Ann Parry NY

Sunday, January 22, 2012

First Snowfall of 2012, Long Island, NY

Yesterday, shortly before dusk, I put on my boots, coat & gloves, and went outside during our first snowfall of 2012 to brush the snow from my car and sprinkle ice-melting pellets on our front stoop and path leading to the driveway.

Then I went back inside to get my Nikon D700 with f/2.8 24-70mm lens, and drove to Cammans Pond in South Merrick.

Though I wish birds the best, I'm not particularly interested in photographing ones that aren't pets, but the seagulls and ducks were the most promising subjects at the gray, snowy pond.

And it wasn't long before I realized I should have brought my f/2.8 70-200mm lens. So I sat on the bench nearest the seagull, and when that wasn't close enough, I sat down on the snowy ground and inched my way closer and closer until the bird flew away, and then we repeated the dance when the exquisite ball of fluff returned.

Then before it got quite dark, I headed to Milburn Pond alongside Coral House, with its lovely lights shimmering in the pond.

Though the flock of ducks kept their distance, the pair of swans swam to the edge of the pond to meet me. Once it was clear I had come bearing a shiny black box, rather than food, alack & alas, they slowly paddled away.

Photo Gallery (in progress): First Long Island, NY, Snowfall of 2012

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Happy Holidays, NY 2011

Happy Holidays from my family here in New York to yours.

Here are my daughters skating at Mohonk Mountain House's outdoor skating pavilion earlier this year, in New Paltz, New York. And, yes, older sister is pushing younger one around ;)

Click: http://www.alamy.com/lbx.asp?1031014 ( Mohonk Mountain House editorial photos at alamy.com (Ann E Parry)

Happy New Year's 2012!

smiles - Ann

Friday, November 25, 2011

Election Night 2011, Long Island, NY

While photographing two candidates at the Merrick Train Station on Election Night, I aimed to capture what it's like during the last hours of a long, hard-fought campaign.

The below photo video shows the running mates and campaign workers as they meet commuters from several rush hour trains from Penn Station, NYC, that November 8th.

For Full Screen at http://animoto.com/play/fZWpGaxjeHUL3t0w6xJeIQ# click on the small rectangle at the lower right corner of video.

video, photos © 2011 Ann Parry - Election Night NY 2011

That night, to capture the mood and energy of campaigning on the generally dimly lit elevated train platform, I used:

Nikon D700
aperture priority @ f /3.2 - 5.6
ISO 640 - 2000
24-70mm/f2.8 Nikkor lens
SB900 Speedlight for one shot

Election Day 2011: ann-parry.photoshelter.com/gallery/Election-Day-2011/G0000FnfqmtiM37M/

Election photos on Alamy: http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/99867BA1-DCB0-4F9C-9F66-ABD559FA08EA/election/7/0/0/1/Ann%20Parry.html

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Merrick Street Fair 2011

Last weekend's Merrick Street Fair - about a month later than it's traditionally held - was Merrick's best one ever. Besides great booths and rides, we had lovely weather.

The weekend after that, October 29, 2011, yesterday, we had a record-breaking early snowfall. So, to commemorate that, I've added a photoshop blizzard to the above image that started out as an editorial shot of several Auxiliary Unit members of Merrick Post #1282 of the American Legion at their fair booth. You can see the actual snow-less scene at my Merrick Street Fair gallery.

Though at the fair mainly to work, I happily stayed longer to capture shots of many colorful people and booths. I used the Nikon D700, 24-70mm/f2.8 lens, and SB900 Speedlight with my wonderful new Rogue FlashBender (a flexible light deflector) and Quantum Turbo SC external powerpack.

Click here: Merrick Street Fair 2011 gallery

Click here: Slideshow of Merrick Street Fair

I also made a photo video with licensed music at animoto.com, but those were different images for a different story.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Bellmore Family Street Festival 2011

The threat of a rainy weekend - at the end of our summer of rain - certainly didn't keep people away from the recent 25th Annual Bellmore Family Street Festival.

Climbing to the LIRR elevated platform of the Bellmore Train Station, I saw awesome views of the fair, especially the carnival rides, and all against a gorgeous blue sky with white clouds.

CLICK HERE to see a Slideshow of photos from this summer's Bellmore Family Street Festival at Ann-Parry.com

I did a double-take while walking by the Nassau County Police and Auxiliary Police Building, for an eye-catching mannequin wearing a Nassau County Auxiliary Police uniform and woman's wig stood attached to a "No Stopping Here Any Time" sign, and appeared to be staring at the two auxiliary police at the literature table.

With local elections little over a month away, many candidates and elected officials visited the fair. And Sunday afternoon, it was easy to find U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) as he shook hands and chatted with fair-goers during his long and energetic walk up Bedford Avenue, since aides held two big signs with "Meet Senator Chuck Schumer" in red, white, and blue.

In the military area, the U.S. Army was a standout - literally - with men in military camouflage scaling a portable rock climbing wall jutting up past nearby rooftops.

Make sure to catch the Bellmore Family Street Festival next year if this sounds like fun: rides and local entertainment to enjoy; food, crafts and other items to buy; local organizations to join; services and subscriptions to sign up for, even pets to adopt.

Editorial licenses available for purchase at:
my Bellmore Family Street Festival 2011 gallery & the stock agency Alamy

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Chihuahua and Her Paparazzi

When I was in downtown Merrick last night, I saw a woman carrying a chihuahua smaller than my cats.

The furball and I had fun the next few minutes - she the star, and I her paparazzi.

Using my Nikon D700 with its 24-70mm/f2.8 lens, I captured the below image at f/6.3, 70mm, 1/50s, and ISO 1600.