Category Archives: Nikon

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Out of Sight’ (bronze, 2011) - two young boys with kites - is on view at 'Re-Visiting the Familiar: Seward Johnson at the Gardens' sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. Westbury House is in background. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Seward Johnson’s fun sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 16, 2022

Seward Johnson Exhibition • 6/18 – 9/25/22 • buy Advance TicketsMap

UPDATE: Extended thru September 25, 2022

Re-visiting the familiar

“It’s easy sometimes to forget the simple things that give us pleasure. If we open our eyes, life is marvelous” – Seward Johnson (1930-2020)

One of my birthday week traditions is going with family or friends to photograph something special. This year I went with Bob to ‘Re-Visiting the Familiar: Seward Johnson at the Gardens.’

The Old Westbury Gardens exhibit has over 30 Seward Johnson sculptures showing people doing everyday things. It runs from June 18th to September 5th, 2022.

my Photo Gallery – Seward Johnson at the Gardens (Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

A Reason to Smile (bronze, 2004):

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘A Reason to Smile’ (bronze, 2004) – a wry take on the painting ‘Mona Lisa’ by Leonardo Da Vinci – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Other than seeing some photos of the present exhibit on Old Westbury Gardens’ facebook page, I didn’t know what to expect. I soon realized this was fun art, rather than fine art, though fine art inspired some of Johnson’s most iconic pieces.

The  statue ‘A Reason to Smile’ (see photo above) was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The statues of dancers on the West Porch (see 3 photos below) were inspired by Pierre Auguste Renoir, the French master Impressionist painter.

Time for Fun (aluminum, 2000) – country couple:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022.  Visitor BOB STUHMER is having fun with ‘Time for Fun’ (aluminum, 2000), which is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. The statue is inspired by painting ‘Dance in the Country,’ by Pierre Auguste Renoir. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Time for Fun (aluminum, 2000) – country couple:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022.  ‘Time for Fun’ (aluminum, 2000) – a country couple dancing outdoors, the woman holding fan high, and wearing red hat – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. The statue is inspired by painting ‘Dance in the Country,’ by Pierre Auguste Renoir. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Whispering Close (aluminum, 2000) – city couple:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Whispering Close’ (aluminum, 2000) – a city couple dancing outdoors, the man wearing black tails, the woman with elegant dress and long gloves – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at  Old Westbury Gardens. The statue is inspired by painting ‘Dance in the City,’ by Pierre Auguste Renoir. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

HEADS UP:  There are no pamphlets about the exhibit. Considering how small the maps, or large the pamphlets, would have to be, this seems both reasonable and ecologically friendly.

Instead, close to the parking lot, there are large panels displaying a map of the grounds, basic info about the exhibit of statues, and a QR Code to direct smart phones to online info:

Testing Togetherness  – bronze, 2010 [ full view ]:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Testing Togetherness’ (bronze, 2010), seen in closeup – a young couple lying on grass, with girl’s head on boy’s chest- is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I had more spontaneous, quick conversations with fellow visitors than during any earlier visit to Old Westbury Gardens.

Though strangers may typically avoid staring at each other, at this exhibit, we often stared at each other from a distance or even rather close. Were we approaching fellow visitors or trompe-l’œil statues?

Time and again, I’d cross paths with someone smiling who’d say something along the lines of, “Did you see the statue of a couple lying down under the tree? I was sure they were real people, even when I got closer, but they didn’t move…”   (see above photo)

The Landlady (aluminum, 2004):

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘The Landlady’ (aluminum, 2004) – an older woman sitting at a table with holding open ledger – is on view in Westbury House at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. The work is inspired by the painting ‘L’Arlésienne’ by Vincent van Gogh.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Membership

Except for Old Westbury Gardens members, visitors must purchase tickets in advance. The exhibit is free with admission.

There are several big reasons I’ve kept my OWG membership active, despite Covid: it’s mainly an outdoor venue; I can go, or not, on the spur of the moment, and there’s no cost factor against making short or multiple visits to one event.

Sweet Sixteen  – 1981  [ side  rear 1  rear 2 ]:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Sweet Sixteen’ (1981) – from the ‘Reading’ group, and showing a girl sitting atop bench, reading a book – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at historic Old Westbury Gardens (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I used my Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera with the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 lens to capture all photos except ‘Waving Girl,’ which I captured with my iPhone (see last post). Though I LOVE my Nikon gear, they’re not light, and it was a hot day.

