Archived Messages - Jannuary 2000 Best of luck to all the photographers out there. Have a fantastic shoot, stay safe and we can't wait to see your pictures! Happy New Year!! Alx Klive <alx@millenniumphoto.com> London, England - Friday, December 31, 1999 at 07:46:04 (EST) HELLO I WONTED TO BE THE FIRST TO PUT A MESSAGE ON FOR THE FIRST OF JANUARY 2000 I think I did it. well most of my country only had some cloud but could see the sun and then some other parts it was cloudy and raining. I was in the raining part of the country. well it is not over yet so back to the camra i still have 4 rolls lift. i saw NY on the T.V and that big ball looked great, i would have liked of been there but .5 million people in one square could be a little too much for me. when this is finished and i have gone to bed, sleeped for 20 hours, woken up to see that its my birthday, then i will turn over and go back to sleep. I hope that everyone had a lot of fun. Sharie Penwarden <Sharie@Xtra.co.nz> Auckland, New Zealand - Friday, December 31, 1999 at 08:09:49 (EST) Great message Shari, I woke up thinking about you. We have 5 hours here before our shooting begins then another 12 hours until midnight. I am looking forward to sharing pics with you and our other fellow Millennium Project colleages! By the way. Time Square in NY is expecting 2 million people tonight!!!!! Sleep well. Best to everyone. I hope we all have a wonderful shoot with many special surprises to catch!!! Sandra Sandra <FBTdra9@aol.com> Seattle, USA - Friday, December 31, 1999 at 10:07:43 (EST) Now,officially it's 5.30 a.mp in kuala lumpur we sailed through Y2k safely without any major problem. got some pictures..getting somemore later in the morning. hope those pictures i took comes out good.. To everyone in the west..happy clicking and happy new year! kwok yoong,lee <nomels@hotmail.com> Kuala lumpur, Malaysia - Friday, December 31, 1999 at 16:21:37 (EST) Just sitting down to dinner and watching the screen to see how all 10,000 of you are doing, have done or are about to do. Good luck and give us some spectacular pics. Your Book Publisher. Morty Mint <morty@mintpub.com> Bedford, USA - Friday, December 31, 1999 at 19:48:15 (EST) I have only prepared my cameras and taken only a couple of shots. It is quiet here and my husband and I are just watching all of the New Years around the world. I will do my best work in the morning just about 3 hours before my time is up. It is now 1 hour and 45 minutes away from midnight. Have a safe and fun time. Becky Cate <rlcate@mwci.net> Dubuque, USA - Friday, December 31, 1999 at 23:10:36 (EST) I just photographed a typical American household as they celebrated the Turn of the Century. They collected various items that they thought represented their family at this time in the world and made a "Time Capsule" and buried it in their back yard. I had brought a countdown clock and we took pictures of them by the clock at the Turn of midnight! I hope to represent what many Americans chose to do on this famous night - - stay home with their families. Jana Russon <jana@napanet.net> Napa, CAlifornia - Saturday, January 01, 2000 at 04:05:31 (EST) Happy New Year to everyone! I am now in recovery mode..... took photos of so much it will be very hard to choose 3 to submit. From MICA helicopter paramedic on his way to work, "Milleneum Bug Catchers", local police on the beat, the captain of our cruiser at the helm, to party madness etc. Melbourne did us proud, lots of activities all day, and the whole town reverberated with cheers at countdown. The main difficulty was getting images where we could also get model releases.... there are a number of excellent images that I will not be able to submit because it was impossible to get names etc. But this was an excellent exercise and I had heaps of fun, and felt very involved. Dee Bond <deezy@ozemail.com.au> Melbourne, Australia - Saturday, January 01, 2000 at 04:22:05 (EST) Happy New Year!! Well, I hope everything turns out good with my photos. It was hard after watching all the huge events on TV to focus on the other activities of the day but, I kept with my original idea and shot in the hospital. I took some photos in the IV room, and also inside the hospitals main computer room which went from a normal staffing of 1 in the evening to about 10 for the rollover. Im hoping to have come out with some unique images considering that these two areas are high securuty areas and the only reason I gained access is because I work in the pharmacy and used to work in info services. After the hospital I moved on to a small party at a friends house and took some shots. This photo project has made this New Year a great one. My wife was with me the whole time and we got to see a whole different perspective that we never would have seen without this project. Happy New Year and good luck to all. I hope all of our photos come out the way we saw them that night. Brent Price <bprice@iconnect.net> Antioch, USA - Saturday, January 01, 2000 at 16:32:43 (EST) Hello everyone! I see we all made it! I tried to catch Alx and everyone on NBC's Today show, but somehow missed them. Does anyone have it taped? Amy Lewis Sides <amy@millenniumphoto.com> Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Saturday, January 01, 2000 at 16:33:37 (EST) Congratulations everyone! We've taken the photos and I am confident the final product will be fantastic! Millennium Photo an intese visual record of history created by us. Good luck to every submitter and enjoy the next 1000 years. Anastasia Steinbrunner <DuStRa@aol.com> Chardon, U.S.A. - Saturday, January 01, 2000 at 18:45:57 (EST) I've made note already just after the New Year Moment. But my work continued. First thing Jan. 1, 2000 at 6:30am I met a Bride & Groom and the three of us (and 7 strangers) ascended up in a hot air balloon, where they were married, over Napa Valley, CA. You're right about difficulty in choosing the 3 only to submit. But imagine reviewing all these images. Thanks to the judges. I look forward to their results. May this be your best year ever! jana Russon <jana@napanet.net> Napa, California - Saturday, January 01, 2000 at 19:38:53 (EST) HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!!!! Well I did it. For several days I was considering dropping from the project because of the fears at Time Square with terrorist attacks, bag bombs, etc. After being on the train for the 2 hour ride into NY City, I was ready to get off after three stops. The panic and anxiety attacks had kicked in. After ALOT of praying, my wife and I had made it there fine. lol... We then searched for the photographers sign in area, which was located in the same school where "Grease" was filmed. After showing the Millennium Photo Presspass and the Accredation Letter, I was given an Official NYC Police Presspass, which gave me access to almost the entire event. I was able to shoot side by side with the top photographers in the world. News crews (ABC, NBC, FOX, and others), from all over the world were great. As far as my shots, I shot well over 300 pictures. WHEW.... The event was PHENOMENAL!! There was well over 2 million people there from all over the world. When it came to the count down for Eastern Time, (NY), the excitement builded. The crowd was beginning to go crazy, (in the happy way, there was no trouble), and the seconds were ticking down. 10, 9, 8, 7, down to zero!!!!!!. At the strike of mid-night, I was in "Total Shock". The music, the confetti, (over 4 tons in all), balloons, (in the thousands), streamers, fireworks that lit up all NY City, you name it was flying. The event was far surpassing the word "Spectacular". The people were GREAT. We stood another 3 hours and finally had to head home. Still sore and tired from all the walking...lol.. BUT I am glad I was able to do it. The memories from being there will last forever. I have alot of people to thank for making this all happen. All my thanks go out to Alx Klive, NYC Police Dept, DCPI, Mayor Rudolph Gulianni, all the press I had met there and learned alot from, and God and my family who backed me ALL the way. A special Thanks goes to Amy Sides who has been helping me make a web site about The Millennium Photo Project. I still have ALOT to do on it and will inform everyone when it is done. Thank you to my son Chris, who had given me a great big hug of Good Luck before we left home. Now to get to the pictures..... :) Tom <KC2ABP@aol.com> Mastic, NY, USA - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 01:25:39 (EST) Aloha!! One of the most greatest acheivements about doing such a project is not only the challenge...but to meet wonderful people and especially, having met another photog participating here also and helping her out and becoming a friend with her ...such a rewarding experience! It makes me proud when I tell people that the purpose of our shoot...they do get amazed and cheer us on...sorta speak! Many thanks to the Millenium Crew for all your assistance for this once-in-MY-lifetime shoot that I will always remember....Mahalo! Wayne <nikonf4s@juno.com> Honolulu, USA - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 02:09:03 (EST) HI ALL, As I watched all the huge celebrations on T.V., I was wondering if staying in my small town was a wrong choice. Allegan was a ghost town, so I focused on family and friends. I started at noon new years eve taking shots of my kids at our bar in our house, then taking them on a horse drawn sleigh ride; taken them to grandmas where we took shot of them reading books and playing cards. My husband and I then went to a friend family party, from there we went to mass, fireworks and finally the bars....WOW...pretty good for a small town. Can't wait to see all the big and lillte images. Thanks to millennium photo!!! Diane Diane Sumner <dsumner@datawise.net> Allegan,MI, USA - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 11:14:33 (EST) WOW! We're well on our way to an incredible snapshot of the many faces of the new millennium as it swept across globe. I am grateful that it was largely a peaceful and hopeful celebration - fitting for a new millennium. Thank you all for your willing participation in the first step of this Project -- what has to be one of the largest creative projects in the history of mankind. I am eager to see what we have created together, and excited about this Project as a model of what people everywhere can create together in this new millennium. My best wishes to you all! Steve Alvey <steve@millenniumphoto.com> Calgary, Canada - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 12:20:04 (EST) OOPS... Sorry. I made a mistake. The school I had gone to for the Presspass did not have "Grease" filmed there. The filming of "FAME" was shot there. For anyone visiting NY City, the name of the school was The New York School of Arts