It is common knowledge that you pretty much stumble over writers and editors during any random five-minute walk in Baristaville. But less known might be the dense population of astonishingly talented artists. The good news is, Baristaville is stacked with talented, skilled and capable artists who look forward to sharing their expertise with you. Just check out these two randomly selected individuals and the staggering bounty of artistic guidance they are at the ready to share.
Jay Seldin has been photographing the Mermaid Parade on Coney Island for years (and by the way, he also taught me how to use Photoshop.) This year, he’ll take you with him.
A One Day Photo Workshop: Coney Island and the “Mermaid Parade”
Come celebrate the Summer Solstice with Fine Art Photographer Jay Seldin
June 20, 2009
Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY
10:15 – 4:30pm
We will meet around 10:15am on the boardwalk in Coney Island. Location will be determined at a later date for our meeting place. We will spend approx. 5+ hours shooting – for location, amusements, people, and of course “The Mermaid Parade” . We will meet first and discuss pointers as to how to photograph the area and people and what’s the best approach for the parade.
We will also enter the “Press Area” for great shots!!
The “press area” – is for serious picture taking of the participants getting ready for the parade. This is one of the highlights of the event.
And of course you’ll want to have a “Nathans” Hot Dog or two.
This is the days program -approx.: Exact times TBD
1 Meet on the boardwalk in Coney Island at 10:150am for introductions and a description of the days events and activities.Exact location for meeting TBD
2. General picture taking information will be discussed for taking pictures of the boardwalk, the people, the parade.
3. Basic photo composition information will also be discussed.
4. A group photo to be taken
5. Location shooting
6. Press Area shooting
7. Mermaid Parade shooting
8. Lunch – Choose your own time to enjoy a Nathans Hot Dog
9. Continue photographing, people, area location and the boardwalk scene
10. meet at 4:00pm for final thoughts,
11. Workshop Ends -4:30
REGISTER TODAY
Call 973-744-1946 or e-mail Jay.CPE@comcast.net
COST $130.00 (includes entrance fee to the Press Area)
Fran Legman is a wonderful art teacher in the Montclair School System who taught my daughter Laura years ago. I know how good she is since I constantly marveled at some new felt panel or scrim she created with the fifth graders. Fran will work with your child “i situ” at the Presby Iris Gardens. She’ll share her considerable knowledge of art and instruction in the gardens of Montclair. Says Fran:
Hi, My name is Fran Legman and I’m the art teacher at Northeast School in Montclair.  The other day, when I delivered dozens of iris paintings to Fran Liscio, the Presbydent of the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, for their annual student show, I told her that I will be giving some art lessons for children to draw and paint the irises at the Iris Gardens during the bloom season. After school and weekends, parents can drop off their children and I’ll instruct them while they have a great time capturing the beautiful flowers in paint or pastel.  (I’ll also bring all the art supplies.) Parents can contact me to set up lessons at 973-746-0466 or fran.legman@gmail.
The Mermaid Parade is NOT to be missed! Everyone should experience this, at least once. We went about 3 years ago with DH’s family (the Brooklyn contingent) and had a ball. Definitely a great photo op.
Some heck of a parade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrXhhzE2P7M&videos=c-EqjPx9zS8&playnext_from=TL&playnext=1
how do artists survive in MTC? you really have to be outstanding or have another source of income, don’t you? I’m in rockport maine at the moment and their are artisans everywhere (and it seems a slew of instrument makers as well), and understandably so, since the cost of living is cheaper here. but in MTC most artists I would imagine are the starving kind.
Not to be too picky, but the workshop to photograph the Mermaid Parade costs $130 a pop. So at least one “pillar” of the local arts community is charging for his time and yours at an event that, the one time I watched it in person, apparently already draws thousands of amateur photographers.
And while the item doesn’t mention it, I’m guessing that Ms. Legman will also (understandably, I admit) be charging for her time this summer. So neither of these pillars is, so to speak, “free-standing.”
Whereas a day spent foraging for fiddleheads ‘neath local porches with walleroo is likely offered gratis.
Mmmm, fiddleheads!
“…how do artists survive in MTC?”
You take a corporate job. It sucks but yeah, if you don’t have a second source of income, you will starve. Unless you’re famous or semi-famous but most of us can’t bank on that happening, especially in this economy.