Roni Chastain Photography: Blog https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog en-us (C) Roni Chastain Photography (Roni Chastain Photography) Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:48:00 GMT Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:48:00 GMT https://www.customphotonotes.com/img/s/v-12/u907304310-o984703467-50.jpg Roni Chastain Photography: Blog https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog 82 120 It has been sooo long!! https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2015/8/it-has-been-sooo-long Yikes it has been so long since I last posted anything. I have been very busy with my photography. Traveling is my goal now. I lost my dog, Millie, in March. While she was 15 years old, it was so painful losing her. I haven't cried that much in many years. I miss her every day, and sometimes even feel her presence. 

I went to Spain/Portugal with Jeanne in November. It was a good trip, though I would never go with that tour group again. I also went to the Palouse this past June. It has been on my list of places to visit and I am so glad I went. The thousands of acres of rolling wheat. garbonzo bean and lentil fields was a photographers dream. I did go with a photography group, and for this location, I do feel it was best to do that. There was so much to see, that we never would have found on our own. 

Another favorite place is the Berkshires. Jeanne and I just spent 4 days there. We went to Jacob;s Pillow 2 nights, and just loved it. It was so relaxing and just peaceful to be there. 

My next adventure is with Road Scholar, Wildlife and nature photography with a pro, on Virginia's Eastern Shore. I am going alone, but feeling good about going. 

Until next time...hopefully not such a long time!

Chastain_RoniChastain_RoniRONICHAS@AOL.COM

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2015/8/it-has-been-sooo-long Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:04:54 GMT ITALY https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2014/3/italy i returned home from a week in italy less than a week ago. this was a groupon trip, airfare to milan, stick shift car, 4 nights in lake como, 3 nights in venice, airfare home from venice. i went with my good friend jeanne. i was the driver, she was the navigator. the car was a  new fiat, cute but small. i haven't driven a stick shift in about 25 years, used a few muscles using the clutch that i hadn't used in many years. driving the narrow, tiny, hairpin curves was a bit of a challenge...very scary at times...but we made it out alive. we spent the 4 days exploring lake como and lake maggiore.

we drove around the lake, up one side then the other. we also took a ferry, getting off at different villages to explore. it

was beautiful with snow

capped mountains, surrounding the lake. just beautiful. i am still working on the photos. i will put them in different

albums, people in italy, lake como. 

and venice.

enjoy!

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) como italy lake of people travel venice https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2014/3/italy Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:25:16 GMT ICELAND, HERE I COME https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/9/iceland-here-i-come WELL IT HAS BEEN OVER 3 YEARS SINCE I HAVE TRAVELED AND I AM READY TO GO.

I AM GOING TO ICELAND WITH 4 PHOTOGRAPHY FRIENDS THIS WEEK. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE SIGHTS OF ICELAND, AND MAYBE EVEN SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS. 

IT HAS BEEN A VERY BUSY SUMMER. I HAVE TAKEN SO MANY PHOTOS, AND HAVE GONE TO MANY PLACES. I WENT BACK TO EASTERN STATE PENITENTARY AND FONTHILL IN PA. IT WAS GREAT TO GET TO SEE THE PUBLIC AREAS IN THE PENITENTIARY. THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE, 2 YEARS AGO, WE WENT TO THE NON-PUBLIC AREAS. THIS TIME WE WENT TO THE PUBLIC AREAS. THEN TO FONTHILL IN THE EVENING FOR A SUNSET SHOOT. 

FONTHILL WAS QUITE AMAZING, THE DETAILS OF THE TILES ALL OVER EVERY ROOM, EVERY WALL, EVERY STAIRCASE WAS AMAZING TO SEE AND TO PHOTOGRAPH.  FontHill_Sep072013_0024 restyleFontHill_Sep072013_0024 restyle(C) Roni Chastain

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) castle fonthill mansion mercer moravian mosaic museum pottery roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com tiles https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/9/iceland-here-i-come Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:05:41 GMT Four Photo outings in one week! https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/4/four-photo-outings-in-one-week Hard to image that i went out to four different locations to take photos last week. I did well with the walking, and did well with taking photos. On Saturday, I went with 50 members of the Long Island Photography Meetup to Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. I always love to go on outings with this group, it is really an awesome group of people. We ended up eating at the cafe on the grounds because people didn' t want to leave. I practices taking macro photos with my new lens, a sigma 105 f2.8. I was pleased with the way the photos came out. I then learned at camera club how to use a filter to change the photo...see below.

