Over this past weekend, me and my fellow members from Marium599 were chosen to run the photo booth at our annual District #27 Christmas Ball.

I was a big bag of nerves since I heard the news, but I think we did a great job (and even turned a profit from our sales)

This was definitely a learning experience.  It was fast-paced, we had to deal with the wind (knocking down my umbrellas), the cold, and printing issues.  But in the end, we came up with photos that I think people will enjoy.

Some of the lovely couples who visited our booth…

And you know we had to take some photos of ourselves!!!

The lovely and oh so photogenic Mrs. Debbie!

My muse, Ta’nia

Ebay had a great deal on a backdrop and lighting (For only $150.00).  I need it for an upcoming project anyway, and took this chance to try and re-create some images that have inspired me in the past.

Like I said,  I’m learning mostly by trial and error (but will be taking a short class in January).  For these images, I placed both umbrella lights to the left of the subject.  I had him stand about 2 feet away from the black backdrop and had my camera on a tripod.

I tried this several times on program mode, but all of the black tricks out the camera.  The shutter speed was very slow, so he had to stand extremely still.

Someone on Flickr suggested that next time, I put the camera in manual mode and focus everything on my own…that way I won’t have to worry about coming up with a blurry image.

Before and afters below….

All of the photo editing was done in Adobe Lightroom.  As you can see the backdrop was VERY visible before I played with it. Next up…the white backdrop…we’ll see what happens

I’d like to entitle this one “Contemplation”

I waited in line 4 hours just to see Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton in Orlando on 10/20/2008.

Although I was far away and couldn’t see the stars of the show, I’m happy that I was amongst the 40,000 DIVERSE supports who attended.

Anonymous father and son at the rally (I wish I knew who they were so I could send them this photo).  Looking at the boy’s eyes, I’m sure that being there that day has touched and affected him in some way.  Are we looking into the innocent eyes of a future president?  We’ll see (at least we know now that it’s possible).

In my heart of hearts, I believe that Obama is the candidate who can bring this country together.  Weather we sink down into another great depression, or if we rise above the abysmal failures of the Republican party, we’d at least be united under Obama.

The full gallery can be viewed {{ HERE }}

Sunday Evening, we celebrated Christina’s 24th birthday!!!  We started off at Kobe’s for that birffday dinner.

Aren’t they a cute couple?  (Christina and Dan)

The photo of the little volcano that the Chef made came out pretty good.

Me and Ta’Nia fighting for a piece of fried cheesecake.  We are too silly.

We are thugs!

Nobody better say ANYTHING about my forehead!  LOL!

This man from Alabama sang DIRECTLY at Christina!  What a BIRTHDAY!

And then so did the host!

One of many GREAT poets at the AKA Lounge.

I love how this man acknowledged his wife before even starting his seccsy little poem.  Congrats to her on going for her master’s degree!

ChauDrian is the MAIN attraction every Sunday at the AKA Lounge.  Her stage presence is AWESOME and her voice is even better!  Orlando’s talent just amazes me!

There’s an explanation for our faces in this photo.  Someone TRIED us!  We spent the rest of our time dancing the night away.  If you haven’t been to AKA’s on Sunday night, you GOTTA Go!

]]> http://myownwoman.com/2008/08/happy-birthday-christina/feed/ 0 http://myownwoman.com/2008/07/mia-happy-birthday-jeane/ http://myownwoman.com/2008/07/mia-happy-birthday-jeane/#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:17:03 +0000 Thalie http://myownwoman.com/?p=207

I spent this past weekend in Miami celebrating Jeane’s birthday.  The ride there was boring as hell, but well worth it.

Above are all of the usual suspects (and Natalie’s new pooch Roxy) jazzed up before heading to Opium for the night.

41 of 365 : Corey

42 of 365 : Flower Macro

43 of 365 : Juxtaposition

38 of 365 : Shiny Hallway
(Disclaimer, taken with cameraphone)

39 of 365 : Good MORNING!!!

I got up EARLY this morning!  And if you know me, you know that’s RARE.  I’m feeling good though!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEANE!!!!