Locations matter when having events. People need to know where you are.
Brokaw Photography Studio and five art galleries are having group shows in Frenchtown this weekend. We’ve all posted our events on Facebook but when we do that we simply create six separate silos of information. To bring us all together and to inform visitors of our locations I thought it would be great to create a live Google Maps and to locate all the galleries on Google Earth.
The beauty of Google Maps is it is entirely scalable and universal. Anyone with a browser can find us around town and determine where we are in relation to themselves. If you have a Google account you can plot locations, label them, add photos and share the link. Here is the link to my map: http://bit.ly/2irqDBi
After the map has been created Google Maps enables a user to convert the locations along with any attached photos to a KML file, a simple a text file with information that can be read by mapping applications such as Google Maps and Google Earth.
With Google Earth, the locations, along with attached information such as photos, can be accurately displayed on an aerial photo that can be rotated, zoomed and panned. The screenshot below shows a SW oblique angle of the town, the show locations and one of the pop-ups that are available to see the attached information that was created in Google Maps.
Google Earth puts Google Maps into a three dimensional rendering draped over a sphere. When you zoom in all the way, it drops you into Street View which is a 360 degree spherical view from street level.
It is always fun and useful to add an interactive application to information. When people engage and play with your content they remember it better…
Chances are you looked at Frank’s bright blue eyes before you read any text (yes, they are real!).
I know I look at pictures before I read and most of us do. That is why visual content is so important. Not only does it get our attention but we remember it better.
Dr. John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist, research consultant and affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine has been study how the brain works for decades and has determined that when we hear a piece of information we’ll only remember 10% of it three days later. Add a picture and we’ll remember 65% of it. It’s the 65 – 10 rule. Big difference. (www.brainrules.net/vision)
This isn’t such good news for radio advertisers, but great news for businesses that utilize video and photos in their marketing. Of course the world is saturated with visual stimulus so whatever you are showing must be top quality and compelling. Our brains are pretty good at tuning out, ignoring and forgetting, too.
I guess we could call that the 35 – 90 rule.
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Have you taken your brain for a walk today?
If you’ve ever had dogs you know how excited they can get when it’s time to go for walk. They know it will feel good. And it does.
There is something about being outside and moving that makes the brain happy. It clears cobwebs.
The data show … “yada, yada… blah, blah.” I don’t need no stinking data.
My brain knows.…
I admire people with vision. Over just a few days last week, Patricia Walsh Collins and Susan Joy Rosetty transformed an empty storefront into a thriving store called the “Art of Sprit Local.” I had just photographed the space to help market it, so am happy to see it rented.
When I saw how quickly and creatively, Susan and Patricia decorated the store and arranged all the merchandise I was thoroughly impressed. I asked Patricia how they were able to take an empty space and turned into a beautiful store in just a few days. She said that’s just what she does. “I see the big picture and then work backwards,” she said.
I call it vision.
The Art of Spirit Local is a collective gallery located at 34 Bridge Street in Frenchtown. It displays and offers for sale a wide range of items from paintings and photos to clothing. Everything is created by local artists. It will only be a here a few weeks, for the holiday season.
Naturally, I had to get an after picture to go with the before photo.
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The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce celebrated business leaders in the county at its annual awards breakfast. Hearing about these businesses and individuals is always inspiring. These businesses are making a difference in the lives of many people from their employees to the people they serve and to the Hunterdon County community. It is always a pleasure to attend these events and photograph the recipients.
Governmental Award winner Clinton Township Mayor John Higgins
Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner Tom Bay of Anitas Angles
Good Neighbor Award winner Kim Bland of Hunterdon Healthcare
Most Promising New Business Award Winners Chris Rafino and
Executive Chef Melissa Murphy Rafino of Sweet Melissa Patisserie
Tell Me More Award Winner Larry Cartwright, Host of Hunterdon Chamber Radio
“Mental Health Matters” and “The Hunterdon Medical Center Show”
Fresh Talk Award Winner, Lauren Feliciano, Host of Hunterdon Chamber Radio
“La salud Mental Importa”
Special Recognition Award Winner Sue Dziamara of the County of Hunderdon
Amazing Kids in Business Award Winner David Lazar Owner of Drive 4 Five
Amazing Kids in Business Award Winner Veronica Romanek of Piano Lessons by Veronica
Amazing Kids in Business Award Winner Jack Garanzini Owner of Slabrication
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“Steve” and I are part of a large photography exhibit that opened this weekend at the Allentown Art Museum. I had photographed Steve as part of a project on artists and am always eager to show him off.
The exhibition hall was packed with photographers who are all displaying great images. It is a little daunting to see how good they all are and also encouraging to see the bar for photography rising higher and higher. Mediocre images just don’t cut it.
When high quality becomes the norm, the only place to go is up.
It would be easy to be jealous other other people’s talent but that’s pretty much a waste of attention. It is much more fun to study what they do and how they do. Not to imitate or compare but to understand.
Business (i.e., life) is always a learning process. Gotta love it.…
The Board of Directors for the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Foundation gathered at the Large House in Flemington recently to “play.”
Have you ever had one of those days when you pitch idea after idea to your boss and he just stares at you?…
Life accelerates as we grow. The Hunterdon Harmonizers, who are launching yet another production with zest and zeal, asked if I could come an do some PR shots for them as they rehearse for their upcoming show. It was fun being with them and being bowled over by their enthusiasm. These are not the kind of guys who sit around at night vegging in front of their TVs but instead get out, get together and squeeze every moment out of life.
I’d love to join them but there is a very good reason I’m a photographer and not a singer! (Just ask the clown.)
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Ginko leaves in the November light. Gotta love it.
Ginkos have been around for quite awhile, about 270 million years or so (give or take a few days). They are pretty unassuming until autumn when their leaves turn and they create carpets of yellow on the ground. Some folks enjoy it as a tea or a supplement.
I just like to see it.…