John Davidson: Photography

August Post (Happy BD Sid)

2011-08-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

Stuff in this Blog:

• Buckhorn Fine Arts Festival: August 11-14, 2011

• School Year begins - Soon

• Beaches Jazz Festival: July 2011

• Florida: July 2011

• Saira, Ryan & More: June 2011

• Montreal: June 2011

Buckhorn Fine Arts Festival: August 11-14, 2011

Yes, next weekend, Buckhorn celebrates its 34^th annual Fine Arts Festival. I am honoured to be one of the exhibitors again this year. This marks my fifth (?) year of showing/selling photographs at Buckhorn. It has been named one of the top 100 Festivals in Ontario and what a wonderful place, nestled as it were, in the midst of the Kawarthas. Watch for artists’ presentations, workshops, live entertainment and of course, original paintings, jewelry, photographs, drawings and sculptures to purchase. If you have the time, please come and visit my booth. I will have images from recent visits to Cuba, Key West and Montreal among others, as well as some newer music shots.

DATES & TIMES

Thursday August 11: 7 pm-10pm Preview Night

 Friday August 12: 10 am-8pm 

Saturday August 13: 10 am-6 pm 

Sunday August 14: 10 am-5 pm

ENTRANCE PRICES

Admission,

Thursday: $15.00 with re-entry all weekend 

Friday thru Sunday:

 Adults: $7.00 

Seniors/students: $6.00 

Children under 12 free

Art is available for purchase using MasterCard, VISA, Interac (debit) and Cash.

http://buckhornfineart.com

School Year begins Soon

Holy! Only three weeks and I will need to get organized to face classes at Durham College once again. Teach five classes in photography this September. Look forward to another exciting semester. Must keep saying the mantra “I won’t let mobile phones get to me”!

Beaches Jazz Festival: July 2011

Ok, so I am not only a photo geek but pretty much a music addict too. Not all music gets my attention and rather than saying what does not appeal to me I’d much rather focus on what does. The Beaches Jazz Festival sure does! The third weekend in July gets a spot on my calendar every single year. No, it is not strictly a jazz festival in the true sense of the word (actually, these days, not many jazz festivals are). In fact, I would have to say that having ‘jazz festival’ in its name in some ways blurs the definition of what is actually played. Yet, mixed in with this was indeed some more traditional jazz and a lot of awfully talented musicians playing very interesting music. This festival has about it such a warm and friendly atmosphere. The fact that there are so many children and dogs (almost a pre-requisite to either live in, or visit the ‘Beach’), does not take away anything. In fact it adds to its charm.

Some of the bands who come to mind from that weekend are; Fathead (perennial favourites), The Sultans of String - truly gifted and wonderful musicians all, steered by the infinite skills of their leader and talented violinist Chris McKhool - these guys are adept at playing almost anything and making it sound magical; Rockit88, led by the festival’s own artistic director, Bill King and a number of other bands including the jazz infused KC Roberts (who has managed to get bookings all around, including at my favourite haunt, The Rex). Speaking of The Rex and images of music, one of my Contact 2011 venues was indeed the Rex Hotel. The management there, Avi and Bob, have asked that I leave the exhibit of jazz images up for a while longer. I don’t expect it will come down for some time yet.

But my most memorable musical moments of the Beaches weekend occurred on Sunday afternoon. What a great idea to put the Lionel Young Band, followed with Red Baraat at the end of the weekend. We (friends, Trevor, Stan and myself), were completely taken by both of these bands. I don’t wish to do a music review here, so suffice to say that Lionel Young left me speechless. Their groove, their mixture of blues, funk and jazz, was the most refreshing, innovative sound I’ve experienced in a long time. The trumpeter, Andre Mali, has rewritten the meaning of cool; think Miles Davis meets Prince. Oh yeah, he plays a mean trumpet too!

The last band to appear at the festival, indeed its closer, was a complete surprise in sound and presence: Red Baraat. These guys infuse a mixture of Indian rhythm Bhangra, jazz and world, with a measure of funk thrown into the pot. Quite an experience to feel the energy led by dhol player Sunny Jain and his almost equally energetic band members. You will see what a dhol looks like in the images below. Very difficult to describe Red Baraat’s sound, just don’t miss the chance to experience them wherever they play.

