View 88: Wedding by the Lake

Had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Kelly and Jeff at Bayshore Grove near Oswego, New York, over the weekend. The location is ideal for a late afternoon to evening wedding especially if the weather cooperates as is did beautifully for them.

Newly married Jeff and Kelly make a happy foreground to a beautiful Lake Ontario sunset at Bayshore Grove, Oswego, New York.

Sara Evans in Concert

The New York State Fair kicked off yesterday with perfect weather and an evening concert by Sara Evans at Chevrolet Court.  The concerts at Chevrolet Court are included with Fair admission.  She sang all her hits, a couple of cover songs and a few new ones for an upcoming album coming out early in 2010.  I borrowed a friend’s Nikon D700 digital SLR camera and used my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens and got some good photos of Sara Evans performing for the thousands who packed the mostly lawn-like venue.

Sara Evans performing in concert at Chevrolet Court on Thursday, August 27, 2009, during the New York State Fair.

With a captivating smile and beautiful singing voice, Sara Evans wowed the audience with her songs and personality.

Sara Evans waving to the audience after finishing a song during her concert at the New York State Fair on August 27, 2009.

Sara was very personable with the crowd.  Waving to people, urging them to sing along and joking to  parents with teenage daughters before singing her big hit, “Suds in a Bucket“.

Sara Evans performing "Suds in a Bucket" during her concert at the New York State Fair on August 27, 2009.

The New York State Fair runs until Labor Day, September 7th.  Look for more photos over the next couple of weeks as I will be photographing at the Fair a few more times.  Oh, and did I mention Pizza Frittes?  More on those soon.

View 87: Street Performer

A young street performer playing her violin during the Kerrytown Farmer's Market in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ships, Life & Thank You

First of all, thank you all for your kind comments, emails, phone calls and even a blog or two this week. I want to end this week with a quote I have always found inspiring when I feel stuck. I hope you will, too.

Sailing on Lake Ontario. Photo by Scott Thomas Photography.

View 86: Sister

You will be missed, Sis.

My sister lost her battle with brain cancer yesterday. Let us hope in the future a cure for these diseases can be found so families do not have to watch loved ones go through the pain and suffering they cause to those afflicted.

Follow the links below to learn more:

Luminary

Hope

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Hershey's Chocolate World entrance sign just outside HersheyPark in Pennsylvania.

On the way back from MagicMeets in Harrisburg, stopped at HersheyPark’s Chocolate World like my fellow blooger, The Daily Click, did.  There’s no admission fee to go here as Chocolate World is outside HersheyPark.  They give you two hours of free parking which should be more than enough time to take in the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, shop for souvenirs and buy and eat some Hershey products of all kinds from chocolate bars to Twizzlers.  I give two thoumbs up for the white chocolate Kit Kat bars I found here.

I’m not a big chocolate eater but it’s hard not to find something scrumptious to buy.  In browsing around Chocolate World, I found a discount store and serving area for blizzard-like delights using many of Hershey’s products.

Do you like Blizzards? You'll love these made in Hershey's Chocolate World.

I will admit to a weakness for chocolate when mixed with peanut butter and Hershey makes Reese’s…very big Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, in fact, which are about the same diameter but twice as deep as the original.

A Reese’s display found in Hershey’s Chocolate World.

What’s a visit to Hershey without some Kisses.  In this case, one BIG Kiss with a few dozen smaller ones inside.

Do you like Hershey Kisses? If you do, then you will want to get this one.

If you are a real Chocoholic, you will probably not be able to leave this on the shelf.   Hey, it’s only 40 bucks (US dollars).  Go for it!

Five pounds of Hershey Chocolate.

View 85: Justin Muchoney, Chief Magic Official

Walt Disney World's first Chief Magic Official, Justin Muchoney, speaking at MagicMeets on Saturday, August 8, 2009, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Justin Muchoney, Disney Parks’ first Chief Magic Official or CMO, was the keynote speaker at this year’s MagicMeets held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His speech entitled, Making Magic Everyday, chronicled his year as CMO from his video application to the final three game show like showdown at Walt Disney World to some of the events and places he attended.  He shared with us what he learned.

Not only did Justin show everyone how he spread the Disney Magic at the parks and around the world, he showed how people he meet changed his prospective of life. From giving guests at the Disney Parks magical moments to meeting cast members of the Walt Disney Company. One person, Kevin Rafferty, an Imagineer at Walt Disney who was the lead designer in Walt Disney World’s latest attraction, Toy Story Mania, was a big influence. Justin is seen here reading a quote of Kevin’s from the book, Imagineering Way, to illustrate a point leading to everyone standing and exclaiming, “I can be Incredible!”

CAUTION: Wet Floor

Seen floating in Crescent Lake near the Boardwalk resort area in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

View 84: Fast and Furious

Dragsters racing at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip on Sunday, July 26, 2009

Unlike the show cars I showed you recently, the cars at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip near Cicero, New York, want to go as fast as they can in a 1/4 mile and beat their opponent in doing so. That is the fast part. The furious comes from all the activity that happens on the cars in preparation to race. As a fan of most kinds of motor sports, I have enjoyed visiting ESTA over the years as a spectator and now as a photographer. This is also where I practice my panning technique and sports photography a few times a year.

Street Class cars in a close race at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip.

I was disappointed in the number of Street Class cars at ESTA. These are racers who use there cars as their primary vehicle during the week and bring them to the track on the weekends to compete. Many spend thousands of dollars to get their cars to go faster than the manufacturers built them to go. Why was I disappointed? Because I see cars like these all over my area. I know many “race” on the streets where it is against the law and dangerous not only to themselves but others on the road. For a fraction of the money they put in their cars, they could come to ESTA and run their cars in a safe environment without fear of having their license revoked when they are caught street racing or worse, if they are in an accident. Okay, off my soapbox and back to the racing.

Pro Stock Class cars flying down the 1/4 mile at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip.

Other classes, like the dragsters in the first photo, are dedicated race cars. The drivers and crew of these cars spend days to prepare for a few runs every week, championship points and cash prizes. At this level, no one wins enough money to make a living. It’s more about the passion, competition and fun of the sport.