The New Britain Museum of American Art..A Wonderful Daytrip Destination

New Britain, Ct  is a suburb of the Capital city of Connecticut, which is Hartford. For many years, New Britain, Ct has been known as the "Hardware City", because several large Hardware Companies have based their headquarters there. The most notable among these companies is Stanley Tools. New Britain, Ct is primarily an industrial, blue- collar town known for its large Polish community. Located on a bucolic, tree- lined street there, in a Victorian mansion, is a wonderful American Art Museum.

The New Britain Museum of American Art, at 56 Lexington Street, is located near Walnut Hill Park, a beautiful public facility lined with cherry trees. The museum's main building has housed its impressive art collections since 1937, but beginning in April 2006, after years of expansion work, the New Britain Museum of American Art  will grow by 43,000 square feet, to twice its previous size.

Upon entering the New Britain Museum of American Art, one of the first things that visitors notice is the cherry and oak woodwork present throughout the building. Large Abstract and Realist canvases grace the walls of the community area, where patrons gather for films, lectures and other events. A sunny Cafe', a charming Gift Shop and an information booth designed to look like a ship, are some of the features greeting visitors to the New Britain Museum of American Art. Works by Sol LeWitt, an internationally known conceptual artist and New Britain native, figure prominently in the lobby of the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Part of the museum's expansion is an attractive new stone and glass building adjacent to the original structure. The additional space, with its high- ceilings and abundant windows, provides a modern sensibilty to the contemporary museum visitor. Twelve new galleries are housed at the New Britain Museum of American Art. On the first floor, several small galleries are arranged in order of painting period. Many very old and famous paintings ranging from Colonial- era to late 19th century , are exhibited in these galleries. The upstairs galleries feature works ranging from early 20th century artists to examples of modern art. Works by Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt, Jackson Pollock and Joseph Badger, among many others, are featured in these galleries.

With 5000 works of art, spanning 400 years, in its collection, the New Britain Museum of American Art is especially proud of its series of  Thomas Hart Benton's murals titled " The Arts of Life in America". The well- known series of images portraying a cross- section of America in the 1930's fill an entire room, or gallery. Other areas of note are the Colonial period, American Impressionism and the Hudson River School of Painting galleries.

The New Britain Museum of American Art is a very community- minded institution that provides many programs and services. There is a music series on Sundays, "Art Happy Hours" are held frequently and a host of children's and family programs are regularly offered. With an on- premises cafe' and modern- art diversions, the New Britain Museum of american Art  is an ideal place to bring well behaved children on a rainy afternoon. For art lovers of all ages, the New Britain Museum of American Art is a great place to stop and smell the roses and appreciate some wonderful works of art.

The New Britain Museum of American Art
56 Lexington St, New Britian, Ct    (860)229-0257        www.nbmaa.org

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday  11:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Thursday  11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Saturday  10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Sunday  12 noon - 5:00 pm

Admission is $9.00....$8.00 for senior citizens..$7.00 for students....free for children under 12.

Starting Your Own Professional Photography Business

So now you have the desire and determination to make it work, but what will you do? Photography is your passion, or is it? There are hundreds of photographers out there no matter where you live; what makes you so different from all the other photographers?

* Do you have the unique style necessary to attract the crowds to your camera?

* Can you survive in the cut-throat business of shooting day in and day out whoeversteps in front of your camera?

* Are you original and creative enough to think of different poses, create various styles of portraits of babies, families, couples and single people and still think sanely?

If you answered these questions positively, you may be on your way but that’s not all it requires. Though photography seems a fairly easy business where in movies and television you see a young man photographing beautiful women in studios or on exotic locations, selling all the images to magazines or having huge billboards displaying his pictures, that’s just a dream. Reality can be quite different from what many think of this profession.

It takes more than a fancy camera in this day and age to make a person buy your pictures, let alone to make a business out of it, surviving on income made with your photography. If you live in Spain or anywhere else, if there’s other photo studios then you’re competing against those already established with a good clientele. How can you compete against them?

Here are some recommendations to help you build your dream of working as a photographer:

a.       Create an unique style that stands out from the other photographers

b.      Be professional at all times

c.       Display only your best images to possible clients and change these often

d.      Offer specials to advertise yourself and your photography

e.       Have exhibits of your photography to help spread word of your new business

f.        Be patient and be sure to have a good supply of backup funds in the case they don’t come

Let’s discuss the above points….  This will help you to understand how to succeed.

Look at those you will be competing against; what do they offer in their photographic services? Can you offer the same or more? Most importantly, how does your style of capturing a scene or a face stand up against theirs? You will need to establish that style before you can start with a business. Be sure in what you do and do only that.

