I just updated the landing page of my photography website and couldn’t stop staring and smiling at this photograph I took a year ago. There’s nothing more beautiful than a mother’s love. Click on the photograph if you’d like to see more gorgeousness in my gallery.
I’m taking a moment for a little shameless promotion here. As some of you may know, I’m a photographer as well as a blogger/writer. The photography on my website is not only available for print onto photo papers of every variety, canvas, cards and merchandise, but it is also available to bloggers as a download for $5 an image (web version download in “personal”). If you see an image you like in one of my galleries covering holidays, travel, things, and random people, click on the download area when you select an image. Here’s my fall gallery if you’re looking for fall imagery in your blog post. Please take a moment to peruse my other galleries on http://www.chattergoldstudios.com …and enjoy by clicking on the link below.
Thanks for taking the time to view my gallery and thank you for supporting small business!
I’m beginning a new category (can’t get enough) titled “Poetry From Yesteryear.” As I go through all of my sketchbooks from my twenties, I’m finding some interesting poetry. It’s fascinating to see where I was emotionally and spiritually at that time… and how much life has changed since. I begin my first in the series with…
“World Full of Color”
I used to think life very clear
All black and white.
Years change me
Visions transform
Path becomes blurry
Too many choices
Revelation
Disintegration
Transformation
In a world full of color.
Gamble everything for love,
if you’re a true human being.
If not, leave
this gathering.
Half-heartedness doesn’t reach
into magesty. You set out
to find God, but then you keep
stopping for long periods
at mean-spirited roadhouses.
New York is one of the best places in the world to spend Halloween. Not only do you get the watch the most fabulous Halloween parade ever, but you can follow up with a bar crawl of some of the east coast’s most haunted bars and pubs. Here’s your Halloween night bar crawl strategy after the parade – my Top 5 favorite haunted pubs in New York City (ps. make sure that you watch the parade from the west side because most of the bars are in the west village).
1. Ear Inn-(circa 1817) 326 Spring St
One of my favorite pubs in the west village and the oldest working bar in NYC. It’s been a speakeasy during Prohibition and the upstairs apartment was a boarding house, smuggler’s den, as well as a brothel- all the makings of a proper haunting. Say hi to a few ghosts that call this place home, namely Mickey, a sailor who lived in the Ear Inn, when it was a boarding house. Mickey was killed in front of the Ear Inn by a car.
2. White Horse Tavern– (circa 1880) 567 Hudson St.
Another old haunt of mine, particularly for the spirits you drink, not the ones that haunt (badabum tsch). Dylan Thomas used to frequent this tavern. “They say” that in 1953 he decided to try and beat his record of 18 shots of whiskey and after he finished those shots of whiskey, he stumbled outside and collapsed on the sidewalk. Soon after that he was taken to the ridiculously haunted Chelsea Hotel, were he slipped into a coma. The next morning he was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he passed away. People have reportedly seen his ghost sitting in his favorite spot and walking around outside.
3. One If By Land, Two If By Sea– 17 Barrow St
If you have time to dine here, do it. Just make sure you have reservations. The food is phenomenal and the atmosphere is as romantic as it gets. It also used to be Aaron Burr’s carriage house. Apparently, Mr. Burr really loves his carriage house because he’s said to have scared employees by throwing plates and chairs amongst the tables for two. His daughter also supposedly makes appearances around the building. She mysteriously disappeared while traveling from North Carolina to New York to visit her father. Daddy dearest, indeed. They aren’t the only ghosts that haunt this fine establishment, though. It’s reported that at least twenty ghosts have permanent reservations here. Waiters have actually attempted to serve entities who are sitting at a table and then mysteriously disappear. A few notable ghosts include a woman who dresses in a black gown who has been seen walking down the staircase, but never up, a Ziegfield follies girl, and a man who likes to linger by the fireplace.
4. Pete’s Tavern– (circa 1864) 129 E. 18th St., at Irving Place
Pete’s Tavern claims to be the oldest “continuously” operating restaurant and bar in NYC and has the ghost to prove it. Remember that Christmas tale Gift of the Magi that you read in school? No? Maybe you need to have a pint with the author himself, O Henry. It’s said that he can be found sitting alone and unkempt in a booth, sipping his beer in between scribbles of his latest novel. Maybe that will inspire you to read his classic tale for the upcoming holiday season.
