A Weekend of Music and Fun
I volunteered at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival recently and enjoyed seeing people from my crew again and enjoyed listening to new artists that were previously unfamiliar to me as well as seeing some familiar ones. I came away from the experience feeling creatively and spiritually inspired. Here are some shots from the weekend.
Here’s from behind the scenes in the kitchen where food is prepared and served up to over 2,000 people per meal at the peak of the festival.
the food is fresh and delicious.
And outside, facing the hill.The stages all face hills in the ski club in the middle of the city..
Some of the musicians Oysterband and Mike Farris
The light of the hoops at night.
Final Act of theFirst Evening with the City in Background
Just checking this out for the sake of seeing the size of the photo and it will be nothing too stimulating or inspirational. I am very listless today, may be the comfort of my apartment versus going outdoors. Once outside I am fine, I just don’t like the transition. I see a new feature: spell check, that is a good thing. As soon as I post this blog I am going outside to see my friends, furry and otherwise.
I found it. I just had to close the media page. Duh! WordPress, I owe you an apology. I have no patience and was not in the mood to learn today-just wanted to post the blog.
by Jane Chesebrough
Something a Little Different
Yesterday I could walk better, bought a pair of cleatswith feet of light rubber that stretch right over the tops of the toes of my boots and above the heels with four studs under the ball of my foot and two under the heels. I felt much more confident although I did slip slightly a couple of times sideways,just slightly. It was so nice to stride down the path rather than precariously inch along. This was the first picture I got yesterday when I went out after having lunch with friends.It is always so important for me to get my “nature fix’ especially after a week of work. I relax more , I feel happy, it feels good to breathe the fresh air and it feels good to get some exercise. The problems of the week slough off and I get rejuvenated and usually meet people along the way that are enjoyable to engage with because they too are out there in a relaxed state.I return home feeling grateful and ready to get back tothe other things that I like to do but may create a little more stress . Maybe this photo is a message to me to “lighten up.”
- ©Jane Chesebrough
I hand held the camera using a 300mm lens -no image stabilizer,just a fast shutter speed. but still a little soft.Frankly i am not too worried about that.
Such Acrobats
©Jane Chesebrough
I was excited today to find great light and after meeting someone for lunch I was rushing off to the park to see what birds were around. Optimum light doesn’t last long and I felt anxious to get going.I was taking pictures of the chickadees and my curious friend when I was blessed with the arrival of a flock of Bohemian Waxwings. I enjoy watching how agile they are and how they get their berries.At the same time I am a little overwhelmed by their speed and forget to check my exposure when I change direction or point-of-view. My zoom lens does not have image stabilization so like the brightness so I can take pictures at a high shutter speed and reduce blur.
It was a beautiful day and I saw a couple of other photographers enjoying themselves as well. I want to buy those cleats that you can fit onto your boots for walking on the ice…all this freezing rain makes it slippery on the trails.
©Jane Chesebrough
Birding on New Years Day
I promised myself that I would work on practising photography of birds, and that I had trouble getting a shot of pine grosbeaks the other day. So went out on the first day of the year looking for birds and had some luck. They are not perfect shots but maybe I can measure my progress this way. Found Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwings, and White-breasted Nuthatch.Oh yes, I can’t forget Mr. Curiousity! Click on the images for a larger view. 🙂
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- Jane Chesebrough
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- Jane Chesebrough
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- Jane Chesebrough
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- Jane Chesebrough
It’s a Leap Year!
I was outdoors trying to get a successful photo of some Pine Grosbeaks-the ones from the other day were dismal and I got some that were better that I will show you but I had this little inquisitive fellow following me for some time. Well he would come right up to me, then run away and usually be too close for a shot-he was quite the tease. When I saw this one shot I remembered it is indeed a leap year, so thought this fitting for the first day of 2012.
©Jane Chesebrough
I want to Share One Decorated House with You before Year-end-Amazing!
This house in Edmonton,Canada was decorated out of a son’s love for his mother,Maisy, who loved Christmas. Since her passing,he has kept up the tribute. It is a challenge to photograph because there is so much but I will try to give you an idea of the immencse effort this must take as well as the load on electrical bills. There are pictures of her in different locations and even the windows are decorated.
Some of my Favourite Photos from the Past Year
Christmas Past
- ©Jane Chesebrough
I went on an outing to Fort Edmonton Park called Christmas Reflections. I took this photo indoors and Father Christmas was moving so he was blurred but I thought that this was appropriate as I was going to a historical site and everything was from the past so why not leave in the ghost-like image?
Season of Light
The shortest day of the year is here and now the days will get longer-yay! I am somewhat sensitive to lack of daylight. Luckily I have opportunities to get outdoors at my work. Longer days make it easier to cope with the cold temperatures that come in January and February, though I am enjoying the warm weather that we are experiencing now. We have had a light dusting of snowfor which I am grateful-it seems to reflect the lights in a way that is pleasing. Speaking of lights, displays around the city are beautiful-somewhat aleviates the burn-out I am experiencing . To celebrate this season of light I am putting in a motion photo of what else, lights!
May your heart be warm and your soul be bright.
©Jane Chesebrough
It is Looking Like Christmas
- ©Jane Chesebrough
I like getting out to my favourite seasonal celebrations with my friends or alone with my camera.This was taken at a fundraiser for a children’s hospital. I deliberately shot this at a larger aperture to get a narrow depth of field and throw the background out of focus.Actually the whole thing is out of focus but I like the effect. I used a zoom lens which meant that people did not notice that I was taking a photo and were always walking in front of me. When the crowds started to annoy me, (getting bumped was occuring more often) I decided to pack it in before totally losing my Christmas cheer, went home, turned on some quiet music and my tree lights and relaxed with an eggnog and coffee. Ah-h-h- so nice.
The view from the steps of the Legislature
- ©Jane Chesebrough
Like I said in my previous post, the star on the tree is really bright and “blows up” I increased my shutter speed a bit to compensate for the brightness and get some detail while still seeing the rest of the lights.
Listening to Choirs and taking a Stroll
©Jane ChesebroughJoined a friend for a walk around the legislature grounds tonight and took some photos then went inside to listen to the choir and taste some hot chocolate. The snow is almost gone and icy and dirty so not much of a winter wonderland but the music sure makes a difference. I am putting a photo here from the other night because I have a sneaky suspicion that my battery will die before I complete the download. So here is a straight shot of the Alberta legislature then a shot from the front steps looking at the large Christmas tree-with a new star at the top.A very bright star I may add, that got me turning my shutter speed up to compensate.©Jane Chesebrough
My Heartsong 