Columbia SC Photography by Emily Bryan

It’s getting close to that time of year to give to charities and help out those people who are less fortunate .

This is one of my favorite things to do each year. I try to give throughout the year but I’m especially reminded during this season approaching of all our many blessings . I hope you will join me in reaching out to those organizations in our area that collect canned goods, blankets, household items  and  clothing to help families who are in need .

I went by Goodwill the other day and left a bunch of items and it reminded me of Thanksgiving and Christmas and how many people will be going without this year .

It is heartbreaking to see children who don’t have the opportunities that would give them a better life and help develop their potential beyond the neediness that they experience on a daily basis. I was reading about the efforts to raise awareness that “parent’s income level is a direct reflection of school grades across the board. ” Tutoring and other programs help improve these statistics and bring up the level of education to give children a better chance. This is America! Let’s keep a good thing going.

If we all come together and organize, it’s just not that difficult to help .

(Listen to me on my soapbox carrying on about  one of my passions .)

Oh ,well, this is just a reminder that it is that time of year when it’s easy to give because so many of the  organizations that collect items are putting the message out and making it possible to  focus our efforts on helping those who are less fortunate .

Bless you and your family during this next few months and throughout the year . I hope you have a wonderful season of Fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and any other celebrations you have that are meaningful to you .

That’s a picture suitable for framing.

Columbia SC Photography.

by E Bryan

Well, here it is. School bells ring again, soon. Where did the summer go? I say that every year and it is a cliche but I really mean it this time. LOL. If my garden could talk it would gasp from the heat. Seriously, the vegetables cooked on the vines. This Summer – Fall transition happens so quickly it makes my head spin, but that’s the way it is, huh?

It has been an eventful summer here in Columbia, South Carolina. Good eating, record heat, family events, summer camp out of town, a trip to DC for the Fourth. A family from Chicago contacted me. They were on their way to vacation at the South Carolina beaches and since they would be in Columbia about sunrise they decided to stop and take some photographs . I was asked to provide a few locations that might be appropriate for good pictures .

Wouldn’t you know it, I spent quite a while getting that scenic list together for the family photograph hunters. But it was a cool reminder of our beautiful area and all we have to offer, especially if you’re just passing through. A lot to cram in on the way to the main attraction – the South Carolina Beaches. Hope that family had a great time and didn’t think too harshly of us due the oppressive heat. I imagine they are starting school as well, right about now.

I am used to marking Fall as a time when things cool down and we can get to a normal sense of temperature but so far we are still in the grip of heat. This year at school I expect a lot of activity with poster boards, new friends, old friends, teachers, events, socials, and homework that gets done this time. LOL!

I am rambling but this is just a howdy update so … I am looking forward to the crisp Autumn days but that’s going to require some rain and a big drop in temperature. Fingers crossed. I like the Fall because it is the season of giving. Already dropped off some things at Goodwill and went shopping there as well. Found a great lamp. That is such a good idea to help those in need. And it is sustainable. Talk soon plus I will post a few pictures of my latest clicking spree.

Southern living captured in frames  Columbia SC Photography

America’s Birthday is an important time in the US. Most folks try to take a break and get to a vacation place to celebrate. People living in the US take this celebration seriously. I very much appreciate living in the United States and claiming the freedoms our forefathers made foundational. I consider it a blessing to live here and enjoy the experiences of life from this viewpoint.

Just being born in America is a real blessing that is easy to take for granted. The Fourth of July is a time to remember the great opportunities we all have with citizenship in the US.

I had a great time spending the weekend in Washington DC. You know I took my camera and got some nice pictures along the way. I was surprised to find that Arlington National Cemetery was a very special place for me. The contrast of such a somber place was a meaningful experience.

Georgetown was also a great side trip. A nice place to relax, and shop. Out past Reagan International Airport is Alexandria, Virginia. Talk about photo opportunities. It is a beautiful town, too, with plenty to see.

Of course, a walk on the Washington DC Mall is a necessary sightseeing adventure . The architecture and bold structures are always so much more vivid in person.

