I was lucky enough to blag my way into a local festival last weekend. This is the first year it has been put on, and I have to say the organisation was fantastic. The Festival was run in a ‘Battle of the Bands’ format where local judges and the audience vote for who they think were the best bands on the day and the winner received a cash prize. There was also a prize for the junior section who were on in the afternoon.

A heavy storm blew over in the middle of the afternoon which paused the fun for half an hour or so, but after sorting a couple of technical stage problems the organisers got everything running again with some very talented musicians performing. I was so busy shooting away I didn’t get a running list of the bands, so I’m afraid I cant blog who they are. Oops! There’s a lesson to learn?   

One menber of an early band on stage. I love the composition of this. f2.8 to get the background as out of focus as I could.

Just before the sun set behind the hill I had about 15miniuts of fantastic light. I took the opportunity to wiz round the field taking candid shots of the audience. I would always show my result to the whoever it was I captured, and if they didn't like it I would delete. Yes I know I have the right to keep the shot, but that’s not a good way to get invited back.

A candid shot taken back stage as the heavens opened.

Kick light from a gelled up flash fixed up high. I think a blue gell would have worked better, but hey?

Tried shooting through a lighting stand to get the forgroung out of focus here. Good strong zig zags make this work for me. Again f2.8 on my much loved 70-200mm.

I took a couple of candid shots of this group, showed them, then they wanted to pose. Who am I to refuse? Fantastic back light. F4 at 1/250, ISO400.

Spectacular red hair, nails and lips. A sparkley jacket, and a fantastic voice. This girl has the lot. As I said, I wish I had grabbed a play list and could tell you who the performers are. 1/80, f2.8 and ISO400. . . .getting dark now!

Great sunset over the field. Don’t ever remember seeing such a classic fan of sunbeams as Saturday evening. Such a shame that more people didn’t come along.

For such a new event, the organisation, lighting and performances were 1st class. If anyone is reading this and decided not to go – You missed a treat!

Lets just hope that the event is put on next year, and that more people come along. A full field would have been a superb sight. Why weren’t YOU there?

Anyway, I found this online the other day, and after speaking to Will he has used some of my other frames inside the CD case, and will be using more when his site is up and running.

Full review of the CD here (link). I’ve not had a chance to listen yet, but am looking forward to getting a copy.

Here are a few other frames I took of Will during our session back in May.

Flash from the left, sunlight from the right. Most fo these were taken at a farm just across the road from where Will lives. Many thanks to Tom whos farm it is.

Deliberately framed this so that there was room to the left for text in the CD sleeve, or if was used on a website.

Waiting for the stage door to open? Not quite, its actually an ally at the side of a bank building -but why spoil the illusion? (1/200, iso200 at f7 with two flashes.)

This is the one Will has used for the Album cover. It was a bit of a rush taking it since the rain was threatening, and they were on stage very soon after. So just a little pressure?

I think this one has been used on the CD sleeve also. Not seen it at the time of blogging, so it could be the other similar shot?

Now its Gwyns turn to use the repair service, since it looks like his 24-105 f4L lens is faulty. Eeeek? Canon’s service centre is doing all right out of the two of us just now!

Took a couple frames of Will Killeen at the Exchange pub last weekend. Similar shots to the banner I’ve used on this Blog. What a fantastic musician? A real joy to listen to. It was so obvious how much he loves playing and to watch his face light up to the audiences applause was so good to see. I also printed off the banner shot of Will and gave it to him in a frame, just as little thank you for letting me photograph him. Also remember him saying that he doesn’t read his email so was unlikely to see the pictures I took before. He said he really liked the shot, and bought me a pint! Cheers Will, much appreciated J

Went up to Shell Island last Saturday to meet up with my friends from Abergele and have a BBQ + just a few little drinks. What  good time until the rain started anyway!  The occasion was Laura’s birthday, and instead of going out for a couple of drinks in Chester or Liverpool she wanted to try camping. I joined for Saturday afternoon and night, and met up in Barmouth for a play on the funfair then onto Shell Island for a couple more drinks and a natter. Just about the time we went to bed it was trying to rain. By 4 or 5am it was hammering it down, and blowing a gale. Most tents seemed to bear up fairly well, but some in out party go flooded in their tents went home! Clearing up the camp in he morning took a while – It was raining on and off as we packed up.  

Waltzers in Barmouth on Saturday afternoon

Windswept Birthday girl Laura. A moment later and Laura's hat was dancing off across the dunes.

Little did we know that the clouds were brewing a storm. A couple of hours later it started to rain, then it chucked it down while blowing hard too

I left on the Monday night and met up with my mate Mike in Bolton. From there headed up to a campsite near Moffat for Tuesday night and onto Aberdeen on Wednesday. When Mike, H and I stayed at the campsite near Moffat a year and a half ago, Alistair (the owner) said we could have a free breakfast if we went swimming in the Loch before 8am. Unfortunately for him Mike and I have long memories, and a free breakfast is a free breakfast! It was very cold though – it was a very very short swim!

On the way up to Aberdeen we decided to put ‘Aviod motorways’ into the Sat Nav. The down side it that it takes forever to get through major cities like Edinburgh. I wanted to head north from Perth and then east to Aberdeen. Time was running out so we batted along the main coast road to be sure we got there on time. 