5. McSorleys (circa 1854, but debated)- 15 E 7th St,
(between Cooper Sq & Taras Shevchenko Pl)
Poet E.E. Cummings described McSorley’s as “the ale which never lets you grow old.” He also described their brew as he described the bar -as “snug and evil.” With a description like this and a patron list with the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Peter Cooper, Boss Tweed, and Woody Guthrie as well as literary figures like Hunter S. Thompson there’s got to be ghosts right? Right. But it’s not haunted by just any ghost… Harry Houdini is one of the many ghosts that is said to haunt this place. Read more about its interesting history and how women were not allowed to drink there until 1970 here.
As I walk around Queen Anne here in Seattle, there is one house that always intrigues me- the Ballard House. It’s slightly down Highland Drive from Kerry Park and worth admiring if you are in the area.
According to History.org, “Martin D. Ballard (1832-1907) arrived in the Northwest across the Oregon Trail in 1852. After living in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, Ballard settled in Seattle in 1882. In 1885, he organized the Seattle Hardware Co. and he helped found the National Bank of Commerce.
Ballard built his home on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill where other prosperous Seattle residents were taking advantage of the sweeping views of the city and of Elliott Bay. The house was designed by architects Emil deNeuf and Augustus Heide in the Colonial/Georgian Revival style. One of Ballard’s neighbors was Seattle Daily Times publisher Alden Blethen (1845-1915).
Ballard died in 1907. His widow sold the house in 1911 to U.S. District Court Judge George Donworth (d. 1911). The judge remodeled the house, but died before he could move in. His law partner, James B. Howe (1860-1930) bought the house for $25,000.
Howe’s widow was devastated by the Great Depression and she was forced to sell the house in 1932, for $5,000. At that time, the building was converted into five apartments (a 6th apartment is in the carriage house). Architect H.A. Moldenhour took care to blend the new wings into the existing structure. The front of the house remained much as it did in 1901.
The house was declared a Seattle Landmark on May 14, 1979, because it embodied distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style. It was one of the few remaining examples of the grand colonial style homes built at the turn of the twentieth century.”
If you would like to see it up close and personal,
Martin D. Ballard House – 22 West Highland Drive, Seattle.
There’s a chill in the air …and you know what that means: Halloween is on its way.
Here’s a photograph I took in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Seattle to get you in that ghoulish mood. You can also purchase this photo o my website at http://www.chattergoldstudios.com
Remember these brave men in the fire house next door to my east village apt
the dust covered people walking home in shock
running to the blood banks to see if our blood type is what they wanted…
stuffing socks in the window corners to keep smoke from entering our apt
the deafening silence but for sirens and engines …
of mobile mortuaries..
and how all of New York City became brothers
and sisters…
helping one another.
After a hilarious discussion about men that have graced our pasts as well as the pasts of other friends, my friend Denise and I agreed to write blog posts that would enlighten some ladies out there about the perils of dating in your twenties and possibly thirties…for some.
Though being happily married has taken me out of the dating game, I most definitely have a list of the one’s that you date and the ones that you don’t.
(No offense, gentlemen. Hopefully you find this post amusing-it’s all in fun)
But first, read Denise’s blog post because it’s beyond hilarious…and true.
Secondly, before I write anything,… if you can find the gentleman that you just met on this site, Dontdatehimgirl, you need to cut him loose asap.
Now that I’ve got you properly paranoid, onto the list:
1. The DJ: In your late teens, early twenties, it might be fun. You get into clubs for free. Drinks are free (among other substances) but …he’s a DJ. HELLO. Unless your game is stronger than his (as in your the hot chick dancing like a pro on the speakers while he’s DJing and you’re surrounded by a circle of male fans that keep him in check), then give it up. It’s quite likely that he’ll be trading you in for a wide eyed twink in about five minutes.
2. The Surfer: Waves are his women. He’s in love with the ocean. You are merely arm candy and someone to pass the time when there are no waves. Yeah, he’s hot and his talk of the ocean is deep, but more than likely, he’s got a wide range of STD’s.
3. “He’s in the band”– I don’t care if he’s the singer, the drummer (“but he’s so deep and emotional!”), the bass guitarist or the lead, he’s IN. A. BAND. Do you know why he’s in a band? Certainly not to have a long monogamous relationship with a girl that’s at home while he’s on tour. Capisce?
4. The Photographer: If he’s a landscape or nature photographer only, then go for it. But if he’s a fashion photographer or “enjoys photographing body landscapes,” JUST. SAY. NO. He’s surrounded by beautiful, NAKED models all day long. Unless he’s hideous, they will sleep with him. Actually, even if he is hideous, they’ll probably sleep with him.
