Go Green for Our Furry Friends...

Here is a great place to get rid of all your outdated electronic gadgets and at the same time help out the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.  I rate this idea "4 Paws Up"!  (be sure to click on poster to see it large enough to read)

McKees Rocks Bridge

This image of the McKees Rocks Bridge was licensed for set decoration on the television series, The Guardian, starring Simon Baker.  The image hung on the wall in Dabney Coleman's office.  The original image was shot on Fujichrome Velvia, but I scanned and processed the image as a sepia toned image and did select diffusion on it as well for a more dreamy look.

Closed For the Season

A little landscape photography shot this winter at Moraine State Park.  The image is called,

"Closed For the Season" which was taken from the sign attached to the restroom.  With the temps in the 70's today, summer cannot come quick enough for me!

Some Pittsburgh Beauty Photography

I think I'll start posting more pictures and writing less.  The former is what I'm better at anyway!

I worked with Pittsburgh makeup artist Patty Bell and hair stylist Sandee Scott to create these images.  They both worked incredibly hard and I love the creative energy that surrounds us when we all work together.  Enjoy the day!

Panoramic photo of Pittsburgh

This was shot on a foggy morning for my book, Pittsburgh: A Photographic Portrait. It didn't make it, but one that was warmer and showed the sun did. It was an amazing sight to see!

Becoming More Social on the Internet

It seems like lately anytime I start writing for my blog, it begins something like this:  "sorry I haven't written anything or added to the blog....".  Unfortunately, this entry isn't a whole lot different.  One of the reasons for my lack of white noise here has been that I have put some recent energy into my LinkedIn and Facebook pages.  They are both quite different from each other.  LinkedIn is far more professional and has been a nice tool to help me keep track of old clients, future clients and fellow professionals.   Facebook is more for friends and family and old college chums that like to re-live the good old days.  Both have their place and I've really enjoyed the instant feedback that you get on those types of forums v. the Blog where sometimes I think I'm just talking to myself!  I will keep posting on occasion here when I think I've got something interesting to talk about or show.  I hope if you are a regular reader here, that you'll stop by on my LinkedIn page or Facebook page, check out my profile, and make me a "friend" or "connection".  I'd love to hear from you! 

Since I've been trying hard to eat a little healthier lately and shed some pounds, I was inspired by this panoramic photo I shot some time ago...Enjoy the day!

Mark

Mark Bolster speaks at Avonworth High School

I had fun yesterday meeting students from Avonworth High School and speaking to them about my work, life lessons, and tips on how to improve their photography. The yearbook staff was especially involved as they appreciated tips on how to make their camera be a more natural tool to use as well as composition help. The students really are amazing, and one of the things I enjoy so much about speaking to groups, classes, and doing book signings is that I always learn something. If not about photography, then I learn a little about myself. The kids at Avonworth are engaged and very polite. This comes from great parenting and excellent teachers that really care about their students. It was an absolute joy to be around them! Thanks Mrs. Frau and Mrs. Fox
for your hospitality and thank you to the library staff for helping with the a/v needs!

Also....congrats to the 6 time world champ, Pittsburgh Steelers! You gave us the best Superbowl I can ever recall seeing and made this past weekend way more fun than a human should be allowed to have! The game helped us all forget about a gloomy economy and crummy Pittsburgh weather for at least a few hours. The only downer was Dan Rooney thanking President Obama for the victory. If anyone can tell me what the Prez had to do with anything, I'd love to hear it... Sunday was NOT the time for politics. The parade was today in downtown Pittsburgh and hopefully everyone can get back to business now. Sunday's are going to be missing something for me (at least till Speedweeks in Daytona later this month!)

Here is a photo from last week's snowstorm taken in Butler Co.  Stay warm!

Mark