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Announcements Awards Blogging Featured Long Exposure Photo Journal Photography Water

LPM Manfrotto Competition Winner Theme Water

Fall Water Rocks
Fall Water Rocks

Wow!

I just got the following email! –

“Hello Andrew

Congratulations, the picture you submitted for our February competition with theme ‘Water’ has won the first prize. [snip…]

http://landscapephotographymagazine.com/2013/lpm-manfrotto-competition-winner-theme-water/

Paul”

and from the main website:

“We loved Andrew’s image for many reasons. The composition was slightly complicated and yet, extremely pleasing and well designed to keep your eyes staring at it for a while. It contained beautifully vivid colours and gorgeous reflections. The exposure was very well controlled and so was the shutter speed. All in all, a superb image and well worth to win our February competition.”

I am SO honored to have been chosen the Winner with so many other awesome entries!

For what it is worth, I bought my current tripod, a Bogen (#3020), when I was about 18, which was over 30+ years ago, so I greatly look forward to trying out something more modern!

Thank you to the folks at landscapephotographymagazine.com and Manfrotto for this!

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Categories
Chester County Events Pennsylvania Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography West Chester

2012 Chester County Restaurant Festival

A small collection of images taken at the 33rd Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival held in West Chester, Pennsylvania (PA).

2012 Chester County Restaurant Festival - Crowd
2012 Chester County Restaurant Festival – Crowd

This is a family event, and both Madison and Logan joined me, and as soon as they saw the sign for Funnel Cake, we had to get some!

Funnel cake about to be served
Funnel cake about to be served

Then they saw the Popcorn…

Cooking and Serving Kettle Popcorn
Cooking and Serving Kettle Popcorn

My eye was more on the meats being offered…

Various meats on a large grill - Closeup
Various meats on a large grill – Closeup

We also spent some time watching an Artist using spray cans to create various scenes, while bopping to the music.

Spray Paint Artist - Closeup
Spray Paint Artist – Closeup

There where also several bands playing…

Chester County Restaurant Festival - Music
Chester County Restaurant Festival – Music

I love oysters, but it was hard to get the kids to stop and let me get some…

Shocking Oysters - Closeup
Shocking Oysters – Closeup

I also had to take a look at some crab cakes… What a wonderful smell!

Grill filled with Crabcakes
Grill filled with Crabcakes

We can’t wait for next year!

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Categories
Chester County Chester County Balloon Festival Coatesville Events Facebook Flickr Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography

2011 Chester County Balloon Festival

Tethered Balloon Ride - 2011 Chester County Balloon Fest 034
Tethered Balloon Ride

Back in May, on the Chester County (PA) Photography Facebook page, Daniel Potter posted the first link for the “Chester County Balloon Festival“.

To be honest, I had never heard of this event before and over the next couple of weeks, I tried to help keep the topic alive in my “social” network.

That being said, when Saturday arrived, the kids were very eager to go, and were having a hard time understanding that we were going to be leaving later in the day.

Our plan was to be there for the “Mass Ascension Hot Air Balloon Launch”, which was scheduled to start at 6pm.

Getting there was a breeze, and parking was the typical off-road and on to the grass arrangement.

We got there early enough that the real crows had not gathered, so we were able to leisurely walk around and check up the some of the vendors and get some food.

As we relaxed and ate some dinner, we sat in the field that was allowing folks to walk into semi-inflated interior, and watched as some people climbed into another tethered for a quick ride into the sky..

The starting time for the “Mass Ascension Hot Air Balloon Launch” neared, and we headed toward the viewing area, and managed to squeeze into a small spot.

Both Madison and Logan stretched their necks to see the balloons slowly gaining size as the handlers blew up the balloons with hot air.

Handlers adding hot air to the balloon
Handlers adding hot air to the balloon

We watched as each colorful balloon gained its final shape, and lifted into the air.

Balloons being launched into the air
Balloons being launched into the air

The last few balloons were taking much longer then the traditional ones to fill with air, and kept may new comers guessing what they were, but it was apparent that they were something complex.

Finally the Clown Head and Haunted Halloween House had taken shape, and in the spirit of the balloon, the crew added a little extra touch to the moment!

Skeleton in the Haunted House balloon
Skeleton in the Haunted House balloon

The kids had a great time, and we do plan to go back next year!

Andrew (SDC) - View my '2011 Chester County Balloon Fest' set on Flickriver

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