2011 Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tour 7/2/2011

Here's another great Photo Op over the July 4th weekend - a self guided tour of the Veterans Memorial Bridge (aka Detroit Superior Bridge) The bottom part of this bridge was used for Trolley traffic over the Cuyahoga River in the Flats. I've done the tour about 3 or 4 times and its a great place to photograph Cleveland history. They'll have displays of old trolley cars and you can even see the old tracks in the ground. You can also get some great views of the Flats from the bridge. So if your looking for something different to shoot on Saturday July 2nd check out the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Click photo to go to gallery


Bridge & Subway Tour

When: Saturday, July 2, 2011
Times: Open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Northeast Corner of W. 25th Street & Detroit Avenue, at the west end of the bridge. Free parking is available at the Department of Public Works Bridge Garage, which is located at the tour’s entrance.
Cost: FREE

No reservations
Self guided tour with volunteers on hand to answer questions
Wheelchair & stroller accessible
Cameras are welcome
Attractions include films, trolley displays, streetcar, and a unique view of the area
All ages

Directions and where to park!

Click on the camera icon to get directions from your location

GPS in Decimal Degrees N41.492884 W81.705633


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Parade the Circle 2011

Now this is a Cool Photo Op.... Parade the Circle. I've gone the last two years and it's always a lot of fun, lots of cool costumes to photograph. If you get there early you can photograph the participants getting ready for the parade in the staging area on the top deck of the Art Museum Parking lot.

Saturday, June 11, 2011
11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Parade at Noon
Wade Oval, University Circle

More info here: Parade the Circle Info


Click Photo to see more photos





Click on the camera icon for directions to Parade the circle

GPS Coordinates in the Decimal Degree format.

Latitude: N 41.50888
Longitude: W 81.61077


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Chagrin Falls Balloon Fest 2011

Are you looking for somethng colorful to shoot over the Memorial Day weekend? Then check out the Chargin Falls Balloon Fest!




The Balloon Fest takes place from Thursday May 26th to Sunday May 29th, here's the details  

Note the Balloon Glow on Thursday has been Canceled due to the weather!

Weekend Balloon Festival Schedule

 

Thursday May 26th      Blossom Glow at 8:00 PM at CFHS   CANCELED

 

Friday May 27th           Mass balloon ascension 6:30 pm at CFHS

Saturday May 28th      Balloons fly in to CFHS field – 6:30 AM

                                    Balloon launch from CFHS – 6:30 PM

Sunday May 29th         Balloons fly in to CFHS field – 6:30 AM

                                     Balloon launch from CFHS – 6:30 PM

Starting times are approximate.  Flying is subject to local weather conditions (rain, high winds, low clouds).  Morning events may not originate or terminate at Chagrin Falls High School, but will always include a fly-by.  Evening events will feature all balloons launching as a group from the Chagrin Falls High School athletic field.

On Thursday evening they have the Balloon Glow where all the balloons are lit up to the sounds of music








Balloon Photo Tips:

1. See which way the wind is blowing then position yourself so the balloons will fly toward you.

2. Look for colors, shapes and patterns










3. Use people as scale to show how large the Balloons are







4. Show the crew at work







5. And of course show them in the air!!!







The balloons launch from the Chagrin Falls High School field behind the school. See map below for directions from your location.

GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 41.4283302
Longitude: -081.3775026

Click the blue balloon for directions from your location to the High School entrance. The P is where you should park. The red balloon shows the field where the balloons will be taking off.




View Chagrin Falls Balloon Festival in a larger map

To see more photos go here: Balloon Fest Photos

Hope to see you there!!!

Oh and since the Balloons only fly in good weather and calm winds you might want to check the weather maps on the right side of this blog.

For more info on the Balloon Fest go here: Chagrin Falls Balloon Fest Info

Want to find a great location for the Full Moon tonight? Then get The Photographer's Ephemeris

Hi Everyone, I've been getting a lot of questions today on where a good location would be to get a shot of the Full Moon and the moonrise tonight. Well a great program for photographers to help you plan for a sunrise, sunset, moonrise or moon set is the Photographer's Ephemeris. The Desktop version is FREE and there is also an app for the Iphone! I use it all the time mostly for sunrises and sunsets and highly recommend it. You can get it here

The Photographer's Ephemeris

They have video tutorials to show you how to use it!

Now back to the moonrise, well unfortunately for you Cleveland Area photographers who want to get the moonrise over the city of Cleveland, Edgewater is NOT a good location tonight. Looking at the map on the Photographer's Ephemeris you can see by looking at the light blue "moonrise" line that the moon will rise to the south of the city and not behind the skyline.

Wendy Park may be better, not sure.... download the Photographer's Ephemeris and find out for yourself!!!! : ) When you use the program just put the cursor at your shooting location and see where the moon will rise tonight.

Here's what it looks like from the Upper area of Edgewater.... as you can see the moonrise (light blue line)  is far south of the city when shooting from Edgewater.

Click the photo to see a larger view.

Heron Rookery

If you like getting photos of Blue Herons then the place to be is the Heron Rookery on West Bath Road in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Every March the Herons return to the rookery to nest. By mid March there are hundreds of birds and nests. Check it out if you get a chance.

Click Photo to go to Gallery

Directions: Click on the camera to get directions from your location.


View Heron Rookery in a larger map

Winter Photo Safari and Backyard Bird Count - Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (Dike 14) 2/20/11

Hi Everyone, I read about this in Tuesday's (2/15/2011) Plain Dealer....   I guess Dike 14 is now called the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve and they are having a Winter Photo Safari and Bird Count, there are group photo safaris at 1:30 and 2:30 or self guided tours from 1 to 4pm, you can find out all the details by clicking on the flyer link below. Sounds like a Cool Photo Op!!! 

DIKE 14 WINTER PHOTO SAFARI & BACKYARD BIRD COUNT—SUNDAY, FEB. 20 @ 1—4PM

Meet at the park office for site briefing. Group bird hikes & photo safari groups will depart at 1:30 & 2:30. Self guided visits from 1 pm—4 pm. Participate in the 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count or take photos of the winter landscape to submit for display in the Exploration Station during the month of March. Co-sponsored by the Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative.**The Exploration Station will be open during this program.** Click Here for flyer.

Cool Photo Ops - Great Places to Take Photos in NE Ohio and Beyond

Attention Photographers, looking for fun places to take photos in Northeast Ohio? Then check out my Cool Photo Ops Blog.

Everyone is welcome to come on the shoots or go on your own when you get a chance, the more the merrier!

You will find information on the fun places to take photos in the Northeast Ohio Region.

You will also find links to Maps with directions to the shoots (including GPS coordinates), weather maps, sunrise and sunset information, photography links and helpful photo tips.

Coming soon is the Sled Dog Classic




Also if you have suggestions for shoots, let me know and I'll post them on the blog.