Professor Phelps

Help for Hope 5K

2010-03-26T19:19:00.000-04:00

Warm up for the race. Lots of sun and 60 degrees. Fantastic !

Kona Longboard

2010-03-20T16:20:00.000-04:00

Longboard Island Lager from Kona Brewing Company. Smooth and
flavorful. Hint of clove. Not bad. Not bad. Tasted at Sharkey's Gulf
Grill, Memphis TN.

Next Saturday

2010-03-06T12:46:00.001-05:00

Brew Fest! How sweet it is!

Saturday at Boscos

2010-03-06T11:07:00.001-05:00

John enjoys a frosty mug of Grizzley's Ale at Boscos.

Lauren's pre-birthday lunch

2010-03-06T11:05:00.001-05:00

Ashley, Kendall and Lauren at PaPa Pias. Memphis TN.

Folk Alliance Songwriters

2010-02-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, David Only, Phil Lee at the Center for
Southern Folklore in Memphis.

Going Up River

2010-02-19T18:08:00.001-05:00

We had a nice sushine-y day today. Almost 60 degrees. It was a nice
relief after all the clouds and cold weather.

Artist at work

2010-02-13T16:55:00.001-05:00

Sandra puts the finishing touches on a wall painting at Gayoso House
Apartments.

Events

2010-02-13T09:11:00.001-05:00

Event posters in a window remind me of some movie I've seen. But I
can't remember which one.

Coffee Shop

2010-02-12T16:17:00.001-05:00

Sunny and cold outside, but a nice afternoon for coffee at Bluff City Coffee on South Main.

Rainy Day

2009-01-10T12:39:00.004-05:00

Just a little activity on South Main this morning. Walked down from Peabody Place and rode the Trolley back.

Rumba Room

2009-01-10T12:34:00.003-05:00

Need to Rumba? Go to South Main Street and get your Rumba on!

Bobby Rush

2009-01-10T10:09:00.006-05:00

Blues singer/songwriter Bobby Rush performs at the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis, TN. Born in Houma, LA, Bobby has performed around the world for over 50 years.

Walking In Memphis

2008-11-28T16:36:00.016-05:00

The day after Thanksgiving I took a walk downtown. This is what I saw. (Click each picture to enlarge.)

Saturday Morning in Memphis

2008-09-27T13:40:00.008-04:00

South Main Street market entrance

Musician at the market

Shop window on South Main

Self portrait

Don't Stand Here

2008-06-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

This old door is at the side of Earnestine & Hazel's on G.E. Patterson near the corner of South Main St.

Bird On A Bike

2008-06-14T11:54:00.004-04:00

Rocky gets a ride around AutoZone Park before the game. Redbirds win 3-2 over Iowa.

A Funky Bar in Memphis

2008-01-19T12:43:00.000-05:00

The Center for Southern Folklore is lot more than a "funky bar". They "preserve, defend and promote the music, culture, arts, and rhythms of the South."

Friday night featured a talented duo from Madison, WI ... Lucas Cates and Kenny Leiser. Check out the website at www.lucascates.com/.

Boscos on Saturday

2008-01-19T12:39:00.000-05:00

Saturday afternoon is a great time to enjoy a microbrew at Boscos. John and Bill think so. Cheers!

Classic jazz

2008-01-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Blue Note show on WUMR radio hosted by Cabot Thomas.

Donald Byrd ~ Off To The Races

Herbie Hancock ~ Maiden Voyage

Clifford Brown & Max Roach ~ What Is This Thing Called Love?

Bobby Timmons ~ Dis Here

Art Blakey ~ Dat Dere (Bobby Timmons composition)

Thelonius Monk ~ Straight, No Chaser

Miles David ~ Bye Bye Blackbird

Horace Silver ~ Opus de Funk

Grant Green ~ Grant's Dimensions

Boscos New Years Eve

2008-01-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

The tradition lives on ... having a beer at Boscos new years eve afternoon. Looks like Charles is ready for a refill! A good time was had by all!

Rockin' New Years Eve

2008-01-02T18:31:00.001-05:00

Pam always announces to the audience "We're going to take your picture and put it on our web site" (www.pamandterry.com) ... and she does. But this time Pam and Terry are on my web site. Great music from a talented duo! They play at Holiday Inn Select downtown on Friday night and Beale Street on Saturday. Enjoy!