So, after a couple of hours of photographing statues mainly in the west area of the grounds, it was near dinner time, and Bob and I left.

I look forward to returning to “bump into” and photograph more statues at the Gold Coast estate before the Seward Johnson exhibit ends.

Creating  (bronze, 1981, 1984):

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘A visitor takes a selfie with ‘Creating’ (bronze, 1981), a statue of a man sketching a landscape, during the ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘It often happens that when you look at familiar things through someone else’s eyes you see them as you have never seen them before.’ – John Mole, ‘It’s All Greek to Me!’  2004

Waving Girl (bronze, 1982)

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Waving Girl’ (bronze, 1982) – a young woman waving as if to call to someone across the West Pond, is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. Captured using iPhone 13 Pro (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (top of post) other views: side  closeup – Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Out of Sight’ (bronze, 2011) – two young boys with kites – is on view at ‘Re-Visiting the Familiar: Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. Westbury House is in background.


Seward Johnson at the Gardens: my Photo Gallery

OldWestburyGardens.org

SewardJohnsonAtelier.org 

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East Meadow, New York, U.S. April 2, 2022. Nassau County's Veterans Memorial is reflected on lake at Eisenhower Park.

Eisenhower Park Through Z Lens

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 11, 2022

a walk in the park

Soon after my Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera arrived, I researched which Z lens was best for walking around, for travel.

““Eisenhower

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. April 2, 2022. Veterans Memorial is at east side of lake at Eisenhower Park. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I ordered the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S. It captures a useful range of distances, has excellent focus, and – weighing a bit under 1.5 pounds – isn’t too heavy to carry for at least a couple of hours.

““Eisenhower

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. April 2, 2022. American Flag flies high in area of 9/11 Memorials along pond at Eisenhower Park. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The Sunday after the lens arrived from B&H Photo Video, the weather was actually springlike, rather than the rainy days before it.

““Eisenhower

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. April 2, 2022. Veterans Memorial is at east side of lake at Eisenhower Park. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

So I chose focus and color camera settings good for landscapes, and went to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow for a test run of the Nikon Z9 + Nikkor Z 24-120mm combo.

NOTE:  I used DxO PhotoLab 5.2 to process the above photos.

““Eisenhower

East Meadow, N.Y., U.S. April 2, 2022. 9/11 Twin Towers sculpture is at west side of lake at Eisenhower Park. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Walking around the lake, I captured images of the Veterans Memorial  along the east side and the 9/11 towers sculpture area on the west side.


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): East Meadow, N.Y, U.S. April 2, 2022. The Nassau County Veterans Memorial is seen from across Eisenhower Park Lake.


Eisenhower Park + Nikkor Z 24-120mm lens: my Photo Gallery

Nassau County, N.Y. gov’t site: Eisenhower Park

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Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. L-R, Judge STEVE LAMPASONA and First Place winner JAN GUARINO are flanking her watercolor at The Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibition. (photo © 2022 Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com)

T.A.G. You’re It! – Nikon Z9

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
March 25, 2022

Figuratively SpeakingThe Art Guild
Exhibit: March. 13 – April 2, 2022
200 Port Washington Blvd., Manhasset

The Art Guild’s Figuratively Speaking Reception

I went to The Art Guild’s Figuratively Speaking reception with my Nikon Z9 and BOB STUHMER, who had his colorful “Jack and The Beanstalk Giant” illustration in the exhibit:

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. BOB STUHMER poses next to his illustration “Jack and the Beanstalk Giant” at the The Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The reception was days after my Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera arrived – 4 months after I ordered it!

I used the only native Z lens I had at that point – the macro Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens.

Though a brilliant prime lens for capturing portraits, the 105mm is hilariously ill-suited as a solo pro lens for capturing events. That’s why I used my iPhone 13 Pro to capture the group photo near the start of this post. I would have had to back up into the next room to capture it with the 105mm lens.

But I was more interested in getting used to the new lens than the new Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II that makes it possible to use my array of F-mount lenses on the Z series camera.

It was a fun challenge.

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. Judge STEVE LAMPASONA and winners, L-R, MELISSA MORA - Honorable Mention, MICHELE GARFIELD - 3rd Place winner, JAN GUARINO - First Place, ALICE RIORDAN - Honorable Mention, KAY VICKERS - 2nd Place, and JUDY VINE - Honorable Mention, pose during Reception for The Art Guild's Figuratively Speaking Exhibit at Elderfields.