The images which appear here of Lionel Young, Red Baraat and others at that afternoon Kew Gardens local, were taken with my Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 lens. To get that high shutter speed and limited depth-of-field yet still maintain the tight image structure that comes with shooting at an ISO of 200, I shot either wide open, or close to it – certainly never smaller than f/4. Additionally, I opted for the extra reach of the D300 crop sensor rather than my full frame sensor camera. At these lower ISOs, I honestly can’t see a qualitative difference in images between the APS or full-frame sensor size.

Florida: July 2011

How lucky am I? Someone close to me has a home in Florida - which at the time wasn’t occupied - so I was asked if I would like to stay for a few days. Not being the type to turn down free lodging while travelling (how often does this happen), I jumped at the chance. Never have I had the opportunity to go to Key West either, but this is something I managed to get on the agenda. So, with enough Air Miles to pay for my return flight I headed off to Sarasota as my starting off point. Sarasota has a lot to offer including beautiful beaches, access to many spots on the Gulf Coast and of course great weather.

Close by is a place called Myacca River State Park, one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. This place contains a variety of wetlands, prairies and woodlands, where one can hike, fish, camp observe wildlife and of course, photograph stuff. Probably saw more wildlife in two days at this place than one might hope to see in years anywhere else: Deer, armadillos, raccoons, eagles, green anole (Chamelion), vultures, wild pigs, wild turkey, herons, egrets, fish, alligators galore of course and much more. The terrain at Myacca is both diverse and unique. I will return on my next visit to the area.

Ok, so I didn’t mention the one irritating thing. A biting fly appropriately named noseeum. They are not much fun and are hard to see (No-see-um – get it?). They can be found in many places in the state, but the Everglades and Myacca seem to have more than they deserve.

Had always heard of Key West but never had the time to get all the way down the Keys. This trip I made the effort. At times it felt as if one would never arrive, but eventually I did. On the way I saw endless bridges over the ocean, gorgeous beaches and fishing piers. I thought Key West would be the same. In fact Key West was nothing my imagination had prepared me for. It is old, densely populated and charming. Its coastline is coral and its only beaches man made. Much of the population is made up of tourists who arrived by car, like myself but Key West is also a cruise ship destination, or stopover. Yet there are many who have been here since the early 70s. I met people who were drawn to the area for its warm climate, isolated location, and free spirited approach to life. Artists, musicians a few pirates and the odd juggler inhabit the old part of town.

Mallory square at sunset (every single night) is a great place to meet some of the artists. The older bars and restaurants on and around Duval Street are a draw for every new visitor to Key West. Yes, many of the tourists join other ‘parrotheads’ hoping to get a glimpse of Jimmy Buffet in Margaritaville. Ironically he was playing in Toronto while I was there.

Yet some of the bars, notably Schooner Wharf and more specifically, The Green Parrot, cater as much to locals as they do tourists. The location and view that is offered at Schooner Wharf is ideal. A must visit for its atmosphere, food and music. Schooner’s is a great place to have breakfast outdoors, where an interesting group of regulars meet up daily. You might catch The Raven Cooper Band with Bubba Low Notes on any given day.

The Green Parrot on the other hand, is off the beaten path and seems to draw even more of the local crowd.

The place is legendary. Has been around since 1890, serves up the best dark rum and ginger beer drink you could ask for and gets reviewed with the highest accolades as the best, or near best bar in America - this from a variety of sources (including Playboy Magazine, or so the sign outside states). Manager, John Vagnoni proudly showed off the latest write up mounted on the wall just seconds before I took his photo. Music here is original and quite often the best in the Key. There is mutual respect and appreciation between musicians and the audience. You can even see Watermelon Slim play the Parrot on occasion. He’s the real deal. Of course, there is no sniveling at the Parrot.

Always loved the look of approaching storms and the ominous skies that accompany them. Tampa Bay didn’t disappoint. On the way to my return flight I stopped to enjoy the view of the bridge crossing the ocean. Skies were blue with a few clouds, within minutes everything changed. Thunder, lightning and the darkest clouds imaginable made their presence known. Great storm.

I am anxious to return to Florida and to the Keys.

Saira & Ryan & More: June 2011

What a nice young couple I met recently. Saira and Ryan are to be married next month and I have the honour of taking their wedding photos. I did some fun engagement photos of them last month. Here is a sample of that day.

Speaking of marriages, Nadia and Nathan had a lovely June wedding and have agreed to let me put up a few shots from their beautiful day. Their now joined families are two of the most wonderful one could meet.

