31 August 2013

Fireworks - will I ever figure out the best settings?

At the end of the Fair there is a fireworks show.  SO I have the opportunity to photograph fireworks several times a year thanks to where I live - on average I have 3-4 shows to 'practice' on.

Here are my favorites from this year.  We were watching from about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile away.  Unfortunately I was in a store parking lot so there was light pollution from behind me while photographing these, plus traffic on the road in front of the parking lot.  It was minimal, but did over expose a few photos.

I used a tri-pod with my 55-250mm lens with an ISO of 800 on the best shots.

ENJOY the show!



















Some things I've been up to...

My extremely busy season has been thrust upon me once again.  As the start of school rolls around it's Fair/Farm Show season, the start of school, and Marching Band season.  Then that moves into the fall foliage season, hunting, Thanksgiving & Christmas.  I'm tired just thinking about it, so I won't think about it, just take it a day at a time.

Here are some photos to show you what I've been doing...I am testing out a new lens with my camera.  Would love to have some feedback.


The Fair gave these shirts to my brother & a few others when they were sprayed with antifreeze from another tractor right before the Antique Tractor Games began.  Thank You Fair Office staff!




  

The barrel roll & chain in a box games.  George & Matt were taking turns driving the D-12.  Dad drove the WD-45.








The rest of the family watching the games - for some it was in between volunteering at other areas of the Fair.




 One of the favorite of the tractor games...Blind Man's Bluff!  Remember doing this when you were kids by either playing "horse" or with one in the wagon & the other steering...  So much FUN!


...ALL of this for a bag of candy!

Update on Orders from Creative Memories for my LOYAL Customers



Good afternoon, loyal customers: 

I know it’s been awhile since some of you placed your orders via my personal website, so I just wanted to touch base with you again and assure you that I am monitoring the progress of your orders daily. While movement is happening slowly, it is happening. Earlier this week, I learned that CM is packing orders from the second week of July – that would be July 8th when the Last Chance Ordering opportunity began, so I’m sure the quantity of orders for just that first day is massive.

Because of the length of time between ordering and CM seeking payment (which happens upon shipping orders from my personal website), some consultants and customers have had difficulty with payments processing upon shipment.  If this occurs, I will be able to see “incomplete” in the order status and YOU will receive an e-mail with the notification that payment did not process properly. Note that I do not receive this e-mail notification.

A few steps you can take to avoid this inconvenience…

1. You may want to call your credit card company and let them know that this order is still pending. The length of time between initial authorization and finalization of payment might signal a red flag in the credit card company’s system. If you give them a heads up, you might avoid that delay.

2. If you would like me to handle any incomplete that arises, please call me with your credit card information. Should your order status change to incomplete, I will gladly make the call to reauthorize the charges for you.

3. If you are going to be away from your e-mail for a day or two, definitely do #2 as you only have about two days to contact CM with correct payment info, and once the order is cancelled, it likely cannot be reinstated.

4. Ensure that you have sufficient funds available in the account that you entered on that order. If you do not know what account you used, I can see the last four digits and can provide you with that information. If you know there are insufficient funds in there at any time, be watching for an e-mail from CM so that you can quickly call with an alternate form of payment.

As always, I thank you for your commitment to celebrating your memories and for trusting me to help you to do so. Hopefully, I did a sufficient job of making you all aware that filling these orders would take some time and you are not feeling too much frustration with the delays. If there was something in your order that you needed sooner than later, I might have it in inventory or in my personal supplies to loan to you. Just let me know if I can help you in this way.

Finally, please know that my events and my willingness to help you continue  Additionally, I am open for business most days at my home.  Just make an appointment!

Blessings to you,
Chris

11 August 2013

Baby Shower

Yesterday my daughter & I attended a baby shower.  I'm going to be a Great Aunt (no, I'm not really that old - am I?).  Anyhow I wanted to share a few photos with you from the event & the card that I made for the shower.

This is the card I made at a Stampin' Up Card Class that I attended several months ago (before I knew about the baby's arrival).  The class was a lot of fun.  I am looking forward to making some more cards.



My talented sister made this diaper baby that looks like a sock monkey.

 



My sister also made this diaper cake.



My niece's boyfriend's family made the cake...it's so darn cute & adorable!



This was the gift table...



This was a really cool & creative gift idea...so darn cute!




And of course we gave her a Creative Memories album "kit" that I put together for her & my nephew to keep track of their sweet baby as she grows.


It has been such a long weekend already.  Why is it that when I am exhausted I can't get to sleep?  Oh, well.  I hope you all enjoy the post.

08 August 2013

Photography Challenge

I also posted this on my personal Facebook Page earlier today...  How many of you take photos of the everyday items from your life?  Your kids' untidy rooms, sports equipment strewn through the mudroom, your lawn furniture toppled after a summer storm?  I'd love for you to share your photos with me.  You can share your photos on my Facebook Fan Page.  In the meantime here are a few that my daughter took.  I think she's doing quite well.






Important Dates with Creative Memories

Here is a handy reference sheet for you with important dates from Creative Memories


07 August 2013

Half way through Summer! Say it's not so...

I can not believe that summer here in the northern hemisphere is already half over.  Here in the NE United States it has been a wetter & cooler than usual summer season, no complaints from me about that!  I love the fact that I have been able to get out & do more this summer.  Since I suffer from asthma I don't miss those triple H days (Hazy, Hot, Humid) for those who aren't familiar with them.  They usual also contain a good late afternoon thunderstorm, too.

As the middle of August approaches my mind is turning towards the kids returning to school, the upcoming Labor Day weekend and my family's shortened time for family activities.  Once the kids are back in school our family time will be at a premium because both children are involved in band.  That means a lot of broken up weekends.  I do enjoy going to as many of their events that I can & I am always there with my camera and different lenses ready to preserve the event for posterity.  I am excited for this football season since I have found a great place to rent different lenses from.  This will allow me to play with lenses and not have a HUGE investment in the lens.  That way if I don't like how the lens worked I am not stuck with it.  I am also looking forward to using some new devices on my camera that a friend introduced me to while we were on vacation.

Here's to hoping to improve my photography skills and maybe some day doing it for income & not just for me...

What things are you looking forward to for the end of summer?  Any great plans for the fall?


03 August 2013

Thank You to My Creative Memories Customers::

::THANK YOU TO MY CUSTOMERS::


  • LCO products are now gone from the website & will not be returning.
  • WSL products can be ordered through AUG. 21st online then through me personally until AUG 31st.
  • Digital software will be able to be activated through Sept. 23rd.

**remember to use my CM ID# 41342448 while placing online orders**

Please contact me with any concerns.