When you work with a client, you must maintain a professional environment at all times. In my many years behind a camera, I have seen amateurs make many mistakes during events, weddings and other assignments. In some cases, it wasn’t a mechnical or technical error but a public relations mistake – some people just don’t know how to work with the public. If you do the same, you will not last for very long. While people talk a lot of good images, they talk even more about how terrible a session was. You don’t want that type of advertisement. Research your assignments, know the light. If you have new equipment, then be sure you know what they can do and how you can use it. There’s nothing worst than finding out the hard way a flash or a new lens isn’t completely “right” in your hands.

Advertising yourself is the most important thing you can possibly do; no matter how good (or bad) you think you are, if nobody knows of your services or product, then you wont sell many if at all. When you display a poor image, then others will see the faults also – never display an image that is in bad taste. Show only your best work and watch people contact you. If they see bad results, they will stay away. Your best form of advertisement is word-of-mouth from a satisfied client!

While you may be one who doesn’t believe in the “store specials”, this method of advertising does work, and you can make it work to your benefit. A special attracts people who normally wouldn’t buy a product but does due to the price offer, or does buy and sees a special pricing as a reward for their loyalty. Act on that thought and you will see more customers contacting you!

Many people go to art exhibitions to see art – when this exhibit involves portraits of people for example, it can draw in customers from a different area you never thought possible. While many go for two main reasons – to see art and enjoy it, or to buy art for themselves – having an exhibit consisting of portraits for example, encourages possible interest in becoming a subject for your camera. It also works in a different direction, establishing your track record and building on your resume to show people interested in your experiences and awards, etc. in photography.

Lastly, starting a business is not easy or as “easy” as you may think photography may be. This profession is no exception to the rule. These days everyone having a digital camera makes them a “photographer”. Who will pay you to create their memories to last a lifetime? Before you actually start your new life in photography, be sure to have a good sum of reserve cash banked away to maintain your living expenses through the lean months – if that is the case. In most new businesses, the first two years can be the hardest and patience can save your sanity! The biggest mistake here is that after two or so years of little or no business, new businesses will close, but that is wrong! That’s the worst time to close as now you already have yourself in people’s minds: seeing the storefront, knowing you’re a photographer, etc. stick it out just a bit longer!

A Brief Evolution of Art and the Influence of Technology on Photography

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Art has become one of the most versatile and commonly used words used to describe forms of aesthetic appeal. It’s associated with things that are aligned, unaligned, proportionate, skewed, beautiful, and even disturbing; all of these traits aside, art has one definitive aspect: effectiveness. The goal is to make an impression, describe something that cannot be communicated in any other way, make the audience feel something incredible, and discover something new. Some have argued that art is an accident ordained by the Gods using the hand of mortals, others toil feverishly to perfect every last inch of whatever piece they have created, leaving no room for debate or Godly help; either way the “effectiveness” is there, taking just as many forms as it always did, and grasping just as many minds. So there in lays the newest, ancient, issue argued by artists, theorists and philosophers alike: Has technology tainted or enlightened art as a whole? Since art is an ambiguous term, the issue will prove to be a long standing and well established debate between knowledgeable, credible individuals.

Photography is an interesting form of artistic expression because of its vast difference from what most would call “fine art.” Photography began in the 1820’s with the very first photograph being taken by Niépce, who joined forces with Louis Daguerre in developing the details of their project, entitled, the “Daguerreotype.” 

Some people found the technology fascinating and as an opportunity to seize their chunk of a new innovation, since this new process of creating still life, long lasting images of things required no skill in drawing or painting. But, others with already existing artistic skills found the Daguerreotype threatening, and lacking of a true creative nature. Somehow, in between an exact portrait and an exact photograph, art found a home over, under and through both of these mediums. There is no debate today, for photography has established itself as a worthy form of artistic expression; effective no less than a painting or a sculpture.

Can Digital Photography be…Photography?

Most people became instantly enthralled with the idea of a Digital Camera because being able to see the picture before you take it is really “cool.” Let’s face it, humans are gluttons to the technology industry, biting off more than we can chew and chewing more than we can taste. But, photographers think of Digital Photography in a very different way. Just as portrait painters thought back in 1826: Will this new invention end my career as an artist?

Out of the Dark room and into the light?

The discussion is not whether or not Digital cameras should replace film; that is typically a matter of preference and purpose. Digital photography brings up issues that are far more enduring, issues that are not as simple to resolve. With Digital Photography, the concept of a true dark room is eliminated, and in its place: photo manipulation software. Whether you’re an amateur and you use the free photo suite program thrown in with your camera, or whether you’re a pro who use the latest most comprehensive techniques; there is no contest that the Digital tools allow more control over the final product.
This is considered a good thing, right? From an onlookers stand point, yes it is. But for an artist who specializes in the dark room and the techniques of film photography, these new innovations might prove to eliminate the essence of one’s specialization.

