Dreaming
- Click the picture, or click here, for a fun slide show of MY family! I’ve been really busy lately, and missing my boys so much, that I took lots of pictures of our day.I have to admit, I was following my family around like serious paparazzi, using the flash like lightening on continuous burst shooting. The picture above is THE MOST PERFECT “MAMARAZZI” PICTURE EVER! I love it!
- I was trying to prove to a photographer-friend that sometimes a little fill-flash is just right. In the slide show, almost every single picture I took outside used fill-flash. Not all of them are perfect, but keep in mind, every picture shown is straight out of the camera with no tweaking in photoshop.
- Take this picture, for example. The flash is set so low it barely makes a difference. It looks perfectly natural, and yet, there’s just a bit of sparkle on the plum. (That plum came off our purple leaf plum — the one that some people swear is a fruitless variety. Uh huh.)Tree fans — also note that there’s a new picture in the slide show of a zelkova at Borough Hall. We lost one last year, but the remaining 13 are looking great this year!
- Here’s another great example of a picture that benefited from fill. It was about 3 in the afternoon and the sun was very bright. Without a subtle flash, the shadows on Bradley’s and Gabe’s faces would have been much darker. The fill lightens them up just a tad without making the picture look like it was taken with an on-camera flash.
- Speaking of Bradley, he won the Memorial Day poster contest for the 7th grade! Yay Bradley!All of the winning posters are displayed in the window of the Metuchen Savings Bank downtown. Bradley’s is a detailed split screen drawing, war on one side, Arlington Cemetery on the other.It says, “From war… to memory. But something never fades.” (His poster is hard to see in the window because it doesn’t quite fit the window opening.)I’m so proud of him!
- Bradley’s friend, Gabriel Francobandiero, won the contest for the 6th grade. Gabe’s was chosen as the overall winner! Congratulations, Gabe! His design will be used on the cover of the Memorial Day Ceremony program.If you’d like to come to Metuchen on Monday for the parade, here’s some details:The parade starts at 10 a.m., rain or shine, at the Pearl Street parking lot. It travels north to Middlesex Ave, then turns right on Main Street, right on High Street, and right on Lake Avenue. The parade ends at Memorial Park, and will be followed by a brief ceremony.By the way, I fully recommend Memorial Day events in Metuchen. It is a highlight on our calendar, and puts us on the worldwide map as a small town that won’t forget the sacrifices that give us so many freedoms.
- We love downtown Metuchen! There are so many fun things to do. What’s the Scoop is our favorite place for ice cream.
- Variety Village is our favorite place for just about everything else! In case you haven’t heard, there’s going to be a new owner soon.I was in the store today and Tommy (the owner, always smiling, above) was telling me about the expected changes. Tommy, I know for a fact that my kids will never forget the joy of walking downtown to go to Variety Village. It’s so sad that you’re leaving, but I wish you well on your new adventures, whatever they may be.
- Back at the Shaver yard, here’s another “mamarazzi” picture. I love it, fill-flash and all!
- Speaking of fill-flash, this picture simply would not have worked without it. When you’re working with children, you have to be prepared for anything! And believe me, they don’t give you very many second chances if you miss the shot the first time. (Well, at least my kids don’t.)
- Gregory took this picture! Didn’t he do a great job? This one is a prime example of a picture taken at the worst time of day — high noon in full sun with half the subject’s face in shadow. Yuck! But, thanks to Gregory’s subtle flash, the picture isn’t a total loss. I get precious few with me in them, and even fewer with Bradley actually smiling! Thanks, Gregory!
See ya’ll at the parade on Monday!
Peace,
~jules
P.S. The fun day you see in my family Memorial Day weekend slide show was created entirely on foot. I did not spend a dime on gas or get inside a car except to look for my missing flash.
I LOVE LIVING IN METUCHEN!
Julie,
Such beautiful pictures of a beautiful family. You take such captivating film, and the music always brings a tear to my eye. Thanks for giving us all a glimpse into your life as well!
Sincerely,
Nancy Fuccile and family
Comment by Nancy Fuccile — June 6, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
I don’t know how I missed this one before. What a treasure for your boys. I’ll bet they will love to look back on this. And as always, the music is perfect.
Comment by Stephanie — June 16, 2008 @ 7:24 am
Hey, Julie and gang. I enjoyed the family slide show so much, and was glad to see mamarazzi in a photo at last! All of you look great. What a wonderful American family you turned out to be. Thanks for sharing.
Jerry Jewler
Comment by Jerry Jewler — June 27, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Hey, Julie and Gang, Loved the family slide show and was delighted to see mammarazzi in one of the photos..and a great one at that. All of you look wonderful and seem happy with life. What more could any sane person ask for? Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures and moments.
Jerry Jewler
Comment by Jerry Jewler — June 27, 2008 @ 8:54 am
Hi there. I haven’t joined your blog for ages, and I’ve been surprised by such a gorgeous slide. Congratulations for your work. I’m not only delighted by your pics on trees, but also for the magic and wonder which sparkle from your family shots. Like the ice on the cake, your smiley face appears at the end. Thank you.
Montse, from Barcelona
Comment by Montserrat Casanellas — June 27, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Dear Julie your pictures come alive with feeling and express the love you have for people and the world God’s made for them.
Marie Schuchman
Comment by marie schuchman — August 5, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Variety Village is our favorite place for just about everything else! In case you haven’t heard, there’s going to be a new owner soon.I was in the store today and Tommy (the owner, always smiling, above) was telling me about the expected changes. Tommy, I know for a fact that my kids will never forget the joy of walking downtown to go to Variety Village.
Julie You did a Great Job wrote about this Store ,this the place I always go since Prayci 3 Years old. We will miss Tommy.
Comment by Mercy — August 7, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
Hey Jules:
It was great to view this slideshow and see how much the boys have grown and to also see some of our favourite Metuchen landmarks and all the memories they evoke!
Great job as always,
love, Deb
Comment by Debora, from Canada — August 29, 2008 @ 8:08 am