Photo of the Week # 198

We have been living through some weird times to say the least for the last two years. The majority of live music has been absent for that time, it’s been hard for the music business. Musicians have been on hiatus with restrictions keeping them from working for much of the last two years. 2022 has seen it coming back though. Musicians are finding ways to tour again while being as safe as they can be. Vaccinations have been a game-changer for them.

The weekend of July 21-24 was the comeback of The Kemptville Live Music Festival and it felt so good. I’ve shot plenty of stuff, even over the time of covid restrictions, but this festival, for me, was the indication that things are coming back to normal, or is it the new normal? The atmosphere backstage was much more subdued this year than in other times. There was little mingling of musicians, no meet and greets, just some great music and a good time for those who attended.

Photo of the Week # 197

Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing Sass Jordan, otherwise known as Canada’s Queen of Rock. I have liked her music for a very long time and for some reason, I’ve not crossed paths with her in all that time so it was exciting. She is a pro and knows how to rock with the best of them. She wasn’t a Canadian Idol judge for nothing. At 60, Sass is still one of the greats.

Photo of the Week #196

Time really does fly. Remember when your parents, maybe grandparents joked around about it……..it’s true. This photo was made in 2015 while on an outing with the local photo club in Westport. This was just as day was breaking and these gulls were congregated on the end of the dock. I wanted to capture a shot of them all congregated there together. It didn’t work quite as planned, as I approached the gulls flew, almost all at once. I didn’t get the shot I planned, but I got another one that was equally as interesting.

Photo of the Week #194

Lately I’ve been looking at things a little differently. I’ve been making some more abstract images of late. This is from a waterfall in Forest Mills, Ontario.We went driving all over the countryside and found this place.

Photo of the Week #193

There is something happening among photographers that I can’t understand. There seems to be a feeling of competition among some people and I don’t see how it is productive. In the concert photography world, I have crossed paths with people who actually treat other photographers in negative ways. I saw a performer wear a T-shirt that read, “Ego Kills Talent” and for the most part, I would agree.

I have heard photographers speak negatively of other photographers, I have also been refused advice because the person felt he shouldn’t advise me for free. I was recently told by a female photographer about her experiences dealing with men in the concert photography world.

All of this stuff is extremely disappointing. I think that we all should work together, celebrate each other’s good fortune and share knowledge openly. And it shouldn’t even have to be said, but there should be no issues with women in the field, that is just wrong.

I’m not saying this is the norm, most people I have worked with are totally great people, it’s like everything else though. Good and bad exist everywhere.