Thursday, July 31, 2008

Aerial View Of Hershey...




Hey everyone,

I know I said this was going to be a week of photoshop. After playing around with this photo for awhile, I decided that it would be best left untouched except with some minor color adjustment, sharpening etc...

This was taken from the Hershey Kissing Tower. This first photo is looking east towards the factory and part of the town. The Nikon did not too bad as I was not sure how it would work with shooting inside. I was happy with the overall results.


Hope your having a great week!!


Woody

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

More from the boardwalk...






Day 3 of photoshop week, this is a different part of the same water ride. Major cropping was done to alot of the photos. I cropped in to what I thought was the best parts or coolest to look at...

Thanks for the feedback so far, keep it coming!!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Boardwalk at Hershey...





Hey everyone,

Day 2 of photoshop week. These photos were taken just this past Saturday at HersheyPark. The county held it's annual picnic up there this year. So I decided to go up for the day. Out of the 5/12-6 hours, I was there, I only got on two rides and both were roller coasters. I really wanted to get on a few of the water rides since thats what I enjoy the most, but the lines were just nuts and I refused to stand in line for an hour to wait for a locker to secure my things(camera included) I had the camera with me, so I had fun just walking around shooting things.

This is in the Boardwalk section of Hershey, they have two very large buckets in some water ride contraption, not really sure what it was. Once they fill, they tip and dump the water down onto you.


Let me just say, that people watching up there is almost as enjoyable at times. There were some rather interesting folks up there thats for sure.

Hope you all are having a great week. I want to say thanks also to Brad Myers and HFD60 for their feedback yesterday. That is what I am looking for, so please feel free to comment and not hold back..


Stay Safe,

Woody

Monday, July 28, 2008

PhotoShop Week...





Hi All,

Hope you had a good weekend. So I decided to try and do something a little different this week. I am going to post two photos, one as a before photoshop and one as after photoshop work was done. I been trying to practice my photoshop as time allows, so I would like you guys to be the judge. Tell If you like it, hate it, Don't ever touch photoshop again...etc..You get the point..

Today's first two photos are of Willow Street Fire Company(5-12) Rescue 5-12. A before and after shot...

Let me know what you think...


Have a great week!!

Woody

Friday, July 25, 2008

Rescue Goes....







Hey Everyone,

These photos were taken yesterday. The Rescue was alerted on a crash with reported entrapment, upon FD arrival, patient was actually confined in the vehicle. Fortunatley, no serious injuries. Ford Focus vs a Full Size Chevy Suburban....


Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Stay Safe,

Woody

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Ladder Training...







Hi All,

Hope your having a good week. I'm counting the days till I am off for almost the entire month of August. These photos were taken this past Tuesday at local vo-tech school. The department that I am a member of, Willow Street Fire Company, were doing Ladder OPS for training. I got there a little late but still got in some shots. The first two are of the guys conducting various evolutions. The other 3 shots are of the department apparatus. The 3rd shot is of Truck 5-12. Fourth shot is of Rescue 5-12 and the 5th shot is of both the pumpers, 5-12-1 and 5-12-2 and the Chiefs Buggy.

I have some upcoming photo shoots planned here in the future. My nephews and sister in law from Texas are coming up and we have alot planned. I was told to make sure I take alot of photos, so I'll be posting a few on here.


Have a good week everyone!


Stay Safe,

Woody

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Towers enroute with six...




Hi all,

This photo was taken about two weeks ago. I was coming home from work after an OT shift when I heard Truck 6-7(Rohrerstown Fire Company) get special called to a reported house fire as the RIT truck. I just happened to be one block from their firehouse when they were dispatched, so I swung in to the parking lot and shot some photos as they were responding. Some minor photoshop work done but not a whole lot, just some cropping and changing the contrast abit.

Stay Safe,

Woody

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Bad Moon Rising...






