Photo of the Week #133

People ask me things about concert photography all the time and I thought I would answer one of those questions. Concert photography is just like other genres really. We are looking for a special moment, we want the performer doing something special or making “that face” while soloing, things like that. A person standing at a microphone playing a guitar isn’t all that exciting on it’s own, we want more, something to make that image just a bit more interesting and memorable. Anticipation of these moments will go a long way when shooting a live show.

Victor Wainright is one of the big acts in Blues music right now and he has a trademark move. He is known for lifting one end of his piano into the air while playing it. If there is one shot you want to get during a Victor Wainright show, it is probably that moment. In this case, I happened to have full access so……….I went to Victor and I asked him if there is a certain time he would be likely to do that, and he graciously told me exactly when to expect it. This gave me time to position myself in the perfect place to capture the image I wanted.

Often when I find out that I’m shooting an act that I have not yet shot, I will go to Youtube. I will watch some footage of that act to get an idea of what to expect live. Often you can pick up on stuff that you can use to your advantage while shooting.

Victor Wainright

Photo of the Week #132

I ventured up to Ottawa this past Thursday night to shoot Andrew Hyatt and Lindsay Ell at Overflow Brewery. The concert was great but I am not used to having to push through crowds to get in position to shoot so I left the venue that night not feeling great about the shoot. I found it very hard to get unobstructed looks and therefore got lots of frames with a lot of heads in the road. I actually told my wife it was my worst shoot ever, I was really upset that I had blown it. As it turned out after going through the folders in Lightroom, I did have some good shots, maybe one or two that are more than good but I was initially extremely worried. I did indeed have a higher than usual rate of “deleters” though and I’m not sure why, maybe the high amount of smoke being used which can mess with a camera’s autofocus capabilities.

Lindsay Ell. Overflow Brewery, Ottawa

Photo of the Week #131

Been going through some older images again lately…….I need to get my arse out shooting, get some new stuff. It seems that I haven’t been getting out much other than for concerts. This is a shot I made on Toronto Island when I was there with my friend Jill Buschlen to shoot the skyline. One of the things I thought of that evening on the island is how amazing it was to be able to find a calm place so close to all the hustle and bustle of the city. We shot right up to the last ferry and had a great time, need more of that.

It's Been Two Years!

Gord Downie left us two years ago today, how can this be possible? It seems like only yesterday when thousands of fans descended upon Kingston for one last chance to see The Tragically Hip. Gord was not only a singer, but a one of a kind songwriter who wrote songs about……us. He wrote about the people, places and events of Canada. He also cared passionately about many things like Indigenous rights, residential schools, clean drinking water, brain cancer research and environmental issues to name a few. We need more people like Gord, he will be missed.

Photo of the Week #130

I have always been one to be a perfectionist and I am my own worst critic. This place in Nova Scotia is a place where I see the potential for some great photographs, but I was never able to make that happen. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve done The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the province and if you haven’t been there, try to make time, you won’t regret it.

This scene at Corney Brook is one of those iconic Cape Breton shots but it alluded me for years. This particular place is several hours from our house and therefore, I always found myself there in the middle of the afternoon, shot it the best I could and I almost always got a crappy over-bright sky. This time I was there when there was enough clouds to make it interesting and not blow out the sky. I am so much more happy with this version.