October 17, 2008 | Filed Under Sports, football | 3 Comments
I can finally say, “Yes, I’ve shot an NFL game.”
I’ve shot many high school games, a college game, but they don’t compare to the NFL Experience. To those who shoot the NFL regularly, it’s probably old hat for you, but for me it was like getting to fly first class after riding in coach all my life.
The first thing that really surprised me was how big these guys are. Not sure where these guys hang out all week, but I’ve never seen people this enormous at the grocery store or mall.
Photographing the game is pretty much the same — except the players move so much faster, and passes get to their intended receivers (or defensive players) in a blink of an eye.
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Up, Up, and Away
October 8, 2008 | Filed Under Editorial | Leave a Comment
After being asked Friday morning by the Baltimore Examiner if I was available Saturday evening to take some photos from a Blackhawk helicopter — it didn’t take long to answer “YES.”
Even though I had an already busy weekend schedule — Parkville Soccer Team & Individual Saturday morning, Henry’s birthday Saturday afternoon and the Ravens game on Sunday — squeezing in a 1-hour flight from 6p-7p seemed easy-peezy.
After shooting 14 soccer teams, I got home around 2:30 and was pretty beat. Did I make a mistake squeezing in this assignment?
My son Henry’s birthday party was getting underway and after wolfing down some pizza, and chicken wings, I felt a bit better.
I arrived at the airfield in Edgewood at about 5:15p and signed my life away in case of a crash. Then was issued earplugs and a headset. I was then able to sit in on the preflight meeting with the three pilots, copilots and navigators. The mission was to fly over Fort McHenry at exactly 6:30p for the Michael Phelps Celebration.
They flew doors open so I would have the best opportunity for photos, and I had my own private seat in the back of the helicopter. Whoever, no one came by and asked me for my choice of dinner — or even got me a drink. Heck, I didn’t even get a bag of peanuts. I guess accommodations on this flight were different than I was used too.
The helicopter ride was one awesome experience.