Hey Everyone,

Hope your week has been going good. These photos were taken last Saturday after PPP. I had just gotten Wyatt down for the night when the box alarm was struck for a reported fire at a local cinema. So I decided to head out with the camera and check things out. The fire was in a popcorn machine which was out but left a heavy smoke condition throughout the building. I was standing in front of the tower and glanced up and thought that would be a cool shot with the moon in the background over the platform.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far..


Woody

Monday, July 21, 2008

The Rigs...





Good Morning All,

Here are some shots of the wagon and tower. The weather finally let up late in the evening, so I was able to get a shot of the tower. While leaning against the wall listening to the guys tell war stories, I glanced over at the wagon and thought it be a cool shot of it. As you can tell, It's the first time or second I should say I used the canvas features. I still need to practice with them as they were not the color I wanted, but I don't think they came out too bad..

Have a great day!!


Woody

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Best Firehouse In the City of Harrisburg....





The famous uptown house, home to Wagon 3 and Tower 2. Last Sunday, I had the privilage of being invited up to have dinner in the big house with my friend, Captain Sam Clark, along with another friend, Asst. Chief Bill Hall from the Fire Department Of Mount Joy. It was truly a pleasure to spend an evening with those guys. Sam's crew were absolutely great hosts and the meal was fantastic. They answered any questions I had, offered to pull the rigs out so I could take photos. I can't say enough about them. Hey, I know it seems like I'm making a big deal out of it, but for a fire dispatcher, it's pretty humbling to be invited to dinner in a big city firehouse. Especially Harrisburg Station 1.

I did not get to take too many photos due to the weathe not cooporating. I was able to get an outside shot of Tower 2 on the ramp a bit later once it stopped raining.

I do look forward to a return visit sometime...


Have a great weekend guys!!


Stay Safe,

Woody

Thursday, July 17, 2008

More PPP...







Good Morning All,

Here are some more random shots from Pump Primers. The first photo is the logo of Engine 50 from Steelton, I thought it was pretty cool. The second one with the three dogs is from the bumper of Pikesville C Model Open Cab Mack. The third photo is the Citizens Fire Company CF mack from Mahoney City, Engine 454. This is the first time I have ever seen a master stream device on the front bumper of a rig.

The fourth photo, well I'm just minding my own business and this guy comes and just positions himself in front of me while I'm trying to take a shot. Some people...(Just kidding buddy)

The fifth photo is of a train coming across the bridge. I thought it was a cool shot to take, so I did..

Have a great day everyone!!

Woody

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

More from Lutherville...





Good Morning All,


Here are some more photos from Pump Primers. This Is Lutherville Marylands second Mack, a CF model. Both are two of my favorites. The other photo is of a Mack Bulldog, I belive that was on the front of a rig from New Jersey.

Blogger has been a little cranky this morning, so hopefully the photos take. I'll be checking back later..


Have a great day!!


Woody

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Lutherville Mack...




Hi all,

Just got home from work. Pretty Steady night, I had 3 box alarm assignments in my area tonight. I thought the one was going to be something, but it was not.

Anyway, more from Pump Primers. This is one of my alltime favorite macks, Lutherville MD, I want to say B Model maybe?? Sorry, I'm a little tired If I am wrong. Having a brain fart.

If you have never had the chance to go to Pump Primers, This is an event you have to attend. Always a great time, Of course If you are walking around with Brad Myers who is trying to give you photography tips while you walking to shoot apparatus, once the 500 hundred people who know Brad are finally done saying hello, then you can get down to business. Sorry Pal, had to harass you ; )

Time to hit the rack, Have a great day folks!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Pump Primers 2008...







Good Morning All,

This will be brief as I need to get bed and just got home from Harrisburg after having dinner with the Uptown's bravest from Station 1. (Thanks again for the invite Captain Clark!!!) These photos were taken at the annual Pump Primers event. I have not had a chance to do any photo shop work yet other then some cropping. The first few photos are of the Harrisburg Fire Bike, which Is the COOLEST bike I have ever seen. The last photo is a group of the bravest. The one gentleman though, he could not go two feet without being mobbed by people he knew. I think he get's more attention then Brian Bastinelli when he is in public.. : )


Have a good night everyone!!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Mr. President...