The art of photography relies heavily on the element of surprise, spontaneity, and sometimes even accident. Within a photo lies one single instance, possibly only existing for the one hundredth of a second that it took the camera to flash over the scene. Any experienced photographer will tell you that it is important to take as many pictures as possible to hopefully find that beautiful gem of a moment surrounded by other similar, but ordinary seconds of time. Digital technology now allows complete control over those sacred moments, and even opportunity to edit the photograph afterwards, possibly creating these moments, virtually. Has the accident of photography been one up-ed? Or has the true livelihood of photography been demolished and in its place something, too new?

Digital art and photography seem to be the reincarnation of what portrait painting was to original photography. In it lays a new sense of control and exact ability; much more like the control of paint on canvas, but much less like the well established medium, photography. 

But, even paint on canvas can be controlled digitally. Using common illustration software such as creol draw, adobe illustrator, Maya, and many more, you can actually paint an entire oil painting using only an electronic pen hooked up to a pad. When things like painting and photography seem to define the entire realm of the art industry, the idea of a Digital tool doing these things more efficiently seems awfully overwhelming for a fine artist. So, herein lies the problem. As I said, this will be a long standing and worthy debate, but never effectual enough to take the true effect from any medium or form of art.
It is safe to say that art is not a win lose game, where one medium has the ability to “beat” another. No matter how similar Digital Photography and Photography seem to be, they are very different in their approaches and in their final outcome. Today, comparing a Portrait to a photograph is like comparing apples to oranges. They may look similar, but they taste, feel, are something very, very different. Art is a matter of expression, and there are infinite numbers of ways to express. 

When art is approached in a different way, it is only progress; art is timeless and doesn’t fade away with the latest trend. It has been proven through the ages that art will change, and new styles of artistic expression only enhance the industry as a whole. The camera did not eliminate realistic painting, and technology will not eliminate the traditions of fine art.

How Baby Talk Helps a Baby's Language Development

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Adults speak to babies in a distinctive way in all cultures, in baby talk.  In some ways, baby talk cannot be helped, some adults are not even aware they are speaking differently with a baby.  The face of a baby appears to inspire adults to speak in a slow, high pitched, singsong voice.   In a different context, in which a baby is not involved, it often sounds silly and out of place.  It is not the voice that adults generally use with other adults.  Why is that that we as adults distinctively use baby talk with babies?

One might be tempted to say that it is a cultural phenomenon.  After all, we see other people coo-chi coo-chi coo-ing to their babies, and we were also coo-chi-ed at when we were babies.  Perhaps using baby talk is a latent memory of our own early days as babies.

These are all possible theories, however, some clever social scientists have found reasons to suspect that we are, in essence, programmed to engage babies in baby talk because it helps them to develop their own language skills.

Babies are fascinating people.  They are born with the ability to soak up knowledge like a sponge.  They have an innate ability to watch, listen, and imitate the people around them.  Yet, if you watch the preference of a baby in the crib, they will pay more attention to the person speaking in baby talk than the person speaking in a normal voice.  Why is that?  Do they prefer the voice of the mother and the caretakers, the people who will speak the most baby talk?

Tests have shown that babies not only prefer baby talk, but they prefer any kind of baby talk to a regular voice.  Baby talk in French or any other foreign languages will be preferred over the normal voice of the mother.  We can then deduct that they like to listen to the certain pitch and tone that comes with baby talk of all languages.  Why the preference?  Babies are not susceptible to cultural phenomenon just yet, and baby talk is distinctive different than how adults interact with each other.

As it turns out, baby talk is not just the way we happen to speak to babies, but it is a mechanism of helping babies learn language.  Analysis of baby talk shows that the vowels are lengthened, and speech is slowed down, and more articulated.  It is an exaggeration of adult speech.  What appears to be an unconscious effort is actually a lesson plan in language.  Even mouth movements are exaggerated for the baby’s benefit.  One would press their lips more tightly together to say “baaaaaaaaaaall” to a baby.  In fact, when the full length baby talk is written down, it has the look of a grammar lesson, repetitive, but varied by description and structure: “Look at the ball, look at the bouncing ball, look at the pretty bouncing ball”.

As silly as it may sound, baby talk has all the important components of language.  It is an important part of a baby’s language development skills because it provides them what normal adult speech lacks, a methodical way of providing the basic building blocks of language.  So baby talk is not just an unconscious effect of babies on adults, but rather, the unconscious way people teach babies how to use language.