summer festivals | My Heartsong

Fancy Dancers

I returned to the Heritage Festival in Edmonton yesterday-was hoping to see some fancy dancers and I wasn’t disappointed. I rode my bicycle which was fine going-mostly downhill- but the trip home was a little tough. I had to walk up the hill-my knees were hurting and my energy low but there was no rush and I made it home just fine. It was hot and sunny and what energy I lacked was more than made up for by these dancers.They are from the Sioux nation and had elaborate costumes and excellent dancing skills. I must have gotten so excited that I forgot to take photos at one point then dialed my shutter speed a few notches and lost a few shots.Used my zoom lens and compensated for the high contrast in lighting both in camera and in post editing.Have done some cropping to eliminate or reduce those awkward backgrounds that always occur in crowded public scenes.

©Jane Chesebrough

August 7, 2012 | Categories: Photo Blog | Tags: aboriginal, Alberta, Canada, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, Edmonton, Edmonton Heritage Festival, fancy dancers, first nations, Hawrelak Park, Native American, summer, summer festivals | 7 Comments

Heritage Days Festival

I thought that I would not post again until the weekend is over but was so excited about the Heritage Festival that well, I couldn’t resist. This is one of the festivals that Edmonton is known for, and it takes place in Hawrelak Park. This year there are 62 pavilions celebrating 85 cultures. You can buy food with purchased food tickets, donations can be made to the food bank at the gates, there is park and ride on Edmonton Transit or bicycle parking for those who pedal.It is noisy, it is crowded and it is hot so it is not for everyone but THOUSANDS show up because it is fun. I used my Canon70-300mm zoom lens and was surprised that I needed to have my ISO up as high as 400 so I could use the shutter speed that I wanted and still have some light.Some cropping has been done.There was some heavy clouds at the end which I will share here and the place was even evacuated in the evening because of severe storm warnings. Come and enjoy the festivities with me.