Lunar New Year at Fair Oaks Mall VA Feb. 9

[SuzyView]

I am up to meet Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Fair Oaks Mall 1 p.m. in the main staging area. There will be dancers and other performers. I can't stay too long but would love to meet up with anyone who can make it. It is a 2-day event, meaning Sunday is an option, but I prefer Saturday.

If you are interested, we can meet and maybe have a late lunch or try all the Chinese food. :) Always a treat.

[gnrlmike]

Suzie,

that might be interesting.
I will link this one in NOVA meeting thread.

There is also an event at Meadowlark Botanical Garden that nature photographers might like:

http://www.meadowlarkphotoexpo.org/index.html

I am mostly interested in the birds that local preservations will have on display - owls and hawks. It's $20 for 45 min session but totally worth it.

Mike

[monokrome]

Fair Oaks is right down the street from me. And with no football :sad: make it's even better to do both.

[JimAskew]

Suzie,

I am in :D Looking forward to this POTN meet!

[slimninj4]

I will be going on sunday as I work on saturday.

[SuzyView]

Well, I am at church on Sunday, and I have a zillion things to do on Sat., but making time to be there right a 1 and can stay until around 2:30. I coach a girls basketball team, so if I can get someone to coach for me, I can stay longer. I have a concert in the evening, though, with dinner beforehand. Hubby is part of that little adventure. I am letting my 2 sons shoot that day too. If you want to see pros in action, you should see those two. :)

Hope to see you Jim and Mike & others. :) Be ready to have cheesecake. I am going to the Cheese Cake Factory and ordering their Tuxedo cake. YUM!

[JimAskew]

Well, I am at church on Sunday, and I have a zillion things to do on Sat., but making time to be there right a 1 and can stay until around 2:30. I coach a girls basketball team, so if I can get someone to coach for me, I can stay longer. I have a concert in the evening, though, with dinner beforehand. Hubby is part of that little adventure. I am letting my 2 sons shoot that day too. If you want to see pros in action, you should see those two. :)

Hope to see you Jim and Mike & others. :) Be ready to have cheesecake. I am going to the Cheese Cake Factory and ordering their Tuxedo cake. YUM!

Suzie,

Please bring your 5D...I want to get a good look at it :D

I am ready to place my order at B+H!

Thanks,

[SuzyView]

As always, will have it and the 40D because of the dancing. :)

[Rhilton4u]

I'm working that weekend but don't have to be in until 5. I'll try and see if I can show up. :D

[SuzyView]

Sounds great. Let's meet at the bottom of the escalator on the first floor where the staging is. I'm the one with the red and green POTN neckstrap. :)

[gnrlmike]

I'll have the black one. Meet you all there.
I imagine people roaming the area looking behind the neck of each other.:-)

Mike

[SuzyView]

LOL. You can't miss the white lenses, though. :)

[JimAskew]

LOL. You can't miss the white lenses, though. :)
Speaking of lenses...what are you bringing? I'm thinking the70-200MM f/4 EF IS L and maybe the 135MM EF L?

How close can we get to the dancers do you think?

[SuzyView]

It's not that big a mall. And I don't think it'll be super crowded, at least I hope not. I'm bringing the 5D with 24-70 and 40D with 70-200 2.8 IS and that's it. And that's enough. :) Can I try your 135 again, Jim. I'm thinking of getting it instead of the new 200 f2. That is way too expensive for me right now.

[gnrlmike]

Now - since it is a mall - will it be ok to take pictures with our big fancy cameras? It's private property afterall. Do we need some sort of clearance?

[JimAskew]

... Can I try your 135 again, Jim. I'm thinking of getting it instead of the new 200 f2. That is way too expensive for me right now.

Suzie,

Absolutely...it is in my bag...I'll bring the 100MM Macro as well and you can give it a test drive if you want to :)

[JimAskew]

If any body coming Saturday has the 17-40MM f/4 EF L please bring it along...I want to get this lens as my WA for my soon to purchased 5D :)

Thanks,

[gnrlmike]

If any body coming Saturday has the 17-40MM f/4 EF L please bring it along...I want to get this lens as my WA for my soon to purchased 5D :)

Thanks,

Ok, Jim,

I will have it.

