It’s a Pixel Party: Get snap happy with us at Faberge: A Brilliant Vision on Sunday evening!

Published by Caroline on February 7, 2013 at 4:32 pm in HMNS Happenings

What, what, what are we doing?

We’re hosting a Pixel Party — the next generation of photography soirees from HMNS. When? THIS Sunday, Feb. 10, in our utterly photogenic new exhibit Faberge: A Brilliant Vision.

Pixel Parties work like this: All Photographers are welcome to bring their cameras — even the ones housed in their smartphones — and check out our new Fabergé exhibit in a crowd-free, after-hours environment.

Post your masterpieces online in our Flickr group, on Instagram, on Twitter, or wherever you choose to share your work, and one of your shots might be featured in our weekly newsletter!

Photogs must have one of the following to participate:

(1) An active Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook account

(2) A dedicated Facebook Fan Page for your photography

(3) An active photography portfolio online

All photographers must register by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 8 to participate. No late registrations will be accepted. Email webeditor@hmns.org with your name and a link to your online photo-sharing accounts, and you’ll receive an email confirmation giving you the go-ahead to attend.

Pixel Party is from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend. Gourmet grilled cheese from Golden Grill will also be on-hand on the patio, but you guys have to pay for that.

Get snap happy: Bring your camera — any camera! — to our Pixel Party photo event

Published by Fayza on October 16, 2012 at 10:00 am in HMNS Happenings

Remember those Flickr meetups we used to have, back in the days of yore? Where photographers could set up shop in some of our newest exhibits and get a crowd-free glimpse of the goods?

Well that was then, and this is now. And we want to invite you to bring your camera — any camera — for a new-and-improved snap happy, party after-hours.

Enter the Pixel Party: the next generation of photography soirees from HMNS.

Doing our thing, by Pixeltopia

The Pixel Party won’t be all that different from what you’ve come to know as the HMNS Flickr Group Meetups — bring your camera, see some new exhibits, and post your masterpieces online. Except this time, any kind of camera — including the kind housed in your smart phone — is welcome.

Our first Pixel Party is scheduled for Sunday, October 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the new Gems of the Medici exhibit. Yup, you get to see it right after it opens — no crowds, no lines, no fees. And, as a bonus (since it’s been so long and we’re cool like that), we’re keeping our new Morian Hall of Paleontology open for you, too.

You must have one of the following to participate:

(1) An active Flickr or Instagram account
(2) A dedicated Facebook Fan Page for your photography
(3) An active photography portfolio online

During the Pixel Party, registered photographers will have access to photograph the exhibits. Which means you must register to par-tay.

To register, please send an email webeditor@hmns.org with your name and a link to one of the following:

(1) Your Flickr or Instagram account
(2) A link to your Facebook Fan Page
(3) A link to your online portfolio where photos will be displayed

We won’t be taking registrations any other way, so follow the rules, why dontcha? You’ll receive an email confirmation of your registration when we get your info.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email or post a comment here. Registration must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26.

No matter whether you’re a Nikon nerd or an iPhoneographer (or anywhere in between) we want to see you at this shindig. Tripods are welcome, but remember: we’re all here for the photography, so plan to play nice!

We hope to see you on Oct. 28! Don’t forget: Email us to register at webeditor@hmns.org.

September Flickr Photo of the Month: Baby Alligators!

Published by Erin B on September 26, 2011 at 11:15 am in Science

_DSC8853_R1_C1BM-LR by Mark L 2010.
Shared with permission.

There are some amazing photographers that wander the halls of HMNS – as well as our satellite facilities in the Sugar Land area. When we’re lucky, they share what they capture in our HMNS Flickr pool. Each month, we highlight one of these photos here on the blog.

This month, we’re featuring a photo from Mark L 2010, taken in Brazos Bend State Park – home to the Museum’s George Observatory. Spending the day there wildlife spotting is a perfect lead in to stargazing at the Observatory on a Saturday night. And as you can see – the animals are really cool!

Here’s what Mark had to say about his photo:

On Labor Day, 2011, we visited Brazos Bend State Park to take a look around and shoot a few photos. Just beyond the shore line of 40 Acre Lake against the fishing pier we saw a dozen or so baby alligators. The duck weed coated them completely, making an interesting sight.

Maybe more striking was the fact that as they were sleeping in the sun they were laying on one another much like you would expect of puppies. It was just a nice view of young wild life. We all wish our area could break out of the grip of this destructive drought, but it is surprising how beauty remains available in this park. Thanks to all who participate in making it available to the rest of us.

Inspired? Most of the Museum’s permanent galleries are open for photography, and we’d love for you to share your shots with us on Flickr, Facebook or Twitter. Check out the HMNS photo policy for guidelines.

August Flickr Photo of the Month: Terra Cotta Warriors!

Published by Erin B on August 31, 2011 at 11:33 am in Anthropology

Houston Cougars

There are some amazing photographers that wander the halls of HMNS – as well as the areas surrounding the Museum in Hermann Park. When we’re lucky, they share what they capture in our HMNS Flickr pool. Each month, we highlight one of these photos here on the blog.

This month, we’re featuring a photo from Arie Moghaddam, known as Houston Cougars on Flickr, who is a regular attendee of the Museum’s Flickr meetups. This photo is from the meetup we held in our Summer 2009 exhibition, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor.

Why would we feature an image that’s celebrating it’s 2nd birthday? First: we’re thinking a lot about the Terra Cotta Warriors lately – since we’ve just announced a new exhibit featuring these wonders of the world!

Warriors, Tombs and Temples opens April 1, 2012!

The upcoming exhibit includes 200 incredibly preserved ancient works of art featuring newly-discovered artifacts unearthed from imperial, royal and elite tombs and from beneath Buddhist monasteries in and around the capital cities of three great dynasties – as well as four of the famous life-size Terra Cotta Warriors!

And, second: it’s a great image with a unique perspective on the original exhibit. Arie shared a few words about what inspired it:

As for what inspired me to take the picture (aside from you being nice enough to invite us), of all the pictures I took I think this one best captures the essence of the exhibit since it combines the statue, cross bow, and armor in a logical order which any emperor would be pleased to have in his necropolis.

Terra Cotta Warriors was a temporary exhibit, and photography was restricted outside of special Flickr meetup opportunities. Follow our posts in the HMNS Flickr pool for announcements about upcoming events.