Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Happy Holidays!
From Jan and Kathy
note new address and email:
8 Indian Trail North, Wakefield, RI 02879
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
December 21st on the lake
Cold, windy, bright, and the lake has disappeared under 20 inches of snow.
Winter in Bayville 1
via flickr.com
a wonderful set from my friend John on Flicker http://www.flickr.com/photos/dilello/
Jan
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Lake House
The lake was in quiet a lather yesterday, with wild water and wind pushing against me like a hand. Lines of white foam undulated on the waves as they splashed on the shore. The last of the leaves clutched at branches and our lawn was swept clean. The setting sun finally quieted the storm and another day passed away.
The Lake House
The lake was in quiet a lather yesterday, with wild water and wind pushing against me like a hand. Lines of white foam undulated on the waves as they splashed on the shore. The last of the leaves clutched at branches and our lawn was swept clean. The setting sun finally quieted the storm and another day passed away.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Search for 'nude' - Posterous
via posterous.com
This is an amazing video, no idea how it was done...
Hey, Silver Circle's got a group blog!
Just discovers Posterous. It uses email to post and comment to a private blog... so I thought perfect for our group... I'll try it out with this set of four egrets I did a couple of weeks ago. Please comment, and add your own pictures, videos, by posting yourself to the address above.
Jan
Take a look.
Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology
via ted.com
This is truly amazing... really looks like black magic to me... is this where it is going... my god!!!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
WashFair_9408.jpg
A grab shot at the Washington State Fair this summer. This was the girl who runs the hammer bang. Slam that thing, ring a bell, and get the Alien prize.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Lightroom Teaching Experience
I've had a busy teaching experience as the leaves are begining to turn. I led a workshop several weeks ago at Blithewold Gardens and Arboretum called "The Fall Of The Leaf." We roamed the lovely grounds and made beautiful images of the change of seasons. This class was really about inspiration, and when my charges left, I could feel their creative juices flowing... and this inspires me!
I have begun a new educational adventure at Salve University called "The Circle Of Scholars." The excellent COS program is run for senior citizens by Salve partly to strengthen public relations with the community, and also for enrichment. My class is basic digital photography, "Making Digital Photographs," for newbie digital shooters. Wow, what a facility I have to work in; The Pell Center for International Studies is a gorgeous old brownstone mansion with large murals on the walls, and exquisite detailing everywhere. The AV department spoils me, as a specialist comes over and sets up my projector promptly 15 minutes prior. My students sit in comfortable swivel chairs while I pontificate. We wander the grounds and shot the autumn lanscape. Last week we discussed shutter speeds, and I could tell that many of my "kids" got lost, or bored talking tech. I'm changing course next week... composition is something they will find more to their liking, I hope.
But the real teaching challenge has been Lightroom, a class I'm holding at 2701 East Main, the old studio. It is a tight fit in there for 8 students in my camera room. I'm finding my pace, after a rocky start the first week. I've just realized that many, if not most of my gang hasn't a solid understanding of the file structure on their computers. The first class was on the Library Module, and what with two operating systems going, two versions of Lightroom cooking, and my students possessing a wide range of computer experience from none to lots, I had so many questions that we didn't cover as much ground as I would have liked.
Last Saturday morning was better. The subject was Lightroom Develop Module, and I could tell that things were beginning to sink in. Our little group actually enjoyed the 3 hours staring at my projections on the white wall.
I find that I really love teaching this program, and teaching in general. More classes are in the works.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Shaker Village Detour
Traveling with spontaneity is our style. While Barreling down I93 we noticed the big brown sign that said "Shaker Village, this Exit." So we took it. Six miles of scenic country back roads later we pulled in the Shaker Village parking lot, paid our $17 each, and went on a most interesting guided tour of one of the last of the Shaker settlements. We learned the Shakers were first Quakers and that they loved to dance. They were a very industrious sect: their motto was "Hands to work, Hearts to God." They manufactured brooms, furniture, and many other inventions they sold throughout New England. I've always loved their minimalist furniture, so of course we bought a beautiful Bird's Eye Maple reproduction. Check out the video!
Monday, July 20, 2009
I have been reorganizing my old imges, after the Big Crash. Lost from 2000 up to 2008... Yes, I had it all backed up, but to CD and DVD, Yeah, great, but having to go back and reload many, many disks and transfer the files to the new hard drive... well, let's just say, I missed a lot of beach time. So to commerate the job, here's one from a new series I'm doing... maybe called "Summer Breezes." And BTW, Lacie gave me lousy support on the dead drive. So this time I bought Western Digital .