The Blue Note Show

2008-01-02T10:14:00.000-05:00

Wednesdays from 9:00am to 11:00am on WUMR Memphis, Cabot Thomas presents the Blue Note show. Some of today's cuts are:
Blue Train ~ John Coltrane
Vergo ~ Wayne Shorter
Bouncin' With Bud ~ Bud Powell
On Green Dolphin Street ~ Grant Green
Driftin' ~ Herbie Hancock
Milestones ~ Miles Davis
Moonrays ~ Horace Silver Quintet
Mysterioso ~ Milt Jackson & Thelonius Monk
Begin The Beguine ~ Charlie Parker
Stompin' At The Savoy ~ Clifford Brown & Max Roach
Minority ~ Bill Evans

2007 Liberty Bowl

2008-01-01T09:22:00.001-05:00

Mississippi State Univ 10, Univ of Central Florida 3. Congratulations Bulldogs!

Dancin' Elvis

2008-01-01T09:13:00.001-05:00

A recent Elvis sighting at the Center for Southern Folklore, Memphis, TN.

Memphis Music & Heritage Festival

2007-09-30T17:28:00.000-04:00

Pictures from the Labor Day weekend Memphis Music & Heritage Festival 2007.

Click pictures for a larger image.

The Labor Day weekend show

2007-08-24T16:20:00.001-04:00

Well, I won't be wearing my Hush Puppies, but there's a good chance I'll enjoy blues, brew and bar-b-que at this year's Memphis Music & Heritage Festival. The line up includes Blind Mississippi Morris, Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley and many more. Check out the web site for more info. Come on out and support Memphis music!

www.memphismusicandheritagefestival.com

Elvis is in the building

2007-08-17T12:39:00.000-04:00

This was a "reverse karoke" performance. The vocal track was taken from various Elvis concerts, movies and TV shows, while the band played along live. It was very well done and Elvis' voice quality was fantastic. Man, the guy could sing!

The band included original rhythm section members, the Jordaniares, the Sweet Temptations, the Stamps, strings and horns. All very professionally done. There was a guest appearance by Pricilla and Lisa Marie. A good time was had by all!

Where were you August 16th?

2007-08-17T12:20:00.000-04:00

These people were in line trying to purchase tickets to the sold out Elvis tribute concert. The concert featured members of Elvis' original band and back up singers playing along with a pre-recorded Elvis track. Elvis' image was projected on a giant video screen above the center of the stage. Very well done!

The making of ...

2007-08-12T12:12:00.000-04:00

Producer Penny and costume designer Ellen look on as the Professor shoots a scene for the Top This TV Heinz Ketchup commercial contest. Actors Barry and Vicki give it their all in the final wheelbarrow scene. View the finished spot on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9rl-K95NEs. Photo and set design by Sandra.

Inside out

2007-08-12T11:45:00.000-04:00

A great way to spend a hot summer afternoon is at the Blues City Pastry Shop and Coffee Bar. It's downtown at the corner of Main and Peabody Place. Good coffee, fruit smoothies, frappe, ice cream, teas and did I mention the pastry? Try it!

Elvis sighting

2007-08-12T11:31:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Elvis Week 2007 in Memphis, TN. This Elvis sighting was in AutoZone Park during pre-game of the Redbirds vs. the Omaha Royals. Here, the King is seen 'takin' care of business' with some young fans. Rock on Elvis!

Taste of Aloha

2007-07-11T17:57:00.001-04:00

What's this? Coming Soon? The Taste of Aloha? Could it be pineapples? Hawaiian shaved ice? Boat drinks? Mmmm .. does anyone know? It's at 116 South Front in Memphis at the old location of Pie in the Sky Pizza. Inquiring minds want to know.

Roosevelt

2007-07-08T18:01:00.000-04:00

Roosevelt Russell was "working the streets" on the Main Street Mall in Memphis this hot Sunday afternoon. Says he's a disabled vet from Memphis. Very talkative but hard to understand all that he is saying. Anyway, he posed for this picture for a "small donation". What a sport!

Live Steam

2007-07-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

This steam engine was originally used in mining operations in the hills of Colorado. Now you can ride it around the track of the Colorado RR Museum. It makes 3 loops and stops, just like a Lionel!

Royal Gorge

2007-07-02T18:16:00.000-04:00

This is the suspension bridge across Royal Gorge. The Arkansas River is 1,053 feet below! It's very windy walking across the bridge, and they even let cars drive on it. I was shocked. The bridge was built in 1929 and refurbished in 1983.
We rode the incline train to the bottom of the gorge and watched rafters go by on the river. There were some pretty good rapids there, and it looked like fun. There's also an excursion train that runs along the riverside pulled by a Rio Grande F unit diesel.

