Last year about this time I took a picture of Luke after he made a routine pop fly catch that was anything but routine...between the sun and the breeze Luke had a tough time getting under it and he fell backwards to the ground catching it. When he sat up he had this look on his face of sort of relief and frustration all in one. At the time I wrote about how I've photographed him and his teammates for years now, I've been at the newspaper for almost 15 years and these guys are just a year or two older than that. So since they have been old enough to play, I have been photographing them. And this team is good. As little leaguers they even won a state title. So when I photographed their team and individual pictures I almost feel like I know them...and they seem to be comfortable with me. They each had their pose ready knowing I'd let them do whatever they want--my only guidelines are nothing obscene and it has to be something mom and dad will like---and I guess that it doesn't do anything to harm the reputation of the school. So when Luke came up with this pose I was thinking--oh man how am I going to fit this into a memory mate design.... he challenged me in a sense.... but I like that. Gives me a chance to think like a painter and try to use those tools I've developed over the years. I was also thinking about baseball's history and past-time and it seems an aged look works really well. I did this for the MASH team this year as well and this one I made a little different, but tried to keep that feel. SayerMotter Photographs and design by Richard Sayer
So...I have been talking with folks a lot about this lately...family and friends who have made the comment that the digital age has made things so much easier. Well in some ways. But what many seem to not quite understand is that in the days of film most photographers shot pictures and then let the photo labs do most of the work for them after that. And you got what you got based on those limitations. Then photoshop comes around and we as photographers can exercise more control over the way our work looks. Great! But.....that means we are working more after the fact. Many studios hire people to do this work for them, but right now I'm not sure how to train someone to 'see' what I 'see'. Its a delicate position for sure....I think why people are interested in coming to us for their important pictures is they are going to get our unique way of seeing. I'm the first to admit when I started doing this I really didn't know what a memory mate was. I saw collections of these individual pictures and team pictures put together in a cardboard folder. And if I thought I could sustain an interest in doing those I'd probably be able to make a little money and save myself a lot of time....but thats just not me. Right now I know I'm not delivering a product in a very fast way, but I hope it is understood that I'm trying to do something special with each image---even within these memory mates I let the athlete pick their pose and not every pose fits into the design...so I have to tweak and tweak each image. I always feel bad when it takes so long, but most of the time the client feedback shows an understanding and appreciation that I'm taking my time to make it right and unique. This next week I hope to be able to deliver the Saegertown Spring pictures and begin gearing up for senior picture and wedding season. SayerMotter Photography photographs and design by Richard Sayer
First I need to tell you about a boy. His name is Jacoby Ellsbury. He is the center fielder for the Boston Red Sox and he is pretty!. I had the opportunity to photograph Jacoby in 2007, shortly after the Sox took home the World Series trophy. The picture to the left is not mine. I am just showing you how pretty he is. It is definitely safe to say that he is my favorite player. I have a hand full of photographs that I have shot of him over the years. But, this post really isn't about those pictures. It is about Fenway Park!
This morning I took a ferry to Portland, a taxi to the Concord Trailways bus station, a bus to South Station, Boston, Mass., and two subway cars to Fenway Park. I have arrived!
The game just wasn't the same because, my boy Jacoby was out due to a shoulder injury. He will be returning but, not until sometime in June or July. So after the game was over and the Boston Red Sox spanked the Cleveland Indians 12-1. I had the opportunity to walk on to the field of Fenway Park. These chances only come but once in a lifetime and here I am!
My hand touching the Green Monster wall at Fenway Park. Happy Birthday Fenway! You are 100 year-old this year. Tomorrow I will leave Peaks Island. This is my last postcard. Thanks for coming along. Harmony Motter
Biked 5 miles around the island this morning. The sun is out and I got my flip flops on! Stopped at the local ice cream shoppe for a cone...chocolate chip cookie dough. While on the bike ride, purchased some local honey from an islander. It doesn't get much better than this! Tomorrow I am off to Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts to stare at the beautiful Boston Red Sox!
I took a walk around the island this afternoon and enjoyed the rocky coast. The sounds and the sights of the ocean remind me of what a big world we live in. Later in the evening I took the ferry over to Portland to see the Edgar Degas exhibit at the Portland Museum of Art. I love his ballerinas! We were not permitted to photograph his work. So, I have included some examples below.