Manhasset, NY, U.S. March 13, 2022.  The Art Guild’s Figuratively Speaking reception:

(above photo) At center, Juror of Awards STEVE LAMPASONA, & winners (L-R) • MELISSA MORA, Honorable Mention • MICHELE GARFIELD, Third Place • JAN GUARINO, 1st Place • ALICE RIORDAN, Honorable Mention • KAY VICKERS, 2nd Place • & JUDY VINE, Honorable Mention • pose at The Art Guild’s Reception for Figuratively Speaking Exhibit. (iPhone 13 Pro)

Here’s a portrait of First Place winner JAN GUARINO. The JPG is straight from the memory card:

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. First Place winner JAN GUARINO attends The Art Guild’s reception and awards ceremony for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Here’s another portrait of Jan Guarino. I used Nik’s Silver Efex Pro 3 to process the raw file:

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. First Place winner JAN GUARINO attends The Art Guild’s reception and awards ceremony for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Here’s a portrait of LUCAS VICKERS with his wife. I used Nik’s Viveza to slightly adjust the JPG.

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. LUCAS VICKERS and his wife, of Astoria, attend The Art Guild’s reception and awards ceremony for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. His mother KAY VICKERS won Second Place for her pastel “Union Square” of Lucas. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

KAY VICKERS‘ “Union Square” – a pastel portrait of her son Lucas (see above photo) – won Second Place:

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. KAY VICKERS won Second Place for her pastel “Union Square” of her son, at The Art Guild’s reception and awards ceremony for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I captured this portrait of a cheerful visitor during the awards presentation, but later on I couldn’t find her or anyone who knew her. Woman of Mystery:

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. A woman smiles during The Art Guild awards ceremony for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Here’s STEVE LAMPASONA, the Juror of Awards:

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. STEVE LAMPASONA, the Juror of Awards of The Art Guild’s Figuratively Speaking contest, participates at its reception and awards ceremony. at Elderfields Preserve. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Steve Lampasona has his silver point and graphite portrait “Rén with the Mane” on display at the Figuratively Speaking exhibit:

““The

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. Juror of Awards Steve Lampasona has his silver point and graphite portrait ‘Ren with the Mane’ on display at The Art Guild reception and awards ceremony for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Here’s a portrait I captured of a young woman as she and her companion chatted with Lampasona at the exhibit:

““TAG

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. A young woman listens to the juror of Awards during the Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Here’s the same above photo processed differently:

““TAG

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. A young woman listens to the Juror of Awards during the Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

MELISSA MORA won an Honorable Mention for her printmaking Chine-collé “Don’t Let It Enter (1/4).” RAPHAEL, almost two years old, and his mom were two of her family members who attended the reception:

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, New York, U.S. March 13, 2022. RAPHAEL, almost two-years-old, and his mother, whose sister Melissa Mora who won an Honorable Mention, attend the The Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibit. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Some who helped make event happen:
SHELLEY HOLTZMAN, Co-President T.A.G.
LISA GROSSMAN, Executive Director T.A.G.
SONA HYDE Gallery Manager T.A.G.


Photo processing software

DxO PureRaw 2 covers the Nikon Z9 + Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 lens combo, so I used it to process the raw files before working further on them in any other software, such as PhotoshopOn1 Portrait AI – and, from the Nik Collection: Silver Efex Pro 3 and Viveza.

NOTE: LINKS to others’ products & sites are for readers’ convenience only.


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Manhasset, N.Y, U.S. March 13, 2022. L-R, Judge STEVE LAMPASONA and First Place winner JAN GUARINO flank her watercolor at The Art Guild reception for its Figuratively Speaking exhibition.


T.A.G. Reception: my Photo Gallery

The Art Guild:  theartguild.org

Michele Garfield: michelegarfield.com

Jan Guarino: janguarinofineart.com

Steve Lampasona: lampasona.com

Bob Stuhmer: bobstuhmer.com

Judy Vine: instagram.com/judy.vine/

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Hillary Clinton Book Signing ‘Hard Choices’ at Huntington Book Revue

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
August 26, 2014

Lots of people in Huntington must have been happy it didn’t rain as originally predicted for August 6th, 2014, the day Former Secretary of State HILLARY CLINTON signed copies of her new memoir Hard Choices for 1,200 people at the Book Revue.

