Quick Hit Monday: Broadway Reviews; FREE Webcast; Inspiring Photography; & Photoshop Freebies

Good Afternoon Everybody,

This is mostly a work day for me, working and completing a few projects.  I'm presenting a FREE webcast live from Animoto's World Headquarters on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. The topic is, "Creating Lifelong Customers".  Hey, I've built and maintained my business for more than 25 years on what Ill be discussing on Wednesday. I'm wrapping up the Power Point as we speak - I hope you'll join me.  Here is the link to register right here.

Also, I'm announcing today that I'm beginning a brand new photography/lighting series on Wednesday of this week. The series will revolve around getting your best shots in the worse and the best lighting and weather conditions.  I hope you'll join me on Wednesday and the next few Wednesdays for this new series of posts.

We Enjoyed A Tony Award Winning Broadway Weekend

I going off on a personal note for starters today.  We had quite the weekend in the NYC and I'd like to share a few of the highlights with you. In spite of the record breaking heat wave (heat index 107 - 115 degrees and more at pavement level) that settled down on New York City and many other cities across the USA. We kicked off the weekend by heading down to Times Square and nabbing some tickets to the hit Broadway play, Spiderman.  We had great seats and the show was amazing.  I've never seen aerial stunts [link]  so excitedly pulled off the way they did in this performance.  The crowd gave the performance a thematic standing ovation at the end!

Saturday we began the day with my Animoto Charity Photowalk beginning at Washington Square Park Arch and wondering through Soho and other interesting neighborhoods around the area - all very colorful and FUN to say the least. 

We had a great walk, made a few new friends, and had some lively conversations as we walked the areas. It is always interesting to see what someone else is pointing their camera towards. 

After our 2 1/2 hour walk we finished up at Animoto World Headquarters for some refreshments and a tour of their facilities. 

We were able to raise several hundred dollars for the PPA Charities which is always a good thing – thanks to all those who participated.  You can check out the images from our photowalk over at the Flickr Group we just set up right here. Here’s a quick Animoto video I put together of LaDawn and my images.  Enjoy!

 

Later in the afternoon we headed over to Katz's Deli, you know, where Harry met Sally, and caught up with Jesica, a good and very insightful friend from B&H.  If you ever get to New York, Katz's has the BEST corned beef and pastrami in the world - highly recommended. But even better is a visit to B&H. It’s truly a photographers play land.

On Friday, while walking the Theater district in Times Square, we also nabbed 3 great box seats for the hottest show on Broadway, The Book Of Mormon!  It's nearly impossible to get seats for this show because of it's HUGE popularity - we just got lucky being at the right place at the right time - clean living, I guess ;~)

Although after seeing the show, in my opinion it might just lose a few points in popularity rating if you ask us.  This is definitely NOT a show to take your kids too.  Oh, and I wouldn’t recommend it to your grandmother either. 

Call me a little old fashion, but I don't believe one of the best Broadway experiences of the decade (singing and choreography) has to descend quite so far into the raunchy level the Book of Mormon did.  If you are a true fan of South Park humor then this show is for you. For the most part, the talent and creativity was outstanding. We just didn’t like the use of so much profane language.

The real treat came Sunday for two reasons. First, We decided to take in historic St. Bart’s for Sunday service - it's right across the street from the Waldorf-Astoria.  To our very pleasant surprise, the service was a choral service featuring the works of Joseph Haydn.  It was simply a beautiful experience.

An hour later my daughter Elizabeth joined us and we headed over to Lincoln Center to see the absolute most mesmerizing, creative, unbelievably crafted, theater experiences of our lives - we saw War Horse. 

Voted Tony award winning best play and for our experience nothing beats it on Broadway.  It is, without a doubt, the must see play in NYC - no exceptions!  Amazing, breathtaking, awesome, emotional, unbelievable - adding more words would still not complete the description of this one of a kind play.

If you haven't guessed it so far, LaDawn and I love our plays.  Every time we hit the city, we try to get caught up on a few of Broadway’s best.  I think we hit it out of the park on this visit ;~)

Now back to photography.  I've got quite a few interesting things for you to check out for today's Quick Hit Monday post.  I hope you enjoy the post.  Here we go...

My Favorite Inspirational Photographs This Week

• 90 Inspiring Sunrise & Sunset Photos: Always inspiring – DAZ [link]
• Photos of Clouds and Storms by Sean R. Heavey: He tracks the storms with his iPad – Un- frigging – believable! – DAZ: [link]

• Magnificent Mountain Reflections: Simply gorgeous – DAZ: [link]

• 500 Pixels Review: The hot new photo site – DAZ: [link]

A Few Photography Websites and Blogs To Check Out

• Blog of a Hong Kong Wedding Photographer: Good stuff here –beautiful and amazing images DAZ [link]

• 37 Websites Every Photographer Should be Reading: I missed the cut again ;~)  [link]
• 6 Free Websites For Public Domain Images & Free Stock Photos: Need a free image or two, decent sources –DAZ [link]

Being In NYC This Week, I’ve Checked Out These Two Links

• Street Photography Tips and Techniques: [link]
• The 10 Best Street Photography Blogs on the Web (and more) [link]

Photoshop Freebies – Always Fun And Free

• Vintage Photo + High Dynamic Range = Cool Look [link]
• Creating Textures in Photoshop [link]
• 30 Creative Photoshop Text Effects Tutorials [link]
• PSD Files: 60+ Must Have Photoshop Files For Designers (Part2) [link]
• 11 Most Efficient Free Fonts to Create Elegant Designs [link]

For You iPhone/iPad Junkies Like Me

• Essential iPhone and iPad Apps For The Travelling Photographer: [link]
• Free Productivity Enhancement iPad Apps for Professionals: [link]

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Hey gang, that's it for me today.  Don't miss my FREE webcast live from Animoto's World Headquarters on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Again, the topic is, "Creating Lifelong Customers".  Here is the link to register right here. I hope you'll join me.

See ya' tomorrow for a brand new Technique Tuesday: Hidden Gem's in Lightroom 3. I promise, this is something you've never seen before anywhere - don't miss it.

Adios, David