Being Careful

Most of the band members could play multiple instruments, so they could switch out and take turns bashing each other around. They were respectful of the (many) photographers there, but the fans get rowdy and accidents happen.

I had to shield a little person who was trying to take pics with her cell phone, all while trying to get good shots myself.

Ultimately we both got pics we were happy with. Here you have dueling guitarists.

Pics From The Show

The Gwar-BQ of 2014 was utter and complete chaos. They expected 5-6 thousand people, what they got was over 11 thousand screaming metalheads.

The ran out of food.

The ran out of beer (not that I drink)

They ran out of soda.

They ran out of water.

But they didn't run out of insanity. Witness the following band: Eat the Turnbuckle. EtT are a wrestling-themed thrash band who flail around and smash each other with various things, doors, chairs, etc. The music is energetic and the fans are into it, but the blood they spill from each other is real.

Like I said, insanity. Can't wait to go back next year.

Need More Cowbell...errr...Colour

 I realized I didn't have enough smiling faces or colour for the summer, so here is a batch of happy people from the Colour Run. All shot with my absolutely wonderful Nikon 50mm on my Nikon D2x. Stellar combination really. Perfect for people.

A Splash of Colour

Some years ago the concept of a "fun run" came into being and around here started with a colour run. Five kilometres of running/walking/dancing through splashes of colours being lobbed at you. Start in white clothes, end a technicolour rainbow. All great fun.

I've photographed them from within the race, outside the race, and all points in between. The weekend had another one. Much smaller than any I've been to, but no less fun as evidenced by all the smiles.

Taken with my Nikon D2x (just cracking the 40k actuations on this) and the truly incredible and versatile 80-200mm f/2.8.

Advantage

One advantage of a crowded venue...crowd shots! Given the lighting from the angle I was, I had to drop the shutter speed way down to 1/40 of a second, risking motion blur but felt any blur would add to the energy of the shot

More Colour

 Another colour run came through our area this weekend. Much smaller than the one I run in, and this time I decided to shoot from outside the run. Deciding what lens to take wasn't easy, but in the end I took my main concert lens, the 80-200mm, figuring the variable focal length would give me flexibility. The constant f/2.8 aperture worked wonderfully, as you can see with the first picture, how nicely the runner is isolated from the background.

It was a partially sunny day and I could always have the sun behind me no matter where I went, giving me good solid skin tones and accurate colours. Most shots were at ISO400 allowing me to stop the action in mid-stride (like in the 2nd and last pic)

The full set can be seen here:

Colour Vibe 5k

Day 2: The Return

Once we were done being in total awe of Lamanai, we still had the return trip by boat down the New River, back to the tour bus, and the ride back to the hotel. Most of my tour folks were worn out from the hike, climb, and heat, as evidenced here. 

The shot was a little too close, as I had my 80-200mm lens on, and didn't want to disturb them by changing lenses.

Our tour guide was kind enough on the way back to let them sleep all the way back to the docks.

Angel or Enchantress

She said the grey streak was all natural, and who am I to argue? She had me under her spell (and was kind enough to pose for the last shot on my memory card.)

Once again that lovely 50mm lens.

Raptyr Red

In addition to the hulking knights sparring on the field of honour, there was another field for the duelists, this lass being chief amongst them. Decked in full period regalia, she was kind enough to take a moment out of her fencing, to allow a simple scribe (that'd be me) to record her visage for posterity.

Once again, I bow to the lady fair for her generousity.

Royality

This fine young lass was engaged in a bit of game playing with her man. It seemed as is she was losing, so I instructed the gentleman that the proper rules of etiquette dictated that he lose, but not to make it obvious. I'd like to think it helped him that evening with her affections.

All Smiles

Everyone had smiles, despite the heat of the day. There were fair maidens (pictured here), fierce warriors, fine noblemen, grand queens and many happy tots.

As you can see, even the wee ones were in period piece. We got many compliments on our simple, but reasonably accurate, garb

Happy Noodle Boy

This is the reason the 50mm f/1.8 is called the "Nifty Fifty", you can get such amazing shots with it, and it's a very fast lens.

Taken at the same park where the band just a few posts down, was taken. Normally this little guy pulls a Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes fame) in front of a camera, but today he co-operated.

Everybody Dance Now!

Had an opportunity to see the band Bio Ritmo at a park across the way from where I live. Latin-infused jazz, or maybe Caribbean, I'm not sure. My tastes in music are *very* narrow from studio work, but I love seeing any band play live (probably channeling my inner failed musician.)

The band encouraged people to dance and I caught this couple doing their swing.

Taken on an overcast day (weather forecast calls for chances of rain all week) with my 50mm wide open, on my Nikon D1x.

Ready for Battle

Found, in the newsaper of all strange places, a weekly meeting for the SCA, or Society for Creative Anachronism, where members dress up like knights and do battle.

They have a huge event next weekend I'm going to, but for now here is one ready to joust.

Yes, they wear real metal armour and use real (if blunted) weapons

Nope, still not feelin' it

Went out to a 'farmer's market' event this past weekend. Lots of neat (if overpriced) things there, some musicians and a solo banjo player. I didn't have much inspiration there, but somewhat better than my last series of shots.

I have some medium format film being developed so hopefully that will be ready soon and some with be worth posting.

And in First Place

I had a full roll (err..compact flash card, you know what I mean) of shots from the 10k run I shot recently.

Biggest problem I had was I didn't bring a long enough lens, having never been to a run before. I didn't know the layout or where I'd be stationed, so I grabbed my most versatile lens, a 28-200mm, and went from there.

This is a picture of the 1st place runner, from Kenya if memory serves me right. It's been cropped, and converted to B/W, otherwise it's as I shot it.

More people practice

Husband and Wife teams agreed to let me photograph them, they were most fun to shoot and were quite creative in their poses.

This is what makes photographing people fun.

Warm Weather

The city is currently in the grip of 80 degree weeks, so it is only natural to photograph people indoors, right?

Single light, head-on, and shooting around the light stand (a lot harder than it sounds) for a local artist.

Back Cover

This image will be on the back cover of the book, along with a blurb about the artist. Not the image I would have chosen (I like the other one in black and red better) but it works well.

No Joke

I realize today is April 1st, but this post isn't a gag. I was fortunate enough to land a gig shooting for a book, and the following images are ones that will be in it. She's a local sculptor and is publishing her first book. I am honoured to have been selected to photograph her for the book.