I always find it fun to play and try new things with my photos. 

On Sunday, we went to kings park, building 93. i only went to the second floor though friends went up to the roof. It was a busy but fun weekend!

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Photos with textures

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) fields flowers kings park planting roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/4/four-photo-outings-in-one-week Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:36:02 GMT Hoboken, NJ https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/4/hoboken i went on an outing with marzena & laurie. we went to hoboken train station. it is a beautiful building with such amazing details. unfortunately some of the seating, the shoe shine stand and the stained glass windows were boarded up...all from the storm *sandy* back in october. 

we still were able to walk around and take some photos. after we were finished inside and ready to go outside and police officer came over and said we couldn't use tripods in the building. he was very pleasant, saying people get scared when they see photographers.  i asked about photographing the tracks, he said go do it quickly, he would stay inside. so we did, we then walked over to the water, to take some photos. another officer came over, said he got the call about 3 ladies with tripods. we laughed, he was very nice also, explaining that people are still reacting to 911 tragedy. then the first officer came by, saying he got a few more calls about us. 

we then decided to go to liberty park. i was quite surprised to see a new 911 memorial since i was there last. we took more photos and then tried to find a place for lunch. unfortunately we could not find parking, so we stopped at a gas station, got pretzels and made our way home.

it was a great day, i did quite well walking and taking photos. there was plenty of places for me to sit when i needed to. i am so blessed to have such great friends, who share the same passion.

roni

 

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]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) hoboken train station new jersey roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com train station trains https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/4/hoboken Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:16:52 GMT Playing at home https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/3/playing-at-home Well after spending the past 6 weeks recovering, i finally got out my camera, and set up an area on my dining room table. i used a long piece of white paper hung over a board and took photos of my orchids, plants & vase with flowers. i loved the way they came out so i also did some of my wooden ducks and my angel collection! it felt good to get back to shooting and processing. i am looking forward to actually getting out to shoot!

i am doing a bit better. i realized i need to take the pain medication more regularly. when i don't it just hurts to much. when i do take the pain med i feel better and can do more. i had blood work done today, i was not supposed to eat anything, so i didn't take any pain med until 11...yikes...it definitely hurt a lot.  i took the pain med a few hours ago, i walk better and can bend my legs better. i am trying to work them to improve the flexion and extension.

this is one of the photos i did today, playing at home.

 

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]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) angel chastain m roni ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/3/playing-at-home Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:31:59 GMT On my own https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/3/on-my-own well i have been on my own for 2 days. i drove to physical therapy yesterday, did well. i was able to ride a stationary bike. the therapist thinks i am doing well. she did think i would be sore today....she was right!  i am trying, still having pain and at times difficulty sleeping. i am trying to bend and stretch as much as i can.

got an email from a friend, she came to visit me today. we went out for lunch. it was a real treat. we sat for less than an hour yet when i got up, my knees hurt, i was stiff and it was painful. after a few minutes it gets better.  i am anxious to increase my endurance, i get so tired so quickly. 

i did work on a slide show today and i have been watching some tutorials on the slide show software. i learned some new things and added some background and banners to the end of my slide show.

it is posted on youtube, and is a slide show on my photos from radio city. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Q2EMftsf4&list=PL6FE86074103FB783&index=22

i need to do more slide shows!

:) roni

ronichas.zenfolio.com

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]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) chastain city m nyc radio roni ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/3/on-my-own Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:01:29 GMT Slowly getting back to normal https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/3/slowly-getting-back-to-normal well i am slowly getting back to a normal routine. my sister left today, she was with me for almost 4 weeks. i could not have done this recovery without her. i am doing better on the stairs and walking a bit better. i am trying hard to bend and extend my legs, does it hurt...absolutely! but i realize now that i have to deal with the pain and just go beyond it. i am trying, it is still tight and painful. i think i was a bit fearful of doing some damage, aside from dealing with the pain. 

i have driven twice and have no difficulty with this. my foot moves well, and i don't move my knee much when i am driving. i am happy that i will be able to drive myself to rehab. i have also cut down on the pain med. i am taking advil, which definitely helps with the inflammation. 

i am on the road to recovery!!!!! looking forward to getting back to shooting abandoned buildings!

