Winter Isn't Over

With another storm about to hit, I know that some of you out there have had enough.  I may be a fan of the Season, but I know that many of you out there don't share that point of view.  While I don't think I'm a strong enough public speaker to sway popular opinion, I can share some of the sights of the season.  This shot was taken a couple of days ago.  It was just some dried out weeds, but add a small coating of Winter and we have something much easier on the eyes.  The photograph was taken at f/4, 1/4000sec ISO 400 at 70mm.  It was also taken at the same time as my series of photographs that appeared on CTV news.  If you missed those, don't forget to check them out as well by following the link and get a good look at some of the things that make Winter my favourite season.

The Beaches At Théâtre Corona

On Thursday night I hauled myself and my camera out into the cold to photograph one of the fastest growing Canadian rock bands of the last few years, The Beaches.  They were headlining a triple bill at the Théâtre Corona in Montreal, a step up from their previous visit to town back in 2018.  That 2018 show also had special meaning to me as it was the very first show that I ended up getting a photo pass for.  Here we were, a little more than one year later and with several more concerts under my belt.  I was pretty sure there wouldn't be a photo pit for this show, so I made sure to get there nice and early so that I could grab a spot as close to the stage as possible.  The windchill was -22C outside, but the shivers were soon forgotten as I made my way inside and power-walked to a spot just off the center of the stage.  Getting a primo spot to photograph a show is probably the only thing that can get me to power-walk anywhere.  Lost in all of this is the music.  While you can hear their rock roots in their studio releases, seeing them live is something else altogether.  Let loose on stage, they really come into their own and just dominate with a double guitar attack.  I'm sure they must take some people by surprise, but once to attend a Beaches show, you make sure not to miss the next one.  It was a terrific show.  The first photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm and the second photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

f/2.8, 1/80sec, ISO 3200 at 55mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/2.8, 1/80sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 61mm

f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 33mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 3200 at 45mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 44mm

f/2.8, 1/100sec, ISO 3200 at 44mm

f/2.8, 1/80sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm

f/2.8, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 33mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 3200 at 42mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

Thank you very much to the MGMT Group for getting me a pass for the show, it is very much appreciated.  To find out more about The Beaches, who are on tour promoting their latest EP, The Professional, don't forget to follow the link to their website.  Also, while you're clicking away, don't forget to check out my photographs of Fade Awaays and Goodbye Honolulu who also performed.

Goodbye Honolulu At Théâtre Corona

The second band to take the stage at the Théâtre Corona in Montreal on Thursday night was another indie-rock group from Toronto, Goodbye Honolulu.  Much like the headliners, I ended up photographing the during their last visit to Montreal as well.  I'd like to think that both of us have improved since then.  They're matching outfits have gone from the bowling alley shirts of Miami Vice suits, but their music mix of classic and garage rock is what kept the crowd entertained.  Except for maybe the sister of the singer who seemed a little bit upset when he informed us that it was her birthday.  Luckily, a rousing version of 'Happy Birthday to you' may have smoothed things over as everyone was all smiles afterward.  The first photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO 3200 at 25mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took for their performance.

f/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO 3200 at 44mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 55mm

f/2.8, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/100sec, ISO 3200 at 41mm

f/2.8, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 31mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/2.8, 1/80sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/2.8, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

If you'd like to find out more about Goodbye Honolulu and their music, don't forget to visit their website.  Don't forget to also check out the photo from the other bands that night, Fade Awaays and The Beaches, by following those links as well.