Montreal: June 2011

Last month, I took a few days to head for Montreal. I don’t get to this city as often as I would like. One always feels the excitement and unique cultural disposition while there - this trip was no exception. I remember years ago while attending the jazz festival (Montreal boasts a truly great jazz festival!) when I was introduced to the first of what would be several live performances I would see by the incredible young jazz guitarist, Pat Metheny. Montreal has remained one of his favourite places to play with audiences wild about his musical skills.

Unfortunately, although Montreal is an exciting place to be, my most recent trip occurred in the midst of a heat wave, resulting in light that was direct and intense (I had hoped it might be overcast). This is not always a recipe for great photographs. I did manage to come away with a few good images - some of which I have put up here.

I love art of all kinds – yet not everyone can create art. The one visual observation I came away with more than any other is this: Yes, some spray painted graffiti is edgy, perhaps political, has a message even and once in a while, has artistic merit. But surely, not everyone capable of yielding a can of spray paint is an artist? No more than anyone who buys a paint brush and water colours can paint, or claim to create art. Many of these bits of graffiti are simply out to deface public and private property without any artistic vision or message. There are, I’m sure, areas of buildings in Montreal which haven’t been sprayed, so perhaps it’s only me who just didn’t notice them. Thankfully the old, grey buildings of 'Old Montreal' remain historically true. I am not knocking Montreal -Toronto, Birmingham, Glasgow and many other cities have graffiti - but enough already with the spray paint. Given my complaints I have still included one or two interesting graffiti images.

Cuba

2011-02-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

OK, I admit, I am for sure not on top of this blog. It has been months since an entry. My friend Sherry recently told me to find the time, so I am doing just that. I’ve shot many photographs since the last entry. Editing should be difficult, but I am going to make it easy; I am just going to start by adding images from one event.

Cuba over the Christmas season is where I will pick up. Cuba with it’s mountains, beaches, villages - and of course, Havana. This was my third trip to Cuba. I’m not sure if it’s the weather, the music (which seems to be part of every Cuban’s make up), or perhaps just the acceptance that life is much simpler, that makes the people so enjoyable to be around. The sights, sounds and scents of Havana are ever present, but for me the music is always the most memorable. For someone who spends so much time listening to music, Cuba – more specifically Havana – is a paradise.

The generosity of Cubans is from the heart. Since most have so little to give this is especially so, but musicians here play music simply for the love of it. At every turn someone is playing a trumpet, guitar or maracas. To the east of Havana, in the countryside, we also visited a tiny village called Hershey. This was founded by the American, Milton S. Hershey (the founder of Hershey chocolate) and built around a large sugar mill in 1917. It was originally built to refine sugar for Hershey’s chocolate factory in Pennsylvania. With the revolution in 1959 Castro’s government took over the mill until, during the early 1990s, it closed because the lifeline to the Soviet Union had very quickly dried up. Today the factory is a deserted heap of rusty old buildings. But the tiny village lives on and families’ young and old occupy its many small, yet charming and well-kept little bungalows with their beautiful gardens. It is in a place such as Hershey where a visitor can find many wonderful Cubans.

Normally, photographers shoot a single exposure based on a correct method of reading light levels (hand held or through the lens camera metering technique). This single exposure is very often either a compromise, or a slightly over or underexposed version of a given scene. HDR (High Dynamic Range) offers an alternative to this. Briefly put, HDR is a photographic technique whereby three or more images of the same scene are exposed at a variety of exposures and ‘blended’ later during post processing. Shooting with a steady tripod is a must when employing this technique.

Some of these images were shot in HDR at various locations within the old city and in the countryside. A few of them (and others) I will print and frame later for upcoming shows. In the meantime I am happy to share some here. They represent both Havana and Hershey.

Please check my web site for news about shows and events in 2011:

http://www.johndavidsonphotography.com/

Nadia & Nathan

2010-08-31T06:24:00.000-07:00

I recently met this lovely couple and wanted to share some images of them here. These are the result of an engagement shoot yesterday. I have the honour of photographing their wedding next summer.

Final Post: Ontario

2010-05-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

Ahh, so here is the final update to this. The reason I want to finalize it is unclear, yet I suppose that since I started it, it simply needs an ending.

I’m back in Ontario. Back to flatter land and (slightly) warmer weather - although the temperature out west seems to have risen since I left.
I confess that I’m not a great “alone” traveler. It always takes a few days to get used to the fact that not only are you alone, but your experiences are yours alone as well. Yet, posting my photos and rambling thoughts has - in a way, brought about some relief from this.