The weather was mostly good except for a major downpour on the third, that scattered tourists and workers for a few hours.

On our way back to Columbia, the TV coverage of all we had just experienced was on Public Television. It was a real head turner to watch what we had just seen from the TV perspective. All in all it was a very nice trip to Washington DC. I am glad to have spent the Fourth of July in our Nations Capital. Got some decent photos, too. I am ready to return and stay a little longer next time.

I know what you’re thinking! “Don’t start the Holidays so early.” Me too.

But if you’re going to be in the Christmas Parade it’s time to sign up.

Application and entry fee deadline is November 9.  If you’re interested, click on the link- that’s the official application.

They limit the parade to 100 units and that’s plenty for me to take pictures.

Says here-

An individual vehicle is not eligible to participate unless it is unique (i.e. recognized classic or antique car)

How about me on a Harley– is that unique? Just kidding. Not gonna happen.

Always lots of color in the Holiday parade though, so I go where the color is.( and the smell of double dipped caramel ice cream, cotton candy, and popcorn.)

Hope the weather will be clear Saturday, December 4 at about 9:45am.  I am always thinking about the sun, the sky, and general lighting conditions.

Photographing a moving target is always fun. I like to just watch sometimes, too.

Here’s my top 7 favorite things to see in any given parade.

Marching Band- Of course! Big, loud, and, brassy.

Drill teams. “Your left, your left… your left right left”.

Clowns on funny little motorbikes.

Horses .

Antique Cars (aooooga)

Another marching band.

Floats! of course, with kids I recognize.

Santa Claus. (Bonus)

So, to recap. I am not pushing the Holidays on you early. I am just saying… here’s the application if you want to be in the Christmas Parade this December 4- Deadline is November 9. See you there.

Big News ‘Flash’ ( a little SC photo humor)- There’s more to Columbia than my photography.

This post is a reminder to myself-

When this time of year rolls around I start to think about those in need. So, I like to give to Harvest Hope Food Bank.

It’s time for me to get involved and make a donation. I have choices. I can give a tiny amount or truck loads. Depends on what I’ve got. I like to always give something.

I try to remember those who –for whatever reason–don’t have enough this year. I know I would appreciate knowing that someone cares and has stepped up.

Action is the Key

Click the banner

Monetary donations are accepted on their website, plus, there are other ways to help out.

Friend Them

You can put Harvest Hope on your facebook and just spread the word that way. It’s so simple but could change someone’s life in a good way.

Soapbox

You know, even during these curious financial times when the news seems confusing and serious — we still need to keep going and put our best foot forward. We live in a great nation. No matter what politicians are up to, we the people are the ones who have to put it all together and live life. A good attitude goes a long way.

Full belly= better attitude

Here’s the link again for Harvest Hope. Have a wonderful Fall Season.

So what does green tea have to do with photography in South Carolina? Ha! Thought you’d never ask.

Tea was first grown commercially near the Charleston area where iced tea was actually invented. Here’s the story of -

How Iced Tea Became the Official Drink of The South.

1901 Chicago Worlds Fair – the weather was hot and fair goers were not about to drink the traditional hot tea. They were asking for something coo.l and refreshing.

A innovative vendor put ice in the tea and the people drank it enthusiastically. Of course news organizations were covering the Worlds Fair so they started writing about the new way to drink tea, iced.

Blame the Media

If you could actually go back in time you would see the bigger picture and how it started in good ole SC.

Iced Tea originated in South Carolina with refrigeration in the mid 1800s.

Half a century before ice was readily available, tea was the traditional hot drink. It was green tea. The year was 1795. South Carolina was the first place in the US to grow tea and the only state to produce it commercially.

Green tea was the main drink in the South in those days and they called it punch. It was often spiked with hard liquor. Black tea only came into prominence later. It was an import from India after World War Two.

These days, iced tea is enjoyed all over the world. Usually, the American version is made with black tea. It has become a favorite in restaurants, resorts, homes, cafeterias, and fast food places all over.

And it all started right in our great Palmetto State. Who knew?

