jacklerch.com

What’s that camera Professor Lerch?

Jack — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:18:29 +0000

Rick Ritter, a longtime friend and fellow photographer stopped by to show my students what a real view camera looks like. Just so happens he made this one from scratch.

What is in that black box? It was great to see the students studying the black and white fine art prints that he brought along. Many had never seen a handcrafted print. This visit fit in well with my talk about photographic history and how we got to the easy point and shoot digital age.

Proud Donley Award Winners

Jack — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:13:10 +0000

Best Western, Bethlehem was the site for these great students to receive their accolades for their academic excellence. They were all nominated for the award from their respective schools. Each picked up a scholarship toward their college choice. Having three that went through college, that definitely helps. Congratulations to all the students!

Bernard F. O’Connor, president of DeSales University, gave the keynote address. Ed Donley, who is usually there in person to hand out the awards, was in Harrisburg, being honored with a lifetime achievement award for children’s education!

Philadelphia Flower Show

Jack — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:39:26 +0000

Boy this event sure brings the cameras out. This photographer sorely needed some smells of spring after all the snow this winter. Some of the massive snow piles are finally melting with the 35 and 40 degree temps this week. Off to the show, with my camera. This is not an easy place to get any kind of shot. Soooooo many people trying to do the same thing and just soooooo many people…

Unbelievable how many flowers, tulips and orchids are here.

Can use this for my students composition lesson “framing”

What are they all shooting?

This yellow room was what they were after!

No, I am not going to stay late to see how they water the “balloon”!

This was at the entrance, a show stopper.

This was one of my favorites for the colors and display.

Mom’s lobster trap, What’s for dinner?

OK, I am ready for another trip to Maine. These are all pretty clever just using flowers!

Well armed with few new plants to try out, I left refreshed and anxious for the first planting of the peas, likely not on St. Patrick’s day this year, ground might be still a little soggy.

But soon I’ll feel the dirt in my hands, any day now….

11 Degrees makes ice again

Jack — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:47:04 +0000

After warming up this week to the 4os, we are back in the deep freeze. The stove is roaring with flame and heat, keeping us close. The sun is bright, but the air still chilly. I have started some pepper and onion seeds, hoping spring can’t be far off. The snow is gone and melted, but the ice is back at the park. This area is easily reached from my home by a 10 minute walk. I’ll be keeping close watch for new and interesting formations. Rick Ritter can be thanked for my renewed interest in the ice and what photos can bring to the beauty of the cold winter.

Tips For Better Holiday Photographs

Jack — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:25:04 +0000

1. Fill the frame with your subject, and your photos will be easy to understand. Focus in on just the people you see from across the room,don’t include the entire room.

2. Pay attention to backgrounds. Be careful about bright light sources in the background that will have the eye going there and not your subject. And be carefull to not have odd things sticking up from the back of your loved ones heads. Be careful there are no mirrors back there for the flash to bounce back at you and ruin the image.

3.Let the action play on. When the kids are playing with the new game, don’t have them to stop and smile for the camera . This ruins the moment and turns an active image into a static and boring image. Take the the action as it occurs; don’t try to dictate it.

4. Get on your subject’s level. Too often I see images taken at the wrong height. If you are photographing your children and they are playing on the floor, get down there with them and shoot them from that angle. You will be surprised how much better the image works when you are on your subject’s level. Don’t forget to occasionally turn the camera, vertical composition is sometimes better than a horizontal one.

5. Be patient and wait for the moment. Be ready for it. Be patient, watch the action through your camera, and be ready to snap the photo just when the smile hits. This is the kind of holiday picture that families treasure most and will be a timeless memory for years to come.

Snow’s first light

Jack — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:28:09 +0000

I knew this light and snow would not last long…..got up and out early to catch the sun as it first hit the trees this am. Had a wet snow last night and it was sticking to everything. Took an hour walkabout with the camera and had some nice images present themselves.

: What is it?

Have no idea who or what left these marks overnight.

SPLENDID

Jack — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:09:59 +0000

As I sit at Long Trail, Bridgewater Commons, VT, I can’t help but post this. Having seen friends , Merritt, Rich and Ed over the past two days brings back great memories. The leaves are at their peak and starting to blow down at an alarming rate. Likely the possible snow will bring some more down in the am. Wrote the following just after arriving at Ed’s cabin in Jamaica:

To my left the running stream beckons. To my right the warmth of the wood stove can be heard as the metal expands and contracts with the heat. In front of me the multicolored leaves swirl as they fall with the wind. Now if it would only stop raining so I can get outside and photograph the nature surrounding me…

The drive through rain, fog and accidents on the highway is now all but forgotten. A cup of Joe, a warm cabin and a soothing stream, make you forget all that. And the usual sirens and loud mufflers and stereos that pervade my neighborhood peace, no quiet, at home.

On the wall of the cabin lies this quote

“There should be some corner where no one will find you, disturb you, or notice you. You should be able to untether yourself from the world and set yourself free from the fine strings and strand of tension that bind you by sight sound and thought to the presence of other men. Once you have found such a place, be content with it and do not be disturbed if good reason takes you out of it. Love it and return to it as soon as you can,,” Thomas Merton

I am in Vermont at my best friends cabin, hoping no one will notice, or takes me out of here. What a great place to wind down and recharge the batteries at the same time. Thanks go to Ed and Ruth for opening up their doors once again. Some friends are meant for a lifetime….

Cryomachinery testing

Jack — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:49:13 +0000

Nice to be back at Air Products for a shoot in their Cryomachinery department. A new engineer is learning the ropes from an experienced pro, testing the tight tollerances requiered on their spinning machinery. Photographed another engineering chap here as well, with some of the final designed machinery. These were done with the light in the shop, and some daylight kicked in for good measure. These or an alternate will be used for a cover of an industry magazine.

With this ring……

Jack — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:52:59 +0000

..I thee wed.

Kirstin and Brian, lucky enough to be getting married in Packer Chapel on Lehigh’s campus by Kirstin’s Grandfather.

Let's go party!

Lehigh’s campus is a great spot to get a few portraits before the reception.

No smashing.....

Banana Factory, great place for an event. If you get bored with the DJ, just take a look at all the art you can ponder….

Karen Hunter Catering did a great job providing the meal. Wait staff really kept the tables happy and glasses filled. Food was better than some restaruants in the valley. Hot, good choices and delicous. Considering they had to bring their kitchen along with them, great job.

Moose is loose….

Jack — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:17:10 +0000

On the Mountain Road, Ludlow, VT. On the way down,spotted this gal and gave chace to get a photo or two. Was not sure any of her friends were nearby, so I kept my distance. Pretty neat find for a rainy dreary day!