View at Vail, Colorado

2007-07-02T18:04:00.000-04:00

This is the view from our restaurant after a steep gondola ride to the top of the slope in Vail. The food couldn't match the scenery. Not even close. Grilled burger and chicken sandwiches. From here you can walk along a path with more great views of the mountaintops in the distance and the valley below. I hear it's a great place to ski!

High on a snow covered mountain

2007-07-02T17:49:00.000-04:00

Well it is the middle of Summer, so there's not as much snow as usual, but what a great spot! Just over the Contenential Divide at Loveland Pass. The view and the weather were awesome! There were hundreds of bicycle riders trucking up the mountainside. I can't imagine the stamina they have to travel up such a steep slope in the thin air. Hey, but the ride down must have been worth it (and scary). Next stop, Vail.

What's new

2007-06-09T12:00:00.001-04:00

Recently opened is the Westin Hotel on Third St just off Beale. It has a Starbucks on the corner and an interesting looking restuarant called the Daily Grill.

Walkin' on Beale

2007-06-09T11:52:00.000-04:00

Saturday morning on Beale and you'll find an assortment of "characters". Here's Lonnie. He was walkin' on Beale with a bottle of dishwashing detergent in hand - don't know why. But he was friendly, so we stopped to talk and he sang a song - Stand By Me.

See ya around Lonnie.

Flying Fish Adoption Agency

2007-06-01T10:48:00.001-04:00

The Professor gives up his Big Mouth Billy Bass for adoption at the Flying Fish. It won't be alone. There are about 30 adopted fish on the wall now.

Billy will be better off here with his friends, not to mention the free basket of catfish you get for turning in your Billy Bass. Mmm Mmm Good!

Bases Loaded!

2007-03-31T11:39:00.000-04:00

The St. Louis Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds exhibition game at Autozone Park was tied 2-2, but that all changed in the top of the 8th inning. Cardinal Gary Bennett hits a grand slam to left field. Chris Duncan scores. Matt Pagnozzi scores. So Taguchi scores. Cardinal win 6-2.

My Blackberry Nights

2006-08-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

Scenes for the movie "My Blackberry Nights" being shot on South Main Street in Memphis.

Bluff City Coffee

2006-08-18T16:10:00.000-04:00

A new coffee shop opened on South Main Street. It's good.

Memphis Farmers Market

2006-08-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

The Farmers Market is held each Saturday Morning behing Central Station on South Main Street.

Super Bowl of Swine!

2006-05-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

Memphis in May means it's time for cookin' Bar-B-Que. Click the link below for more pics from the Memphis in May International Bar-B-Que festival! http://www.professorphelps.com/bbqfest/

Batter Up!

2006-04-21T15:31:00.000-04:00

Baseball season begins at Autozone Park. Click the link below to view pictures from the Wednesday afternoon game.

http://www.professorphelps.com/gallery_2006_04_19/

Photoshop Tip - Using lens blur

2006-03-28T11:52:00.000-05:00

You can use the Photoshop lens blur filter to create a focal point in an image.
The original image (top) shows even sharpness of the reflected buildings and the basketballs going down the sidewalk. With lens blur applied in the second image, the Grizzle and Hueys menu are the focal point.

Can you say Bass Pro Shop?

2006-02-27T10:32:00.000-05:00

Word is, the now vacant Pryamid may become a Bass Pro Shop by 2008. Let's go fishin'!

Riverwalk in Memphis

2006-02-24T17:48:00.000-05:00

It was a nice day to be on the Riverwalk in downtown Memphis!

Photoshop Tip - Using the brush tool

2006-02-23T12:19:00.000-05:00

Can you guess how I painted this?

I used a combination of the brush tool, text tool, layer modes, and the mosaic tile filter.

Photoshop Tip - Create Warped Text

2006-02-15T16:54:00.000-05:00

Add pizazz to your text with the Create Warped Text tool. In Photoshop, click the Text tool, then click the Create Warped Text icon in the text tool options bar. There are lots of choices. Pick the one that's right for your graphic. Amp it Up!

Photoshop Tip - Flatten Layers

2006-02-13T15:23:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you have a file with many layers that you want to combine into one layer. Here are two options.

Option 1: Highlight a layer and link it to the other layers you want to flatten. Press Ctrl+E. This will combine the linked layers into one.

Here's another option that combines the layers and keeps the original layers intact.
1. Make the layers you want to flatten visible.
2. Create a new layer and name it.
3. With the new layer highlighted, press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E. The flattened image appears in the new layer and your original layers remain intact!