and Dance. The name of it now is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School. It is located at 120 W. 46th Street. Tom <KC2ABP@aol.com> Mastic, LI, NY, USA - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 12:54:22 (EST) hi everyone, this project was so much fun.i took photos of our local celebration called "First Night Santa Cruz".It is a non-alcoholic celebration,family oriented event.It was lots of fun and yes i got my dear friend Karen Allen to follow me around with the camcorder to document the event. We were both tired by 9:30 and ended up going to her daughters house and getting some great shots of her grand kids while they played with the noise makers. hope you all had as much fun as we did. can't wait to develop the photos.HOW do i choose only 3 photos?????????? Happy New Year to all of you great photograpers Denise Aldelia Ward Denise Aldelia Ward <lovenece@aol.com> santa cruz, u.s.a. - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 15:19:09 (EST) Hey everyone! I had a mellow and laid-back New Year's. My husband and I launched some model rockets from a field at the University of Alabama. It was overcast, so there was not much of a sunset. Then we drove to his parents' house in Birmingham, where some of his family had gathered. On television we watched the new year come around the world. At midnight we launched fireworks in the front yard. I actually made it out of bed to photograph the sunrise over downtown Birmingham. However, all the fog and mist obscured any sunrise there might have been. I am sure that when I get my pictures back, there will just be a bunch of buildings in progressively brighter light! Oh well! I hope everyone else had a safe and happy new year's celebration. I can't wait to see your pictures! Amy Lewis Sides <amy@millenniumphoto.com> Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 20:23:56 (EST) Hello and Happy New Year to everyone. As luck would have it I wound up sick for New Year's Eve,so I missed most of the big event ( including the " moment"). I did manage to pull myself out of bed early on Jan 1st to find 1 1/2 feet of pristine white snow. The family shoveled off the pond and put on their skates. Nothing more Canadian than, no rules, pond hockey. Fabulous way to bring in the year. Hopefully some fabulous images as well. I hope everyone had as much fun in thier own way. Kris Edmonton, Alberta - Sunday, January 02, 2000 at 23:11:45 (EST) There wasn't alot of happenings here to the terriorist threats, I found that alot of people stayed home with friends. We did have a Millennium train trip and I did get shots as it left 1999. The day started for kids at the Plaza, with face painting and puppet show. From there I got a few guys getting their last ride on skateboards in for 1999. Moved over to the Train station and found it empty. A few police just waiting for later as the day went on. Shot a few people eatting there last meal of 1999 and the guys having to make it. Shot the millennium bug from a window at the plaza ( it did look cute ). Took a shot of the police after 12:00 hit as they raced to the next case. A few churches looked quiet and dark, which was a surprise. It was a great time and I wish it could happen again for us all. My assitant fell into bed at 2:30am looking at negatives to print. I started to scan and record info of the day. A lot of packing equipment and unpacking equipment was her biggest complaint. For me, I loved every second I was shooting and meeting people. James Falsken <jfalsken@aol.com> Santa Fe NM., USA - Monday, January 03, 2000 at 00:38:43 (EST) Hi everybody-sure was a great and without problems New Year, there was just so much going on around here i just couldn't think of what i wanted to photograph so i was just going to go around and shoot everything i could. The night before the first i awoke and it came to me what better photographs than a local country church praying through the midnight hour so i photographed out church on that hour there were only about ten of us in our old country church singing and praising the lord for the new year. I hope they turn out because it was one of the hardest shoots i have ever done. good luck to all and this has been great. WE SHOULD HAVE SHOOTS LIKE THIS AT ALL THE HOLIDAYS. James Williams <hipjimfromtn@webtv.net> Loudon-Tn-, USA - Monday, January 03, 2000 at 11:12:28 (EST) As planned I spent the day shooting in Seattle. I had a wonderful assistant who also did the driving. We found the city to be a ghost town. Not at all what I had expected during the day. I got to most of my planned places but sadly the film did not turn out of the shots I took at the Seattle Center where you could count the people who came out prior to the early closing time on just a few hands. We worked until just after midnight then went slept at my Assitant's home. In the morning I ran to the processer I had found (most not open on the holiday) and waited for my film. I had a mourning period for the ones that did not come out before looking at the one that did. I do hope I have something everyone will like. It was a most unusual New Years in Seattle but everyone we spoke with about the project from police to new parents were enthusiastic and wonderful! Sandra <FBTdra9@aol.com> Seattle, USA - Monday, January 03, 2000 at 13:39:02 (EST) Fellow photographers, I hope everyone had as memorable New Years' as I did! I spent from 5:00 pm till just after midnight on the downtown Fayettevill(Arkansas) square for the 2nd annual First Night celebration. This was my First First Night, but it will not be my last! I really didn't have any definite ideas of what I wanted to shoot, so I just walked around, enjoying the freedom of wandering all over where there is usually so much traffic that you can't even drive. They had the square blocked off for the most part to cars, so it was also pretty safe. I took 3 rolls of film of the parade that was held. First night is a non alcholic celebration aimed mostly at families. I just hope some of pictures of the fireworks come out. It was my first time trying to shoot fireworks, so I'll just have to wait until I get the pics back. I got several pictures of very young children really dancing their buns off! I am just like a kid at Christmas waiting for my pictures to get done. Well,until next time. LaDonna in Fayetteville, home of the Hogs! LaDonna <powelllm@vlasic.com> Winslow , US OF A - Monday, January 03, 2000 at 17:56:54 (EST) I really enjoyed doing this project. It was a real challenge and I hope there are more photo projects in the future! Happy New Year and best of luck to all the photographers who participated in this great project. Vincent Joachim <throughmyeyes@yahoo.com> Calgary, Canada - Monday, January 03, 2000 at 19:17:46 (EST) Had a wonderful time in Boston. First Night was a big success. The weather was mild and the people enjoyed all the festivities. We walked for hours and then had dinner at a great little italian restaurant. The ice sculptures were magnificent and crowds were delighted with all the exhibits. He headed to Newburyport for the fireworks on the water only to find that they were cancelled. So we drove back to New Hampshire and stopped at the ballroom of a local restaurant where everyone wanted to be photographed. In the morning we visited the local hospital and photographed the new babies. They were ALL beautiful. This was an exciting project with lots of memories. Can't wait to see the book and website. Pat Pat Desmarais <greatimpressionsphoto@mediaone.net> Manchester, NH USA - Monday, January 03, 2000 at 20:52:17 (EST) yup. my new years eve sucked. sorry. however, i managed to shoot a whopping half roll of film... i almost slept through the turnover... heheh... in any case, i do hope what little i did get turns out okay though i doubt it. yup. dave auayan <trippywysteria@geocities.com> dededo, usa - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 00:17:38 (EST) Aloha. Thank you so much Wayne. Your enthusiasm and expertise kept me going. I walked from location to location from about 2:00 p.m. to just after mid-night. There was a late night fun race but I was almost last because I had a charlie horse in my leg from all the walking. Most people were just vegging out but I did get some interesting shots of some nerdy tourists. Hopefully, we will all be able to do this again. Maybe by then I will be a real photographer like my new friend Wayne. Sue Rudolph <susanrudolph@yahoo.com> Honolulu, USA - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 00:48:54 (EST) Happy New Year to all. I hope everybody had a swing time to usher the New Year. It was the BEST celebration of all time! Good thing that my camera still works! The only Y2K problem seen were the merry makers screaming their heads off instead of the computers blowing their microprocessors. In the meantime......Have a good year ahead! chding <choohawding@yahoo.com> penang, malaysia - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 06:23:23 (EST) I just proof read my entry from a couple of days ago. I noticed I mentioned the "one" shot that came out. I must have been pretty tired!! I really did get more than one!! Anyone else out there who shot in Seattle or surrounding area?? Sandra <FBTdra9@aol.com> Seattle, USA - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 10:14:42 (EST) As the weekend continued, I continued feeding my camera film like candy! Another small wedding (8 pax) on the First of the Mill 1pm in an elegant little chapel in St Helena, CA USA. I've decided to submit three images from JUST the balloon wedding. But local press gets a set of 9 images: 3 images per gig. I'm looking forward to seeing your images. Go For It! Again, thanks to the judges and to Alx. A GREAT community opportunity! jana russon <jana@napanet.net> Napa, CA USA - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 12:54:30 (EST) I have not printed anything yet- I did all B&W out in the country at a party that we decorated for - I have a balloon business and photo studio - so we needed to help other people celebrate first- my daughters help video. I concentrated on the preparation and the next morning cleaning up the aftermath of a family party of our own, we live out in the middle of a beautiful forest oin southern Indiana. I had a great time and feel so special to be a part of this project!! Rebecca A. Garges <RGarges1@aol.com> Nashville Indiana, USA - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 14:55:48 (EST) I am so very excited and overwhelmed to be a part of this whole thing (Especially since I didn't know I was until today)! I was originally on the waiting list when I attempted to registered in September. In the chaos around the holiday, I failed to check my less-used e-mail, thus did not receive notification on Dec. 21 that there was room