Archive of ‘Event’ category

Adobe InDesign Intro – Tech Thursday

Arthur Murray - Chevy Chase, MD - ©TimeLine Media

The Adobe InDesign software is becoming a larger part of my photography as I learn more about the power of this program. The first time I used the program was with the CS5 suite as it was included with a package of programs from Adobe that included Photoshop, Illustrator and Lightroom. I did not think I would have any use for InDesign, but many photographers started to show videos on how they use InDesign for making album templates. It was then that it clicked!

Page Layout Design

Adobe InDesign CC Splash screen
Adobe InDesign CC Splash screen

If keeping things perfectly centered, perfectly aligned with other elements, or perfectly aligned on a page, then this program is for you. It is amazingly useful for making album layouts. I use them for Ballroom Brag Books or wedding albums. Additionally it is really easy to make collages like I did recently for the TimeLine Media Facebook photo contest:

InDesign working layout - ©TimeLine Media
InDesign working layout – ©TimeLine Media

Frames are the basis for working in InDesign. You create the frame where you would like to place your element. These can be photos, text, illustration, or any other digital object. When adding text, you need to draw out the size of the box that you would like, then type. Afterwards, the text box acts like a text box in any other application. The powerful part of InDesign is that the frame can be moved anywhere on the image. Also, there are live guides (colored green) that will pop up when the text box is centered to another frame, or when the bottom of the frame will align with others. This has helped to lay elements out perfectly straight. Concurrently it will save you a lot of time if you are mixing images and text.

Speaking of which, I have a friendly photo contest going on at the TimeLine Media Facebook page. To help us decide which of the professional shows to feature at the upcoming Spring Freestyles, I have made posters from all the shows at the last Showcase. The 2 posters that received the most votes will be printed and displayed at the event. Please visit the page to vote for your favorites with a click of the “Like” button. Thank you!

Arthur Murray - Chevy Chase, MD - ©TimeLine Media
Arthur Murray – Chevy Chase, MD – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

SingStrong – High School Competition

SingStrong DC 2014 - ©TimeLine Media

SingStrong has so many ties to the local music education scene in northern Virginia. All of the weekend performances and workshops are held in South Lakes High School in Reston, VA. They have been very generous to allow the festival to take over the many rooms in their art wing for practice rooms, coaching spaces, and some larger rooms where workshops and large group rehearsals can take place.

South Lakes High School

SingStrong DC 2014 - ©TimeLine Media
SingStrong DC 2014 – ©TimeLine Media

The main stage is the auditorium where the SingStrong team transforms the stage into an amazing place to perform a cappella music. It is a lot for both the eyes and ears to take in from the multicolor stage lights, and the professional sound setup. The High School Competition on Saturday afternoon gives the many high school students a chance to use this professional setup. They perform for their family and friends on the big stage as the featured performance at this time.

SingStrong DC 2014 - ©TimeLine Media
SingStrong DC 2014 – ©TimeLine Media

They receive feedback from judges, and the audience gets to weigh in with their votes for their favorite group. For this competition, I listen from backstage. These groups that get coaching over the weekend, really put their newly gained knowledge to the test sometimes with some great results! Directly after their performances, I have them for a few minutes to get a group photo backstage. They are so relieved after finishing their set, and they are excited about how well they performed.

SingStrong DC 2014 - ©TimeLine Media
SingStrong DC 2014 – ©TimeLine Media

All these photos are a really nice memento from a weekend that they have dedicated to improving their singing and stage presence. For a lot of the groups, some members cannot make the trip due to other commitments. I think they have missed out on a unique experience in their music education. Nothing brings a group together like going through a competition together. I hope they take the photos, and enjoy looking back at this time when group singing was such a big part of their lives.

SingStrong DC 2014 - ©TimeLine Media
SingStrong DC 2014 – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Twitter – SingStrong

Ten performs at SingStrong DC 2014 - ©TimeLine Media

I am taking a break from the blog today! Yesterday, there was quite a lot of activity on my Twitter account. Follow me @rassigborneo to see some of the postings from last weekend’s SingStrong a cappella music festival. I have started posting some of my favorite photos on my Twitter feed to show to the performers. There were so many great performances, and the lighting setup on the stage really helped to make some dynamic photos. I’ll post more on the blog here in the coming week. Have a nice rest of the weekend!

Ten performs at SingStrong DC 2014 - posted to my twitter account  ©TimeLine Media
Ten performs at SingStrong DC 2014 – ©TimeLine Media

Overall, I really enjoy sharing my images on the blog. It is my own space on the web, but undoubtedly social media has a lot of reach. At this time, I realized how much after this music festival. Especially with the enthusiastic fans getting such close access to their favorite musicians, these photos were shared many times! Being that I am new to the Twitter game, please send me along some tips. I enjoy the interaction with fans and other photographers. Moreover, I also find other similar photographers as people tag their favorites along with mine! It is an amazing way to make new connections.

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

1 131 132 133 134 135 237