Snow In Memphis!

2006-02-10T15:00:00.000-05:00

It only snows once or twice a year in Memphis, so we get pretty excited when we see the white stuff!

Photoshop Tip - Unlock the Background Layer

2006-02-09T08:10:00.000-05:00

Nontransparent background layers are locked. To change the stacking order, color, blending mode, or opacity of a locked background, you must unlock it by converting it to a standard layer.

1. Double-click the Background layer in the Layers palette.
2. In the New Layer dialog box, type a name for the layer.
3. Set the layer options as desired, and click OK. Photoshop converts the Background layer into a new, editable layer.

Nice Day for a walk

2006-02-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a great day to get out and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather. I snapped this shot of the Memphis skyline late in the afternoon. The clear blue sky reflecting on the water made the Mighty Mississippi look not so muddy!

Fall Down Funny

2006-01-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

The sign on the trolley says it all. Have a good weekend!

Image Size

2006-01-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

When saving a digital camera image for the web it is important to adjust the image size and resolution. Your original image from a digital camera is probably saved at a print quality resolution such as 300 dpi. For images you are saving for the web, 72 dpi is adequate. Reducing the resolution and pixel dimension of the image will substantially reduce the size of the file for uploading to a web site. In Photoshop, this adjustment is made in the Image Size dialog box.

Save a copy of your original image before completing these steps.

1. Open a digital camera image in Photoshop.
2. In the menu bar click Image and select Image Size.
3. Notice the Pixel Dimensions, in this case 9.00M.
4. Notice the Resolution, in this example 314 pixels/inch.
5. Notice the Resample Image checkbox is checked.
6. Change the Resolution to 72.
7. The new Pixel Dimension is 484k.
8. Notice also the width and height of the image are also smaller.
9. Click OK to save the changes.

You can further reduce the file size by applying JPG compression using the Save for Web dialog box.

Buffalo in Tupelo?

2006-01-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Whoever said you can't find a good buffalo in Tupelo, MS was wrong. I snapped this photo at the Tupelo Buffalo Park. Hey they have long horn steers and a giraffe too!

Optimizing image files for the web

2006-01-24T08:16:00.000-05:00

The goal of optimizing for the web is to produce an image with acceptable quality at the smallest file size.
Basic steps:
1. In Photoshop, open the image you want to save for the web.
2. From the menu bar, choose File > Save for Web.
3. Select the optimized file format:
Gif –best for graphic images with large areas of flat color
Jpeg –best for photographic images
4. Adjust the quality settings to achieve the best image with the lowest file size.
5. Save the image.

Photoshop Tip - File Browser

2006-01-23T18:04:00.000-05:00

I use this technique for finding stock photos and camera images stored on my hard drive.

In Photoshop select File > Browse... from the menu bar to open the File Browser. Then use the Folders pane (upper left) to navigate to the folder you want to display. Once you see the image, double-click to open it. You're ready to edit.

The File Browser can do a lot more. Check it out!

The Rendezvous

2006-01-20T13:48:00.000-05:00

One of the pleasures of working in downtown Memphis is going to the Rendezvous for lunch on Friday.

The Rendezvous is known for its slow cooked, dry seasoned ribs. Mmm, Mmm, good!

Digital Graphics for the Web

2006-01-20T12:17:00.000-05:00

Our first day of class, and there were awesome clouds overhead! I used a bit of the Photoshop liquify filter to enhance the clouds.

Dali would have loved Photoshop filters!

2006-01-14T11:54:00.000-05:00

In preparation for the first class activity, the Photoshop liquify filter, I thought of the Melting Clocks by Salvador Dali. A quick Google search found this website. Browse through the images and imagine how to use Photoshop filters to create some of the same effects.

Link:
http://www.dali-gallery.com/html/paintings.htm

Photoshop Tip - Change Image Size in the Save for the Web dialog box

2005-12-30T14:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick way to change the size of your image while keeping the original intact.

Open the image in Photoshop.
Choose File > Save for Web. (keyboard shortcut: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S)
Click the Image Size tab at the right of the dialog box.
In the New Size section, change the Width, Height or Percent.
Choose a Quality setting.
Click Apply.
Click Save.

The image is saved in the format and size you requested and your original remains intact.

Rum Boogie Cafe - Beale Street

2005-12-29T15:24:00.000-05:00

Trying out the photo upload feature. This is the back side of Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street in Memphis.

December 29, 2005

2005-12-29T14:37:00.000-05:00

Hello! Professor Phelps here.