General Stuff: Things I do Laurence L. Levin Photography

Saturday, June 03, 2017

Joan Jett Performs at the Best Buddies Challenge

Joan Jett, a classis on stage performance.

June 03--Hyannis Port, MA-- Rock n'Roll icon and trailblazer Joan Jett and her band the Blackhearts performed before a an enthusiastic Best Buddies Challenge audience. Jett sang her popular hits. She is known for her influence in the world of rock music. She was a pioneer as one of the first females in the dominated world of rock music.

Song list posted on the stage

Entering the business at age 15, with the punk-pop band the Runaways, she wrote and recording many songs, including, "I Love Rock n' Rock" additionally, she founded Blackhearts Records which continues to produce and promote female singers and bands.

With her early band, the Runaways, was a hard rock sound in the age of disco. However they help set a trend of five women singing about sex, rebelling and partying. Jett appeared in what is now her trademark, red leather jumpsuits. The band faced an uphill battle of breaking into mainstream music but they persisted, they had many music successes, their song "Cherry Bomb" was a punk hit. They gained notoriety in Japan, with three gold records.

Microphone stand

After 1979, Jett and her band the Runaways disbanded. Going solo was a hard road, 23 different record companies rejected her new album. Thus she founded Blackhearts Records in 1980 with her producer partner, Kenny Laguna. With help from, "The Who" Their first album Bad Reputation was picked up by Boardwalk Records. Although her sound didn't catch on, the second album with "I Love Rock n Roll" with the title track reached #1 on the pop charts in

1982.

The way people view concerts with their phones

She continues with her three cord rock and roll, and has continuously worked on writing and producing music & releasing albums. Her last studio album Unvarnished was in 2013. In 2015 she was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Her record label still promotes "girl bands" and female artists. Jett also participated in USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tours.

Fans rocking to Joan Jett in the big tent celebrating the Best Buddies Challenge

www.LLLevin.com

IG @larrylevin

LLL

Laurence L. Levin Photographer & Educator in Washington, DC & USA An experienced documentary event and portrait photographer. Providing images that help to brand your event, organization, participants and your people. Working with corporate, associations, charities, NGOs, film productions & friends, creating memorable pictures. email larrylevin @larrymail.net

Thursday, May 11, 2017

GABC Maifest

Former German Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger keynote speech

May 10--Top of the Hay, Hay-Adams Hotel, Washington--The Washington DC Chapter of the German American Business Council. 12 annual Maifest Dinner to present the GABC Leadership Award. The award recognizes commitment to fostering strong transatlantic partnership.

Ambassador Ischinger with Leadership Award Honoree Dr. Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board & CEO of Merck KGaA, and GABC Chairman Lynn Taylor

Senator Mark Warner spoke to the group.

www.LLLevin.com

Photos made with Nikon D810 24-120mm Nikkor and 70-200 mm Nikkor Lenses

LLL

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Maria Shriver Testimony

March 29--US Senate--Washington, DC--The senate hearing room was standing room only. Every seat was filled. The senators were in their seats waiting for the last senator to arrive. As she came out of door, the audience in unison rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation. In the many years of attending congressional hearing, rarely does a senator get that type of reception. As Senator Elizabeth Warren approached her chair, she took out her iPhone to photograph the audience.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, photographed from the well in the Senate Hearing Room.

This hearing was a Special Committee on Aging, to discuss “The Arc of Alzheimer’s: From Preventing Cognitive Decline in Americans to Assuring Quality Care for those Living with the Disease” Members of the Alzheimer's Association were in attendance. The first panel speaker was Maria Shriver. She is part of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement. Her testimony described the destroying elements of Alzheimer's as she experienced from her father's affliction.

Maria Shriver receiving a standing ovation after delivering her testimony.

www.LLLevin

Shot with Nikon D810, 24-120mm Nikkor, ISO 4000

LLL

Monday, March 27, 2017

2017 Cherry Blossoms

Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial

March 27--Tidal Basin, Washington, DC--Each spring seems different, through the years of rising early to capture the cherry blossoms, there are times of perfect skies, bright sun, overcast sky or as in the case of this year a thick fog and limited visibility. Every time you hope for something different to make the images unique. In 2017 was an incredible day that made wonderful images.