Huntington, New York, U.S. - August 6, 2014 - A police officer and police dog are leaving the Book Revue, a few hours before a book signing for H. Clinton's new memoir, Hard Choices, starts at the Book Revue in Huntington, Long Island. A large sign on the book store window says that the Clinton book signing that night is Sold Out. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Huntington, New York, U.S. – August 6, 2014 – Police officer and K9 officer leave Book Revue before Hillary Clinton’s ‘Hard Choices’ book signing, Long Island. (©2014 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Several hours before the 6-8pm Hard Choices book signing, I drove to Huntington with my daughter, who had a ticket and copy of the memoir, and she got on the line, already a few blocks away from the store’s entrance.

Huntington, New York, U.S. - August 6, 2014 - At the entrance to the Book Revue, a teen girl is told water bottles are not allowed at the book signing for H. Clinton's new memoir, Hard Choices, in Huntington, Long Island. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Huntington, New York, U.S. – August 6, 2014 – At Book Revue entrance, security tells teen that water bottles aren’t allowed at Hillary Clinton ‘Hard Choices’ book signing, Long Island. (© 2014 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

I began capturing news photos, including of KENNY MITCHELL of Garden City, who arrived 11:10pm the night before and was first on line; protestors; members of Super PAC Ready for Hillary; extensive security, including county police, federal agents, and K9 officers.

Sue Moller, of Merrick, at book signing for Hillary Rodham Clinton's new memoir, Hard Choices, at Book Revue in Huntington, Long Island. Clinton’s book is about her four years as America’s 67th Secretary of State and how they influence her view of the future. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Huntington, New York, U.S. August 6, 2014. Hillary Clinton shakes hands with visitor at book signing for Clinton’s new memoir, Hard Choices, at Book Revue, Long Island.  (© 2014 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When it was time to enter the store, Secret Service checked my Nikon D4 and lenses very thoroughly. Finally, the Book Revue’s co-owners, brothers RICHARD KLEIN and ROBERT KLEIN, introduced Hillary Clinton, and she began signing copies of her memoir.


UPDATE  Sept. 10, 2021Starting today, Huntington’s Book Revue reopens to give away thousands of used books. It officially closed Sept. 9, 2021, evicted by landlord for hundreds of thousands of dollars of unpaid rent, due to COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.


Hillary Clinton at Book Revue:  my photo GALLERY

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Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink, NYC, Nov. 9, 2013

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
November 17, 2013

When the Nikon D4 class I took with Steve Simon, the Passionate Photographer, finished around dinner time on November 9th, I walked around the block to capture night photos at Bryant Park in Manhattan.

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. Visitors at Bryant Park' look at colorfully lit shops and large fountain. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. Visitors at Bryant Park’ look at colorfully lit shops and large fountain. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The Winter Village at Bryant Park has long been a visual and sentimental favorite of mine.

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. Visitors at Bryant Park' look at colorfully lit shops and large fountain. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. Visitors at Bryant Park’ look at colorfully lit shops and large fountain. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Elegant crystal chandeliers lit many of the shops.

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. At Bryant Park's ice skating rink that night, skaters cast pink and green shadows on the ice. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. At Bryant Park’s ice skating rink that night, skaters cast pink and green shadows on the ice. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Ice skating rink lights cast a lovely pink glow.

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. The ice skating rink lights at Bryant Park cast a lovely pink glow. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com

Manhattan, NY, USA. Nov. 9, 2013. The ice skating rink lights at Bryant Park cast a lovely pink glow. (© 2013 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

I’ll never forget that night, even if I hadn’t captured hundreds of photos, during my hours at Bryant Park.

For – though I didn’t know it until after I had a late dinner and was back home – about 90 minutes after I left the park, a shooter sprayed bullets in the rink and shot two people. On what started as a fun, festive night had turned into a tragic one.


UPDATE MID-2017:  On Jan. 25, 2017, a man was convicted of shooting two people at the Bryant Park ice skating rink late Saturday night, Nov. 9, 2013, when he was 16: After trying to take 20-year-old Javier Contreras’s coat, the teen shot him several times; a stray bullet hit bystander, Adonis Mera, 14, who was paralyzed from the waist down.


FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Manhattan, New York, U.S. Nov. 9, 2013. At Bryant Park’s ice skating rink at night, the colorful rink is filled with people skating, many with friends.


Bryant Park Ice Skating: my PHOTO GALLERY

Steve Simon’s site: The Passionate Photographer

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