The Camera Question, Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Regular followers of this blog know of my fondness for all things related to Priscilla Beach Theatre. You also know that I have tried many different cameras/lenses over the years in my search for the ideal combination of equipment - major goals being sharpness, silent operation, lens reach and speed, and affordability.

For this post, I decided to present a direct comparison using four different cameras.  I took the same photo with the same settings from the same spot with each camera and then, in post-processing, cropped/enlarged the same section for comparison.



The subject scene is a rear projection image on stage as viewed and photographed from the front row of the balcony.

The first camera: a Sony WX500.  It is a pocket sized point and shoot with a tiny sensor (size: 1/2.3" - about pinkie fingernail size - 6.17 x 4.55mm - MSRP $350).



This is the cropped/enlarged area left of center above the stairway. (Sony WX500).



The second camera: a Sony RX100M2.  It also is a pocket sized point and shoot but with a sensor size of 1" (about thumbnail size - 12.8 x 9.6mm - MSRP $750).



This is the cropped/enlarged area left of center above the stairway. (Sony RX100M2).



The third camera: a Canon T2i DSLR - Sensor size APS-C (about postage stamp size - 22.2 x 14.8mm - MSRP $800+lens).



This is the cropped/enlarged area left of center above the stairway. (Canon T2i).



The fourth camera, a Canon 6D  DSLR - Sensor Size Full Frame - (the size of an old 35mm film camera negative - 36x24mm - roughly 1.5" x 1" - MSRP $2300 including 24-105mm lens).



This is the cropped/enlarged area left of center above the stairway. (Canon 6D).

The results speak for themselves. The two DSLRs produce generally sharper images but are too noisy in a quiet theatre setting to suit me.  The two point-and-shoots are virtually silent but the images are not as sharp and rich.

So, all factors considered, I think I'll stick with the Sony RX100M2 for a while longer until the "perfect" device reveals itself to me.



Hard to believe but, this is the third season on the newly renovated Barn Stage. If you want to reminisce, visit the following link to my blog posts from the early days of the 2014 renovation through construction to completion in July 2015 (at this link).

Come out and support this extraordinary resource in our community!

"Acoustic Nights Summer Concert Series," Hedge House, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Acoustic Nights is sponsored by The Music Box, presented by Brewster Productions, with support from the Plymouth Antiquarian Society and held on the front lawn of the Hedge House on the waterfront in downtown Plymouth. Bring a chair or blanket and settle in for some great live music by talented performers. The next two shows are August 12 and September 2.

Click on an image for a higher resolution version if your device supports that action.



The performance area/stage is in the distant center of this image.



The opening act was local talent Molly Long.



The next act was Stephen McDonald.



And the headliner act was the George Woods Band.



The George Woods Band were the kind of performers who give live music a GOOD name - great talent, great craft, and a warm and friendly manner.















Another great evening of live music on the waterfront in downtown Plymouth - America's Hometown.

"Project Arts," Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

For ten weeks during the summer, Plymouth's Project Arts offers free concerts downtown at the outdoor pavilion near Plymouth Rock in the Pilgrim Memorial State Park. It was another beautiful summer evening in America's Hometown for this event. Plymouth Rock is sheltered within the columned structure above at left. (Click on an image to view a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).



Beach chairs, blankets, and strollers are the common elements.



Although it is a very popular event, folks don't crowd together too much so it's comfortable hanging out.



A half dozen food/drink trucks park nearby to feed the hungry masses.  Fresh, made-to-order pizza from Fire It Up! Flatbread is always a big hit. They set up a portable wood-fired oven at curbside.



This kayaker in the nearby harbor could hear the concert, too.

You can tell the weather was nice or this flawlessly maintained motorcycle probably would not have left the home garage.



Time for the show to begin with the band "3rd Left" opening the evening.



The stage view looking out at the audience.



The gentleman at the center is the drummer's father whom the band brought up to sing and rock out on a couple tunes.



Headliner, the Aldous Collins Band, brought kids of all ages to their feet to dance.



















One is never too old or too young to rock out to great live music.



These kids are learning early in their parent's arms.



















Summer is a special time in America's Hometown - Plymouth!


Plymouth Project Arts Schedule for Summer 2017 - Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30pm

06/28/2017 - The Stompers with Dale and the Duds (-Dale)

07/05/2017 - Soul City with 4 In A Row

07/12/2017 - Entrain with Elovaters

07/19/2017 - The Aldous Collins Band with 3rd Left

07/26/2017 - Irish Night with Inchicore, The Lindsay Band, and Maureen Healy's School of Irish Dance

08/02/2017 - Hey Nineteen (Steely Dan Tribute)

08/09/2017 - The Adam Ezra Group with Anne English

08/16/2017 -The Little Compton Band with the Mallett Brothers

08/23/2017 - Johnny Drama and his Funky Entourage with opener Tattoo Cowboy

08/30/2017 - Divas with a Twist with Wut It Iz.

Blue Thistle, Amy's Garden, Bartlett Pond, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Join me for another trip into Amy's Garden.  Today, Blue Thistle is the emphasis.



There is so much other color in the garden that the blue thistle in the right foreground barely catches the eye......



....but look closely, they are pretty spectacular! The following series captures different views, different contrasts, and different depth of fields.



Don't ask me to pick a favorite - I like them all.



















Wow! Another magical experience in Amy's Garden.