Nashville Photo Meet Up Group Goes to the Nashville Zoo
By piphoto | June 28, 2008
I recently heard a couple of classmates of mine talking about a Photography Meet Up Group here in the Nashville, TN area. So I decided I’d look up the group at MeetUp.com and check them out. After seeing the level of participation and the work of some of the members, I decided to sign up for the group. I’m really glad I did. This group is filled with quite a few very talented photographers and very nice and friendly folks as well.
The group tries to do at least one meet up a month. This month’s meet up was at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. The zoo was originally located in Joelton, TN, which is just to the north of Nashville. In 1996 the zoo moved to its current location at Grassmere. There a many wonderful, creepy, and funny animals to see at the zoo as well as a play area for the kids and the Grassmere Historic Farm.
As you first enter the zoo there are a number of birds perched on limbs watching the show of humans parading by.
There is also another bird exhibit called Lorikeet Landing. This area is enclosed with a double “door” system so the birds can’t fly away. There are some very colorful (and quite noisy) birds in this exhibit. I’d say this was my favorite stop of the day. You can purchase a small cup of “nectar” to feed to the birds. If you hold the cup out really still and close to the limb the birds are on, they will drink the nectar from the cup.
There were three elephants out the day we went. I think they knew we were there and must have been camera shy because they wouldn’t turn around for a real elephant portrait. I got as good a shot as I could though.
It was a pretty hot day the day we went so many of the animals were just looking to find a shady spot to lie down in. Alligators, being cold blooded, rather prefer the heat and they were leisurely enjoying basking in the sun.
The zoo has a number of big kitties. One of there two tigers is a white tiger which is very beautiful.
Along with the tigers there is a Lynx, a cougar, and a leopard. The image below is of the leopard. You can see how the cats, especially, were trying to stay cool in the heat of the day. The others didn’t want to come out of there shay spots long enough for a photo op!
Of course everybody enjoys the monkeys. The zoo has quite a few primates. The images below are Ringtail Lemurs, Schmidt’s Guenon (x2), and a Siamang.
The Nashville Zoo is a great place for anyone, as they say, “for kids of all ages”. If you make it to the Nashville area stop by and see it. Its fun and informative, and after all the animals love the company!
Topics: Animals | No Comments »
My Home Town - Murfreesboro, TN
By MikeAllgood | June 4, 2008
I took a few hours to roam around Murfreesboro, TN a few days ago to see what I might capture in the way of architectural images. I first went to the square in the center of town because of the old court house building. When I got there I realized I was a day late because there were crews there tearing down the stages and other rigging from the Main Street Jazz Festival which had been the day before. I’ve attended that event several times and they have some wonderful performers. But alas, I was too late for that so I ventured on.
Here are a few of shots of the old court house and one of the functioning court house which is also on the square:
Here is another I took which was of a bench in front of the court house. Its kind of the typical “lonely bench” image, but I like it:
When I finished shooting around downtown I drove over to the Middle Tennessee State University campus. They have grown the campus quite a bit in recent years and some of the new buildings are interesting.
Shortly before the sun was ready to set, I headed back toward the downtown area to Cannonsburgh Village. The village is a representation of life in the early years of Tennessee. It’s an interesting place to stop and look around a bit. It is also at one end of the Stones River Greenway. There is free parking there for anyone who wants to walk, bike, or run on the greenway or visit Cannonsburgh.
Murfreesboro is a beautiful town. It’s growing and I’m afraid it’s loosing some of its small town charm, but there is plenty of history in my hometown as well as beautiful new treasures too. If you ever get a chance, stop by and visit.
Topics: Cities/Buildings/Bridges/Roads | No Comments »
A Day Of Renaissance
By MikeAllgood | June 4, 2008
A couple of weeks ago I took my daughter and some of her friends to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Along with the youngsters, I also took my camera and came away with a few interesting images.
The weather was beautiful and as is the case every year, the entertainers were very entertaining, funny, and worth the price of admission.
The vendors had a wide variety of wares from small delicate trinkets to heavy war hammers. The costume vendors always have an amazing array of dress for both men and women. Everything from frilly shirts, kilts, and bar maid outfits to armor and pirate garb is in abundance. Just don’t try to get a “pointy sword” discount or the constable will have you put in irons and throw you into the dungeon.
Mike Freeman, who is also a photographer – portraits and weddings I think, owns the property and hosts the 
Festival every year. Mike, and his wife Jackie, are gracious hosts and invite all who visit to tour a portion of their castle, Castle Gwynn, which is also their home.
They obviously have a passion for sharing renaissance era England with all who are interested. They have put a great amount of time, money, and energy into the Festival every year, which began in 1986. And even when the State of Tennessee took a good portion of their property 10 or 12 years ago for a state highway and the future of the Festival looked bleak, they worked and sacrificed even more to make sure they could continue to share their love with all of us.
Of course my daughter and her friends had a great time. Her boyfriend, Dylan, even bought himself a kilt. All the 
girls were dressed up for the occasion so he fit right in once he put it on (over his shorts). 
This year I went to see the Birds of the Gauntlet presentation, one of the few things I had not done in the past. I really wanted to get a few shots of the beautiful birds the falconers had brought for demonstrations. I wasn’t disappointed. Here are a few of the images I got.
We had a really good time again this year. I hope to see you there next year.
Topics: Festivals | No Comments »
A Brief Introduction
By MikeAllgood | May 29, 2008
For all those who would like to know a little more about me then keep reading. Everyone else can jump to the next post.
My name is Mike Allgood. I started Preferred Image Photography in the later months of 2007. This was a little quicker than I had originally planned because I had an opportunity to do a shoot and that gave me reason to move up my time table a little.
I received my B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Tech. Univ. quite a few years ago. I currently work for an automation & integration firm in Franklin, TN where we develop software and build the control systems for automated production equipment as well as recipe, tracking, and reporting system for the manufacturing environment. While this is a challenging job it just is not my passion, hence I’ve been looking for a change.
I have been working on an Associates of Applied Science in Photography at Nashville State Community College for the last several years – it takes a while when you can only take one class a semester. The course work and the people in the program at NSCC have all been wonderful. I had not started taking the courses with the intension of becoming a professional photographer; rather I just wanted to learn more about something I enjoyed doing and hopefully become better at it. During the past few years I have decided that this is what I want to do professionally.
I still work full time and therefore the photography, for now, is a part time gig for me. My plan is to lay solid foundations for my business and in my community over the next several months and let the business, manufacturing, and advertisement communities in my area know I an available to help them with what ever types of photographic needs they may have. When, in the near future, I take the photography full time I will already have a base of contacts and existing clients that will help me to propel the business forward.
Not having a formal business background, I am always open to constructive and positive suggestions and advice on principles and practices to implement in order to be successful in the business side of photography. If you think your experience or advice can be of some aid, by all means post it here. Even if it doesn’t help me it may well help someone else and that is another reason this blog exists. And THANKS in advance for any helpful comments.
Topics: Informational | No Comments »
Lets Get Started
By MikeAllgood | May 29, 2008
Hi!
This is my first blog attempt so bear with me until I get the hang of the direction I want this to go. My intention now is to use this site to post news about what I am doing with Preferred Image Photography, the assignments I shoot, and new capabilities, equipment, or education I acquire. I also think this will be a site where I will post snaps from personal travels and family functions as well as out takes from assignments.
Topics: Informational | No Comments »