Hi All,

Hope your having a good week. This is the final post this week from the Choo Choo Barn. I hope you have enjoyed them. Next week will be photos from Pump Primers as I will be attending the event this Saturday and meeting Bradley Myers for the first time. I am looking forward to that and hopefully, picking up a photography tip or two.


The first photo is all of the United States Presidents. I did some real quick photoshop work to it, just added some wind for the flag and overlayed it. I was happy with how it came out so I decided to let it go. The second photo is of the old firehouse of the Strasburg Fire Company(5-10) The old firehouse now serves as a church. For all you rail buffs, they have a really cool patch that I think you would like.

Allright, as always have a great weekend and feel free to leave any comments.

By the way, If you have not checked it out. Brian Bastinelli from York is out west this week and has some great pictures of wildlife on his blog. Even If your not into wildlife that much, He has some amazing shots. You can reach his blog by clicking on the link under sites I like...

Stay Safe,

Woody

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More from the CC Barn...








Hi All,

I hope your all having a great week. Here are some more shots from the Choo Choo Barn. This is a place where I could spend hours taking photos and not get bored.

The first photo is a tourist getting pulled over by the local police department. The second and third photos are of The Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park. This was my first summer job and it was a great place to work. I have many fond memories of working there, made a lot of good friends.

The fourth photo is of a Amtrak train that was passing by close to the park.


The fifth photo is of Wyatt looking at a Disney Train. This one I need some help on, so If anyone who is much smarter then me in Photoshop, PLEASE PLEASE leave any comments or suggestions. I was attempting to clone the photo, In Wyatt's reflection, I wanted to attempt to remove the white post that goes down the middle of his face and move it to another part of the photograph where it would blend it.

Everytime I attempt to do it, I get a message stating the image is locked. I've looked online, I've looked in my photoshop book, I've checked the online help manuel for photoshop and I cant find anything on a locked image or how to unlock it.


So I don't know If I am missing something or If it's that obvious and it's right in front of me and I have not found it yet...

Any help is appreciated...


Thanks and Stay Safe,


Woody

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Trip to the Choo Choo Barn...









Hi all,

I know, I missed a day yesterday. I just plain forgot, plus I did not have anything planned. Yesterday, I took Wyatt to the Choo Choo Barn In Strasburg. If you ever get the chance, you need to take a drive and visit this. It is a 1700 square foot model train layout. I've been there quite a few times and each time, I always notice something new. I apologize for the quality of photos ahead of time. I was trying to watch Wyatt and take photos quickly at the same time. I think I had my camera on the wrong settings. I did not do a whole of photoshop work, mainly because I spent about 2 hours, cropping, recropping, adding some color, sharpening the photos and I am tired..LOL

So I think this week will be all shots from the choo choo barn. Here is a link to their website. www.choochoobarn.com. If you love trains, this is the place to visit.

I will say even though I had Wyatt with me and he had a blast by the way. I think it was still very difficult to shoot. Trying to get a good angle for a shot, and with the changing lighting in the room(If you never been there, after about 5-10 minutes, It goes from day to night and back to day again.)

So here are some of the shots, Please let me know what you think and feel free to leave any suggestions.



The first two shots are of the newest model to the layout. A Turkey Hill Store and a Turkey Hill Sign with gas prices. I am told that they can change the prices in the sign to reflect current prices.

The last 3 photos are from my favorite part of the layout. A simulated house fire. If you stand in front of the house and watch. You will see smoke pushing from the roof and "fire" in the first floor. After about thirty seconds, a house siren blows and then you see the engine company from the uptown district(A tribute to my Harrisburg City Friends that read my blog) leave the firehouse. When the engine arrives, you see guys advancing a line and with real water, knocking the fire down. It's pretty cool to watch..

Time for bed, so I hope you all have a great day!!

Stay Safe,

Woody