Faces You May Recognize

In my earlier days I seldom travelled without a camera. Nowadays my cellphone camera is always nearby.

So back to the “older times”. While attending trade shows, expos, concerts, sports games and other events I’ve had the opportunity to photograph “famous” people sometimes with a press pass and sometimes as a bystander.

My collection of faces have grown over the years.

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Jackson Browne, Van Andel Arena 2021 – Grand Rapids, MI	Tony Bennett, Meijer Gardens 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI	Johnny Mathis, Soaring Eagle Casino 2012 – Mt Pleasant, MI
Al Downing, pitcher Yankee Stadium 1966 – New York, NY	Aretha Franklin, DeVos Performance Hall 2017 – Grand Rapids, MI	Art Buchwald, American Booksellers Association Conference – Washington DC
President Barack Obama, Campaigning 2008 – Grand Rapids, MI	Barbra Streisand, United Center 2006 – Chicago, IL	Barry Keane, drummer Gordon Lightfoot band 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI
BB King, DeVos Performance Hall 2007 – Grand Rapids, MI	Ben Taylor, James Taylor band DeVos Performance Hall 2011 – Grand Rapids, MI	Billy Davis Jr, Fifth Dimension Univ Michigan Stadium 1970 – Ann Arbor, MI
Bobby Baun, Toronto Maple Leafs Madison Square 1966 – Garden New York	Brian Watson, Detroit Red Wings practice 1965 – St Clair Shores, MI	Burt Bachrach, Ballys Casino 2004 – Las Vegas, NV
Carter Lancaster, lead guitar Gordon Lightfoot Band 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI	Christie McVie, member Fleetwood Mac Van Andel Area 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI	Chris Wragge, news anchor 2008 – New York, NY
Senator Debbie Stabenow, parade campaigning 2011 – Grand Rapids, MI	Dionne Warwick, Little River Casino 2013 – Manistee, MI	Donald Fagen, member Steely Dan at Interlochen Performance Arts Center 2014 – Interlochen, MI
Elston Howard, catcher at Yankee Stadium 1966 – New York, NY	Erica Hill, news commentator 2010 – New York, NY	Eric Clapton, Van Andel Arena 2006 – Grand Rapids, MI
Fifth Dimension, Univ Michigan Stadium 1970 – Ann Arbor, MI	Florence Henderson, American Booksellers Association Conference 2011 – New York, NY	Florence LaRue, member Fifth Dimension at Univ Michigan Stadium 1970 – Ann Arbor, MI
Four Tops, NRHS Concert 1966 – New Rochelle, NY	Frankie Valli, Aladdin Casino 2004 – Las Vegas, NV	Garrison Keilor, American Booksellers Association Conference 2008 – New York, NY
George Armstrong, center Toronto Maple Leafs Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	President Gerald Ford, campaigning 1976 – Grand Rapids, MI	Glen Campbell, Michigan State Fair 1970 – Detroit, MI
Gordie Howe, right wing Detroit Red Wings practice 1966 – St Clair Shores, MI	Gordon Lightfoot, DeVos Performance Hall 2013 – Grand Rapids, MI	Graham Edge, drummer Moody Blues Meijer Gardens 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI
Harrison Ford, actor at Oshkosh Air Show 2008 – Oshkosh, WI	Ira Joe Fisher, broadcaster 2008 – New York, NY	James Taylor, Van Andel Arena 2021 – Grand Rapids, MI
Jim Neilson, defenseman NY Rangers Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	John Lodge, bass Moody Blues Meijer Gardens 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI	John McFee, Doobie Brothers Meijer Garden 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI
Justin Hayward, lead guitar Moody Blues Meijer Gardens 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI	Lil’ Ed, blues Rosa Park Circle 2008 – Grand Rapids, MI	Maggie Rodriquez, broadcast anchor 2010 – New York, NY
Marcel Pronovost, defenseman Toronto Maple Leafs Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	Marilyn McCoo, Fifth Dimension Univ of Michigan Stadium 1970 – Ann Arbor, MI	Mark Douhit, saxaphone improvisation – Grand Rapids, MI
Michael McDonald, Meijer Gardens 2013 – Grand Rapids, MI	Michael Richards, near Greenwich Village 2010 – New York, NY	Mick Fleetwood, drummer Fleetwood Mac Van Andel Arena 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI
Mike Heffernan, keyboards Gordon Lightfoot Band DeVos Performance Hall 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI	Moe Rocca, humorist near Central Park 2010 – New York, NY	Muhammad Ali, aboard airline flight – Los Angeles, CA
Neil Diamond, Van Andel Arena 2008 – Grand Rapids, MI	Neil Sedaka, American Bookseller Association Conference 2010 – New York, NY	Pat Simmons, Doobie Brothers Meijer Gardens 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI
Patty Wagstaff, aerobatics pilot Oshkosh Air Show – Oshkosh, WI	Paul Anka, Computer Electronics Show – Las Vegas, NV	Pete Rose, Caesars Palace 2008 – Las Vegas, NV
Pete Stemkowski, center Toronto Maple Leafs Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	PeteTownsend, guitarist The Who Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI	Richard Daley, Mayor at graduation ceremony 2011 – Chicago, IL
President Richard Nixon & Pat Nixon, campaigning 1971 – New Rochelle, NY	Rick Haynes, bass Gordon Lightfoot Band DeVos Performance Hall 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI	Governor Rick Snyder, at graduation ceremony 2013 – Grand Rapids, MI
Rodney Charters, cinematographer at National Association of Broadcasters Show 2010 – Los Angeles, CA	Rod Seiling, defenseman NY Rangers Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	Roger Daltrey, The Who at Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
Ron Townsend, member Fifth Dimension at Univ of Michigan 1970 – Ann Arbor, MI	Sean Tucker, aerobatics pilot Oshkosh Air Show 2008 – Oshkosh, WI	Sigfried Fischbacher, Sigfried and Roy at Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, NV
Stephanie Izard, Iron Chef at Girl and the Goat 2012 – Chicago, IL	Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac at Van Andel Arena 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI	Terry Clements, lead guitar for Gordon Lightfoot Band at Orleans Casino 2009 – Las Vegas, NV
Tim Horton, defenseman for Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	Tom Johnston, Doobie Brothers at Meijer Gardens 2015- Grand Rapids, MI	Representative Vern Ehlers, campaigning in parade 2009 – Grand Rapids, MI
Vic Hatfield, left wing for NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	Walter Becker, guitar for Steely Dan at Interlochen Performance Art Center 2014 – Interlochen, MI	Wayne Newton, at Aladdin Casino – Las Vegas, NV
William F Buckley Jr, political commentator and journalist at Univ of Michigan 1969 – Ann Arbor, MI	Willie Nelson, street concert 2011 – Grand Rapid, MI	Willie Mays, Shea Stadium 1965 – New York, NY
Kate Markowitz, with James Taylor Band at DeVos Performance Hall 2011 – Grand Rapids, MI	Wolfgang Puck, Chinois Restaurant 2008 – Santa Monica, CA	Arnold McCuller, with James Taylor Band at Van Andel Arena 2021, Grand Rapids, MI
Whoppi Goldberg, following Broadway performance – New York, NY	Reggie Flemming, defenseman NY Rangers Madison Square Garden 1966 – New York, NY	Governor John Engler, British Airways dedication at Western Michigan University 1988 – Battle Creek, MI
Christopher Cross, Soaring Eagle Casino 2022 – Mt Pleasant, MI	Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac at Van Andel Arena 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI	Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 2019 at local Grand Rapids restaurant