for me. For the New Year, I took a roadtrip with 4 friends from VA to FL to attend the Phish concert/festival held at the Big Cyprus Seminole Indian Reservation. If only I had checked that e-mail, I really could of put that press pass to a lot of use. Luckily I managed to shoot 3 rolls at the reservation, and I feel confident that they are at least very interesting pictures. I'm just glad I did decide to lug around my old Minolta instead of opting for a more convenient way to capture the moment. Anyway, the concert was great and I had a blast camping and met so many interesting people, but next time I travel that many miles it won't be with 4 other people in such a small car! Sara <vixen476847@aol.com> Chesapeake, U.S.A. - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 19:16:12 (EST) Wow, what a rush New Year's was. It seemed like it went by too fast, and I hope everyone else had great time as I did. I wanted to tell the staff that my e-mail address has changed, it is now kyle923@yahoo.com I hope you can change this because if I have a winning entry, I want to know so I can get in my confirmation papers. Could you just write me a little e-mail saying that you have made the change? Thank you very much. I wish everyone good luck! :) Kim <schhh98@yahoo.com> Sanford, USA - Wednesday, January 05, 2000 at 01:58:20 (EST) Had an amazing New Year«s in the Chilean wilderness celebrating the coming of the new millennium during a ten day backpacking trip through Torres del Paine National Park. Four friends and I passed New Year's Eve huddled in a tent as it rained the whole day, playing cards and dice, telling stories, and taking a tangled nap together. Ate a feast of freeze-dried turkey in a wooden climbers hut that night and popped the cork on a champagne bottle a friend had carried on his back for some 50 kilometers. New Year«s day the sun broke through at 5:30, affording me the opportunity to hike up a bouldery route for amazing views of the granite towers of Paine that morning. Spent the afternoon making a time capsule out of a broken camera that failed me three weeks ago on our way down in Argentina. Wrote through the shutter on 36 frames of film now rewound and left to sit 50 years inside the camera until 2050. Feliz ano nuevo! Caio.... Lars Lars Howlett <lars832@hotmail.com> Torres del Paine, Patagonia - Wednesday, January 05, 2000 at 11:32:28 (EST) I am now submitting my 4th report to the Millennium Photo Project, on the photos I took over the 24 hour period. On New Millennium Day One I met with a Bride & Groom from Powell, Ohio, USA and we ascended into the air over Napa Valley, CA. They were married at 9:30 am and I was the resident photographer. A wonderful omen to the following year, with prosperity and abundance, with jobs that I love doing, with friends and loved ones, making historical improvements. Let's fly. Jana jana Russon <jana@napanet.net> Napa, CA USA - Wednesday, January 05, 2000 at 13:09:07 (EST) Hi everyone.. It looks like everyone is working on their photos. Not too many messages here. I hope staff reads this. I have a question on a photo. In the rules it states - "There are no restrictions on creativity provided that the underlying images comply with the rules". My question is - Are photos that are "layered", or computer enhanced allowed? I have some photos I would like to layer together. Good Luck everyone !! Tom <KC2ABP@aol.com> Long Island, NY, USA - Thursday, January 06, 2000 at 21:49:42 (EST) I just got back from Egypt, so I haven't seen my shots of the Giza Pyramids yet. I'll get them back on Sunday. I hope I got just one picture that was as phenomenal as being there! Wish me luck. Dick Smith <rhsmith2@home.com> Alexandria, VA, USA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 19:04:29 (EST) I had a great time with my wife and some friends watching the new year in San Francisco. Unfortunately the first sunrise was very dull with only a hint of pink, but the midnight fireworks were great. Now I just need to get my photos back from the lab. Fingers crossed they came out well. Good luck to everyone M Marcus <citizensmith@lanset.com> Sacramento, USA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 19:10:59 (EST) Sounds like everyone had a blast celebrating and shooting the new millennium. The small party I attended in Safety Harbor, Fla. was highlighted by an impromptu street concert by folk singer, Melanie. The party throwers had covered their house with mylar and renamed it the "Shine On 2000" house. I was going to shoot the house bracketed by a close up of the ball coming down at Times Square on TV and a 5 foot wide "2000" lit up by sparklers, but when the fuse was lit, the sparklers completely burned out in seconds, leaving me with a crowd at Times Square and a sooty "2000." Maybe the folks running this can send out an email list or we can just copy the list of those on the message board and send out our favorite shots. Happy New Year to all of you! David Lubin <Dajalu@aol.com> Tampa, Fl, USA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 19:12:16 (EST) Sounds like everyone had a blast celebrating and shooting the new millennium. The small party I attended in Safety Harbor, Fla. was highlighted by an impromptu street concert by folk singer, Melanie. The party throwers had covered their house with mylar and renamed it the "Shine On 2000" house. I was going to shoot the house bracketed by a close up of the ball coming down at Times Square on TV and a 5 foot wide "2000" lit up by sparklers, but when the fuse was lit, the sparklers completely burned out in seconds, leaving me with a crowd at Times Square and a sooty "2000." Maybe the folks running this can send out an email list or we can just copy the list of those on the message board and send out our favorite shots. Happy New Year to all of you! David Lubin <Dajalu@aol.com> Tampa, Fla. USA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 19:13:39 (EST) I deeply regret missing the shoot as I was ill. Did follow the events taking place around the world on TV. I know that I am going to be sorry having missed the shoot the rest of my life for it was a wonderfl opportunity. Tom Fleming <flem@cdepot.net> Jackson CA, US - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 19:21:41 (EST) Well what a venture, and what a time I had. New Years Eve was slightly quieter than normal until early evening when the crowds started to gather at the Mount Maunganui Beach resort. Things more or less started happening about nineo'clock and a number of good shots were obtained but about ten o'clock, the heavens opened up and it simply poured resulting in some very wet photographic equipment. Rushed home and changed into dry gear and back on the streets to capture midnight shots. By New Years morning (early) the rains had vanished and managed to capture a number of delightful shots, including an early morning wedding.In my shoot I photographed many people from many parts of the world, Germany, Spain. Australia, America, Scotland just to name a few. Many people I spoke to about the project were very interested indeed. If anything the heavy rain on New Year's Eve put a dampner on things, and it was a case of working harder and looking for good news pix. For me it was an enjoyable exercise, and a greart opportunity to meet many people from many walks of life. A Happy Millennium to everyone and happy clicking for the future. John Peterson John Peterson <newsinfo@xtra.co.nz> Tauranga, New Zealand - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 20:49:37 (EST) Hi all and welcome to the new year! I was so looking forward to photographing our Catholic monsignor just prior to midnight mass in our Cathedral all decked out for Christmas......but he got sick and it just wasn't the same with the other priest (forgive me, but it's true.) So, I dragged my husband, 4 year-old son and parents out to the local non-alcoholic party at the civic center. They had promised Lakota dancers and a big surprise at midnight. Well, I don't know what happened, but there were no Lakota dancers and the big surprise was indoor pyrotechnics. Let me tell you, indoor fireworks really leave something to be desired. Thankfully, the new year dawned in an awesome way and I was the second person at Mount Rushmore to capture it on film. The first person there was a pro, so I spent a little time with my zoom lens pointed in his direction so I could steal some of his secrets (just kidding!) I got some great shots of the faces with an incredibly clear blue sky and I couldn't help feeling deeply patriotic at that moment. Thanks for such a great opportunity! I wish I had something like this to look forward to more often! Bobbi Jo Beaver <beaver3@dtgnet.com> Rapid City, South Dakota, USA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 21:32:28 (EST) I just got my 22 rolls of film back from the lab. Up here in the North the sun set at 3pm so I shot most of my pictures with ISO1600 film. It does loog grainy, but I did not have much of a choise. It will take me a few days to get the 700 or so pictures trough the film scanner, but from what I'we seen so far I am happy I did this. I only regret not bringing my tripod to the main event at the main square in Helsinki. Would I have known that by waveing my card from work (at a national broadcasting co) would bring me a "back stage" press card with access to the area where the speakers and performers where I would have. I was standing next to one of the tv camera men who where shooting for the BBC led world coverage of the millennium celebrations. I had fun. Carl-Magnus Dumell <dumell@dumell.net> Helsinki, Finland - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 21:48:06 (EST) Well, I had a wonderful time. Brasstown NC had a possum drop. A possum is a very ugly small animal that roams the mountain side of North Carolina. Brasstown considers itself and it 300 residences the world capital of Possums. They put a pussum safely into a plastic box and lower it by a rope from a gas station pumping island. It is truely buzzar. They do not hurt the animal but some residence will not support the activity. There were about 1000 people watched and sang old mountain church songs and others danced and 'clogged' (a mountain dance). I hope the photos turn out interesting. Thanks for an opportunity for a crazy county event. Ruth Harris <ruthharris@unforgettable.com> Murphy, NC, usa - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 22:04:09 (EST) Hi to everyone and I hope all your dreams come true in this new and I hope peaceful New Year. My photographic intentions went out the window due to the dreadful weather we experienced all night and well into the next day. I had a great idea (I thought) and it all depended on the appearance of that bright orange thing which usually graces the skyline for us