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Big Sky County
We attended my favorite niece's wedding, then spent two weeks in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Cody (the rodeo... yahooo), and Covered Wagon Dud Ranch. Thye're not kidding, there's a big sky out there... Dramatic landscapes, and riding into the backcountry of Montana on Louie, Louie was truly spectacular!!! Kathy and I have been invited back to the ranch in Sept. on assignment, to do a photo shot. A trade... should be great fun!!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sukhothai
Kathy and I visited the birthplace of Thailand... Sukhothai. Ancient ruins, wonderfully preserved statues and sites of worship. Thi s image was a collaboration... Kath did Buddha, I did the PS. I'll have more images posted on Flickr and my own website soon.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Portsmouth Historical Society
Foster Comstock gave me one of his magnificent prints of this building, this view, actually, only he turned his lithograph into a whimsical face.
This is my high dynamic range tribute to him. He was a good man, once the head of the school of architecture at Princeton, director of Doris Duke's Newport Restoration Foundation, and a mentor to me. May he rest in peace.
The building, Greek Revival, Portsmouth country style, was used for another purpose, no doubt, but I don't know what. The triangles are many. It must have be designed by a man.
The building, Greek Revival, Portsmouth country style, was used for another purpose, no doubt, but I don't know what. The triangles are many. It must have be designed by a man.
Elmhurst Portico
The memories flow forth when I look at this picture.I was here when this was part of Sacred Heart Academy, and when it fell in ruin. I was here when the nuns fished off the pier, looking like ghosts in the fog. I recall doing my children's portraits on this step, and many other children when I was Armor Photography. I diid figure studies on the bench just off this portico, and taught photo classes on the grounds. Two of my children were married here. I shot high school proms here. And of late, I have done granddaughter's birthdy portraits here. So many good memories here...
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Smiling Irish Eyes
Here's one, up close and personal, from a series of head shots I did of Eve Condon, dancer, actress, and feminist, extrorindaire. She loves the camera, and the feeling is mutual. Strong features, a flair for the dramatic, and gorgeous green eyes make Eve a wonderful subject for my new "Headshot" page.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The HDR Workshop
Chris Alvanas led our workshop on High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography on Saturday. Judging from the emails I've received today, it was a success! 9 participants attended at 2701 East Main Artists. These photographers came away with much useful information, as well as inspiration from Chirs' great images. As a bonus Mr Alvanas shared some of his retouching techniques. That alone was worth the cost.
I seem to be shooting more and more HDR images of late. It has put some magic back into my photography. The results are often other worldly, with a depth that is lacking in many "normal" images. Now, with the advent of digital, this profession is rapidly changing, so fast it makes my head spin. It's an exciting time to be involved. And you can expect that six months from now there will be another new new thing.
I seem to be shooting more and more HDR images of late. It has put some magic back into my photography. The results are often other worldly, with a depth that is lacking in many "normal" images. Now, with the advent of digital, this profession is rapidly changing, so fast it makes my head spin. It's an exciting time to be involved. And you can expect that six months from now there will be another new new thing.
The City of Light
Yes, indeed, Paris was lighted up for Christmas. I've posted some images of our cruise from Paris to Rueon in Normandy. See them on my Flickr site as well as my website. I am so turned on by this wonderful city, I find so much to photograph. So much to do, so much to eat... Yes, "I love Paris in the winder, when it's raining, "etc. etc.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Why, Oh Why, Do I Love Paris
Even though it rained day after day, Paris was,is, and always will be our favorite city. Ah, the City of Light. Food, wine, art, and especially the people, they all inspire me. We cruised to Ruoen on the Seine. This is a wonderful city, and it was in full Christmas dress. As I stood in front of the cathedral, I thought of Impressionist Claude Monet, who also stood in this very same spot so many years ago. He painted this famous facade 28 times, in shade and in sun, and with warm colors and cool. Some of his variations have been lost, but the many that survive are now treasured masterpieces, spread far and wide.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Third grade, Namibia
This Ultimate Africa trip is one of the many Overseas Adventure Travel trips my wife and I have taken, and we thought it was the best, a real adventure. The guides were amazing, the tented accommodations perfect, the wildlife profuse, and the people warm and friendly. What more could we ask.
We met the children at two different schools, one in Namibia, and the other in Zimbabwe. Grand Circle Foundation has built and funded many schools through the world, these being two of them. We met the teachers and chatted with the students right at their desks. The kids sang for us, even performed a native dance. it was an unforgettable highlight for Kathy and I.