My photography includes all walks of life. Family portraits, houses, office buildings, events, nature and , all the things that go along with good times, including iced tea.

Emily Bryan Photo SC State Fair 2010

Everyone loves the Fair! This is my wrap up post-

We had gorgeous weather for it all week. Warm temperatures and no rain kept Fair goers streaming through the gates for the entire run. Now that it is over, I thought I’d post a few memories of SC State Fair 20101.

There are plenty of people to watch. Interesting things to see. Teenagers traveling in small groups enjoying everything. Young toddlers, grandparents, Moms and Dads and everyone in between.

I saw what looked like a Grandmother playing paddy cake with a small child. Hundreds of these nice moments happen at the Fair. It’s good to get out there and be a part of it.

The food is …well, Fair. What can I say. I like it, too. This year I had a Greek Gyro and a few sweets. Yummy.

Emily Bryan Photo Moo

Did you see the livestock and other animals?  Cows, chickens,  (the baby chicks sliding down the water fall), more cows, pigs, turkey’s, peacocks, a petting zoo including pony rides, the white tiger, and even a dog show.

Rides of all kinds for every age. The ferriss wheels, loud and fast rides, slow and quiet(er) rides for the little ones, scary rides, and of course the Sky Lift. ( fun)

I am always impressed with how organized and accessible things are at the Fair.

Emily Bryan Photo Columbia Fair SC

Through my camera lens, the SC State Fair was a big success. Hope you got a chance to go. If not, there’s always next year  I’ll see you there.

One of the charming things about the South, and Columbia, is the street vendors. If you’ve been to New Orleans or other great Southern cities you can feel the soul that seems to glow from the art and people who’s work is featured at street side make-shift ‘shops.’

Ernest Lee- aka, The Chicken Man, is known all over for his excellent artwork. His interesting paintings and wall hangings can be seen in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the Mayor’s home, and New York City law firms.

But recent talk of outlawing street vending in Columbia has caused lots of inside chatter. “what about the Chicken Man.?”

“What about the other excellent services offered by street vendors?”

Many of these vendors have become familiar strangers, acquaintances, and  friends to the regulars and even tourists of our city.

It is my understanding that the proposed ordinance to restrict street vending would not have put the Chicken Man or others out of business. It would have required certain procedures for a permit.

But non action on the ordinance seems to have made it safer for vendors to continue as usual.

These folks sometimes stand out in weather like rain, sleet and blazing sun to offer their wares. One viewpoint is that their presence adds a certain positive sense of community to an area like ours, as well as bring art and other offerings closer.

Emily Bryan Photo George Lewis, MaMa's Farm

Here is a photograph of George, a friendly acquaintance of mine, and vendor in the downtown area of Columbia.

Emily Bryan Photography

One important consideration for any photographer is light.

The way light is received by objects, whether natural light or some other form, determines what a  photograph captures and looks like.

When a photographer has a good understanding of how the eye (and camera) processes the color spectrum she can make full use of the light that is available for that particular picture.

White light

To the naked eye, light appears white, but, if you shine a light through a prism it shows up as the color spectrum ( the effect of seeing color). The color, white, contains all the colors in the  spectrum.

When light is targeted at an object that object absorbs some of the color and reflects back other remaining parts of the colors. The portions of the color that do not get absorbed  get reflected back so that is the color the object appears to be.

For example- a red flower reflects red from the color spectrum and all the other colors get absorbed. Something that is black absorbs the whole color spectrum.

Can we take that again?

Sun light, or, what is known as natural light, is not very consistent. The position of the sun and resulting natural light determines what gets reflected back from objects .

In the middle of the day the clearest color photography shows up here in Columbia. That’s because the blue portions of the color spectrum are dominant.

Both sunrise and sunset bring out the red portion of the color spectrum. Photographs at those two times of day produce warmer pictures.

Artificial light

Depending on the kind of bulb being used the effects of artificial lite can be very different.

Various camera filters are used to counter the effects of artificial light including such things as a yellow glow or a greenish tinge.

Light up my life

Experience with light is valuable knowledge for any photographer.