Josh Ramsay At Le Studio TD

The last time I was at Le Studio TD, it was before the most recent COVID wave and it was still called L'Astral.  It's always nice to be back in familiar concert halls, and even nicer to be taking photographs inside of them too.  On Sunday night, I was there to photograph the concert put on by Josh Ramsay.  Perhaps better known as the lead singer for hit Canadian band Marianas Trench, Ramsay like lots of artists, was very busy during lock-down.  He ended up writing a solo album, which he also produced and played all of the instruments on.  That's certainly more productive than I was during those long months.  He describes the album as a love letter to all of the musical styles he enjoys listening to.  The result was a very diverse album of songs, each of which has a style of its own.  He had stated that in making the album, he wanted to produce something upbeat and fun.  Based on the reactions of those in attendance at Le Studio TD, he more than succeeded. Speaking of those in attendance, a special thanks to some of the front row fans who helped me pass the time with some chit chat.  I try and get to the shows early when there is no photo pit in order to get a good spot, but that means some long waits until the lights go down and the fun starts.  The conversation was great.  May our front row paths cross again some day.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm and the second photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/1000sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm.    Here are several more photographs that I took during his performance.

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/50sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/60sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 6400 at 44mm

f/2.8, 1/100sec, ISO 4000 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/160sec, ISO 4000 at 200mm

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

If you'd like to find out more about Josh Ramsay and his music, you can do so by following the link to his website.  A very big thank you goes out to Julie Baldwin of 604 Records for getting me pass to shoot the concert.  Being surrounded by all of that happiness and positive energy, both from artist and fans, is always a good boost for morale.

Dawn Tyler Watson & Roots At Longueuil Ribest

At the annual Longueil - Greenfield Park Ribfest, I'd say that a very large majority of the people show up for the food.  I'm told that the ribs are heavenly, but ribs are not really my thing.  I go to the yearly event for a different divine entity, that being the voice of Canadian jazz and blues superstar Dawn Tyler Watson.  Over the last few years, she has routinely shown up to play with a collection of local Greenfield Park musicians collectively known as The Roots Band, at the yearly event, and she always blows the crowd away.  I believe I listed off all of her accomplishments during the post for her 2019 performance, which can be seen by following this link, but she has since added a Juno Award to her collection as her album Mad Love won the award for Best Blues Album in 2020.  I'm sure there will be more award to come as she has already been nominated for another Canadian Maple Blues Award this year for Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year.  I was hanging around the site a little bit after the show checking out my photos when I spotted Ms. Watson by the stage.  I chose my best shot from the camera and went to say hello.  What My Lovely Assistant likes to call 'being a groupie'.  She, and fellow photographer Laura Carbone were both very complimentary and nice to speak with.  A true pleasure.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/1600sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm and the second photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 200mm.  Here are several more photographs of her, and the bands, performance.

f/3.2, 1/1250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 150mm

f/3.2, 1/1250sec, ISO 1600 at 145mm

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 200mm

f/3.2, 1/1000sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 120mm

f/3.2, 1/640sec, ISO 1600 at 142mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 200mm

f/3.2, 1/640sec, ISO 1600 at 145mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 142mm

f/3.2, 1/640sec, ISO 3200 at 110mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 125mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 200mm

f/3.2, 1/1000sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 200mm

f/3.2, 1/800sec, ISO 1600 at 140mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 142mm

If you'd like to find out more about Dawn Tyler Watson, you can do so by following the link to her website.  You can also click on the following links to see the photographs of The True North Band and Kalan who also performed while I was there.  I didn't ask for a pass this year as there had never been a barrier at previous show, but I think I'll have to ask for one next time as I ended up going through the crowd trying to find some cool spots.  Hope I didn't step on any feet along the way.  If you have the chance to Dawn Tyler Watson live, don't pass up the opportunity.

Kalan at Longueuil Ribfest

Oh to be 16 again.  Truth be told, I don't really think that I'd want to be 16 again as it was a pretty directionless time.  But, to be a 16 year old with not only an idea on what kind of career path to follow and to be already following it would be a pretty interesting proposition.  The second performer that I got to see at the Longueuil - Greenfield Park Ribfest was 16 year old Kalan.  He took his first rap/R&B steps the new generational way, by uploading a performance to his music to the internet where it got noticed by lots of people and ended up getting commissioned for a very popular online video game.  Since then, his very young legs have been dancing up a storm.  He only performed a few songs and a dance number, but he worked up the crowd into a frenzy.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/2000sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm.  Here are a few more photographs of his performance.

f/3.2, 1/3200sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/2500sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

 f/3.2, 1/1600sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

 f/3.2, 1/2500sec, ISO 3200 at 63mm

 

You can find out a bit more about Kalan by following the link to his YouTube channel.  You can also click on the following links to see the photographs of The True North Band and Dawn Tyler Watson & Roots who I also photographed.  Keep at it young man.  Follow those dreams.

True North Band At Longueuil Ribfest

After a two year break for COVID reasons, the annual Longueuil - Greenfield Park Ribfest was back in the town of Greenfield Park this weekend.  I headed down to Empire Park in order to catch some of the music.  I got there a little early, so I decide to snap a few photographs of the band that was already performing on stage.  They call themselves The True North Band and were playing some Blue Rodeo cover songs when I arrived, before being joined on stage by one of the festival organizers for a rousing version of Tennessee Whiskey to wrap up their set.The first photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 41mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm

You can find out a bit more about True North by following the link to their Facebook page.  You can also click on the following links to see some photographs of Kalan and Dawn Tyler Watson & Roots who performed a little later.

Memorial Geranium

June 4th is a sad day here at The Head Office.  It's a day of loss as it marks the anniversary of the passing of two people who were very important to Your Friendly Neighbourhood Photographer.  On June 4th we remember my Grandmother, Mémère, and also My Lovely Assistant's mother, Belle Mom. I often end up associating people with flowers, and both Belle Mom and Mémère kept lots of geraniums in their homes.  So, it became rather easy to put them together here.  This photograph, taken at f/7.1, 1/250sec, ISO 400 at 60mm, was from a plant we received at Belle Mom's funeral.  Her collection of Geraniums was given out to guests and this one bloomed just a few days ago.  Just in time to appear here on the blog.  Thanks for the helping hand Belle Mom.  And thanks to Mémère for keeping the flower protected during a recent wind storm.  She always wanted to me to wear a jacket, and I'm sure she found a way to protect those petals when most of the others in the yard got blown away.  Neither of you are forgotten, and I hope you've been enjoying the photos.

Just Hanging Around

With the warmer weather comes another wave of insects.  Since arriving at the new Head Office, I've been trying hard to get some of the passing Butterflies to stop and enjoy the variety of flowers that I selected based on them being their favourites.  Thus far, they've been teasing me for two years by simply flying through the back yard on their way to which ever of my neighbours are offering tastier treats.  It was My Lovely Assistant who spotted this guy just over our fence so I immediately took off for my camera, leaving Lovely Assistant and the two Junior Partners to fend for themselves.  It probably won't win me any Father of the Year votes, but desperate times called for desperate actions.  The photograph was taken at f/7.1, 1/320sec, ISO 400 at 200mm.  There will hopefully be a few more visits over the Summer.