most mornings. That morning it sulked entirely and so did I. So no photo to submit, but I will definately be buying a copy of the book when it is ready for publication. Will we get advance warning of its appearance? Cheers Colleen Riggs Colleen Riggs <carey.riggs@xtra.co.nz> Nelson, New Zealand - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 22:23:10 (EST) Hi everyone, it's sounds like most of us had a great time, I'm happy with the photos I took. Fingers crossed :-) I feel that just being involved was a wonderful experience, and preparing and trying to come up with an original idea that showed a small part of how our countries spent the millenium was hard, 3 photos to some up what I wanted to show wasn't easy. Good luck to everyone and I hope the following years are as enjoyable for all af you. Debbie Debbie Kowalewycz <billdebbie@primus.com.au> Townsville, AUSTRALIA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 22:28:47 (EST) Hi and greeting from Lake Oswego, a suburb south of Portland Oregon. We spent New years Eve celebrating with 600 other local residents in a very large heated tent in the newly dedicated Lake Oswego Millenium park. It was a great party with three bands including the 60’s band the “Letterman” now know as the “Reunion” because only two of the original “Letterman” are performing and they did not own the original name. I had a great time recording the events of the evening and kept on looking for the out of ordinary photo shot and recorded things like drooping coat racks and people going into the portable toilets outside the tent. I did not however include these in my three final choices. I captured people singing along with the music, City Councilmen toasting the New Year and the mayor dancing with his wife. One of my favorites was of a young girl of about ten dancing in a white dress. She looked like a Fairy princess. I used a 35-mm Nikon 6006 and a Kodak 210 plus digital and my favorite photo's were taken on the digital camera. I electronically submitted my three photos today after many hours trying to guess which three bests portrayed what was happening in Lake Oswego. It was a very difficult decision but in the end I sent the three I just personally liked and felt they were the best photographic quality. Beth Wolff <wolff43@earthlink.net> Lake Oswgo, USA - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 22:37:05 (EST) Happy 21st Century! I was in Times Square in the *afternoon* (fearing for my ability to leave, as the police kept crowds in holding areas). Sure wish I had gotten a press credential, too! But as it was, I took many shots in the canyons of Broadway, tourists in 2000 glasses, little children in their Millennium strollers, the neon of Times Square, and the daylight-lit New Year's Eve Ball and the sign saying "2000" right beneath. (I figured there would be 2000 photos at the stroke of midnight, so I'd show some of the "behind the scenes" on the streets and among tourists, etc.) From there I went to a party overlooking Manhattan with fireworks, etc in the background, and Millennium-dressed party-goers, the big-screen tv in the background showing celebrations around the globe. Closeups of champagne popping, etc. So far the images are seeming way too dark or fuzzy (Kodachrome and hi-speed Fujichrome, which I'll scan and see what I can rescue), but I hope to have at least a few historical momentos in there somewhere. Good luck to all, with the book, with photography fun, and with a long and healthy chunk of the New Millennium! Michael Fenichel <drmike@fenichel.com> New York, - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 22:46:05 (EST) Can't wait for my pictures to come in. I like many health care worker spent the end of the century and the beginning of it in an ER taking care of the sick and party animals. Hello to all you photo buffs throughout the world. I am happy to be in your company. Suzanne <s.olsen@sympatico.ca> Sault Ste Marie, Canada - Friday, January 07, 2000 at 23:25:28 (EST) Well almost a week has passed...it was an exciting night for me. Although it was raining/storming most of the time, I managed to get some cool shots (digital) which hopefully you will all see! I also sing in and manage a multi-cultural all-male a~cappella group called AFRICAPELLA. We performed that night which added to my challenge...and we were filmed for local TV. For those interested check my website out, and who knows we may visit you...www.digipix.co.za Later guys and best of everything for 2000 Richard Yell <richardy@iafrica.com> DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 00:37:32 (EST) hi,anyone here knows wether i can scan my negative with a negative scanner and then submit the pictures in electronically? I feared my submitions ny prints will not arrive before the due date. Please help. Anyone with some answers would you be kind enough to mail me. thank you. kwokyoong lee <nomels@hotmail.com> kuala lumpur, Malaysia - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 02:22:24 (EST) Great to see everyone (well nearly everyone) had a good time and got great shots. Most of my plans went out the window entirely and I ended up shooting some befores of our street celebrations (totally empty streets guarded by secrurity guards...weird!!), and then concentrated on Hamilton's Millennium Marathon on Saturday morning - 1st marathon of the new millennium! Haven't got my prints back yet but am eager to see them and ever so hopeful I will be able to send them in on time! I have really enjoyed being part of this project. Thanks to all involved for making it happen. Louise Lucas <llucas@xtra.co.nz> Hamilton, New Zealand - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 05:54:32 (EST) One week after the fact- Already we see a fascinating microcosm of our global community coming together in a fashion not seen since Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon. Indeed, it's gratifying, and I am humbled to read of this massive celebration of life, and time. How many time capsules have been planted, how many marriage vows spoken, and how many countless children have seen what none of us will ever see again. . .the passing of a millennial benchmark? It is empowering and certifiably enriching of man's experience on this small blue orb we call Earth. Thank you all for sharing it with me. My time was spent like so many others, with family and our friends the Larry Ryan family, but our unique twist was that we passed the all important hour with a beachfront fire on Assateague Island National Seashore toasting our friendship, the past, and our common future. Godspeed. Terry Sterner <MDSurfer@aol.com> Ocean City-MD, USA - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 09:18:13 (EST) I had to work in the ER, so that's where I took my pics. My plan was to shoot things related to the new millenium, not just whatever happened to come through the ER on that particular night. I expected to see trauma and alcoholic battles, but it turned out to be a quiet night, so I didn't take many pics. There was one family in which the 89 year old mother became a bit ill on the way home from the relatively formal party so the family stopped into the ER to have Mom checked out. It turned out she was fine, and everyone was dressed up so nicely for the millenium party that I took pics of them. Also, one of the nurses had her laser pain therapy machine there in the ER. That seemed like a new millenium type treatment, so I photographed that. I also photographed a few nurses doing some extremely uninteresting celebrating with cake and soda. I won't send those in to the project, but will hang them in the ER for a while. In my case, the anticipation of the photo shoot turned out to be way better than the actual experience, but the experience was still interesting, and I'm glad I was able to be part of it. I'll send it my three shots when the pictures come back from the drugstore and I decide which ones to send in. Henry Henry Farkas, MD <henry@iname.com> Elkton, MD, US - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 10:47:00 (EST) Hi there everyone great to have read the enormous feedback todate.....it's about a week now.....shot about 6 rolls...got the films back yesertday.....reviewing them over the weekend... havent been to so many places within that "24 hrs".....(over 2 days).....took a happy family returning home with new born at a local hospital to celebrate the NY's eve; took pics of people working out in the gym; took a hotel worker working on ice carving for the eve banquet; took some shots at a hair salon; took a family enjoying at the beach as the last sunset of the century closes in; took the family out for dinner.....then watched tv the whole night/morning......and left at 6.30am to catch the first sunrise pics for 2000......and had some good ones... well ...looking forward to see the rest of the world too... Take care and best wishes to everyone. eddie eddie chuah <chuahgl@pc.jaring.my> Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 12:28:04 (EST) The millennium photo shot was a blast. My theme was to photograph the people who made it happen, the chefs, waiters, limo drivers, and the hair dressers who all made this a fun project. I hope everyone enjoyed doing the the twenty four hour time frame as much as I did. Boston sure knows how to party with family and friends. Best to All Robert A. Edsall <greatimpressionsphoto@mediaone.net> Manchester, NH, USA - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 13:47:23 (EST) well I was working all through the night 8pm to 5am taking pictures of all the catering staf and waiting for that millennium baby to be born at 1 second passed midnight, but it did not arrive until five minutes passed eight new years day mornning. I am the head chef at a hospital in south London, called St Heliers and we had a free buffet for all the doctors and nurses and cooked for about 200 staff but after we finished I went home to bed for a couple of hours then went back to take pictures of the first baby to be born in south London in the 21st Century.I hope they have come out O K I shall be sending them in this week.All the best to every one. I hope everybody can have a picture published in this great project. paul gappwer <gapper@lineone.net> london, U K - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 16:07:44 (EST) I have just sent my photographic contribution to you. This has been an incredible opportunity to participate in something positive, to start the new Millennium. Thank you for giving us "Little Guys and Girls" the chance to show the World how we spent the 24 hours of the EVENT. John Pearce <tonka.892@xtra.co.nz> Auckland, New Zealand - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 18:37:57 (EST) I enjoyed welcoming in the New Year with my husband and friends. We lit our special millennium candle and sang 'Auld Lang Synne' It was great sharing with everyone around the world, too. Next morning as I looked at the beautiful flowers in my garden glowing in the sunshine, I thought how wonderful it was that the whole world for a brief time was celebrating together,having fun and loving and caring about each other. I hope that we continue to do this thoughout the new Millennium more and more, and build a peaceful world for the generations to come. Elsie Jones <elsiej@xtra> Mt. Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand - Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 19:02:14 (EST) Just like to say what an amazing buzz it was to be a part of this project. Brisbane was very quiet, with no massive socialogical breakdown or bomb threats (as we were half-expecting). I shot three rolls at various street parties (the majority of Brisbane was celebrating in this fashion according to the cab drivers) and in the city after midnight. Saw the dawn from my balcony with some close friends. Spectacular. Best of luck to all for some great shots. Mine are still at the photo lab... James Radvan <james.radvan@gibsons.com.au> Brisbane, Australia - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 00:46:38 (EST) I am still laughing about the possum drop. What a wonderful contribution!! Thanks for the fun post!! Sandra <FBTdra9@aol.com> Seattle, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 04:34:06 (EST) Hi everyone, I'm Valentin Gladyshev from Moscow, Russia. It is my story shoot of millennium: Now I very confused, because I got so many pictures, and so many subjects... I'm has started from bridge near Kremlin and took a photograph "last light of past millennium above Kremlin", and few near that place - workers of prepare firework, others is cleaning snow. Then I go across Red square to Maneg square and corner Tverskaja street, the skies are darkening and sea of lights be filled up air. I shoot that light and go down in to big Maneg shopping centre. Why go down - because Maneg shopping center it is three-storey underground. Six o'clock in the afternoon. So many peoples buy last gifts and many idly peoples up and down. I shoot jazz duet (saxophone and piano). I get down on the lowermost floor under ground in cafe and whole hour take snack, re-charge a films in my three cameras. I took with me 35 mm Contax (transparency), Olympus (negative) and so bulky Mamiya 6x7. Plus tripod, panoramic head - you understand now why my son with me - sixteen-year-old boy. My next shoot - night's Tverskaja street, then We go to Metro and go up in Old Arbat street. Good shoot - homeless in the some corner and (so strange occurrence) have merry mood. Old Arbat street, eight o'clock, the restaurants shine and ready for guests (take good picture). Nine o'clock - streets became deserted. We a go to Lubianka square, near former KGB building, big pop show upon the big theatrical boards. We spend one hour, and move to HRS. It is computers nets firm - Hotel and Restaurant Systems. The English woman bases the firm in 1992 in Moscow. Now this firm has many clients worldwide. For example they did addition Y2K in all hotels Hilton in England. Yes, the Russian programmers too have earned on this problem. Now they watch - what is happen from their work? All staff to sit at the computers and it seems that to have nothing to do. But it seems. They call in one's clients, play the computers game and to look nervously. The main moment came nearer! The continuation of the story will follow tomorrow. Valentin A. Gladyshev <vale@rusfoto.com www.rusfoto.com> Moscow, Russia - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 10:02:59 (EST) Hello from COSTA RICA! I was really interesting to participate in this proyect. I did not a lot of pictures but tried to focus on some traditions that reflect the simple way Costa Rica cebrated. I look forward to see the book published, I am sure we all will learn a lot from it. Best wishes to all participants. Marco Saborio <msaborio@habitat.co.cr> San Jose, Costa Rica - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 10:13:32 (EST) I had a wonderful time with this project. Reading this board really gave me a sense of how I participated in a truly global event! My original plans were to be in London for their Millenium celebration, but due to the illness of my father, I stayed at home and celebrated with neighborhood parties. The tough part now is choosing only three pictures! Liz Brazelton <ehbraz@aol.com> Alexandria, LA, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 13:54:25 (EST) My photo shoot went pretty well. I took pictures of the media side of the millennium celebration. The pictures show what goes on behind the scenes and they show some of the preperation that was going on. I had a unique chance to be able to show what was going on in my part of the world and at the same time to show what was going on in other parts of the world. Since I work at an ABC station we had the oportunity to see each part of the world change into the new year. Jamie <photoangel_10@yahoo.com> La Crosse, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 15:14:01 (EST) I spent midnight at a friend house celebrating and in the morning I went to the Pasadena Rose Parade! There was plenty of people, colorful floats and plenty of picture opertunities. It's really hard to pick only 3 to submit. I hope the judges have FUN picking the photos to go into the book. Michelle Sparr <MKS@Cheerful.com> Los Angeles, CA, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 17:11:43 (EST) Happy New Year to everyone, New Years was celebrated twice for me. First I photographed residents having a dress rehearsal for their party in the Retirement Community I work in. They loved it and were very cooperative. Later my husband and I went to a traditional party to celebrate the new millenium. He in his tux and I in my gown ( and camera bag with cameras and film). My shots include both settings and I'm now trying to pick which 3 to send. Hope everyone had a great time. This was a great project to be part of. Liz Murphy <lizekay@aol.com> Feasterville, PA, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 17:58:12 (EST) Happy New Year to everyone, New Years was celebrated twice for me. First I photographed residents having a dress rehearsal for their party in the Retirement Community I work in. They loved it and were very cooperative. Later my husband and I went to a traditional party to celebrate the new millenium. He in his tux and I in my gown ( and camera bag with cameras and film). My shots include both settings and I'm now trying to pick which 3 to send. Hope everyone had a great time. This was a great project to be part of. Liz Murphy <lizekay@aol.com> Feasterville, PA, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 17:59:16 (EST) Happy New Year to all, and I was in downtown Chicago at a Murder Mystery Party, at 11:45pm ( and after the murderer was found out) we raced outside to the river where the Hyatt Hotel dropped the Ball and then we were overwhelmed by 2 firework shows at once. I didn't know what to shoot first. I'm looking forward to seeing everyones Pics and I hope this Millennium brings us all peace and joy. I feel proud to be a part of this project with all of you. Sincerely, Marla Cohen-Theodoro Marla Cohen-Theodoro <Marsbars23@aol.com> Chicago, USA - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 20:27:19 (EST) Happy New Year!!! From OZ Well I spend New Years Eve on Cottlesloe Beach which is a very popular spot for West Australians.We have been experiencing a heat wave for the past fortnight temps in the high 30's so the beach was packed also due to a organised family concert where the WA Symphony Orchestra were playing to a est crowd of 25 000 people who enjoyed the day running in and out of the beautiful Indian Ocean to stay cool and also having a cold beer from time to time.The event was televised worldwide as the last sunset of the Millenium was saluted by the local surf lifesavers who set off in their various craft and formed a line to farewell the sun.I spent the time along with my wife who video taped me walking through the crowd shooting everything from kids building sand castles on the shore to a group of backpackers from the UK who had painted themselves silver to another group of people dressed in formal wear who were floating around on colourful rubber rings.It was a great day and now to the selection process here's hoping. Best wishe's to everyone involved and good luck. Tom McGhee <tmcghee@one.net.au> Perth, Australia - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 22:23:45 (EST) Hello People, Wish you all a happy & prosperous new year. The Millennium events in India were exciting yet what I chose to photograph was my family, my friends and what lovely subjects they made. I took some exciting shots of my town as well as the new dawn of a new millennium. I will make these pictures available as soon as i can lay my hands on the prints. My personal congratulations to all those photograhers who made the efforts and contributed in making the project a worldwide success and a trendsetter. I wish all you good folks the best in everything that you choose to do this year. off........... Satyajit Nadkarni Satyajit Nadkarni <Satya69@yahoo.com> Mumbai, India - Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 22:25:41 (EST) Vancouver, Canada - Millennium celebrations in this so-called "Hollywood North" city were quite low-key compared to the grand-scale celebrations around the world featured on tv. Other factors like the fear of terrorism, aftershocks of the WTO, ever-lasting rain have further dampened the celebrations. For example, on Robson Street, where the infamous Stanley Cup riot took place a few years ago, police prevented gatherings of people due to security concerns. On top of that, the Vancouver Mayor even advised people to 'stay home,' instead of coming out to the streets. Under these circumstances, one might assume that photographic opportunities were scarce. However, two of my best friends - one photographer and one videographer who joined me cruising around town for those Millennium moments - actually encountered many interesting events. Big tough bouncers guarding nightclubs embraced our spontaneous presence. Special Y2K police units let us document their high-tech patroling helicopter. Other press photographers offered advice on keeping warm in freezing temperatures and soaking rain. Churches insisted we stay for their inspiring concerts. Everywhere we went, there was a shared sense of experiencing a unique moment in history. I can't wait to share some of those moments on film with you all. At the same time, I also can't forget the images of homeless people lying on Hastings St (one of the most notorious