Review of the Eagle Eye

 

From the title, you might think that I participate in extreme sports. Hah, this is far-from-the-truth. Instead, the title is to let you know that there’s a camera that is rugged enough to be used by enthusiasts that do in fact participate in extreme sports.

Let’s move on. In a few days, I’ll be off to the Sierra Nevadas for some easy and leisurely Spring skiing.

In the past, I’ve always lugged a camera around to capture the action. This year, I’ve decided that I would try a different tact.

My goal was to find a small camera that lets me easily record the action. I wanted one that lets me move around “hands-free” like a skier instead of a photographer. So I did a little online research and decided to pick up an Eagle Eye HD sports camera. The Eagle Eye is a compact video/still camera that comes with a bundle of accessories. There’s both a 110 volt and an automobile adapter for recharging the battery in-camera; a second lithium battery; two adapters for mounting on different size straps; another adapter for mounting on handlebars; several adhesive cushions for mounting on a helmet; a USB cable and a mini-HDMI cable.
The Eagle Eye doesn’t look like a conventional camera. It’s shaped like an oversized mobile phone from ten years ago. The outside case is completely rubber coated, making it less likely to injury should it take a fall. On its face is a small 1-1/2″ LCD for and menu buttons for entering camera settings. The LCD is tiny but is a welcome feature since it lets you review your photos and videos in the field.
The menu functions are similar to most point-and-shoot cameras: set video resolution; white balance; contrast; exposure compensation; power-saving features; format the SD card; internal clock.
On top are two buttons that each have two functions. Left: when held down for two seconds, powers the camera on/off the camera; otherwise is the shutter release for still photos. Right: when held down for two seconds, puts the camera into review mode; otherwise is the shutter release for videos.
To make it less susceptible to water damage, the back cover is securely held is place with a tight fitting lock. You’ll have to use a bit of pressure to open the interior compartment. Inside is the lithium ion battery and slot for a standard SD or SDHC card. There are also two connectors: one a USB cable and the other a mini HDMI cable.
Here, I’ve used one of the included mounts to attach the camera to my ski goggles. Given that it weighs only 6 ounces or so, it is comfortable to wear and is not obtrusive.
I took a few stills and videos to make sure that it was working. Without further testing, I don’t think you’ll want to use this for taking those all-important wedding photos. Here’s a still taken indoors which I’d rate as just “acceptable”.
However, I am more impressed with the test HD video video. The resolution is a full 1920 x 1080 pixels. The faces are totally in focus and the action smooth.

 

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My experience with Eagle Eye HD so far is based on an hour or so of becoming familiar with its use.

I’ll complete the review of this camera after I return from my ski trip. I hope to have the results in ten days or so. As already mentioned, since I’m not an extreme sportsman, I may have my two expert-skiing sons help with the review.

 

Coincidentally, I purchased the Eagle Eye from Stuntcams.com. They are located in Grand Rapids only a few miles from our offices where Mike gave me the run-down on this camera. It sells for $249. Stuntcams.com also sells many other sports cameras.

 

Please note that Stay Focused has no connection to Stuntcams.com.

 

Written by Arnie Lee

 

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Many know that one of my passions (besides Abacus) is training for and racing in triathlons (swim bike run athletic events). Over the past few years I’ve been fortunate to participate in dozens of organized runs and marathons and Ironman-distance triathlons.

During all of these sanctioned races, photographers are contracted by the race organizers to be stationed at ‘strategic’ locales along the race course to photograph athletes at their best (or worst). I can remember my first race, I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t even see the photographers until I saw one past the finish line! It’s pretty cool getting your photo taken during the races.

These professional sports photographers that contract with race organizers throughout the US have photographed me (as well as thousands of others!) from the beginning of a race to the climatic end.

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