Got into Lerwick Thursday morning after the smoothest crossing in history. The Rally site near the top of a small hill, sheltered a little from the wind by the hill, but still there were quite a few tents damaged.

Thursday nights entertainment was a drinking game. Not sure of the rules, mind you I don’t think anyone was? I asked one guy, and he said the rules were that “you drink from a boot” Nuff said? Can’t remember Friday night, Think I was sulking L My camera had started playing up that afternoon, so I wasn’t in the best of humour. By Saturday afternoon it seemed to have righted its self and was fine. (Very odd, but I was very relieved. Since then the problem has come back and its now away being fixed)

Saturday Afternoon was a bus ride to Lerwick to watch the mid summer carnival and sup a couple of beers. Just a few pictures below:

When we got back to the rally the Spinny chair was being abused. I thought this was so funny. A canteen chair attached to an electric motor. What could possibly go wrong? Think the idea was to get dizzy then run round an obstacle course. But staying on the chair was such a challenge that it was the entertainment in its self.

I was quite sad to leave Shetland, but also looking forward to touring round the highlands and taking the long way home. Left for Aberdeen Sunday night and spent some of Monday morning looking for a Locksmiths so I could recover my waterproof trousers form Mikes to box. (Broken key). Mike and I split company very soon after. He headed south and homewards, I headed north up towards the coast, cutting off the very north east corner, and staying about 20miles form John ‘o’ Groats on Monday night. From there I went to Applecross though some of the most spectacular scenery in the British isles. Just wish it was closer, it is truly breathtaking. From Applecross I headed home in one hit. Too far for me on a bike I was shattered when I got home.

Anyway, that’s a brief round up. Here are a few of the pics: 

Eventually I’ve got round to posting some of the images I took while I was away on my motorbike. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that good in Shetland (Quite windy, and fairly grey) but we all had a great time. The Simmer Dim rally was one of the best I’ve ever been to… er, NO ‘The Best’ ! What a great bunch? nothing is too much trouble and everyone has the time to stop and chat.

I left on the Monday night and met up with my mate Mike in Bolton. From there headed up to a campsite near Moffat for Tuesday night and onto Aberdeen on Wednesday. When Mike, H and I stayed at the campsite near Moffat a year and a half ago, Alistair (the owner) said we could have a free breakfast if we went swimming in the Loch before 8am. Unfortunately for him Mike and I have long memories, and a free breakfast is a free breakfast! It was very cold though – it was a very very short swim!

On the way up to Aberdeen we decided to put ‘Aviod motorways’ into the Sat Nav. The down side it that it takes forever to get through major cities like Edinburgh. I wanted to head north from Perth and then east to Aberdeen. Time was running out so we batted along the main coast road to be sure we got there on time. 

Got into Lerwick Thursday morning after the smoothest crossing in history. The Rally site near the top of a small hill, sheltered a little from the wind by the hill, but still there were quite a few tents damaged.

Thursday nights entertainment was a drinking game. Not sure of the rules, mind you I don’t think anyone was? I asked one guy, and he said the rules were that “you drink from a boot” Nuff said? Can’t remember Friday night, Think I was sulking L My camera had started playing up that afternoon, so I wasn’t in the best of humour. By Saturday afternoon it seemed to have righted its self and was fine. (Very odd, but I was very relieved. Since then the problem has come back and its now away being fixed)

Saturday Afternoon was a bus ride to Lerwick to watch the mid summer carnival and sup a couple of beers. Just a few pictures below:

When we got back to the rally the Spinny chair was being abused. I thought this was so funny. A canteen chair attached to an electric motor. What could possibly go wrong? Think the idea was to get dizzy then run round an obstacle course. But staying on the chair was such a challenge that it was the entertainment in its self.

I was quite sad to leave Shetland, but also looking forward to touring round the highlands and taking the long way home. Left for Aberdeen Sunday night and spent some of Monday morning looking for a Locksmiths so I could recover my waterproof trousers form Mikes to box. (Broken key). Mike and I split company very soon after. He headed south and homewards, I headed north up towards the coast, cutting off the very north east corner, and staying about 20miles form John ‘o’ Groats on Monday night. From there I went to Applecross though some of the most spectacular scenery in the British isles. Just wish it was closer, it is truly breathtaking. From Applecross I headed home in one hit. Too far for me on a bike I was shattered when I got home.

Anyway, that’s a brief round up. Here are a few of the pics:

Mike fighting his way into a bottle of Whisky. Why he had to use his teeth only he knows!

The Boot drinking game. The rules are 'You Drink' the rest is made up as the game goes on.

Some seem to be able to cope with the beer, but then agian some DON'T !!

The game ends with a round or two of Russian Roulette. Why ear plugs? If the gun goes off a pop would seem the least of your problems?

Umm?

Thanks Gwyn for your post processing on this image

Taken about 10:30 at night. It didn't really do dark. It just went darker slowly till about 1am, then started getting lighter again. Never needed a torch all weekend.

A beautiful old BSA. Don't know how far it cad come. Never saw he owner to talk to. There was a large patch of black grass under the gearbox. Inevitable?

The Dizzy chair. Now who would think sitting on this is a good idea?

Both hands on the beer, both hands on the chair, or one on each? Dosn't really matter. What ever you do its going to end up going wrong!

Lerwick Carnival