The ages ran from the little ones:
To the young ones:
To the older ones:
People were all encouragement to the racers on each race:
It was a terrific Saturday morning.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Awana Grand Prix
Our church has a form of pinewood derby, called the Awana Grand Prix, which happened two weeks ago. It's a terrific outreach ministry to kids, and it really is a high point of the year. It's so neat to see families having fun together, working together, and just spending time in a neat activity.
The ages ran from the little ones:
To the young ones:
To the older ones:
People were all encouragement to the racers on each race:
It was a terrific Saturday morning.
The ages ran from the little ones:
To the young ones:
To the older ones:
People were all encouragement to the racers on each race:
It was a terrific Saturday morning.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Missouri Youth Orchestra - Part 3
One of the musicians I met at the MYO was a lot of fun. He was a bass player named Keenyn. Upbeat and personable, he has more personality than most. He was a bit of a character, which is intentional, but it's unusual to see someone so young have such a terrific and confident outlook. I liked his hat:
As I got to know Keenyn a little bit over the weekend, I was impressed by how comfortable he was in his own skin. When I make images, many teens are often pretty uneasy in front of my lens. Not so Keenyn: he took it in stride, and even enjoyed it quite a bit. He was a real pleasure to work with, and he's put quite a few nice comments in the photo gallery for the Festival.
As I got to know Keenyn a little bit over the weekend, I was impressed by how comfortable he was in his own skin. When I make images, many teens are often pretty uneasy in front of my lens. Not so Keenyn: he took it in stride, and even enjoyed it quite a bit. He was a real pleasure to work with, and he's put quite a few nice comments in the photo gallery for the Festival.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Music Festival with Mark O'Connor Part II
Previously I mentioned the music festival; now we talk about the Master Classes. It was wonderful listening to these extremely talented young musicians tackle Mark O'Connor's music. The music was challenging, but beautiful, and the students showed both skill and bravery tackling the pieces. One musician, Justin, tackled a piece that required a different-than-normal tuning of his violin. As Mark commented on Justin's performance, he borrowed the violin took a few seconds to get used to the tuning, and immediately demonstrated some of his ideas. I think Justin was tickled both by the demonstration, and by Mark borrowing Justin's instrument:
Mark also worked with a quartet that had done an excellent job on one of his pieces:
Next, I want to tell you about one of the kids I met at the festival, who was a lot of fun: Keenyn. More soon.
Mark also worked with a quartet that had done an excellent job on one of his pieces:
Next, I want to tell you about one of the kids I met at the festival, who was a lot of fun: Keenyn. More soon.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Music Festival with Mark O'Connor
I admit it: I'm totally impressed. This past weekend, the Missouri Youth Orchestra, led by the extraordinarily talented Carrie Turner, sponsored a music festival featuring two-time grammy award-winning violinist Mark O'Connor.
Normally, when you put 100 teenagers and pre-teens in a room, you expect the rough equivalent of herding 100 Jack Russel Terriers mixing with 100 caffeine-enhanced cats. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
The young musicians were from the Missouri Youth Orchestra and the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra. They were from varied backgrounds and had different personal styles, habits, and personalities, but they were all committed, serious-minded musicians who cared a great deal about their music. Yes, they were kids, which means they know how to have fun, but they were committed musicians. Here's an example:
I've known Carrie for a few years and have never failed to been impressed by her motivation, drive, and passion for the kids. She was high-energy, upbeat, excited - in short, a force of nature. Shane Williams, from St. Charles, was terrific as well, connecting with the musicians and effectively sharing ideas and goals. A really terrific guy.
Finally, there was Mark O'Connor himself. An enormous talent, enormously humble, he was an inspiration, an example, and a challenge for the kids. he opened the time Saturday afternoon with a demonstration/performance:
After this, he did master classes. I'll write more about them in another blog, as I post more photos. The photos are going up at www.RichardBerryPhotography.com - there's a link on the home page.
Bravo, everyone!