I’ll admit, I was discouraged after the fourth day, when I had practically nothing photographic to show for my time, travel and expense. That morning in Dillon, Montana, with the snow and cold and wind blowing at 7am, was hard to face physically; and certainly even more difficult to get enthused over from a visual sense. My head and hands were cold and I didn’t feel like getting my gear out to shoot, let alone getting inspired. I hadn’t dressed for this and besides, winter is the time for snow; not May! Should I have heeded the advice to go to Cuba or Arizona? Didn’t matter for there I was.

Yet it was during that day when both the weather and my outlook got a boost. The sun found its way through those gray skies for just a few moments. The hills around Dillon were mostly deserted and it gave me space to just feel the desolate beauty of the place. Bannack, a Ghost Town/National Park was my nearby destination and it was such a blast to be alone and do a walkabout there. This same feeling stayed with me all the way back to the Northwestern area of the state and into Glacier, continuing across the border and along the Alberta Foothills.

I did get some images: No, nothing close to my goal of 50-80gigabytes worth, but some worthy shots.

I will go back out there. I would love to return to Waterton and the Foothills, perhaps visit Glacier National Park and maybe even get down to Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Get permission to shoot some First Nations people on both sides of the border.

Maybe I’ll take along a 400 or 500mm lens to get so much closer to the spectacular wildlife. Grizzlies?

Just not in early May.

Canmore, Alberta

2010-05-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

Didn’t like to leave Waterford yesterday, where the mountains were not quite so high but the tourists were few.

Well, one more morning to go. It is a truly beautiful morning. I write this from Canmore - a tourist trap if there ever was one. Yet not nearly so bad as Banff where I’m told one can spend $8000 on a purse. As most people know, both these places are nestled in some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada. But I had to see it, so here I am and frankly, I only stayed here because I managed to get a cheap rate. The room is not a room per say, but a series of rooms; including two bedrooms, kitchen, dining and living room - ski chalet actually, that I got for sweet $68.

Two days ago while hiking around Waterford I came across an eagle's nest. I watched quietly as the mother and father swooped in and out of the nest with fresh kills of small animals. I was alone and wished I had a much longer lens in order to catch them closer. Speaking of lenses, while in that same area I came across a photographer who specializes in grizzlies. He was hauling a 400mm f/4 Nikon and on his way to seek out bears deep into an adjacent area’s creek bed. He is called Rod and somewhere I have a link to his web site. The guy is unarmed, wearing camouflage and he stays quiet so that he can come across grizzlies without warning.
He has seen and photographed seven different grizzlies in the last three weeks and knows of another half dozen. Now I love the outdoors but I am not quite so adventurous as this.

The drive up here along a quiet road in the foothills was a slow one which suits me just fine. It was somewhat surreal at the same time: Big skies, ranches and a great deal of open space while listening to the Pogues. Yet this crazy juxtaposition of Shane McGowan and the Canadian west worked for cowboy fences, Dirty Old Town and me.

I made a slight detour to visit a very spiritual place called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Archaeological evidence shows that for thousands of years Plains Aboriginals forced buffalo off the sides of cliffs here, where they would fall to their death. Many died on impact, but those that survived were killed with spears and later butchered for their precious meat. Spear and arrowheads are still occasionally found at the bottom of cliffs in this area (although it is illegal to remove anything).

Finally saw Lake Louise, which is all it is said to be, with the exception of a huge (yuge to hockey analysts) luxury hotel behind the camera of seemingly every photo taken here. It is nevertheless a beautiful place.

Between Banff and Lake Louise was a young moose in a creek. I saw it, as I was driving and decided to stop and watch. It was only when I looked through my 200mm that I noticed both its hindquarters and one leg were torn and big chunks of flesh ripped away. I met a Canadian wildlife guy who explained that wolves had attacked the young moose and that if I stayed hidden I could wait and perhaps view the wolves bring it down once more. I respect nature being what it is, but decided that I didn’t really wish to see this so off I went.

So today I am off to Calgary for my last night in the west.
Fly out tomorrow.

Heading North

2010-05-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Well I am leaving the Waterton area in just a few minutes.
I love this place but, want to catch the light over the foothills, so I likely won't post any images. Not enough time really.