Mike

[JimAskew]

Ok, Jim,

I will have it.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks :)

Jim

[SuzyView]

I have one, too, but I don't use it much, Jim. It's very wide on the 5D. If I am traveling and want UW, I will take it, but it's mostly on the 40D when it is used. Great sharp lens, though.

[JimAskew]

I have one, too, but I don't use it much, Jim. It's very wide on the 5D. If I am traveling and want UW, I will take it, but it's mostly on the 40D when it is used. Great sharp lens, though.

Suzie,

Very wide is what I want for the 5D. I have the 10-22MM EF-S for the crop bodies and I enjoy using it very much.

If we get time perhaps I can see one mounted on the 5D. The good news to me is that there is no cost...I am getting this one with 127Ks worth of AMEX Rewards points :)

[SuzyView]

You should look at this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21855244@N08/favorites/show/

Really beautiful photography. Please someone tell me it wasn't with a little P&S, but with a powerful Canon DSLR! I think these pictures on my 1920x1200 screen look beautiful.

[Rhilton4u]

I just bought one to replace my kit lens Jim. It works fantastic for this purpose for crop bodies.

[SuzyView]

Still set for tomorrow around 1 p.m. by the escalator.

[JimAskew]

Still set for tomorrow around 1 p.m. by the escalator.

Suzie,

What is a major store nearby? Are we talking the center of the Mall on the lower level?

Thanks,

[gnrlmike]

According to the calendar - it will be in Grand Court

http://www.shopfairoaksmall.com/assets/calendar

And I have no idea where it is. I'll be asking the Information booth there.

[monokrome]

The Information Booth is at the Grand Court.

[SuzyView]

Grand Court sounds good to me.

[JimAskew]

The Information Booth is at the Grand Court.

Grand Court sounds good to me.

Thanks guys...the Information Booth it is :) Look for the tall guy with the POTN patch on his ball cap :)

[monokrome]

I'm hoping that I can meet you guys there at 1pm. I'm trying to do the Meadowlark Gardens Saturday morning because Sunday is suppose to be a very cold day, at least that what the fortune tellers on TV are saying. It starts at 10am, they're suppose to have the Rapture Rescue there with their birds.

If I'm late, I'll be looking for ya, I'll be the big tall guy, black and sliver hair.

[gnrlmike]

Brain,
I am going to catch that one as well. Will see you there then. Too bad there is no preorder for that event.

[SuzyView]

I am going to hit the Cheese Cake Factory sometime before to get some cake. So, I'll be there a little earlier.

[Rhilton4u]

Great seeing you guys at the mall today. It was nice to meet you Suzy. I'm working this weekend so I won't be able to go through any of my shots until probably Monday.

[gnrlmike]

I was 15 min late and it was impossiblee to find any of you among all the noisy lions. :-)
I spent less than an hour watching the show and went back to meadowlark where I had booked 2 sessions of raptors this morning. (Note to self - next time assign flag bearer with BIG LETTERS - POTN)
I'll catch you next time.

Mike

[JimAskew]

What a wonderful festival! Full of dragons, dancers, drummers, and martial artists. The colors were awesome to see. I enjoyed meeting up with Suzie and Ron. I sat on the floor for 2 1/2 hours with my legs crossed...wasn't sure I would ever walk again ;) Thank goodness for 800 mg Motrin ib ;)

Here are some sample shots right out of the camera with no PP. I was shooting at 1600 ISO with my 30D and my 17-55MM EF-S IS and my 135MM EF L.

[JimAskew]

Two more shots :)

[SuzyView]

I just got home from my long day. Nice shots, Jim. I'm getting a few ready now.

[MDJAK]

Jim, the first two are fantastic. The drummer shot, with the stick in the foreground in motion, the frame filled, I love it.
Second shot also frame filling, nicely exposed. Wonderful work. Wish I could have joined you guys.

