From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 3, 2011
Holding American flags, the young girl, with her dog on a leash, and younger boy watched the Memorial Day Parade on Merrick Avenue – a Norman Rockwell moment right here in Merrick, New York.
It wasn’t until looking at the photos on my computer monitor that I noticed her impressive freckles.
Merrick, New York, U.S.., May 30, 2011. Freckled girl, with dog, and boy watch parade. (© 2011 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)
Happy July 4th!
From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
June 2, 2011
By mid-morning on Monday, May 30, the rain and lightning stopped, and gray skies slowly turned blue, so it turned out a better day than expected to photograph two New York Memorial Day parades – first in Merrick and then Little Neck.
Little Neck, New York, U.S., May 30, 2011. Governor ANDREW CUOMO marches in Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade honoring America’s veterans, on Northern Boulevard. Blue banner with ‘New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’ is in front of Cuomo & group marching with him. (© 2011 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Photographing my hometown Merrick Memorial Day Parade was like a pleasant, festive stroll up Merrick Avenue, with plenty of time and room to go wherever needed along the two-lane street.
However, on that hot and humid afternoon, photographing Governor ANDREW CUOMO and his fellow marchers in the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade felt more like participating in an extreme sport.
A brisk walker, Gov. Cuomo frequently went from side to side of vast Northern Boulevard to shake hands or chat with Veterans and other onlookers; plus, I was surrounded by innocent people and banners best not to slam into.
Loved every minute of it.
Memorial Day Parade: my PHOTO GALLERY
From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
November 20, 2010
Last Saturday, world-famous clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER gave a concert presented by the Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association at Calhoun High School. NAOMI DRUCKER, his wife and fellow clarinetist; and pianist MARILYN SHERMAN LEHMAN also performed, to the added delight of the audience.
Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. Clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER performs during concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)
While dropping off concert flyers at the Drucker home the week before the concert, I told Mrs. Drucker I’d like to take photos during concert night.
She looked up, smiling. “Since you’re a photographer,” she said, “you might enjoy our photos.”
What an understatement!
And suddenly I was on a fun and moving tour of photos, posters, and other artwork throughout their home, including guest bathroom – all which helped bring to life the professional musical careers of the Drucker family: dad Stanley and mom Naomi, classical musicians; son LEON, double bassist Lee Rocker for The Stray Cats; and daughter ROSANNE DRUCKER, alternative country singer.
Naomi Drucker is an enchanting wood sprite come to life, which made me look forward to the concert not only for the music, but for the chance to photograph such warm, charismatic Long Islanders.
Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. L-R, Clarinetist NAOMI DRUCKER, pianist MARILYN SHERMAN LEHMAN, and clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER perform at MBCCA Concert. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)
It can be quite challenging to capture concert photos of instrumentalists, where about 95% of the photo is dark costumes, grand piano, and stage curtains and the rest is face, hands, and a tuxedo shirt that all seem to be about 9-light-stops away.
Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. Pianist MARILYN SHERMAN LEHMAN performs at concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Assoc. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)
I used my Nikon D200 with Nikkor 18-200mm zoom lens, and did my best – including 1600 ISO and exposure compensation – but it’s motivated me to seriously consider getting the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, so I can use my Nikon D700 for similarly extreme lighting situations in future.
Merrick, NY, USA. Nov. 13, 2010. Second from right, Clarinetist STANLEY DRUCKER signs autographs for young fans, and second from right is clarinetist NAOMI DRUCKER, after concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Assoc. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)
Though Mr. Drucker retired last year after a stellar 60 year career with the New York Philharmonic, he remains an active international performer.
When I think about how our Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association* was formed a few years after Mr. Drucker joined the NY Philharmonic, I’m in awe of his legendary career.
FYI from Long Island: *MBCCA was founded in 1953 by Betty Mordoff Hendrix, my mother Mary Ann Parry, Leon Summit, and Bertha Winter.
FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Merrick, N.Y., U.S. Nov. 13, 2010. Clarinetists Stanley Drucker and Naomi Drucker take curtain call after performing in concert presented by Merrick-Bellmore Community Concert Association. another view
Stanley Drucker Concert: my PHOTO GALLERY