Category Archives: Non-Profits

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:

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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.

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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 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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Old Westbury, New York, U.S. December 10, 2021. A light show is projected on south side of Westbury House during Shimmering Solstice, a walkthrough light show designed for historic Old Westbury Gardens. Event runs through January 9, 2022.

Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens: light show magic!

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 18, 2021

UPDATE: Shimmering Solstice Returns! 11/25/22 – 1/1/23
Subscribe for updates from OWG on tickets+

Shimmering Solstice • 11/20/21-1/9/22 • must buy Advance TicketsMap

SLIDESHOW – Shimmering Solstice  (Full Screen: Click bottom right corner)

“I took the best photos of my life at Shimmering Solstice!” my friend posted online next to his pictures of the holiday light show at Old Westbury Gardens. Since I also had visited the walk-through wonderland, I wasn’t surprised he was thrilled.

Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Lighted trees and architecture cast colorful reflections in pond at west side of Westbury House during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

During my hours (!) visiting Shimmering Solstice on the grounds of Old Westbury Gardens, the Long Island Gold Coast estate, I saw families with young children and grandparents, friends from their late teens to seniors, and photo enthusiasts.

VIDEO – Shimmering Solstice  (Full Screen: Click bottom right corner)
Breathtaking scenes include the Rose Garden, the pond, the Walled Garden, and South Lawn and Allee leading to Westbury House, with its decorated front, and a stunning projection show on its south facade.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Visitors walk down geometrically lit South Allee during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice, running through Jan. 9, 2022. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Visitors walk down geometrically lit South Allee during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice, running through Jan. 9, 2022. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Lightswitch – a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers – worked together with Old Westbury Gardens to create the show that celebrates the OWG’s history and environment.

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. A mother watches her children make the the Walled Garden colorfully light up during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Catholic Health is the presenting sponsor of Shimmering Solstice. Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, the President and CEO of Catholic Health, said, “This experience will bring families, friends, and communities together in a beautiful setting to reflect and make memories.”

Because the show both dazzled the senses and created emotional experiences, I do expect my memories will remain as vivid as the photos captured.

Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. A light show is projected on the south facade of Westbury House during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

How wonderful it would be to have the chance to create such memories at Shimmering Solstice for years to come.

Which is why I was so happy to learn that Nancy Costopulos, the President and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, said the non-profit intends to make the unique light show an annual holiday tradition at the historic state.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Three friends walk among gigantic lighted dandelions during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Three friends walk among gigantic lighted dandelions during Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

If you’re in the tri-state area and looking for an unforgettable outdoor holiday experience, it’s well worth the drive to visit Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens.

Old Westbury, NY, U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Friends walk down colorfully lighted south allee during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Friends walk down colorfully lighted south allee during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Please note you must buy your tickets before arriving at the event, which runs through January 9, 2022.

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Families explore in front of Westbury House at Shimmering Solstice, a walk-through light show at Old Westbury Gardens, sponsored by Catholic Health, and running through January 9, 2022.


my Shimmering Solstice PHOTOS: bit.ly/annparryOWG2021

my Shimmering Solstice VIDEO: vimeo.com/annparry/shimmeringsolstice

Catholic Health: chsli.org

Lightswitch: lightswitch.net

Old Westbury Gardens: oldwestburygardens.com

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