Suzie, where are your shots?
me

[SuzyView]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_9738_LionDance1.jpg

Very good dancing from the Kung Fu company that was there. Only the most deserving athletes get to do this dance. The two inside were amazing.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_9681_DragonDance1.jpg

The people running were fit. The dance lasted 9 minutes and they ran it the whole time going in and out of the area. It was very well done.

[SuzyView]

Now, let me say something about Jim and his stamina. ;) I got there right at 1 because my sons were having a hard time getting ready. They didn't really want to come except I promised them cheesecake. Anyway, Jim saved a spot for us so we could sit in the front row, right there on the floor. The space was about 3x5 feet for both of us. Thank heavens we like each other! :) I sat for about 45 minutes and I couldn't feel my right cheek or my legs after a while and had to get up. My family was ready to leave and I had to coach a basketball game. But I really enjoyed it and wished, as usual, that I could have stayed until the end. The performers work so hard for this event. It's the one time of the year the Chinese celebrate and everyone notices. So, I felt great we did it. Better than the parade, huh, Jim? Let's make it an annual thing because it was so worth it. Next time, I bring chairs. :)

And Ron is a sweetheart. We live right by each other, probably within 10 miles. So, we'll get together sometime. Anyone for the Cherry Blossom Festival?

[MDJAK]

Nice, Suzie. Is that you I see inside that costume, behind those foster grants? :lol:
me

[SuzyView]

No. But I wish I could have danced around. It looked like fun!

I wish I was going to be with you all in NYC. Love this time of year.

[BottomBracket]

Ahh, no wonder you can't make it to NYC tomorrow Suzy. It looks like you have your hands full down there. We're going to miss you. Very nice pics, Suzy, Jim. Hey you know I love them peach blossoms, perhaps we'll meet again there, as long as you treat me to hotdogs ;)

[JimAskew]

I just got home from my long day. Nice shots, Jim. I'm getting a few ready now.

Jim, the first two are fantastic. The drummer shot, with the stick in the foreground in motion, the frame filled, I love it.
Second shot also frame filling, nicely exposed. Wonderful work. Wish I could have joined you guys.

Suzie, where are your shots?
me

Thanks Guys...Mark, we would have loved for you to be there :)

Suzie, your white dragon photo is fantastic! Great capture :)

BTW, you "owe" me a beer for saving the best seat in the house for you ;) Have your knees recovered yet? I wasn't sure mine would ever work right again :)

[LeesaB]

Jim I love the drummers, the colors of the dragon are awesome...

Was this inside a mall?

Suzy...Awesome shots, I've not seen alot of your work. How you doing?

It's a beautiful celebration

[SuzyView]

Well, I don't know about the beer, but I can treat you to a nice hot dog when I see Pio. I guess lunch at the Mall is on me come March! That's okay. It's a small price to pay to see great friends. You are a dear to save the spot for me. My son said he'd come sit with us, but he wouldn't have fit. :(

[SuzyView]

Leesa, I usually don't post kids or without a release, but this time, the pics will be in the news anyway. There were reporters there. I have a few more to process and then will post. I am getting quite decent as a pro, meaning, I shoot so much, there are usually a few good keepers.

I went from the basketball game to a formal before concert dinner in Manassas. The Prince William County Orchestra performed this evening and the director asked me to do the video taping and pictures in the front row. It was a little different, but I managed. Even sat next to a sweet couple, the wife bought a D70 and didn't like the noise. Funny, huh. I told her my 5D with 1600 ISO usually doesn't have any noise. She said, "Where can I get one?" I said, "Well, my 5D with 24-70 will probably cost you around $3K." Her husband chocked on his food practically. I told her I'd help her out sometime when I wasn't so busy shooting. My arm aches right now. It's on ice as I'm typing.

[LeesaB]

hey ya Suzy, I never thought of that, I don't think many do.