areas in Canada for its drug problem) while people partied through the millennium. One picture of mine showing a person standing and eating his food while ignoring a homeless kid lying next to him was just one examples such contradictions. Chaw Pui <cpui@sfu.ca> Vancouver, Canada - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 03:14:51 (EST) The last galloping cup of the 20th century! WHERE: Stratford Race Course. I was gonna be there,poised, to shoot the winners crossing the finish line as the crowd went crazy in the background. This was gonna be good. I was gonna bring my province to the world - they even parked a special truck there for me to stand on. Ooops. I hear the rain. As the illustrious Homer Simpson would say - Doh. The race meeting was abandoned. The inclement weather also foiled my sunset/sunrise plans and the lone surfer I had organised to stride poetically into the waves as the first sunrise blossomed on the Tasman Sea - well, he had too much new millennium cheer and didn't get up until the second!!! Lyn Webster <lyn.webster@xtra.co.nz> Stratford, NZ - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 03:45:52 (EST) Hi I'm Valentin from Moscow. As I had promise, I tell continuation of the my story - ......We spend one hour, and move to HRS. It is computers nets firm - Hotel and Restaurant Systems. The Englishwoman Vaughan Joanne bases the firm in 1991 in Moscow. Now this firm has many clients worldwide. For example they did addition Y2K in all hotels Hilton in England. Yes, the Russian programmers too have earned on this problem. Now they watch - what is happen from their work? All staff to sit at the computers and it seems that to have nothing to do. But it seems. They call in one's clients, play the computers game and to look nervously. The main moment came nearer!The main moment came nearer! Midnight! ..... and....... nothing. Nothing to happen! I dreamed that in some hotel - light will go out, the lifts will stop and I shall photograph all this hell for news! O! It was be best if I shot firework in the Red square.(I think full room of firework and champagne pictures in Toronto's office now).But Joanne Vaughan does not share my grief, she is happy, that their work so is well made!All staff is gathering to showroom for champagne. I look at the TV set - very strange, in the screen not president Eltzin, but his prime minister. Wonder! While I photographed across Moscow, there was a New Year's miracle (under New Year always there are miracles) - president Eltzin has to retire. Now I have understood why the Canadian TV journalists asked the passer-by about the president!Now I go again on the bridge, well-known to you, and I photograph Kremlin New millennium. Two o'clock in the morning - on the Red square is full of the people. I arrive home, is tired as a dog. Here everyone relax and have fun. I have a glass of champagne, caviar and I am falling in the bed. I sleep quietly and I see dream, that I have written the beautiful script for show "Millennium" (looks like "Jesus Christ superstar") and Alx and Wesley produce it show on the world stage which hover in the clouds. Valentin A. Gladyshev <vale@rusfoto.com > Moscow, Russia - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 12:02:15 (EST) Hello All... I just wanted to say thank you. I had such a good time bringing in the year 2000. To know that I was a part of something so grand was just great. I will remember it always! Peace. Joan Lauren <joanlauren@joanlauren.com> Los Angeles, CA, USA - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 13:28:33 (EST) Hello to everyone! On New Years Eve day I shot preparations being taken: lady buying wine at an upscale wine merchant, behind the scenes at Dallas' Sipango night club, and so on. Later, captured the relighting of "Pegasus" the flying red horse on top of the Magnolia building in downtown Dallas. It had been out of service for seveal years and was relit on New Years Eve. The horse is a Dallas landmark and has a great deal of meaning to local residents. New Year's Day was up early and captured the sunrise, early morning at a "Tex-Mex" diner in an industrial part of Dallas, and, best of all, several hundred enthusiastic athletes in a New Year's Day 10k race near White Rock Lake. Shot four rolls of color transparencies. I used a Nikon F5 and the 20-35 f2.8, the 35-105, and 80-200 Nikkor zooms. The Millennium press pass and accreditation letter really worked well to gain confidence and credibility. Thanks again! Fred M. Lowery <fmlowery@aol.com> Dallas, Texas, USA - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 14:50:14 (EST) Kia ora fellow photographers. I realise we are now into our 2nd week of 2000 and I wonder "where has it gone?". I have only just said farewell to visitors and can now get my act together to send my entries in. Well, Gisborne is supposed to be the "First City to see the Sun" - all of about 5 minutes of it. We had an 8 to 8 Countdown party at our place - I'm afraid I only managed to keep my eyes open until 3am on the 1st - had a quick nap and got awoken by my stepdaughter telling me to hurry up and get up - the sun is about to rise! (This was at 5.30am) I managed to open one eye and look out my window and then I panicked - literally threw myself out of bed grabbing both digital and 35mm cameras to try to at least catch the sunrise - whew! I made it. by the time I had dashed outside to take the shots - and then slowly walked back to the sanctuary of my bedroom, the sun had almost disappeared and the clouds rolled in. Great cloud formation. My nephew, who is an artist says he'll paint a picture of my photograph whether it gets in the book or not. I feel kind of special because I did get to see the first rays. So much was going on in our City - Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) gave a live performance and canoes (waka) paddled to the shores (reenactment of arriving in NZ) - BUT, alas, we and our friends stayed put in our little haven on the East coast and it seems that its taken over a week to recover! Thankyou Millenium Photo crew for the opportunity - can't wait to do it all again (Because I believe that we should really celebrate 2001 in exactly the same manner) Cheers, Sher Sher Green <Don&Sher.Green@xtra.co.nz> Gisborne, New Zealand - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 21:45:24 (EST) Hello from the Mesilla Valley farming community! The turn of century was a peaceful one here. At around 5:00 p.m. on December 31st I took a walk with my dog along the canal road that is in back of my house. The sunset was beautiful and the only noise I heard was the approach of a young girl and her father in a go-cart along the canal road. They were laugh ing as they drove by us. The fields along the road are baron and waiting to be planted with chili and corn. The evening came and I went in to watch the famous Waterford crystal ball drop in Time Square on TV. The next day, January 1st, 2000 arrived and I heard the noise of birds outside my window. The fields were covered with blackbirds eating whatever they found in the empty fields. My dog ran out to try and catch one of them no luck though. The New Year was a quiet one and every once in awhile I would hear the sound of a firecracker going off.. Breakfast was finally served at noon. Linda Montoya <lmontoya@LMImages.zzn.com> Las Cruces, USA - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 22:27:56 (EST) I started photographing at noon and had to stop at 3:30 am when someone broke into my car! Smashed window, but only a cell phone stolen... The celebration in St. Louis was fun and I enjoyed being interviewed locally by NBC and ABC! I am busy hand coloring my entries and can't wait to see what everyone shot! Christine A. Olson <colson@bhil.com> St. Louis, USA - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 23:52:54 (EST) Hello everybody.... From the wonderfull city my regards and congratulations for taking this project so seriusly. I was in Copacabana beach, I walked all day trying to document how the Cariocas and tourists from around the world celebrated the new years eve. I focused my work in two aspects, first was, what the local people do before the midnight, most of them go to beach to throw their oferings to Ienmaia, they put flowers on the sand and throw money, food, bottles of wine or any alcoholic drinks (wich I find very poluting) but that is a demontration of FAITH, they also prepare a very small ship with a figure like virgen Maria or any other saint, all this has to do with african religions,in spite of that most of them are catholics, after a ceremony they put the small ship in the sea. All this is made in order to get rid of the bad vibrations and receive the good ones The other matter Tried to register was the fireworks,(wich i also find very poluting) they lasted about 20 minutes, there were aproximately 3 millions people on the beach, two minutes before the new year they all stayed quite and the fire works started. It was amazing to see the amount of people who were there only for one reason. I should apologize for my english, as you noticed is not my mother tongue, but I'll get some help to explain you better what i want to say about the celebration in Rio de Janeiro. Good luck to every body and I hope that every one of us take the most of this experience. Looking forward to hearing from any of you soon Pedro Rey <pedrorey@alternex.com.br> Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 00:15:34 (EST) Spent a quiet night at home on New Years. Also spent quite awhile watching the local PBS television station showing midnight across the world in each time zone. They were a little disappointing when they got to the Eastern time zone. There was alot more to the celebrating than New York City and Washington, D.C. and Seattle in the Pacific. We in Phoenix had the largest fireworks show in the city's history, and when you can top the 4th of July show it was something. We could see some of that 25 minute display out here in Peoria. Our neighbors were somewhat quiet too. A couple of blocks away were small fireworks and a block party that had to be quieted at 1:30 a.m.. Oh to be younger. Watched the Rose Parade from Pasadena, California and plenty of football on New Years Day, and had a bar-b-que dinner. The weather is nice almost year around. Allan Hart <alleeh@hotmail.com> Peoria, AZ, U.S.A. - Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 09:50:18 (EST) I just wanted to pass along a message from Russell Collins, one of our registrants in Dallas Texas who had an unfortunate accident before New Year's Eve. "Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Millennium. Wish you all the Best for the up coming year and century. This is a new Everything that gives one a new start. All one has to do is to want it. It does