Have seen eagles, big horn sheep, mountain goats and many, many gophers (ho-hum).

Last evening I went high into the mountains and just stood there with my jaw hanging down. How could I never have experienced the west before? After marveling at the beauty of Canada and indeed how fortunate we Canadians are to call this our home, I eventually headed back down the mountain. Sitting down to enjoy something to eat was even more a treat because the young people who were running the grill had a mixed music list of Neil Young songs. Nothing could have topped off the day or had been more appropriate than this bit of Canadiana. Lump in the throat stuff.

If I can find the Internet tonight I will post more images later this evening.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

2010-05-09T08:14:00.001-07:00

I haven’t been able to get on the Internet the last two days.

So here it is, Saturday night and Sunday morning of May 9th and 10th. Yes I am back in Canada – four days to go on my short trip.

Friday night I stayed in Columbia Falls and the night before in Missoula (both in Montana).

The best part of Missoula were the very nice people I met and waking up to beautiful blue skies on Friday: The first in five days!

From Missoula I headed north towards Glacier National Park. On the way I discovered this wonderful place where I found and photographed bison. It was an experience not to be forgotten. I was the only one there (unless you count the bison, antelope and deer).

Passed many small northwestern towns and villages ending up in Columbia Falls on the edge of Glacier National park. While visiting a glacial lake there, I met an Ansel Adams look-a-like (also a photographer) who is on his 75th day of attempting to shoot all the National Parks in the US. He started in Alaska and is determined to complete his quest. He is called Herman and is the bearded guy in one of the attached photos. To offset costs, Herman has slept in his car the entire journey.

First thing this morning it was back to the grey, cold weather, eventually turning to snow…arrghh. I crossed back into Alberta (into even heavier snow - this is May, no?) ending up in the most fantastic place ever: Waterton National Park, Alberta, which is where I am as I write this. I simply cannot describe the pristine beauty of this place, set in the mountainous wilderness. I don’t even mind the snow. As a matter of fact it is beautiful, because right now there is no wind and it is hovering around zero.

We have so much in Canada. I don’t know why I waited so long to discover this place. I am staying here for a couple of days to get some more photographs and will put up some more if I can. In the meantime, I am attaching some images shot over the past several days.

Dillon, Montana

2010-05-05T20:54:00.001-07:00

So I drove a long way today. All the way from the border to close to the bottom of the state: Dillon to be precise. Met some interesting people including some very, um, interesting US Border people.

In my attempt to get away from the bad weather I think I have somehow managed to bring it with me. At least that's what some Montanans believe!
It is 10pm and I am looking outside it is and snowing once more. I thought the further south from Alberta I drove, the less it would snow. But I'm told that it is a rare May indeed that doesn't get several "winter" storms. The weather report calls for mixed snow and rain through to at least Saturday here. The ceiling is 400 feet, so visibility is actually worsening. Alberta weather is set to clear in a couple of days, so perhaps I should begin heading a loop north and get to where there is some nicer light.
Saw beautiful scenery when the weather had clearing intervals today. South of Great Falls I had my first taste of spectacular mountains. But shooting mountain landscapes (whose tops can't be seen clearly) with a tripod in snowy or high wind conditions isn't what I was hoping for.

The speed limit here is 75mph on the interstate. I was told that up until a few years ago there was no speed limit at all.

Today I saw a large coyote, some eagles, many elk and a number of other critters. There truly is a lot of wildlife. All over Montana is fantastic fishing and they boast some of the best fly fishing for trout in the world. The rivers and streams seem to be everywhere and Dillon seems to be almost the centre of it.
These are images shot in the mountains when the weather lifted.

Montana Border: Day Two

2010-05-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hi,
This is my very first entry on my very first blog. I just found a place to get on line.
I wanted this to be a photo blog with few words and some photos, yet it is one with no photos and a few words.
For the second night I've been stuck in a horrendous snowstorm with 100 kmh plus winds on the Montana border in Coutts, Alberta.
Power was out most of the day but just came on. Not exactly a successful Montana landscape photography trip thus far with these unexpected early May severe weather conditions.
An elderly couple of ladies are staying a few doors down in the same motel. Their car flipped over after they lost control on the road. Thanks to the weather, crews can't get it for them until tomorrow.

I will try once more to head into Montana tomorrow but if the weather doesn't lift soon the photo trip may become a flop. Must keep positive though and hope the weather does a complete turn tomorrow.