Edgar Degas was one of the most multi-talented French Impressionists. He was captivated by private worlds. Some of his interests included the worlds of dancers behind the scenes in the theatre, prostitutes behind closed doors in Parisian brothels and race horses exercising in the fields. He was known to be prickly and reclusive.
Me in front of the Portland Museum of Art.
The Casco Bay Ferry coming to pick me up and take me back to the island.
It's raining on Peaks this morning. My plans today are...walk to the only cafe on the island, grab a cup of tea and then head to the shore to hunt for some sea glass.
Sea glass that I found on peaks. It was my goal to find a piece of blue sea glass and I did it! Sea glass is physically and chemically weathered glass found on beaches near bodies of salt water. Photo By: Harmony Motter
Today was really about appreciating the coast of Maine. I first visited Maine when I was 20 years-old and since then have spent a considerable about of time here. It still remains one of the prettiest places I have ever seen.
Seaweed is visible in the early morning while the tide is out. Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.
Beach stones are fun to look at, fun to hold, fun to collect and free for the taking. If anyone is really interested in learning more about beach stones, I recommend a book called 'Beach Stones.' It is written by Margaret Carruthers with photographs by Josie Iselin. It's a neat guide to use while exploring the rocky coast. A quote that I pulled from the book..."For most stones, the beach is just the latest stop on a journey that began eons ago." Photos By: Harmony Motter
Peaks Island is the most popular island in Casco Bay, Maine. It is part of the city of Portland and is approximately 3 miles from downtown. The island became a popular summer destination in the late 19th century, when it was known as the Coney Island of Maine, home to hotels, cottages, theaters, and amusement parks. Peaks Island is home to 843 year round residents, but in the summer its population swells up to 6,000.
Peaks Island, Maine Day #1
There is something special about waking up on Peaks Island. The light arrives earlier than what I am used to. I can smell the salt in the air and I hear the first sounds of the Casco Bay ferry departing for Portland. I love it here!
First sights upon arriving on the Casco Bay Ferry.
Island flowers.
A lobster trap sits in the sand after washing a shore from the ocean.
Fish on ice at the Harbor Fish Market in Portland, Maine. Phots By: Harmony Motter
Sarah and Mark McKeever joined together in marriage on 5/12/12. Here is their first kiss as husband and wife. Photograph by Richard Sayer, proud uncle.
"This is the uncle we warned Mitchell about!" I laughed when my niece Sarah introduced me to her husband to be on Friday night. Mitchell was the photographer they hired to do the wedding. I'm not comfortable in crowds or during ceremonies so I was planning to come and shoot pictures so Sarah and Mark could have extra shots and something maybe the other photographer wasn't able to get. I always like seeing pictures other people take at weddings--acknowledging those pictures are great additions to their album. The wedding photographer can't capture everything. The best he or she can do is document the moments that together tell the story in a beautiful way. So Mitchell was 'warned' that I'd be there with my camera and he was very cool about it. We even talked about gadgets and styles of photographs a bit as well. So I wasn't really making the pictures for their album, but supplements perhaps or maybe a second little album off to the side of their official one. It was fun to be with my family, but also do what I do. I am a fish out of water at weddings if I'm not working, so this was a great way for me to able to enjoy my niece's wedding--working, but totally unofficial! She is a great beautiful young woman who has found a nice young man. It will be exciting to watch their marriage grow! Photographs by Richard 'Uncle Dick' Sayer. PS by the way--those pictures that others take--so far the best picture I've seen from the wedding my 18 year old(who I really thought couldn't possibly be more than 14 or 15-- I'm getting old) niece Rebecca took of Sarah and her dad walking down the aisle. It was a beautiful photo captured with a nice panning blur and great light!!!!!! I might need an assistant at Josh's wedding Becca!!! pps-these are some cell phone pics--the higher quality photos will come later. ppps... I just got this not on facebook from Becca...'Uh oh.. Just looked again, unfortunately I can't take credit. Jeff took that and sent it to me by request. Sorry for false advertising!' She is great! And insert Jeff Arscott's name above!