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]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) roni roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/3/slowly-getting-back-to-normal Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:42:42 GMT Saw the doctor today https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/saw-the-doctor-today well i saw the doctor today. he wasn't too happy that i can't extend my right leg all the way. i have to really work at this and see him again in 2 weeks. 

i am off the blood thinnner which is great. now i am able to take an anti-inflammatory and this will help reduce the swelling so i can bend my knees more. i have been working on this all afternoon and do see some slight improvement.

i can start to drive, but will keep it local for a while until i am really comfortable. i will drive to rehab tomorrow, with my sister in the car. 

once i can drive and walk better...i can get back to taking photos....looking forward to the warm weather and getting out more!

 

this photo i took at wavehill several years ago. 

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]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/saw-the-doctor-today Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:55:09 GMT Making slow progress https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/making-slow-progress well it is 5 weeks today with my new knees. they are feeling a bit better, left leg is definitely better than right. i had my first out patient rehab. it went well and i did like the therapist more than the therapist i had in rehab. she did think i was doing well and said it was common to have one leg improve faster than the other.

i have been going thru old photos, posting more. i am actually thinking of doing some photography..i just have to get my camera out and start shooting.

this is one of the older photos i have posted on 500 px. 

i will see the doctor tomorrow for the first time since the surgery. i am anxious to hear his report on how i am doing. i will also have xrays. i am hoping i will be able to drive soon. 

 

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]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) customphotonotes.com roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/making-slow-progress Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:15:55 GMT My first time with out patient rehab https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/my-first-time-with-out-patient-rehab So i went today for my first out patient rehab. i did like the therapist. she was pleased with my stairclimbing. i still need to work on extension and flexion. i am still having pain in both knees, though the right is worse. i have to get more serious about exercising, bending and flexing my knees. the pain is less than it was so it is a bit easier for me to do the bending. i am still taking pain med and have started taking tylenol which does seem to help a bit. 

i am anxious to get out and start shooting again. i have gone thru some older photos, but haven't been on my pc computer yet. i am still using the laptop in the kitchen. 

i will see the doctor on thursday, hoping he removes the *tails* part of the sutures from the incision. i think this will also help it to be more comfortable. my legs/feet were so swollen today i couldn't even get my shoes on. 

the blue door photo is from kings park. this is one of the photos i had on display at the manhasset library. 

ok, looking ahead!

:) roni

roni m chastain

ronichas.zenfolio.com

KingsPark_Dec312011_7128

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) chastain m roni ronichas.zenfolio.com therapy https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/my-first-time-with-out-patient-rehab Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:26:10 GMT 2 outings in 2 days.. https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/2-outings-in-2-days after 2 outings for the past 2 days, i am looking forward to resting and taking it easy today. i start out patient rehab tomorrow. i hope i don't start screaming when the therapist stretches my legs....later in the week i will see the doctor. i am hoping he is pleased with my progress and will discontinue the blood thinner i am taking.

still going thru some old photos, preparing the for the website i am working with to sell the images. i am hoping it will do as well as it did last month...my first month with this site.


 

this is one of the older images i found.. this photo was taken when i went on a 12 hour road trip with 3 friends. we hit 3 states, new hampshire, maine and massachusetts. this was in rockport at sunset. it was an awesome day!
:) roni
ronichas.zenfolio.com

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) customphotonotes.com roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/2-outings-in-2-days Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:46:34 GMT 4 weeks with my new knees! https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/4-weeks-with-my-new-knees  

So it has been 4 weeks since i had a bilateral knee replacement. i am still having pain, but walking and doing the stairs daily. i had several outings the past 2 days, and will spend tomorrow, sunday, recovering.

one of the outings was a long island photography meetup on HDR photography. then came home and rested and went to a reception for an exhibit at the manhasset library with 4 of my photos on display. i had the blue door, the spiral staircase, 3 pots on a ledge and the paw paw tunnel. i think they presented well.

my sister has been with me since i came home from rehab. i could not have done this without her. she has been preparing meals, laundry and helping with everything. i am so grateful for her help and will definitely miss her when she finally goes back home.

 

 

 

 

well this is officially my first posting on my blog. i will try to post often.

:) roni

ronichas.zenfolio.com

roni m chastain

 

 

]]> (Roni Chastain Photography) customphotonotes.com roni m chastain ronichas.zenfolio.com https://www.customphotonotes.com/blog/2013/2/4-weeks-with-my-new-knees Sun, 24 Feb 2013 20:10:41 GMT