Preville Big Band In Saint-Hubert

In another of the special Summer series of concerts put on by the Ville de Longueuil through their Longueuil est Culture organization, The Preville Big Band came by the Pariosse Saint-Hubert to entertain us this past Thursday night.  Once again, the whole gang took in the event as The Heir Apparent seems to be taking a liking to these shows.  My Lovely Assistant crafted her a little wooden camera which she took with her as she followed me to the front of the crowd to take some photographs of the action.  Though it wasn't our intention, I think that The Heir Apparent kind of stole the show as the crowd was having as much fun watching her dance and take some pictures as they did watching the show.  I've photographed the Preville Big Band a few times now, but this was probably my favourite.  First, because The Heir Apparent was right there with me, sitting on my knee and taking pictures herself, but also because the Longueuil lighting crew did a terrific job lighting up not only the band, but the church as well.  It also goes without saying that the band was in great for as well.  Breaking out some old classics, but also giving the a big band makeover to modern rock songs by Oasis, Stray Cats and Van Halen, the Preville Big Band got the crowd to come out of their seats and join in on the fun several times during their performance.  When she wasn't taking photographs, The Heir Apparent was dancing the night away.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.5, 1/1600sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm and the second photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/1250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

f/3.5, 1/1250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/4000sec, ISO 1000 at 33mm

f/3.5, 1/1600sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.5 1/800sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.5, 1/2000sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.5, 1/800sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.5, 1/800sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/640sec, ISO 3200 at 28mm

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

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 33mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

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

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

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

If you'd like to find out more about the Preville Big Band and their music, you can do so by following the link to their website.  Thanks also to the Ville de Longueuil and Longueuil est Culture.  The only thing I enjoyed more than the show was watching The Heir Apparent in action.  We'll see what develops on that front once she is old enough for a camera of her own.

Rafaëlle Roy In Saint-Hubert

Three years ago I attended my first outdoor concert put on by the Ville de Longueuil as part of their Longueuil est culture summer concert series at the Paroisse Saint-Hubert church.  The experience was such fun, that I couldn't wait to return.  See for yourself by checking out the photographs that I took by following the link.  Well, patience was in order as a certain global event put everything on hold, but not only did I get to return this past Thursday night, but My Lovely Assistant and the two Junior Partners took part in the festivities as well.  On the stage was Rafaëlle Roy, a talented singer who first gained the public's attention by being a finalist on the 2019 television singing competition, La Voix.  She regaled the Saint-Hubert crowd with some great cover songs, as well as a few original compositions of her own.  At various points during the show, she was also joined on stage by Fuso, an artist who I photographed back on Canada Day and whose photographs you can see by following the link.  As previously mentioned, the who gang was at the show, and at one point The Heir Apparent wanted to follow me to the front of the stage.  Like a pro, she snuck down there with me and we sat together as Rafaëlle, who appeared to be rather tickled by her presence, sang the Leonard Cohen classic, Hallelujah.  I can't think of anything I would have rather been doing that swaying to the music with The Heir Apparent seated next to me, taking photographs, but also taking the time to mouth the words to the song and seeing her not only repeat them, but also mimic Rafaëlle's movements on the stage.  That was an awesome moment that I hope I will never forget.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.5, 1/80sec, ISO 100 at 70mm and the second photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 400 at 70mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of her performance.

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

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 400 at 35mm

f/3.2, 1/160sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 400 at 39mm

f/3.2, 1/160sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/640sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

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

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

 f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 400 at 70mm

Much thanks to the Ville de Longueuil and Longueuil est culture for the show.  If you'd like to find out more about Rafaëlle Roy and her music, you can do so my following the link to her Facebook page.  Not only was it a great show, but it was a wonderful moment shared with the family and a memory that will last a lifetime.  Isn't that the very thing we go to concerts for?  May there be many more in the future.

Fallen Flower

Come the middle of July, most neighbourhood yards are full of wonderfully colourful flowers.  Thanks to the handiwork of My Lovely Assistant, our yard has its share of colourful petals.  Sadly, my favourite flower failed to return this year.  The Summer after arriving at the new Head Office we made the discovery of an Asian Lily that was growing near our storage shed in the backyard.  The usually green stock was a rather sickly looking grey this Spring as the snow pulled away and it was pretty evident that something was wrong.  Sure enough, or sadly enough, as the days turned to weeks, the rest of the yard began to come to life, but the Asian Lily did not.  I've got some Day Lilies that are growing in the front yard, but the bright yellow flower will not be joining us again in the back.  Luckily, I have a wide variety of photographs, such as this one, taken at f/4, 1/400sec, ISO 100 at 70mm, sitting in the archives.  Thanks for the memories Asian Lily.

Sunshine Eyes

Over the last few pandemic years, the subject that I have photographed the most has actually been seen the least here on The Old Blog.  That would be the Junior Partners.  A few days, The Crown Prince's toes were featured, so since I am always trying to keep things equal, it's only fair that The Heir Apparent got a mention as well.  As we were sitting for breakfast one day, the sun was coming in one of our windows and landing on half of her face.  I asked her to look away from the camera, and like a seasoned model, she followed my directions perfectly.  I took the photograph at f/5.6, 1/80sec, ISO 800 at 70mm and then went with a black and white finish to really bring out the details and eye lashes.  She enjoys posing for Papa and seeing the results on the camera right away.  Now if only she'd listen as well when it was time to wash her hands.

Feet & Toes

Sometimes you're in front of a stage photographing a concert, sometimes you're watching sleeping toes and The Crown Prince that they're attached to.  One may seem to be slightly more exciting than the other, but toes become much more interesting when they're attached to one of the junior partners.  As The Crown Prince was snoozing, I was looking at some photographs I had taken of some flowers in the yard, but my eye kept getting drawn to the little toes.  They were just in a great spot, photographically speaking, so I switched lenses and shot away.  Never one to make things easy, he actually shifted his feet as I was changing the lens, but fortunate returned the previous position rather quickly.  The photograph was taken at f/4, 1/40sec, ISO 100 at 70mm, but then turned to black and white because I felt it made the curves and lines stand out more.  Taking the photograph wasn't difficult, but resisting the urge to tickle away certainly was.

Kim Richardson At Fête Du Canada

The Canada party held in Greenfield Park and organized by the Ville de Longueuil and Longueuil est Culture called upon one of this Country's greatest voices to headline their party, Kim Richardson.  Beginning in a family based group in Toronto in the 1980s, Kim Richardson went on to become a multi-Juno award winning vocalist who is known from coast-to-coast across this great Country and beyond.  Though only having released five albums of her own, she is best known from her vocal performances at various festivals, events and television show.  She had a few special guests with her on the stage, one of which being her mother Jackie, who is a rather accomplished singer of her own.  A nice little family touch at this family event.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 47mm.  Here are several more photographs of her performance.

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 55mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 65mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 39mm

f/3.2, 1/100sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/500sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

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

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/30sec, ISO 25600 at 200mm

f/3.2, 1/125sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 50mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/800sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

If you would like to find out more about Kim Richardson and her music, you can do so by following the link.  If you'd like to see the other photographs that I took of Derek Frenette & Friends, Fuso and Queenie, you can do so by following the links.  Thanks very much to the Ville de Longueuil and Longueuil est Culture for getting me a pass to shoot the show.  It is always a great privilege.  After the last few years, many people I overheard while walking through the crowd mentioned how great it was to be out a an event again.  I can't help but to agree.