Parkour Slideshow

 

I'm really starting to enjoy shooting parkour. Last weekend, I shot a jam in Herndon, Virginia, with both my Nikon Df and Zeiss SW (film camera) with Voigtlander 12mm f5.6 ultra wide angle lens.

 

(Click Here) to see my short (1.5 minute) slideshow of images I took with the Nikon Df and 35-70 f2.8 AF-D and 20mm f2.8 AF-D lenses.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Another Watermelon Park Festival Highlight - The Knicely Family Band

I'm working through my Watermelon Park images, in between traveling for work (I'm in Albany, NY at the moment), and several other projects. Here's a shot of the Knicely Family Band.

 

Knicely Family Band, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 20mm f2.8 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f5.6, 1/125 sec.

 

As you probably already know from my posts, the Knicely family is kind of a core of musical talent here in Virginia. Danny Knicely (second from right) is a musical powerhouse, playing in multiple bands as well as producing his own music, including his latest CD, "Waltz for Aimee." Those are his brothers on the ends, and Mom and Dad next to him.

 

(Click Here) to go to Danny's website and purchase the new CD.

 

I knew that I wanted to get all of their faces in this shot, to the extent possible. The wide angle 20mm f2.8 lens allowed me to do that from right at the front of the stage.

 

Along those lines, Nikon has a new 20mm f1.8 lens out. I'd love to have that extra speed in my 20mm lens. I've been using the 20 more lately for live music, in dark spaces. The extra 1.4 or so f-stops would really help. See the link below to see the new lens on Amazon.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

By and By Bluegrass at Gypsy Sally's - Including Some "Dreaming in Monochrom(e)" Shots

I've already posted some shots of the Larry Keel Power Trio (aka Larry Keel Experience) that I shot at Gypsy Sally's in Washington DC a while back.

 

(Click Here) to see my earlier post and link to my images on the live music blog Cosmic Vibes Live. Since that post, which was all digital shots, I've received my film back from The Darkroom. I have more Keel pictures to post, when I get to it.

 

In the meantime, here are some images of one of the opening bands, By and By. The bass player, Matt Iadanza, is a friend and co-worker in my regular job. The first set is digital, all shot with the still-amazing Nikon D700. I processed these in Lightroom using my settings to emulate Ilford Delta 3200 film.

 

(Click Here) to find my Lightroom settings that lead to this look.

 

I'll follow that with a couple of film shots from the Leica M4-2 that I'm using for the Dreaming in Monochrom(e) series.

 

 

 

 

By and By, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 20mm f2.8, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lenses

 

And here are a couple shot with my Leica M4-2 and real honest-to-goodness Ilford Delta 3200 film.

 

By and By, by Reed A. George

Leica M4-2, Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

Ilford Delta 3200 Film

 

This was Matt's last show as bassist for By and By. He's now in the UK, working at the University of Leeds. Best wishes, Matt! But, the band continues on. (Click Here) to learn more about By and By Bluegrass.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Local Music Scene Continues to Evolve

As you probably know, I am a big live music fan. When I was a kid, it was "the bigger the better," at least up to the point of a stadium show, where you may as well go see the performers in a movie. Now, I prefer intimate settings, and even performers that I have the benefit of knowing. Lucky for me, there's an unusual concentration of musical talent where I live here in Northern Virginia.

 

Last year brought some changes to the musical world I follow. Some very positive, some will take time to work out. Positive - The Woodshedders, who you'll find pictures of here on my blog, put out an incredibly creative album. The Plank Stompers are alive and well. Otherwise? Well, one of my favorites, Acoustic Burgoo, is on hiatus with Ben now living in New Orleans and Melissa in a new project (Mink) and traveling a lot as well. Both are doing well, but it's changed our local music quite a lot. Along the same lines, Timmy, Josh, and Jack, of Jake and the Burtones, have also all moved off to continue their trajectories. But, Jake and the Burtones not only continues, it's thriving. I got to see them a few weeks ago - lots of new music in their set list and new people on stage, amongst two of the three originals (Timmy was in Malta).

 

Here are some shots from the show:

 

 

Jake and the Burtones, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 20mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, and 85mm f1.8 AF Lenses

 

The D700 is such an amazing camera. Most of these were shot at iso 6400, and stand up quite well. I know, the D4/Df is even better, but I'm pleased. I did use bounced flash as well - the light was pretty low. I am finding that the 20mm f2.8, which I've had for a long time but used relatively little, is spectacular for capturing the whole band at once in a very tight performance space. This show was in the White Palace, a restaurant here in Purcellville, Virginia.

 

So, we're all watching the changes, seeing some of our established favorites, some new arrangements, and sometimes a combination of the two. Music is an enriching part of life, and it's always better live, if you ask me.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com