Early Light, 6:09am

Look Close, See the Washington Monument

Stopping, waiting & patience, the photo comes to you.

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin
All Rights Reserved. No Publishing Rights Granted.
www.LLLevin
Shot with a Nikon D810, 24-120 mm Nikkor and 70-200mm Nikkor Lenses

LLL

Thursday, February 09, 2017

The Optical Society--Winter Leadership Meeting

Eric Mazur, President OSA

February 7--Washington, DC--The Optical Society holds an annual Leadership meeting bringing in notable speakers to discuss current trends, findings and technology developments. Podium shots can look the same, the goal is to work each situation, searching for angles and capturing moments that make the speaker look good and interesting.

LLL

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Colors in Havana, Cuba

Looking up

January 2017--Havana, Cuba--One of the magical places on earth, one can see the majestic architecture that is still flourishing. Although, some renovation is needed, you can see the potential. You notice the craftsmanship in the structures. Colors are everywhere. they are saturated in the bright Cuban sunlight. Cuban architecture was influenced by diverse colonialization over the centuries. Blues, Art Deco, stained-glass windows, then a Modernist Movement, Cuban Style of native artists and materials enriching the city. You can't help to find incredible images everywhere you look

Old Havana

Open Door in Old Havana

Mural Art

US Embassy

Malecon, know officially as Avenida de Maceo, is the esplanade,
seawall and roadway along the Havana coastline

Transportation #1

Transportation #2 Chevrolet Bel-Air Taxi

Transportation #3

www.LLLevin.com

LLL

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Special Olympics Maryland and UMD Terrapins Basketball

January 21--College Park Maryland-- The University of Maryland Men's Basketball team held a basketball clinic for players from Special Olympics Maryland. The day began with stations with both UMD players and coaches providing skills training. Then unified play with both SOMD athletes and UMD players. A fun and inspirational day.

Together we are better

UMD and Special Olympic MD Athletes

My referee partners

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin
All Rights Reserved. No Publications Rights Granted with Written Permission
www.LLLevin.com

LLL

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Lunch in Havana

Bodegon Onda, Old Havana, Cuba

January 13--Old Havana, Cuba--A trick used often when traveling or even in your own city, while walking around, as you get hungry, keep your eyes open for a restaurant. Read the menu, watch the patrons, observe the ambiance and get a whiff of the food. But other times go with your gut feeling. While walking in Old Havana, getting hungry, and not knowing where to eat. In what seemed like a side alley, not a main thoroughfare, this place peaked interest The menu items seemed good and the price even better. Later it was found in the Havana Guide it is described as pit stop place to enjoy a delicious meal. A relaxing and quiet street side cafe that provided one of the best tasting meals. The mojitos and coke & Havana Club Rum made a most delightful meal and afternoon in Old Havana.

Mojito, Coke & Havana Club Rum

Chicken with rice and vegetables

LLL

Sunday, January 08, 2017

Jacob's Bar Mitzvah

Jacob reading his torah portion.

January 07--Washington, DC--More than a year before, the family confirmed the date to photograph this life event. As the day approached, a list of specific photos and timetable was requested, With that in hand, we made sure nothing was left out. We had the sanctuary for 40 minutes to make the traditional photographs. We couldn't photograph during the service. Light weight and nimble we moved from situation to situation. But when you work with people you know and like, it makes the whole event enjoyable.

The Family

With Grandma

With friends

The Celebration

LLL

Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Window Seat

Miami

Photographs made sitting in my seat, usually 7A, but sometimes 7F or 8A, all on United Airlines. These made over the past two years. Always a challenge to make something different from everybody else, that is the fun of it. These photos are made on a Nikon 1V3 or iPhone 6SE. Photos are downloaded to my phone, corrected with Photoshop Express and then posted on Instagram @larrylevin Click on the photos to see the LARGE size.