Normally, when you put 100 teenagers and pre-teens in a room, you expect the rough equivalent of herding 100 Jack Russel Terriers mixing with 100 caffeine-enhanced cats. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
The young musicians were from the Missouri Youth Orchestra and the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra. They were from varied backgrounds and had different personal styles, habits, and personalities, but they were all committed, serious-minded musicians who cared a great deal about their music. Yes, they were kids, which means they know how to have fun, but they were committed musicians. Here's an example:
I've known Carrie for a few years and have never failed to been impressed by her motivation, drive, and passion for the kids. She was high-energy, upbeat, excited - in short, a force of nature. Shane Williams, from St. Charles, was terrific as well, connecting with the musicians and effectively sharing ideas and goals. A really terrific guy.
Finally, there was Mark O'Connor himself. An enormous talent, enormously humble, he was an inspiration, an example, and a challenge for the kids. he opened the time Saturday afternoon with a demonstration/performance:
After this, he did master classes. I'll write more about them in another blog, as I post more photos. The photos are going up at www.RichardBerryPhotography.com - there's a link on the home page.
Bravo, everyone!
Monday, March 2, 2009
New Media for Display
I'm very intrigued by some newer forms of display. I'm submitting work for consideration by a local gallery. Traditionally, I've had works matted and mounted in a frame behind glass. I've always found it slightly frustrating, especially with low-key images: the glass cuts the contrast and the "pop" of the image.
So, I've started looking at some different ways of displaying; I'm thinking about using canvas wraps: they are created with coating to guard against UV rays. I'm also looking at some other non-glassed displays, and I like some of what I see. I'm going to do some testing. I'm thinking that this particular shot would be gorgeous on canvas:
More as I find out.
So, I've started looking at some different ways of displaying; I'm thinking about using canvas wraps: they are created with coating to guard against UV rays. I'm also looking at some other non-glassed displays, and I like some of what I see. I'm going to do some testing. I'm thinking that this particular shot would be gorgeous on canvas:
More as I find out.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday Afternoon in Macy's
This past Saturday afternoon, I wasn't expecting to do a shoot, and I really didn't do one: it sort of happened to me.
Several local music studios (teachers and students) got together to play piano at the Macy's in Columbia. This was done as part of a benefit for Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA). We arrived a bit early, and heard a superb performance of Brahms' Variation on a Theme by Haydn, performed by Peter Miyamoto and his wife. Looking around, I noticed a mirrored column, where I saw a reflection of the performance, along with interesting lines of sight. The obsessive-compulsive photographer in me kicked in, and I started shooting. As I was composing the picture, a little girl wondered was so interesting:
The minute she stepped in, I loved the shot.
My son played for a half-hour:
Then I noticed this cutie:
Finally, sitting behind me was a little one who had some pretty big doubts about me (not the first person to have them). I tried to make her smile, but she wasn't having any of it.
Like I said, the shoot kind of happened to me.
Several local music studios (teachers and students) got together to play piano at the Macy's in Columbia. This was done as part of a benefit for Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA). We arrived a bit early, and heard a superb performance of Brahms' Variation on a Theme by Haydn, performed by Peter Miyamoto and his wife. Looking around, I noticed a mirrored column, where I saw a reflection of the performance, along with interesting lines of sight. The obsessive-compulsive photographer in me kicked in, and I started shooting. As I was composing the picture, a little girl wondered was so interesting:
The minute she stepped in, I loved the shot.
My son played for a half-hour:
Then I noticed this cutie:
Finally, sitting behind me was a little one who had some pretty big doubts about me (not the first person to have them). I tried to make her smile, but she wasn't having any of it.
Like I said, the shoot kind of happened to me.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Fascinating Photography Book
Today, I started a fascinating photography book, The Moment It Clicks, by Joe McNally. I've been studying photography for years, but this is the first book that I actually lost track of time by reading. It's a very simple format: an outstanding image, a story behind the image, then a brief discussion of the technical side of the photo. Then a cut-line with a lesson learned from the image.
I never thought I'd get hooked on a specific photography book. Most are read-once, get something out of it, and move on. That's why I usually check them out from the library. This one is a keeper.
I never thought I'd get hooked on a specific photography book. Most are read-once, get something out of it, and move on. That's why I usually check them out from the library. This one is a keeper.
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