I loved the story...I know people ask me all the time...how much is this or that, they cannot believe what I or people pay. Its fun

[JimAskew]

Ahh, no wonder you can't make it to NYC tomorrow Suzy. It looks like you have your hands full down there. We're going to miss you. Very nice pics, Suzy, Jim. Hey you know I love them peach blossoms, perhaps we'll meet again there, as long as you treat me to hotdogs ;)

Pio,

We would love for you to come to DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival...you too Mark :D Late March or early April...mark your calandars:)

I am coming to NYC in the spring to visit my son and his girlfriend. I'll be bringing my soon-to-be-purchased 5D and the 17-40MM EF L. Perhaps we can get together for a cup of coffee and grab a couple of shots. We could get Mark to link up as well.

[JimAskew]

Jim I love the drummers, the colors of the dragon are awesome...

Was this inside a mall?

Suzy...Awesome shots, I've not seen alot of your work. How you doing?

It's a beautiful celebration

Leesa,

Thanks. The Festival was inside the Fair Oaks Mall on the bottom floor...they have an area set aside for shows and what. Suzie is right...the performers put their heart and soul into the show...I was thrilled...I took over 600 shots...lost my head I guess and thought I was shooting a wedding ;)

[SuzyView]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_9699_DragonDance2.jpg

This one the dancers were rocking back and forth so fast, the shutter couldn't get it sharp. I wish I had abs that could do that. :(

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_9790_Feeding1.jpg

Another one of the lucky money (hung bow) feeding the lion. The kids were so cute today. It's a little fuzzy, but I like it.

[SuzyView]

I took 600 pictures all together today, as well, Jim. Good day to have a fast CF card. :)

[Skrim17]

looks like fun folks. I am hoping ot get to the NYC meet tomorrow. I live in the NJ suburbs and we have local kung fu and dance schools that participate in local events and it is always fun to shoot them.

[SuzyView]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_9234_Lioncloseup.jpg

40D with 85 1.8. I was sitting so close, I could see up the lion's nose. :) Love that lens. No pp.

[Skrim17]

I wonder how much the lions and dragons cost?

[Skrim17]

Does the color have meaning? The dragon they use here is yellow and green.

[monokrome]

Brain,
I am going to catch that one as well. Will see you there then. Too bad there is no preorder for that event.

Did you go? I got there at 1015, but had to wait until 12-1pm to get to see the Falcons and Hawks. Then I booked over to FairOaks which was a complete madhouse. I saw Suzie and Jim sitting right up front. The crowd was 6 to 8 deep in most places. I wish I could have waited until the event was finished, but had to get something to eat and they closed the Arbys in the mall. And everything else was packed. :sad: I hadn't eaten all day.

You guys got some great shots!!! Hopefully I'll meet some of you one day.

If the weather isn't bad I'm going back to Meadowlark tomorrow for the Owls and other Raptures. Then try to go back to FairOaks.

[poppie guy]

Nice photo's Suzie. They are great shots and, with your brief narrative's, are very interesting.

[JimAskew]

Here is an "over my shoulder" shot of Ron (Rhilton4u) sporting his XTi with the 17-40MM f/4 EF L (drool) mounted :)

[Rhilton4u]

A few of my images:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/Lions_0295.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/Lions_0265.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/BrothersWatching_0373.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/Dancers_0485.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/Dancers_0432.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/Dancers_0534.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Rhilton4u/Photography/LittleDancers_0512.jpg

[JimAskew]

Awesome Ron, I really like your zoomed in candids...the youngsters were just cute as could be and so into the dancing. We must put this on our "must visit" list for next year and do this again :)

[JimAskew]

I was 15 min late and it was impossiblee to find any of you among all the noisy lions. :-)
I spent less than an hour watching the show and went back to meadowlark where I had booked 2 sessions of raptors this morning. (Note to self - next time assign flag bearer with BIG LETTERS - POTN)
I'll catch you next time.

Mike

Did you go? I got there at 1015, but had to wait until 12-1pm to get to see the Falcons and Hawks. Then I booked over to FairOaks which was a complete madhouse. I saw Suzie and Jim sitting right up front. The crowd was 6 to 8 deep in most places. I wish I could have waited until the event was finished, but had to get something to eat and they closed the Arbys in the mall. And everything else was packed. :sad: I hadn't eaten all day.

