Christmas Light Photography Tips and Advice

We're out taking photographs of Christmas lights. There are so many beautiful displays, and we want to capture them on film. So as we prepare to take our pictures of Christmas lights, we back away so that we can capture the entire magnificent scene within our frame.

Correct. But also incorrect, if that's all we do. And this leads to our first Christmas photography tip for illustrating Christmas light displays.

(1) The best Christmas lights photography captures not only panoramic scenes, but also close-ups of the highlights within the panorama. We want both. Let's say that on the sprawling front lawn of a suburban home, we see Santa on his sleigh in one location, and a Salvation Army bell-ringer in a second spot, and a nativity scene someplace else. In addition to our distant Christmas photograph, we can also zero in on each of those three highlights.

(2) Opt for a high shutter speed. We want to illustrate the lights, not the light that they emit. A wide angle lens is for the panorama, and a macro lens is for the close-ups.

(3) Those Christmas light displays are so brilliant in the deep, dark, Silent Night. Maybe so, but our Christmas photography will be lousy at that point. Our photos will show the lights, but not the property in the background. Or, we'll see the property but we won't clearly see the lights, so to speak. Our best bets are at dusk or at dawn, and overcast usually is better than clear sky.

(4) If we're really dedicated and sticklers for perfection, we'll shoot our Christmas photography both at dusk and at dawn. Great photography of any sort is trial and error. Furthermore, if we show up maybe a half-hour before the optimal time, then we can plan our logistics and our camera angles, so that we're ready when the time is right. Extra time = excellence in our Christmas photography.

(5) Let's see here. We have the lights. We have the various props that go with the lights, such as the nativity scenes or Santa on his sleigh. We have the property in the background. Aren't we forgetting something? Oh yes, the sky. The sky! Look at examples of Christmas lights photography that impress you (or even thrill you) the most, and odds are that the sky will play a prominent role. Seek an angle at dusk that shows an afterglow in the evening sky. To include more sky, shoot from a low angle, upward toward the Christmas lighting display and toward the sky.

(6) People. Where are the people? Just because your subject is Christmas lights photography, that doesn't mean the scene must be devoid of people. Have some children pose in the scene, or better yet, just tell them to go ahead and frolic. This can add a unique element to your Christmas lights photography.

SOURCES

http://www.intofotos.com/photography/2007/11/10/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights.html

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/tips/christmas-lights.shtml

Historic Coliseum Cinemas Movie Theatre Hosts Film Club, Shows Art Films

Thanks to merging interests of a Washington Heights resident and Coliseum Cinemas business owners, Northern Manhattanites get to view first-run, non-commercial art, documentary, and independent films close to home these days.

Together, Michael Kassin and the owners of the historic Coliseum Cinemas on 181st Street launched, against industry odds, the successful Coliseum Cinemas Movie Club on a cold January night in 2005 and will screen as their first club film of 2006, the Oscar-hopeful Johnny Cash story, “Walk the Line,” Thursday, January 26 at 8 p.m.

Kassin, husband and father of three-year-old twins, part-time screenwriter and full-time public relations partner, courts a full schedule and was looking for a way to streamline commitments when he approached Coliseum owners in late 2004 asking what it would take to get some of the movies he’s required to vote on for awards as a member of the Screenwriter’s Guild.

Co-owner Mark Burgios explained that he and his business partners Jesus Nova and Nick Guadagno who had recently purchased and renovated the theatre had already been considering the idea of devoting one of their screens to art movies when Kassin approached them, so it was a no-brainer to give a green light as long as he could attract enough interest to make it financially feasible.

Kassin proved the neighborhood was eager for this type of venue by bringing in 180 people for a screening of “Ray,” and the film club was off to an illustrious, red carpet start: They had to use two theatres that first night to accommodate everyone.

Since “Ray” the film club has screened at least one movie per month, often more. Burgio elaborates, “We don’t just show movies. We try to get one of the writers, directors, or one of the main actors to come speak.” When the club viewed “Mad, Hot, Ballroom,” the acclaimed 2005 documentary featuring Washington Heights school kids, the film’s director Marilyn Agrelo spoke and fielded questions from club members.