5. The Actor: I know, I know. He’s pretty. He’s fun. There’s never a dull moment. He’s so spontaneous. But he’s CRAZY (and I quote the loveable Paul Rudd on this—he told me many years ago during a cocktail party in the west village that “All actors are crazy.” Paul Rudd wouldn’t lie.)
But maybe you like that. Maybe you like waking up next to a different personality every morning. It gets especially interesting if he’s the type that “stays in character” the whole time he’s in a play or shooting a movie. Good times.
6. The “I’m in an open marriage” Guy: They’re usually really hot, never wear wedding rings, and spring the “I’m in an open marriage” on you during the first date. Oh yeah, buddy? Does your wife know? How about you get her on the phone? I’d like to chat with her.
7. The Chef: He works from 9am-2:00am the following morning, chain smokes, and most likely does a lot of coke. Don’t believe me? Hello, read Anthony Bourdain’s memoirs. Maybe wait this one out and check back on him when he’s got his own restaurant under control (I have a soft spot for chefs).
8. The Writer: More than likely he’s an alcoholic, carries a flask on his person or a bottle in the trunk and has a secret addiction to adderall. BUT, you are his inspiration and you secretly love it. You are his muse.
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
He’ll write about you
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
He’ll be writing about yoooooou.
9. The Importer/Exporter: He’s a drug dealer, plain and simple. Trust me on this.
10. The Stockbroker/Finance Guy: One of his best friends is the Importer/Exporter. He’s got about four to five women dangling at the same time and will break up with you via his personal assistant when someone else has taken the lead in his arm candy race. A dear friend of mine was a personal assistant for one of these lovely gentlemen. She got a $10,000 bonus at Christmas for her “troubles.”
I actually could add about twenty more to this list but I’ll save that for a later post. Or book.
My only advice to you ladies is to not be lured in by the glitz and bravado. When they talk a good game, they’re usually playing a good game.Take notice of the sweet quiet guy who opens the door and smiles shyly at you. Most likely, he’s the one you should be with.
As I peruse the internet (namely Etsy, Ebay, and various blogs), I’m noticing that there are a lot of really bad product shots happening. I’m talking dark photos, blurry photos… or you just really can’t see what it is the person is trying to sell.
Whether you’re a blogger or brand spankin’ new entrepreneur, there really is no reason for awful photography. I’m not saying that everyone has a pro photographer in them, but allow me to give you a few tips.
(All of you professional and newbie amateur photographers, stop reading now. I’m using my getto gorilla style methods and this may pain you to see).
(Product shot I took this of my favorite night skin oil from a little shop down south in Boca Raton, FL. This was taken with my iPhone at about 9am this morning in the shade.)
Here are a few very low budget methods and steps in taking a product shots for your small business or blog:
The camera: You don’t need a professional camera to take photos. Get started with your smart phone or even your cheap Kodak point & shoot will do the trick (if you can turn the flash off). It’s amazing how beautiful iPhone photographs come out.
Lights: You can get by without one of those fancy shmancy light kits, just photograph your items outside. Lighting is best in the early morning, late afternoon just before dusk, and on cloudy days. On cloudy days, clouds act as filters and distribute the light more evenly, therefore omitting ugly shadows. We don’t want dramatic shadows in your product shot. We want attractive, softly lit product. You want to be able to read the detail on your product.
Background: Keep it neutral. As a general rule, I use white craft paper. For this face oil product shot, I used a towel to give texture and because this product is something you usually use in the bathroom as your nightly beauty routine. There’s a good article on Etsy about styling photos and showing how they’ll be used.
Edit: There are so many easy and FREE photo editing tools available online that you can use. If you use your iPhone to shoot your product shot with, you can use instagram to lighten your photos (and promote your image/product at the same time) or use other photo apps like Phototastic, Fhotoroom, and many more. In these programs you can lighten your image by increasing the exposure if you get a dark shot or shadows. Bump up the contrast to bring more depth and color. Even your gmail (Picasa) or Google+ account offers a totally free photo editing suite for you point and shooters. Just go into the “picture” area of your Google+ account and upload your photo. You’ll be awestruck at what you can do with it in there. You can even crop in the Google+.
This is just to get you started on photographing your products effectively so that people can actually see what you’re trying to relay or illustrate.
Next up: how to photograph product shots once you get that mid-level Nikon or Canon.
Tricia Chatter 
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