Fade Awaays At Théâtre Corona

A cold blast of Winter was keeping most of Montreal inside on Thursday night, but I and several other brave souls left the comfort of our homes and made our way to the Théâtre Corona in Montreal for a triple bill of homegrown Canadian rock and roll.  The first band to hit the stage was Fade Awaays, an indie rock band from Toronto.  They were the bundle of energy needed to help raise the body temperatures of those of us who had been waiting outside in the cold for the doors to open.  This was my first Fade Awaays moment, and I genuinely enjoyed it.  All four members of the group seemed to have their own personal style and they all took turns on lead vocals over the course of their set.  The crowd was sparse when they began, but when I took a moment to look behind me half-way through their set list, I saw an almost full floor who were enjoying the moment.  The first photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/1250sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

f/2.8, 1/1250sec, ISO 3200 at 42mm

f/2.8, 1/1250sec, ISO 3200 at 28mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

f/2.8, 1/1000sec, ISO 3200 at 47mm

f/2.8, 1/1000sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/400sec, ISO 3200 at 33mm

f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/30sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

f/2.8, 1/30sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

I think we can classify this band under the heading of unknown band who I saw as an opening act that I really enjoyed.  They managed to get a bunch of cold concert goers into the mood for a night of fun, and probably won themselves a good lot of new fans at the same time.  If you'd like to find out more about Fade Awaays, follow the link to their website, and also check out the photos I took of the other bands, Goodbye Honolulu and The Beaches, while you're at it.

Frosty City

One of the nice things about being home with the newborn, other than being at home with the newborn, is that if I happen to notice a particular thing, I have the time to go out and photograph it.  When I woke up, I took a quick look outside and noticed that not only was it very foggy, but that there had also been a little bit of frozen mist the night before which had covered everything in a thing coat of ice.  My Lovely Assistant and The Heir Apparent were catching up on their sleep, so I snuck out of the house and headed to a few of my favourite spots to grab a few photographs.  Once home, I figured I'd send them off to CTV and weather specialist Lori Graham, since they are usually appreciative of my work.  Sure enough, I got an email a short while after and all four photographs ended up being used on the evening broadcast.  Thanks once again Lori.  The first photograph was taken at f/14, 1/30sec, ISO 100 at 35mm.  Here are the other three.

f/16, 1/160sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

f/14, 1/125sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

f/14, 1/125sec, ISO 400 at 61mm

It's always nice to be seen somewhere other than The Old Blog.  Thanks once again to Lori Graham and the crew at CTV News Montreal. 

Moment Of Snowy Zen

Well, that was certainly something.  Depending on where you find yourself this morning, you're dealing with somewhere between 30 and 40cm's of snow.  Before the exhaustion of shoveling and the frustration some of you feel about those previous numbers not being the temperature, let us take a deep breathe and relax.  This little photograph of snow collected on the branches of an Evergreen should do the trick.  While walking around, I noticed this guy with some little flakes still sticking to the tips.  Something for you to stare at and take a little stress off.  The photograph was taken at f/4, 1/1250sec, ISO 100 at 70mm.  Even in the heaviest of snowstorms, you can still find a little beauty out there.  Now, back to shoveling....

Ready For Some Football

It is Super Bowl Sunday and what better way to get ready for the big game than looking at some photographs of some players who might make their way their one day.  These are some extra photographs from the football game that I photographed back in the Fall between The Champlain Cavaliers and the Shawinigan Électriks.  Four Quarters of football leaves one with lots of photographs, so rather than fill up the original post, I saved some for a little themed post here today.  I always enjoy photographing a game or two at my former school.  The sport makes for interesting photographs with all of the action and violence, like the ones you see here.  The first photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/1600sec, ISO 400 at 200mm and the second photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/1250sec, ISO 400 at 200mm.  Here are some more photographs of the action.

f/2.8, 1/2500sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/2500sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/2000sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/2000sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/2000sec, ISO 400 at 90mm

f/2.8, 1/2000sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/2500sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/800sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/800sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/800sec, ISO 400 at 145mm

f/2.8, 1/1250sec, ISO 400 at 200mm

f/2.8, 1/2000sec, ISO 400 at 168mm

If you'd like to see the photographs from the original post just follow the link and you'll be on your way.  As for me, it's almost game time so I'm on my way to make some nachos!  Enjoy the Super Bowl everyone.