The Ups And Downs of Photography

As I've mentioned multiple times before on this blog - I love film, music and radio. Those levels of love ebb and flow depending on the day, but all of them are things I get joy in doing. Something else I love is photography. Except... it's something that usually causes me more frustration than anything else!

Why? Well, photography is really all about luck. Yes, there is a load of skill involved too. Don't get me wrong. You have to know what ISO setting to use, how much light to let into the sensor... etc etc... But at the same time it's all about the timing.

You could have your focus perfect, settings exact with a great angle and still not get the a shot that is worth talking about. And if it's the last batch of photos I took... focus may be the biggest stumbling block!

Studio photography is different (obviously), but I find it less fun. I'd rather be shooting some video if we're in a studio.

So I guess I'm my own worst enemy... Don't like the controlled environment of studio photography and don't generally have the luck for live photography.

Thankfully Air Raid 24 was a different story. I was incredibly fortunate (BLESSED!) to be in the right place at the right time with the right focus (again... stupid focus)

The last one (one above this line) is one of my favourites. I know... it's dimly lit and there's no context for what's going on... but that's what I love about it. It looks science-fictiony to me. Gotta love that!

Anyway... that's my rant on photography. Glad I was able to get some shots at Air Raid. Here's hoping something good comes out of Heart of Worship this Sunday as well!!!

Air Raid 22.1

Last night was the night! After months of planning and preparation (most of which done by people other than me!), Air Raid 22 hit the stage in Huntsville.

It was awesome!

Every Air Raid I always say "that was the best Air Raid yet." So I'm not going to say that, but MAN! I think it may have been!

Anthem For Today got things off to a rockin' start. It felt like a real life version of the music video for Earthquake!

They did hits like Falling Asleep at the Wheel and Inside Out, plus a great Taylor Swift cover.

Anthem for Today lead singer Pip Lucas

Then came Prosper and GPM... I didn't know what to expect. Hip Hop can be super high energy awesome or really slow and dull. It was anything but slow or dull!

The crowd and the performers were all over the place having a great time! They did amped up versions of songs like Yes I Can and Without You. Plus, they did the Harlem Shake!

Prosper of Prosper and GPM fame!

Then came the Color. These guys drove all the way from Manitoba. THEY DROVE. They did songs like Made to Be and their first hit, Let It Go. They even did a few acoustic songs!

The Color rockin' out

Then the headliners came. To Tell.

Zach Havens from To Tell

I love these guys. Always fun, always tight and they just keep getting better! From the crunchy guitars of In Your Eyes to the pop of The Problem, it was solid.

All in all a great night! Now, we get to do it all over again tonight! See you at Air Raid 22.2 in Owen Sound!

Anthem Lights - The Candid Chat

A little while ago I had the pleasure of talking to Caleb Grimm. Aside from having a name that has a lot in common with network television, he is also a vocalist with Anthem Lights.

If that name rings a bell, it's cause they will be at Air Raid this year. So before you see Caleb live, get to know him in advance. 

House of Heroes - Touch This Light

I love House of Heroes. I was ecstatic when I heard they would be at Air Raid 20. I was even more excited when the concert hit. To make the excitement reach a point where adjectives cease to work well, they did 6 (6!) new songs at the show. Since then, we have found out that the new cd will be called Cold Hard Want. Which is pretty much what I have for this cd (get it Cold Hard Want?.... I thought it was funny).
On top of that, we now have our first taste of the album, Touch This Light.
At first, I wasn't a huge fan... it sounded very aggressive for the guys. However after, 3 or 4 more listens, the song is really growing on me.
Great message, great beat and loud guitars. Bring on the album!