State of the Art Soccer Fields Dedicated In Northeast

Four new soccer fields were dedicated Friday evening... two grass and two synthetic..  all are state of the art.  The fields, parking lot, amphitheater and concession stand/restrooms are on the site of the old bus/trolley barn at 9th and Van Brunt.  This view is looking south from the parking lot on 9th Street.

 Several teams put on an exhibition before it was time for the ceremony.

 When it's 101 you make your own shade if necessary.

 Above, the Northeast News was there interviewing Nick...

 The Mayor also arrived as did Jackson County Legislator Theresa Garza Ruiz, her husband Genaro of the Mayor's staff and many from the City Council and Parks Department.

 Left to right,  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver,  Major James,  John Fierro , Jean Paul Chaurand, President of the Parks Board, Parks Board members McClain Bryant and David Mecklenburg, Scott Wagner 1st District at Large Councilman, and Jermaine Reed, 3rd District Councilman.

 Mark McHenry, Parks Department Director was the Master of Ceremonies.

 The Soccer Park was officially opened with first a ribbon cutting.

 Then a ceremonial soccer ball kick by the dignitaries.

The fields are fully lit for nighttime use as well.   Cost was around 2.6 million dollars.

Taya A Teen

Top picture is Taya two years ago..... just starting her pageant work.  Now she is the ripe old age of 13 :)

 Now she is a pageant winner.  Missouri Perfect Junior Teen.  We did another series of portfolio shots as she gets ready for Nationals.

 Great fun to work with her... she has a great personality and loves taking picture.

 Some application of digital powder. Slight lightening of eyes and teeth.  Removal of fly-aways... and that's about it for post processing.

 Studio shots with the Nikon D800 and 105mm macro lens.  ISO 100, F16-18, 1/200th shutter.  Two lights to four lights depending.

 Kauffman Gardens.  Nikon D800, 70-200mm lens for all shots, F56 mostly, ISO 400.

 These two above and below used fill-flash... most others available light.

 Above is Taya's favorite.  I can't pick a favorite.

 Although I really like the one above and the next two.

Leslie

 Every now and then I have a very nice friend who will let me take his or her picture.   This time it's a her (yeah, like I had to tell you) and it's Leslie.   Local newspaper editor(The Northeast News), Salsa Dancer Extraordinaire... and terrific person to be around.     She was game to let me try different lighting set-ups and different camera files so I could tweak my work flow.

 All shots are taken with the Nikon D800.  Studio shots ISO 100, F16-22, Nikon 105mm macro.  Outdoor, ISO 400, F5.6, Nikon 70-200mm lens.   Locations, studio, back yard, and the Colonnade over here in Northeast.

 I love the eyes in this one.  Single pan reflector around a bare tube head covered with translucent rip-stop nylon held in place by gravity and electrical tape...  high class operation over here.

 Outdoor shots available light with no fill.

 I hope to trick her into doing this again in the future.    She's also an excellent videographer in her own right and takes all the pictures for the paper....