You guys got some great shots!!! Hopefully I'll meet some of you one day.

If the weather isn't bad I'm going back to Meadowlark tomorrow for the Owls and other Raptures. Then try to go back to FairOaks.

Guys,

Sorry we didn't link up...we need to get flashing POTN badges for the next meet :) Let's try to get together for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

[gnrlmike]

Did you go? I got there at 1015, but had to wait until 12-1pm to get to see the Falcons and Hawks. Then I booked over to FairOaks which was a complete madhouse. I saw Suzie and Jim sitting right up front. The crowd was 6 to 8 deep in most places. I wish I could have waited until the event was finished, but had to get something to eat and they closed the Arbys in the mall. And everything else was packed. :sad: I hadn't eaten all day.

You guys got some great shots!!! Hopefully I'll meet some of you one day.

If the weather isn't bad I'm going back to Meadowlark tomorrow for the Owls and other Raptures. Then try to go back to FairOaks.

Yeah, I did. I went same time as you, but booked for 2 sessions at 3 and 4 - for owls and hawks. They were awesome. Will post some pictures later on today.

[SuzyView]

Ron, your shots are excellent! Wow, I am so happy I met you. We are so going to get together soon. I love shooting with friends and Jon will be back by Cherry Blossom time. We should all plan on meeting. You got some amazing views of the dancers. I wish I could have stayed, but as always, I have other commitments. Oh well. I try to include my children in my culture and they get it, but they have short attention spans. :) They are young.

I got so many good photos from the concert last night, but will link to the website for the orchestra when I'm done instead of posting here. I did not get any releases. Also, my 40D had a error 99 message during the Fair Oaks Mall shoot about 3 times in a row. I took the battery out and it was fine, but I'm hoping it's not reoccurring. I'll be upset.

[Rhilton4u]

my 40D had a error 99 message during the Fair Oaks Mall shoot about 3 times in a row. I took the battery out and it was fine, but I'm hoping it's not reoccurring. I'll be upset.There's another thread about that from someone else in the EOS section. I hope it's not a bug inherent to the 40D. :(

:arrow: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=450953

[SuzyView]

ron, I am so upset right now if this continues. The 40D is quite a good camera. I bought it to replace an excellent 20D, which I hated parting with, but I wanted to upgrade. I will work with it, until I die, but it is bothersome. I am spoiled to death and will pay to make things easier for myself.

[JimAskew]

This is my granddaughter's favorite dragon from the Festival...so I had to share her good artistic eye with you :)

[JimAskew]

ron, I am so upset right now if this continues. The 40D is quite a good camera. I bought it to replace an excellent 20D, which I hated parting with, but I wanted to upgrade. I will work with it, until I die, but it is bothersome. I am spoiled to death and will pay to make things easier for myself.

Suzie,

I just read the 40D Err 99 thread in the Camera Forum...looks like batteries out, lens off, wait a few minutes, batteries back in, no lens and power up and see if the problem goes away.

[SuzyView]

I went away after I took the battery out and back in, but that was why I stopped using the 40D. I got the message 2 times and did that twice and then put the camera away. Not worth the trouble.

I love the dragon, BTW. And seriously, why can't we get the red right?

[Rhilton4u]

I was finally able to wade through my memory cards and uploaded the rest of my images to FLICKR (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hilton_photos). Here's a few more for the thread...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2260301674_3f6d80c4a9_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2049/2260287306_8bf5fc8d2a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2259489655_1c8fb31db4_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2259488427_83bb18baa4_o.jpg

[SuzyView]

I wish I could have video taped the dragon dance. It was so wonderful to watch.

Ron, did you have trouble with the red as well? Jim & I had trouble getting it right.

[slimninj4]

I got there around 2pm. It was fun but very crowded. Since I had my son with me I did not get any photos but watched for a few minutes. I know the own who sets up the festival. Every year he travels to China to get the clothes and dragons.

[SuzyView]

Great. Please give us more information about next year if you can. I think we'll do this every year. :)