Category: Photo Essay

  • Converted 1994 Asia Travel Journal – DONE!

    I have FINALLY converted an ancient Dreamweaver coded Travel Journal to WordPress!

    Travel Journal to Asia in 1994

    It was good to clean up some of the code, and get “it” back to a base standard in html!

    Part of the joys over jumping various web platforms over the years…

    In re-linking the various jpeg image files, I realize that I do need to go back and re-scan some of the old slides!

    So if you are interested, please take a look and let me know what you think!

    – Andrew
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  • 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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  • 2011 Downingtown Christmas Parade

    Mr and Mrs Santa Claus
    Mr and Mrs Santa Claus

    Yesterday was the annual Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade, which was held on a beautiful Saturday with the temperatures in the mid to lower 40s.

    This year was the first time in three years, that I did not have my kids with me.

    Why?

    Well, my daughter was actually in the parade this year with her Brownie troop for the first time! (My wife and son decided to walk along with them!)

    This allowed me to wonder around the parade as it happen, offering many more opportunities to find and capture scenes as they happened.

    This years parade seemed much bigger, and from what I understand, there were around 400+ Daisies, Brownies and Girl Scouts this year alone!

    Needless to say, I took many pictures, and was up until 4am this morning processing those images which can be found on Flickr!

    I hope you enjoy them, and would love to hear your thoughts and comments!

    – Andrew
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  • End of my First Flickr Pro year

    It was a year ago, that I bought my Flickr Pro membership…

    Last year at this time, I had about 50 images, and maybe 2,000 recorded views.

    So… What has happened?

    and “meeting” a great group of people along the way!

    The Folks I have connected with on Flickr and Facebook, have been Great!

    And because of the “Chester County (PA) Photography” group on Facebook, we had a Meet-Up at Hibernia Park in Coatesville in April, and have continued to share when ever possible!

    I can only hope that the next year brings as much fun and excitement!

    Thank you all!

    – Andrew
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  • 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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