5th Grade Graduation

5th grade graduation was another great opportunity to shoot candid event photos. I enjoyed seeing my daughter and her friends in the culmination of their elementary school experience.

It was a challenge to get clear pictures in the low light so I cranked the ISO up to support a faster shutter speed. Then, at the recommendation of a friend I downloaded a 30-day trial installation of Adobe Lightroom and tried it out on this batch of photos. One thing I like about Lightroom right out of the gate is its ability to reduce the graininess and noise caused by the high ISO. Once I adjusted one picture I could easily paste the settings across all the other similar pictures at once and then just make minor adjustments. I can see how this could become a major time saver. It would (will?) be a pretty hefty investment to purchase in another 20 days, though if (when?) I decide to purchase the program.

Center School 5th Grade Graduation 2011 See the entire album!

Please note the exits

Listing a few defining attributes of Center School

Hand shake for a diploma

A hat for Mr. Pomroy

No, thank *YOU* Mrs. Walters!

You're not leaving without posing for your parents!

Stage presence!

Mr. Pomroy - The "Cool" Principal

Citizenship Award Winner

A Proud Mom

Why so blue... er, red and blue...?

The graduates leave in a flurry of flash bulbs

Citizenship Award - An Exclusive Close-up

Goodbyes

Roger Williams Zoo Field Trip

At the beginning of June I got to accompany my kindergartener to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI for her class field trip! We arrived about 25 minutes before her classmates' bus so we watched as one bus after another disgorged its passengers in a steady stream at the zoo entrance. The far parking lot was sea of yellow buses, so we knew we wouldn't be alone. Hundreds of roudy kids from schools all over the area jostled, pushed, shouted in anticipation of the day at the zoo.

It turned out to be a beautiful day!

Here is an assortment of things we saw at the zoo:

Mile Creek Kindergarten - Zoo Trip See the entire album!

Crowds

Dragonflies

Bees!!!

Weed Pulling

Bathing Beauties

Bathing Birdies

Friends

Snoozing Snow Leopard

Alert Red Panda

Dreaming Red Panda

Eagle Spotting

Giant Snapping Turtle

Noble Elephant

Dirt Throwin' Pachyderm

Stripes!

The Crane Who Thinks *HE* Is the One Watching the Exotic Animals Through the Glass

Center School 5th Grade Presents: The Wizard of Oz

So, I followed the paving stone path on into Center School last Friday evening where I was treated to the fantastic 5th grade production of The Wizard of Oz. There were two significant challenges to photographing this event. First, there were very few lights on the actors for much of the production, which made it quite difficult to get clear pictures. And second, there is no air conditioning in Center School which resulted in some very hot and uncomfortable actors, audience members, and photographers. Seats by windows in the gymnasium were at a premium because the outside air provided some relief from the heat and humidity.

I found that there was lots more light near the back of the stage than there was up front so I ended up shooting some from backstage and from the wings to try and get some clear shots. This had the added advantage to putting me close to a few windows and open doors and the extra ventilation they provided(here I discovered a few of the more clever kids also trying to escape the heat while they waited for their next scene).

I was pretty happy with some of the pictures I got of the performance and I hope that the participants find the gallery enjoyable.

Here are a few of the highlights along with a link to the extensive gallery of the production and the after party.

See the entire gallery! Center School 5th Grade Presents - The Wizard of Oz

Center School - Established 1935

Ding-dong, the witch is dead!

Munchkins!

More munchkins!

I'll get you my pretty! (And your little dog, too!)

If I only had a brain...

Follow the yellow brick road...

Please don't pull the mane. It's real!

I've meeeeeelted!

Clever kids escaping the heat

Farmer Joe tries on a top hat

I can haz courage?

My favorite picture of the evening. The curtain call began before everyone was ready. It was delightful to see the all-smiles cast scramble for their places. Bravo!