DynaMike is the last of the international stars to be gracing the High Street post Fringe season 2009.
I could describe or try to describe his show, but that would take away a little of what he's been performing on the High Street.
His dynamic personality is whats on show. And the high knife passes I just can't catch; because I don't shoot wide. They are high passes. I really mean HIGH passes.
So next year how do I catch this action. It looks like I've another photographic challenge. And I do so like a challenge.
A knife soars,
Applause,
Caught in skillful hands.
A dynamike haiku.
Monday 14 September 2009
The Canon 50D a Dream of a Camera
The Canon 50D
A review from a Nikon user.
I've never been drawn to one brand of camera over another. About ten years ago I had just about settled on buying a Canon EOS 1N and the 35-350 lens.
Disaster had struck on the way home testing it one weekend and I was run over while cycling home.
I wasn't quite run over as much as I'd spotted the car coming for me, managed to stand on the crossbar of the bike, which was stripped out from under me as I did a couple of sommersaults into the windscreen, bonnet and finally the ground. With my backpack and head taking most of the punishment.
"It would make a great street show moment."
A bit of a battle ensued with the driver's insurance company, but finally it was agreed that the camera and lens had to be written off and it was unceremoniously destroyed with a sledge hammer.
Replacing the EOS, I had to then choose something a little more affordable. So I got the Nikon F90X. Five, six years down the line I'd moved to the F5 and the F100. Before giving up my film career and picking up a digital camera on the odd occasion.
With my Fringe photography and the reputation I have on the High Street and with all the right contacts Canon got in on the act this year with the loan of a 50D with a 17-85 and a 70-300 lens.
The camera is a joy to work with. Within a day (without instructions) I'd worked out most of the things I like cameras to do. Had spent that first day or first couple of hours just confusing the camera with different scenarios to see how it coped. Wonderfully was how I felt.
The lenses great. The drive fast enough to keep up with the action I shoot on the High Street. And once I'd remembered the Left/ Right rules (Nikon/Canon) I was balancing on bollards like a mad man under my brolly in all weathers getting shots because there are times that most photographers just give up.
The camera didn't give up. The battery lasted all day on the days I did seriously pushed it to the limit. That's on the day's when I used the pop up flash (which I'm not much of a fan of, whether it be on any SLR camera.
After that I was happy to use the camera as I've always treated a digital camera. As if I'm using film. People ask and always have asked if I have anything good on the day. My reply was almost always the same. "I hope so." I don't check images; if I know the camera can do the business. If I know the exposures correct. Its pointless checking images constantly through out the day. I think you could miss things. If you understand the nature of film photography or photography in general then why do you have to check if you've got it right.
I'll not guarantee that every image I shoot will be 100% or perfect. But over the last couple of years I'm now shooting less and less images every year. I know people with digital cameras that are shooting even more. If I was still on film there were days this year I'd have shot less than 3 rolls of 36 exposures. When in my early years on film I'd easily be shooting 8 to 10 rolls a day.
The canon was beautiful to work with. In all weather conditions come rain or shine. It did prove its worth in my last week where I pushed it to its limit and did some theatre work with it. If it had not been up for the challenge then I don't think I'd have gone back 5 nights to the same show.
Canon will probably be jumping up and down with joy at this point, because having "retired" over the last few years. I've almost decided that I could very easily work with that camera again. So yes this time Canon might just have converted me over to their camera system and maybe even a 50D.
I had already stepped into their digital camera market with the purchase of the Canon G10 compact. Which I'll say right here right now is probably the best compact camera out there in the market place right now. It's rugged. It's responsive and it takes fantastic photos. Who but me would do unique shots from St. Giles and use a compact. But it is a professional compact.
A review from a Nikon user.
I've never been drawn to one brand of camera over another. About ten years ago I had just about settled on buying a Canon EOS 1N and the 35-350 lens.
Disaster had struck on the way home testing it one weekend and I was run over while cycling home.
I wasn't quite run over as much as I'd spotted the car coming for me, managed to stand on the crossbar of the bike, which was stripped out from under me as I did a couple of sommersaults into the windscreen, bonnet and finally the ground. With my backpack and head taking most of the punishment.
"It would make a great street show moment."
A bit of a battle ensued with the driver's insurance company, but finally it was agreed that the camera and lens had to be written off and it was unceremoniously destroyed with a sledge hammer.
Replacing the EOS, I had to then choose something a little more affordable. So I got the Nikon F90X. Five, six years down the line I'd moved to the F5 and the F100. Before giving up my film career and picking up a digital camera on the odd occasion.