The club strives to make the film events social and community-oriented, often serving wine and cheese beforehand. Kassin remembers one of the couples who joined last year said the movie was their first night out since having a baby three months earlier and that they were excited that they could walk just a few blocks to get away for a date in their neighborhood.

The club creates a win-win situation for everyone. Burgio notes, “It exposes the theatre to people who wouldn’t necessarily be interested in Hollywood flicks.”

Kassin emphatically details the irony of the club’s success, “This club is everything Hollywood says you can’t do. Here you have people over twenty-five making advanced reservations to come to art films on a week night.”

And it is pretty remarkable considering also that movie theatres today usually show either commercial hits or art films, rarely daring to mix competing audiences as the Coliseum does.

Viewed in historical context it seems apt that Coliseum Cinemas should be experiencing stellar heights with their movie club. The once grand theatre opened in 1920 was then the second largest movie theatre seating-wise in New York City, second only to Madison Square Gardens. Though now the theatre is split into four theatres sporting stadium seating for 125-177, back then it sat nearly 4,000 and took up all the current adjacent ground floor business spaces. Today it is the only movie theatre in the city north of 125th Street and the only theatre showing art movies on the West side north of 66th Street.

The club’s future is bright. January and February the club will devote to their Oscar series. After January’s “Walk The Line” they will feature two or three club nights in February. March is slated for short documentaries and beyond that they are discussing a classics series. In the future Kassin hopes to have a whole year’s worth of club films scheduled, and a club website is currently in testing. Kassin excitedly reported that New Line Cinema approached the club and expressed interest in working with them.

You can join the Coliseum Cinemas Film Club for an annual fee of $25 per individual or $35 for couples and families. As a club member you receive discounted rates ($6 per person, $4 per senior) on films the club screenings. For more information or to join the club contact Michael Kassin at mkassin@stantoncrenshaw.com or call the Coliseum Cinemas at 212-740-1541.

Mods & Rockers Film Festival Starts Another British Invasion

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While Americans were celebrating the Fourth of July this summer, the English were celebrating another British Invasion. A British Invasion of Los Angeles, that is.

The English chose Independence Day 2006 to kick off the eighth annual “Mods & Rockers” summer film festival at Hollywood’s elaborate Egyptian Theatre. The date marked the 40th anniversary of the British Invasion of pop music upon American shores. The American Cinematheque, a film group dedicated to the preservation and screening of rare and classic movies, opened the festivities by showing a time capsule gem titled “Go-Go Mania!” Way, way before MTV, this music revue featured made-for-broadcast performances by British groups like The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Peter and Gordon, Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas, The Fourmost and The Spencer Davis Group.

In lieu of American celebratory fireworks, the Brits spiced up the screening with a live concert in the theatre courtyard featuring Spencer Davis and Gordon Waller (of Peter and Gordon fame) backed up by The Ravers. The Spencer Davis Group was one of the British Invasion bands that grabbed hold of blues styles. They had international hits with “Gimme Some Lovin” (1966) and “I’m A Man” (1967). Peter and Gordon were often compared to the Everly Brothers and had great success with ballads written for them by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. They scored on the charts with “A World Without Love” in 1964.

Joining Davis and Waller on stage was American songwriter Stephen Bishop, best known for the ballad “On and On” and the theme song for the film “Tootsie.” Bishop ad libbed a wicked imitation of John Lennon trying to explain the colossally misunderstood Jesus Christ comment in his best Liverpudlian. A surprise guest for the evening was Rod Stewart’s bassist, Phil Chen, who has played with Donovan, Jeff Beck, Jackson Browne and Pete Townshend.

When all four of the rockers were waling away on their guitars deep into an improvised version of “I’m A Man,” they blew out the power on the courtyard stage. After a few jokes about Yankee sabotage, American ingenuity soon got the musicians plugged back in for more music.