not take much just a little bit here and a little bit there, and before you even know what's going on, you have a new bit on life. We just hope that we all can bring our self's to give that little bit. If we can than we all win. For before we could even take that first step we would have such a new sight on things that it would take our breath away. The joy that one receives just from this thought is a start in that direction. Once again in your flight for that little bit inside us all we hope that you find the joy that's just inside the thought. I am sorry that I will be unable to find all that joy with you all. One of the brightest moments at the end of this Millennium was the thoughts that I was a part of this project. But due to an unfortunate step. I fell and broke not only my leg but my camera too. So in your joy on this New Project just remember that the joy started with just a little bit. The thought that one could be a part of such a little bit in time that would bring so much to so many. So remember no matter what your out come will be. The joy started with just a little bit - the joy in the thought that one could be a part. My thoughts are with you all and hope that we all remember that joy of just the thought. Your fellow Photo Project Member Russell Collins I would like to thank you for even the consideration of me to be a part of this Project. I would also like to tell you that the joy from this thought was the highlight of the end of a Millennium. Please if you can let all the Photo Members know that my joys and thoughts are with them." Wesley Young <wesley@millenniumphoto.com> Toronto, Canada - Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 16:43:08 (EST) A few shots was taken at the prayer session for the new millennium at the Seremban Karma Kagyu Buddhist Society on the night of 31/12/1999 and dawn of 1/1 2000. This is part of the world wide prayer for world peace. Now the news has reached the world that the 17th Karmapa, head of Karma Kagyu Buddhism and the third highest ranking lama is in Indian. May all beings find peace in their hearts. May they find peace among family members. May they find peace within their communities. And, may they all find peace throughout the world. WM Wong <wongwm2@yahoo.com> Seremban, Malaysia - Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 23:23:00 (EST) Testing testing <reception@millenniumphoto.com> Toronto, Canada - Thursday, January 13, 2000 at 22:35:59 (EST) Hello fellows! Happy New Year to everyone! I am back to the project and to the office after three weeks vacation. I just can't wait to see the photos! Luis Fernando Marcomini <marcomini@intercitrus.com.br> Araraquara, Brasil - Friday, January 14, 2000 at 05:39:06 (EST) I just got my photos back yesterday. I'm a beginner at this and I am so excited to take part in this wonderful project. For my photo shoot I planned to get shoots of preparations for the celebration on Monument Circle and I was happy with my results. I'm so excited to see all of your photos! Elizabeth Stehno <stehnoed@iquest.net> Indianapolis,Indiana, USA - Friday, January 14, 2000 at 08:44:47 (EST) Happy New Year! I spent a quite New Year's celebration at Lake Gaston Virginia with my family. Kevin Watson <kwatson13@excite.com> Valentines, VA, USA - Friday, January 14, 2000 at 16:27:23 (EST) I came back after trip to Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve. Here my wife, I and six other members of the family spent six nights seeing wild life. New Year's eve turned out to be something special. At about six in the evening we were taken out about seven miles - from the lodge Mara Safari Club where we staying - to a hill. Here it was sundowner laid out with drinks and a log fire lit in the jungle. It gave perfect view of the last sunset of 1999. As the sun was going down out came a group of Masai Wariors performing their dances and high jumps with setting sun as background. I thought what better than having this dance and setting sun. After sundowner we were back at the lodge with more entertainment by acrobat dancers. This was followed by another trip in the wild night to another destination in the bush. Huge tents(marqees) were set up complete with dinner tables, buffet dinner and live band. There was no TV link up. Sky was clear and could see the stars very clearly. At midnight the lights were put off and there were fireworks. I am sure animals must have noticed unusual sight! In the morning of 1st January, we went out on the huge plains and photographed Masai welcoming the millenium with huge African plains and clear blue sky.AND what could be more significant than being nearest to he area of HUMAN EVOLUTION. I have received all the films bach and now deciding the pictures to be sent. Regards and best wishes to all Chandu Shah <c_k.shah@vigin.net> Harrow,Middx, UK - Friday, January 14, 2000 at 17:34:39 (EST) Hi again all. I must say that the great time I had in Times Square turned out to be one of disappointment. While shooting over 300 frames I thought I would have some great pictures. Well - not so. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but I feel that most of them are not good enough for anything. I have even tried to computer enhance them and I'm not happy at all. I'm not sure if I will be submitting any photos at all. Very disappointed.. I wish everyone luck and I look forward to seeing what everyone shot. Tom Tom <KC2ABP@aol.com> Long Island, NY, USA - Saturday, January 15, 2000 at 01:57:09 (EST) Greetings from Gisborne New Zealand, where the sun did shine (much to our surprise) and the millenium morning was beautiful and tranquil down on the beach. Being a keen photographer but hardly professional had it's frustrating moments as I saw countless opportunities for fantastic photos but was not totally confident with night shots. My partner made some of the props used in the big Gisborne pageant before Kiri sang. After many weeks of hard work it was great to see the results and experience first hand the awesome setting created in this beautiful coastal city. As the semi lit parade slowly moved down through the centre of the 1000,s it retold in a subtle and moving way the history of New Zealand. The big 'Paikea'(a local legend about a whale) looked amazing. My partner and I had a special fondness for this whale as we had to tow it to the venue at 2 in the morning and then out again at 7am. It certainly created some attention!! Getting it through security suprisingly wasn't a problem!! I guess not every one goes to Kiri with a whale on behind! Yes - Kiri was definately the highlight. So beautiful, the NZ Symphony Orchestra on their makeshift but very large stage on the beach, Kiri singing with the Waiherere Maori Culture Group, the sun rising behind this over the calm bay, a waka ( canoe) ceremony took place at the same time and after on the beach followed by an air display. I just cannot describe how beautiful and peaceful this all was. What a wonderful way to start a new millennium. Hillary Gregory <nicknhills@xtra.co.nz> Gisborne, New Zealand - Sunday, January 16, 2000 at 22:11:05 (EST) Hi Fellow Photographers, I am a British frelance photographer living here in Tokyo. (Anybody need any pictues of Japan?) I guess we didn't so much see in the New Year with fireworks. The traditional way is to ring in the New Year by individuals ringing the Temple bells at their local shrines. With the ringing of the bells and a personal prayer goes three claps to catch the attention of Kamisama (the Creator God) so that He might hear the prayer. Anyway, which ever way we celebrate, Happy New Year and a Millennium Hug to everybody out there!fre Peter Oxley <fotokyo@yahoo.com> Tokyo , Japan - Monday, January 17, 2000 at 00:36:45 (EST) Dear Tom, I am so sorry to hear about your disappointment. I lost my favorite shot of the evening to underexposure. The new flash set up I bought failed me. It is so hard as a photographer to lose that great shot. We always remember the ones that got away!! I do hope you submit something. We are always our own worst critics! Sandra <FBTdra9@aol.com> Seattle, USA - Monday, January 17, 2000 at 16:53:33 (EST) Hello to all. Hope you all had a great time shooting the first moments of the new millennium. I personaly spent my night at a club having a good time. I am afraid however, that I may have celebrated a little too hard. I can only remember about half the night. Unfortunatly, I have yet to develope my film from that night, so I don't know exactly what's on them. I do remember that I wasn't able to shoot the fireworks because they were a bit delayed and it was just too darn cold to stand outside waiting. Well, hopefuly I've come up with something good. Let you know next time. PEACE & LOVE D <hal_2001_1999> Philly, U.S.A. - Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at 14:01:42 (EST) Well, I finally got my photos back, then I had to limit myself to just 3 pics, but I finally did that and now they are on there way in. I am so pleased and proud to be a part of this wonderful experience and hopefully in the future maybe there will be more of the same?....LaDonna LaDonna <powelllm@vlasic.com> Fayetteville , USA - Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at 20:13:25 (EST) Great to read everyone's messages and what everyone got up to on the big night. My New Year's Eve was a little surreal. I had been left waiting to find out if I would get security clearance to access the media area near the Millennium Wheel in London. At the eleventh hour NBC called to say they couldn't get me in, even though they were supposed to be interviewing me! (I was actually pretty relieved.) It ruined my plans however for being in the thick of things so instead I headed off to a friend's house party. An hour before midnight we all walked towards the river Thames near Tower Bridge but the crowds were overwhelming. One of my group decided to bribe a parking attendant to let us up to the top floor of a multi-level car park. When we got up there, we found the place full of motorbike police who had decided the place made a good vantage point and a quick exit if needed! My pictures didn't come out at all (thanks &*#@!) but the memory of the fireworks and dry humoured police is indelibly etched in my mind. There was no countdown and nobody seemed to know when the actual moment was. Instead, I spent most of my time.... thinking of you guys! Your pictures look GREAT!!! Alx Klive <alx@millenniumphoto.com> Project HQ, Toronto - Wednesday, January 19, 2000 at 01:02:45 (EST) Hi everybody, my reveillon was amazing,my vacances was in Ilha do Mel,(Honey Island)BRASIL..and so beatiful...i'm so exciting to see every pictures from the book... MARIA CECILIA SIFFERT <mariasiffert@uol.com.br> BELO HORIZONTE, BRASIL - Wednesday, January 19, 2000 at 18:01:50 (EST) Dear