With my Fringe photography and the reputation I have on the High Street and with all the right contacts Canon got in on the act this year with the loan of a 50D with a 17-85 and a 70-300 lens.
The camera is a joy to work with. Within a day (without instructions) I'd worked out most of the things I like cameras to do. Had spent that first day or first couple of hours just confusing the camera with different scenarios to see how it coped. Wonderfully was how I felt.
The lenses great. The drive fast enough to keep up with the action I shoot on the High Street. And once I'd remembered the Left/ Right rules (Nikon/Canon) I was balancing on bollards like a mad man under my brolly in all weathers getting shots because there are times that most photographers just give up.
The camera didn't give up. The battery lasted all day on the days I did seriously pushed it to the limit. That's on the day's when I used the pop up flash (which I'm not much of a fan of, whether it be on any SLR camera.
After that I was happy to use the camera as I've always treated a digital camera. As if I'm using film. People ask and always have asked if I have anything good on the day. My reply was almost always the same. "I hope so." I don't check images; if I know the camera can do the business. If I know the exposures correct. Its pointless checking images constantly through out the day. I think you could miss things. If you understand the nature of film photography or photography in general then why do you have to check if you've got it right.
I'll not guarantee that every image I shoot will be 100% or perfect. But over the last couple of years I'm now shooting less and less images every year. I know people with digital cameras that are shooting even more. If I was still on film there were days this year I'd have shot less than 3 rolls of 36 exposures. When in my early years on film I'd easily be shooting 8 to 10 rolls a day.
The canon was beautiful to work with. In all weather conditions come rain or shine. It did prove its worth in my last week where I pushed it to its limit and did some theatre work with it. If it had not been up for the challenge then I don't think I'd have gone back 5 nights to the same show.
Canon will probably be jumping up and down with joy at this point, because having "retired" over the last few years. I've almost decided that I could very easily work with that camera again. So yes this time Canon might just have converted me over to their camera system and maybe even a 50D.
I had already stepped into their digital camera market with the purchase of the Canon G10 compact. Which I'll say right here right now is probably the best compact camera out there in the market place right now. It's rugged. It's responsive and it takes fantastic photos. Who but me would do unique shots from St. Giles and use a compact. But it is a professional compact.
Friday 4 September 2009
Eddie Izzard on the Mile, Just Running Through
The last week was a little slow in terms of what was happening, there were day's it was that slow I'd thought about just about giving up and heading to the pub.
I'd said this to one of the High Street staff one day, and she'd said I should carry on, as there was always something happening. I did, but almost nothing exciting that day happened. End of the Fringe blues was setting in early.
The next day I dragged myself out of bed hoping it would be better, sadly almost the same right up until a cart and bundle of people were running down the street.
I was about to find out why a camera crew and a bunch of people were interupting a performers show. How disrespectful, but they vered off to one side and squezed through down the left hand edge of the crowd. Then the throng started to gather it was a slight stop. It was Eddie Izzard and camera crew on his run for Sport Releif around Britain .
I'd just recently decided to stop by Cake or Death, and dropped Lyn a message, to say "hi" and I was still getting visitors from the site which is always a buzz.
She'd written back to tell me about Eddie's run. I'd not heard anything so it was something I'd said I'd have to watch out for.
Eddie on the High Street, what a bonus. It might only be a couple of shots and not the few hundred I got last time he was in Edinburgh and performing just off the High street.
As he sped off down the High Street he got caught at the traffic lights, where I managed to speak to him briefly and grab that final shot before he ran off on his truly heroic effort.
Well done Eddie Izzard!
I'd said this to one of the High Street staff one day, and she'd said I should carry on, as there was always something happening. I did, but almost nothing exciting that day happened. End of the Fringe blues was setting in early.
The next day I dragged myself out of bed hoping it would be better, sadly almost the same right up until a cart and bundle of people were running down the street.
I was about to find out why a camera crew and a bunch of people were interupting a performers show. How disrespectful, but they vered off to one side and squezed through down the left hand edge of the crowd. Then the throng started to gather it was a slight stop. It was Eddie Izzard and camera crew on his run for Sport Releif around Britain .
I'd just recently decided to stop by Cake or Death, and dropped Lyn a message, to say "hi" and I was still getting visitors from the site which is always a buzz.
She'd written back to tell me about Eddie's run. I'd not heard anything so it was something I'd said I'd have to watch out for.
Eddie on the High Street, what a bonus. It might only be a couple of shots and not the few hundred I got last time he was in Edinburgh and performing just off the High street.