The British also reveled in another 40th anniversary by celebrating the 1966 World Cup victory of the English football team. The achievement was honored with the screening of the award winning documentary titled “Goal! World Cup 1966.” Just imagine it. Swinging London was in full bloom. The British Invasion of music and fashion was at its zenith. England was hosting the World Cup games for the first time ever. To top it off, England beats Germany in a harrowing overtime championship game attended by Queen Elizabeth. Hail, Britannia.

The American Cinematheque continues the “Mods & Rockers” festival of rare, goofy and cult films from the 1960s in two theatres in the Los Angeles area throughout August.

How to Have a Baby Boy

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Dreaming of a blue nursery followed by many years of cars, trucks and all things creepy crawly? There is no shortage of information on choosing your baby's gender before conception, from simple dietary changes to time consuming charts and graphs. The one thing to remember as you delve further and further into the chromosome battle is that many theories can contradict one another, nothing is foolproof and all methods have yet to be proven. Every bit of advice must be taken with a grain of salt (especially when reading this article- see dietary recommendation below) and a physician's opinion should always be sought before attempting anything that could affect your body and/or health.

What dietary recommendations are there prior to trying to conceive a baby boy?

The majority theorize that in order to have a boy you should plan on following this manly menu: salty foods, red meats, pickles, olives, fish, eggs peas, sweet corn, soda bread, figs, apricots, raisons, dried prunes, beans, avocado, zucchini and mushrooms. Try to keep your diet anti-acidic and drink 2-3 cups of green tea starting the day your period is over. Get hubby involved by having him drink a strong cup of coffee about a1/2 hour before bed to make the "little guys" more active. (Nothing is mentioned if the "little girls" daintily refuse such an obnoxious push.)

What does a woman's body condition have to do with determining a baby's gender?

Many theorize gender determination has different aspects such as temperature, cervical mucus and a woman's vaginal PH at the time of conception. It is recommended that a woman record her temperature every morning (before doing anything else as this would change the results) to determine ovulation and cervical mucus every day for at least three cycles. The standard is that the most promising day for conceiving a boy is the higher the temperature (the day of ovulation) and the increased, looser cervical mucus. One thing that is supposed to help this is to drink three glasses of grapefruit juice a day from the day your last period stops and it will increase your cervical discharge. (I did not include this in the dietary recommendations as it seemed to contradict the "less acidic" theory.)

What do positions during sex and the timing of intercourse have to do with the conceiving of a baby boy?

The Y-bearing (male) sperm swim faster then the X-bearing (female) sperm, therefore it is theorized that if you attempt intercourse on the day that you ovulate, the "boys" will reach the egg first. It is also speculated that the "rear-entry" position during intercourse deposits sperm nearer the cervix because of the deeper penetration and gravity. Another age old (and sexist?) myth states that rough sex makes boys, as girls prefer to materialize from a slower gentler approach. Many also state that if a woman orgasms before the man, there is more of a chance at conceiving a boy. One popular method claims that men should refrain from ejaculation completely before the day of conception increasing the sperm count while another says that this actually increases the percentage of female sperm.

What is the "Chinese Birth Calendar" and how does it enhance my chances of having a baby boy?

The Chinese Birth Calendar is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is believed to have an accuracy of 99%. Based on your age at the time and the actual month of conception, you can supposedly predict what gender your child will be. It is said that it originated from a Royal Tomb in China with the original copy being kept in The Institute of Science in China.

There are also many other methods for gender determination that are more involved. They are based on things such as phases of the moon, astrology, the sex of your previous children etc and a few that combine many of these aspects. A lot of these resources are free and can be found listed on many pregnancy related websites.

All of the myths and tips outlined in these articles are nothing more then just that. Although trying for a boy might be serious business to some, everyone interested should not lose sight of the fact that in most cases, it still remains a 50/50 chance. When researching the different theories and methods, remember that the joy is in trying and the fun is in guessing. Keep in mind that a baby blue base-coat on your nursery walls can always be used as a beautiful accent if a pretty pastel pink needs to be introduced.