Sunday, April 22, 2012

Happy Earth Day

I have to say that, after all the nice weather we've had thus far this spring, today's cool temps were a bit disappointing.  We tried, instead, to radiate the sunshine from within our hearts, celebrate Mother Earth, and renew our commitment to her.  Don't forget to reduce, reuse, and recycle!


Recommendation: Do all of nature a favor and get your children to read Don't Squash That Bug!  Natalie Rompella, an author from our own state of Illinois, wrote this informative book (suited for grades 2-4).  The kids are going to LOVE the amazing photographs and they'll learn so much about the importance of insects in our world.  Wish this book had been around when our budding photographer, Lindsey, was little! She's always been interested in insects.  Check out some of Lindsey's award winning "bug shots" in the Featured Galleries on the Nichols Photography website, www.nicholsphoto.com.

Sunday, April 08, 2012

Colored Eggs, Chicks, & Chocolate

Happy Easter to all my peeps!  Hope each and every one of you had an amazing family day and got to participate (in some way) in an awesome Easter egg hunt.  Spring is in the air!

Please take a moment to review the Easter safety issues discussed in my post of March 26, 2009.

(Thanks to Jason for his whimsical artwork.)

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Mike is teaching again!

Photoshop Tips and Tricks (at SIUE, Tuesdays, April 10-24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.)
If you're already familiar with the basics of the Photoshop program, you can join Mike in a class that will build on your skills.  Would you like to open eyes, swap faces, add or subtract people from your shots?  This is the class for you!  Learn to choose and use the correct tools for each photographic task, control color and contrast, even work with layer masks and blending modes.  Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be an exciting ride!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Lights Out!

Our Glenwood Manor studio was dark tonight as lights went out all over the globe in solidarity for the 6th annual "Earth Hour."  The goal was to show the world that the smallest measures to conserve energy are a big step in the right direction for our planet.  In order to raise awareness regarding climate change, Internet giants Google and You Tube joined with the likes of Sydney's Opera House, the Colosseum and our own Lumiere Place Casino and NHL Blues in St. Louis.  Here's hoping that 2012's hour of inspiration will demonstrate its positive impact through an amazing increase in community involvement next year on Saturday, March 30, 2013.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Wearin' O the Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my readers!  Hope everyone is wearing his or her "finest green" today.  I have a lengthy Irish branch in my family tree so I'll be eating green eggs for breakfast and step dancing to an Irish jig before the sun goes down.  In Catholic school we used to wear little jingle bells on our shoes for St. Patrick's Day but I cannot remember why.  Does anybody else remember that?  Chime in with a comment if you do.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Book Launch

Lindsey and I attended a book launch this evening at the Blum House in Collinsville, IL.  Young adult fiction writer, Cole Gibsen, was there to sign her recently released book, Katana.  The ground floor rooms of the Victorian-era Queen Anne were bustling with excited book-lovers eager to get the author's signature inside the cover of her debut novel.  Because Katana references Japanese culture, two Geisha were present in authentic attire and make-up.  They gave an informative talk.  It was a grand evening and, hopefully, we will be able to convince the author to agree to an interview here on our blog.  Cross your fingers and keep checking back!

Saturday, March 03, 2012

So you've got a digital camera, now what?

Are your images too dark, too light, too blurry?  Help is here!  Mike is teaching Photography Essentials as part of the Community Learning classes at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Tuesday) and at Lewis and Clark Community College - N.O. Nelson Campus in Edwardsville (Wednesday).  Mike can demystify the aspects of your digital camera.  Come explore how your camera can give you the images you've always wanted.  (Classes are 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 14 - 28).

Friday, March 02, 2012

Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss

Theodore Geisel, we LOVE you!  Sincere thanks go to the man who has delighted children with his stories for generations and will continue to do so for generations to come!  He was born in 1904 so we're celebrating his 108th birthday.  As is fitting, March 2nd has been designated "Read Across America Day."  So, if you're an adult, pick up a Dr. Seuss book and read it to a child today -- a daughter, a son, a niece, a nephew, or a grandchild.  Why not kick it up a notch?  Volunteer to read to a school class or an after-school care group!  Green Eggs and Ham is a personal favorite!  That story offers an amazing opportunity for comic expression when read aloud.  I've never known a kid who didn't enjoy laughing at a grown-up!  Interesting factoids: 1) Twenty-seven different publishers rejected his first book.  2) He is said to have coined the word "nerd."  The first recorded instance of the word "nerd" is in Seuss' 1950 book, If I Ran the Zoo.

Thursday, March 01, 2012

March is Women's History Month

Ladies, it's time to celebrate!  Political campaigns are in full swing this year.  Moms, make sure you talk with your daughters about the suffragettes who paved the way for our right to vote.  Those of you with grown daughters may succeed in igniting an interest in them for politics or, at the very least, you may get them to happily research today's Presidential hopefuls.  Perhaps you would like to select a heroine each week in March and share her story with a young girl in your family, a Brownie or Girl Scout troop.  Let's give these outstanding women the recognition they deserve!

Thursday, February 02, 2012

What a gorgeous day!

65 degrees in early February!  I made good use of the unseasonably warm temps by getting out and about today (in short sleeves no less).  I had some genealogy work that had been on hold due to winter weather and today became the perfect opportunity to complete the on-site photographic documentation.  While I'm on the subject, I'd like to say that it's impossible to overestimate the importance of preserving family history.  If you have old photos that are in need of restoration, don't wait another minute!  The future generations will thank you!