As he sped off down the High Street he got caught at the traffic lights, where I managed to speak to him briefly and grab that final shot before he ran off on his truly heroic effort.
Well done Eddie Izzard!
The Power To Move People
Every morning during the Fringe the street performers who take centre stage on the High Street, Parliment Square or Hunter Square and The Mound have a draw where there shows are allocated for that day.
The draw means an early rise to hopefully secure your slot entertaining that day. But there are on some days more performers than show slots availible.
It's on these mornings I arrive early too and spend my time saying hi to friends not seen for a year or more. Or just introducing myself to new faces their first time in Edinburgh .
It's this time I use to get the photo which has almost become my "signature" shot from over the last few years Group photo,J-P sadly not in Edinburgh this year and one or two others have always been surprised that I can get 50 to 60 street performers to obey my orders even just for a few minutes. Wow that sense of power!
I'm sure if they didn't want to be a part of it they'd just not move.
The draw means an early rise to hopefully secure your slot entertaining that day. But there are on some days more performers than show slots availible.
It's on these mornings I arrive early too and spend my time saying hi to friends not seen for a year or more. Or just introducing myself to new faces their first time in Edinburgh .
It's this time I use to get the photo which has almost become my "signature" shot from over the last few years Group photo,J-P sadly not in Edinburgh this year and one or two others have always been surprised that I can get 50 to 60 street performers to obey my orders even just for a few minutes. Wow that sense of power!
I'm sure if they didn't want to be a part of it they'd just not move.
Thursday 3 September 2009
Now That The Fringe is Over
With the Fringe at an end my work continues. I have more photos I'll need to add to my blog. I have disks I need to prepare for performers, I didn't get done.
I have photos I've promised one or two casts. And maybe others who may just ask.
My year this year was great, but I think I'm being more selective in what I shoot. There are a lot less images than last year. But in my eyes better work, but I never feel thats for me to decide only the people that matter. Those people that are part of The Fringe and are the subject matter of the pictures themselves.
Visitors this year make me think I've had a good year. With around 3,500 hits just for August this has been my best year for a few. Maybe next year I can improve again, but I think that I might be pushing it a bit, but all I can do is see what happens. Oh no I'm already thinking about next year... AHHH!
I have photos I've promised one or two casts. And maybe others who may just ask.
My year this year was great, but I think I'm being more selective in what I shoot. There are a lot less images than last year. But in my eyes better work, but I never feel thats for me to decide only the people that matter. Those people that are part of The Fringe and are the subject matter of the pictures themselves.
Visitors this year make me think I've had a good year. With around 3,500 hits just for August this has been my best year for a few. Maybe next year I can improve again, but I think that I might be pushing it a bit, but all I can do is see what happens. Oh no I'm already thinking about next year... AHHH!
A Spider and Faces
Casts on the High Street in large numbers this year were a little few on the ground.
Z theatre as always one of the biggest groups.
Then I'd recon, that Metamorphosis came a close second in numbers.
Their giant insect of black Lycra and painted faces dominating the High Street almost every day.
Their painted faces did give me great targets to play with on days I struggled to find anything else of interest at certain times of the day.
Which was either me being lazy or some groups not showing the street the respect it deserves?
Metamorphosis were there on the High street for the duration. That's a good run promoting and I'll take my hat off to them for their efforts.
Z theatre as always one of the biggest groups.
Then I'd recon, that Metamorphosis came a close second in numbers.
Their giant insect of black Lycra and painted faces dominating the High Street almost every day.
Their painted faces did give me great targets to play with on days I struggled to find anything else of interest at certain times of the day.
Which was either me being lazy or some groups not showing the street the respect it deserves?
Metamorphosis were there on the High street for the duration. That's a good run promoting and I'll take my hat off to them for their efforts.
Wednesday 2 September 2009
What Magic Awaits?
The longest three hundred meters await anyone stepping out on to The Royal Mile; the High Street Section.
Olympian athletes would toil to finish, rugby players would dodge and weave to exhaustion.
For the magic that is the High Street in August is all about the crowds.
If the population of Edinburgh doubles during the Fringe, then they all seem to fit in to the space that is the High Street.
It's TARDIS-like ability to swallow up people a true part of what make the Fringe a pleasure to some and a hindrance to others.
Those who hate the Fringe have no soul, no magic in them. They see only a crowded street and not the beauty there in.
The Fringe is the sum of all the elements that merge on the High street. It's the street performers, the production companies and the flyerers.
This melting pot of mayhem. Becomes the brew that wafts through Edinburgh for its three week run and delivers joy and magic that most will return for year in year out.
Return, of course I'll return.
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