We met the children at two different schools, one in Namibia, and the other in Zimbabwe. Grand Circle Foundation has built and funded many schools through the world, these being two of them. We met the teachers and chatted with the students right at their desks. The kids sang for us, even performed a native dance. it was an unforgettable highlight for Kathy and I.
Rhino
On our very last day at the Wilderness Tented Camp in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, we came upon a male and a female rhino out on the veld at sunset. These huge beasts have been hunted to near extinction but thanks to the efforts of many interested parties, they are being re-introduced here in the park.
The male, built like a Sherman tank, hovered around his princess protectively, circling her,and posturing for our vehicles, like "Don't mess with my woman..."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Orange Sellers
This was in Zimbabwe, on the road to Victoria Falls, October, 2008. We stopped because our driver needed some produce to take home. Immediately a thong of vendors, mostly kids, approached our bus. They offered up oranges and other fruit, with desperation in their eyes. This country was descending into darkness. Mugabe and his greedy mob had raped the land, had failed their people miserably. We all felt embarrassingly fortunate for our lot, separated from these children by a thin piece of glass, and the good fortune of our birth. We sat silent, shaking our heads "No," helpless to their plight.
November
Every autumn, after the trees are mostly bare, and the leaves lay scattered and brown, I remember my father's passing. To me October is clear and bright, red, yellow, and sunshine. November, on the other hand, is brown and smells of burning leaves. My heart always feels heavier then.
It has been almost thirty years, but it seems like yesterday. The phone call came on the seventeenth of the month from my brother Charlie, who has been dead and gone a good long time himself. I was in a photo session. I could hear the two college girls laughing while I took the call at the reception desk. I hung up the phone slowly, put on a tight smile, and finished making my clients portraits, like nothing happened. This is what I remember about in November.
It has been almost thirty years, but it seems like yesterday. The phone call came on the seventeenth of the month from my brother Charlie, who has been dead and gone a good long time himself. I was in a photo session. I could hear the two college girls laughing while I took the call at the reception desk. I hung up the phone slowly, put on a tight smile, and finished making my clients portraits, like nothing happened. This is what I remember about in November.
New Look for Jan Armor's website
This image is called "Migration," appropriate because it celebrates the migration of my web site to something leaner and meaner.
Kathy and I were shopping in Seekonk when we saw a enormous flock, no, swarm, of little black birds descend on one of the busiest intersection on the East Bay at rush hour, on their way South. They perched on the wires, oblivious to the noise and traffic just below. Occasionally a sharp noise might unsettle them as this picture illustrates, then they would alight once more, resting from their long journey. It was an amazing site, one that is repeated year after year, and this time I had my camera...
Little Zack's feet
Justin and Kristin cal him Zacherie, Grandma Kathy calls him Zack, I call him Zak. He arrived into this crazy world at 7'4" When 7 year old Jack was told he now had his first cousin he said, "Welcome to America." Yes, little Zak, welcome!
Portrait of Sheila #2
This is a reconstituted image from my old film days. Time is short. I must get busy selecting favorite images for posterity and rework them, not that anyone cares...
In this case the original image was a motion blured portrait of Sheila that I further manipulated in the darkroom... way back in 1993???? Fast forward... yesterday I downloaded a computer generated image from a Flickr friend and laid it over the rescanned Sheila image with this result.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tree line #1, Pardon Gray Preserve
Here is just one of many examples of texture overlays on my stream, most graciously provided by the members of our community. I am always amazed how they can transform an image from ordinary to extraordinary.
This Old House
Just a short walk north on Main Road from Pardon Gray (see below) This image, and the one preceding, began as three well spaced exposures, then converted to HDR, and finally managed in both Lightroom and Photoshop for this effect. Careful, watch your first step out the front door...
Old Oak,Pardon Gray Preserve
I've been taking pictures here for several years. The main feature of the preserve is an ancient cemetery out in the middle of a cultivated. It is an island of trees pushing up the old stones, defined by a beautiful Rhode Island classic stone wall. There are a few other trees that stand guard, this Oak being one. It has a magnificent shape, with beautiful limbs. It is a tree with the character of an old Yankee farmer.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
on the farm_101
From a series I did yesterday of my #2 daughter's #1. It was a fun morning with her, first at the old studio, then out in the yard, beach, and finally lunch. She ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, and a sundae (without whipped cream) for dessert.
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