Sandra, (FBTdra9), I guess you are absolutely right. We are our worst critics. Thinking of that I have decided to take my 3 best photos and let the judges decide - not me...lol.. I have started a web site to include "The Millennium Photo Project" I will send it to Alx for his approval and any recommendations. It is ---- http://TDPhoto.homestead.com ... It takes a while to load in. I haven't learned how to make my files smaller yet, but I already had put a couple of my shots from Times Square on it. I'm so sorry about your mishap with your flash. Could you let me know what kind it was so I won't buy one...Thank you for your comments. It gave me another chance. I won't be so fussy this time. Tom Tom <KC2ABP@aol.com> Long Island, NY, USA - Thursday, January 20, 2000 at 00:31:29 (EST) Greetings To All! I have just picked out my two pictures from my millennium vacation on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. I shot the final sunset of 1999 and a picture of the 22 people that I traveled with at the "Bubbling Pool" on Jost Van Dyke the morning of January 1, 2000. I am an amature at this but I still think they came out pretty well. I am not sure how to send these in and the time is drawing near for the deadline so if any one could help me it would be greatly appreciated. Hope all of you a safe and happy new millennium. Rik Rik Cass <rcass54576@aol.com> Erie,PA., U.S.A. - Friday, January 21, 2000 at 10:48:22 (EST) Tom, You must be kidding. i just left your website. You have some nice pics. Did you design your own web site?? How do you get the music on ????? e- mail me. Thanks. Pat Pat Desmarais <greatimpressionsphoto@mediaone.net> Manchester, NH, USA - Saturday, January 22, 2000 at 22:56:54 (EST) Going through all these enthusiastic messages and looking at the first images on the web site there are no doubts that there is plenty of wery good stuff for a gorgeous book,a marvellous web site(already in progress!!)and a wery interesting travelling exhibit.It will be a fine piece of work for the judges to make the choice, we all are waiting impatiently for the best of the best!! Renato Valterza <renato.valterza@amma.torino.it> Torino, ITALY - Sunday, January 23, 2000 at 13:57:10 (EST) Hi fellow photogs. I am only going to submit a single photograph, but for me it sums up my entire day and experience. I photographed in Havana Cuba and the single picture is of an old gentleman (beard, Che beret etc) sitting quietly and smoking his pipe as the smoke curls up. For in Cuba, not only is it the Millennium Day, but it was also the 41st Anniversary of the Revolution in 1959. For this gentleman, it wasn't a noisy celebration, but a contemplative quiet smoke. It's just a feel good photo. Thanks Steve Stephen Liard <sliard@idirect.com> Toronto, Canada - Wednesday, January 26, 2000 at 01:33:11 (EST) HELP! Won't bore you with the details but getting my slides developed/printed has become an ongoing nightmare! after getting slides developed (and they neglected to also make prints I requested)-- still thought prints would help me make my selection -- (ok, also a help since I didn't own a slide projector!). Pics printed out very dark and the shop said that's because I should have used print film if I wanted prints... well I didn't want prints, I wanted the slides (it was recommended?).. now after 3 weeks of development, reprinting, PANIC as time runs out -- found a shop with lab on premises to make the slide copies -- just got them back yesterday and they have 'brightened' the slide copies so there is a loss of detail and colour change from the original slides! FYI -- I was shooting the Washington Monument at midnight's fireworks from the White House ellipse... do I send in the poorer quality copies and explain the originals look better? (yeah, right!) does anyone know a good lab? even if I don't get a picture selected I'd still like to have these developed for myself and so far I've struck out 3 for 3! slide 1 = monument awaiting the moment (scaffolding in place and interior lit) slide 2 = monument on fire (red) w/ fireworks slide 3 = monument alight (white) w/ fireworks oh -- and I have borrowed a slide projector in the meantime so it's not just a "lupe" judgement on the light table... I'm also calling the lab back this a.m. to see what they can do for me -- by MONDAY! yikes!) All suggestions gratefully accepted! (commiseration accepted as well! misery does love company! ha!ha!) Annette Annette G. Brown <Annette.Brown@mail.house.gov> Washington, DC, USA - Friday, January 28, 2000 at 08:32:04 (EST) Hiyah all... Sorry about having gone silent on you all but I've been hell of a bizzzzyyy with work and a new found lover. But fortunately work placed me in a place where I was able to capture two very special pics - one for the project and another for myself. My main project pic is still posted on my site as the "Pic of the Month". I was fortunate to be able to cature the first sunrise of the new millennium. You won't believe just what luck I had capturing the image. Firstly it rained the day before (31st) with the sky clearing overnight. At sunrise clouds had begun to move in but there was still sufficient sky to give me an amazing African sunrise. Needless to say that by about 9am on the 1st it was overcast and raining. The other problem was that I was stationed at the event for the duration of the evning and could not move. This was because of all the bomb blasts which rocked Cape Town in the build-up to new year's. We had to remain awake all night in the event of another bomb blast. Sad but true. God shone His light and Cape Town had it's most peaceful New Year ever with no crime and violence being reported across the city. So the picture may look ordinary, but it's very important to us here in the Mother City. Take care all... AndyO AndyO <http://www.andyo.com> Cape Town, South Africa - Friday, January 28, 2000 at 19:52:46 (EST) Hello, everybody! Here I am, back from a trip to the south of Brasil... I had to go there one day after I have sent my pictures. They must have arrived in Canada by now, but only today I had the time to get in touch with you. Well, my reveillon was great. I stayed at home with my parents up to one o'clock and my parents were so happy and so exited and we had such a beautiful table, all decorated... that I decided to start my pics at home. I was prepared to picture the celebration... but then I had to help my mother with her new white dress - and this was so unusual that I put my camera on a tripod and pictured this moment! After many other photos, it was already time for the champagne. Then I prepared my camera again... but my father couldn't open the bottle! Everything was so funny! He tried everything, but nothing seemed to work out. Midnight was getting closer and I wanted a picture of his exploding the champagne... well, the bottle didn't explode, but then I got one of the most interesting of my pictures: my father using a corkscrew to open it! Well, after all, we decided to celebrate New Year again (for we are in summer time and we wanted to live this special midnight twice!). Then we went to the beach, just to see the open party, with fire crackers and people dancing on the streets full of light and music. But indifferent to all this celebration, I saw a little boy sleeping on a sidewalk, away from the people, alone and cold. He didn't have anything but his T-shirt to keep him warm... he was one of those who never celebrate New Year and the following morning will wake up the same way thinking "it was only another cold night". I pictured this scene because I think he could be dreaming at that time about a new morning, a new day, a new year... a fair life. I hope this new millenium will bring us justice, peace and no more people on the streets. I hope you all have a very good year 2000. Lots of love! Edelvaisse Mendona Ferreira <edel@infonet.com.br> Aracaju, Brasil - Saturday, January 29, 2000 at 19:58:44 (EST) I flew to Aruba to shoot the millenium celebration there. I have a close friend, who I love like a brother and 5 years ago we spend New Year's in the island together and then decided to reunite on for the 2000. My plan was to shoot the celebration of New Year in the hotel casino when it became midnight and the players reaction, as the hotels New Year's concert. Then catch the dawn flight from Aruba to Peru, to photograph the passengers, and then their arrival in Peru, where I would meet some friends and return on the second. Y2K fears cancelled the flights to Peru. The casino owner decided that he would rather not have cameras in his casino, so that left the hotel concert and what ever other shoots I could think off. The Happy Island was not to interested in my photo credentials and when visiting with the tourism board, hotels, discoteques and other places, but I did get information that the main square in downtown would be full of people celebrating and additionaly at midnight there would be a spectacular fire works show. Later I got permission to photograph an outdoor poolside concert of Jose Feliciano. When the prices for the concert were announced many people that I spoke to, mentioned that rather than pay for the concert they would sit at the beach in front of the hotel and listen to the concert and celebrate the coming of the New Year there. I was to start the photo shoot with the noon setting of of a 3 kilometer string of firecrackers set off downtown to sort of officially set of the New Year celebration. Did that around 12.30pm. Then felt I would go back to the hotel, shoot a bar on the water's last sunset of the year celebration, shoot the concert in the hotel and those on the beach, ending with the downtown celebration. At 4.00pm it began to rain in Aruba a country that has almost no rain year round. At 11.00pm it quit, but the bar did not have customer that afternoon, there was no sunser and the concert had been rained out, moved into the hotels ballroom and I had no access. Drove downtown and the streets were empty, many of the bars had closed. People still started arriving, but again close to midnight it rained again and the streets emptied. It quit before midnight but it was so cloudy, foggy, no people and the fireworks did not go off. Saved the night returning to my best friends house where my family was celebrating New Year in an intimate setting and was able to shoot some film. The celebration was a challange, but I enjoyed the fact that I had to be able to improvise, re-think and constantly adjust and rethink how to plan a shoot. Didn't shoot a lot of film, but it was fun even if it was a challange and truly enjoyed. Looking forward to traveling again next year and trying again elsewhere. Bruno De La Mata <TalaraBrun@cs.com> Sarasota, US - Monday, January 31, 2000 at 00:35:39 (EST) Back to Archived Messages Index Back to Crew Headquarters