Event: Islamic Relief Canada benefit concert featuring Raef and Maher Zain

So, earlier this month, I went to this benefit concert at the very BEAUTIFUL Rose Theatre in Brampton and took pictures from where I was sitting, in the balcony. If I had actually been shooting the event, I would have more access, and would have moved around the theatre. Here are a few of my favourites... tell me what you think!

Raef starting his set.

Raef

Raef again...

Drummer

Keyboardist

Raef.... never noticed he had a dimple.

Almost done his set... yes, stage lights are really that hot!

Taking a picture of the crowd.

Thanking the crowd... It was a great set... even if we didn't hear "Dream".

The illustrious Maher Zain...

Maher Zain

More Maher Zain

Now in purple. The stage lights were pretty cool.

Feeling the music

Listening to the crowd singing.

Now in blue-green.

Interacting with the crowd... who is loving it.

Taking a video selfie with the crowd.

Final song of the night.

Getting a shot from above.

It was a fun night, and for a really great cause.

Canon vs. Nikon debate

For anyone out there wondering which to buy here is an analysis of the difference between the two brands. I am more partial to Canons but have used both. Everyone has a preference, and now you can choose your own preference.

The Great Debate: Canon vs. Nikon.

Day 167 - A fallen tree

Just recently had a chance to edit some photos from the summer. Here is one from a time I met with a friend and we went for a walk in the park, talked about everything and nothing.  It was a great day away from all the stresses of life.

Beyond chatting, we were trying to take very particular pictures that I had envisioned.  Sadly, those didn't work out, but I really did love this one.

Day 104 - "10-4"

I wish I had taken the picture will all the walkie-talkies still on the docks.  It would have made a better picture, but it was a busy morning, so I didn't get there in time.  Also from the summer festival with which I volunteer.  Can you see the Tim Hortons in the background.... yup, breakfast of champions!

Day 103 - Sleeping

This is from a festival this summer.  I thought the inflatables looked like they were sleeping on the lawn awaiting to be stirred from their slumber. I call this one "Sleeping".

Day 102 - A Canadian Institution

It was super early in the morning when this photo was taken.  Ok, not really that early, but early for a Sunday, and early for having been out really late the night before. Was a the set-up/dress rehearsal at day two of a festival I volunteer with, and well, thought this sort of summed up the morning... coffee!

Day 91 - Bubbles

This is from a shoot this summer.  I had a couple ideas of what I wanted to capture, and they didn't work very well.  I had this image in mind of capturing a stream of bubbles as they blown.  My friend, who humoured me when I wanted to stop every 3 steps to take another picture on our walk though the park, tried to blow the bubbles I wanted, and well, the solution just didn't cooperate.  This is one photo I liked from the afternoon.

Day 87 - Purple flowers

This summer I saw these purple flowers everywhere this summer, and I really wanted to take a picture of them on the side of highway, but couldn't figure out a way to do that safely.  So, when I saw them by the lake shore, I took a quick shot as I was headed back to the car.

Day 86 - Lighthouse

Another shot from my outing along the lake shore.  I actually was amazed at how many boats were on the water.

Day 84 - A walk on the lake shore

What could be more fun that being at the lake shore with a friend and some balloons.   This is my friend in the image, and I told her to beware of how annoying I can be with a camera.  I have many pictures from this outing; I loved the pop of colour of this image. 

Note: I did have to seriously fix the horizon on this one... so strange that I thought I had it right, but it was at an 8 degree tilt!

Day 83 - Letting go...

I did this exercise with a friend that is meant to encourage someone to let go of things weighing on them. The person identifies these things and writes them on a piece of paper, ties the paper to a balloon, and let them go into the universe.  Really it's more symbolic than anything else.  I don't know if it worked for this friend - hoping it did!

So, this is a picture of one of the balloons at it flew up to the heavens...

Added some text to the picture because reminded me of the pictures that I've seen on tumblr, etc.  

Day 79 - Books n' Colour

I don't know why exactly Chapters/Indigo has created this line of books, but they were very pretty to look at.  Each colour/book is the work of a different author, and I can't really figure out how they were selected.  As I have previously mentioned, I do love colour, and this was a happy display.  I couldn't quite capture all the colours of the books in this picture, so I picked my favourite set.  The visual distractions in the background are annoying, or is it just me?

Day 78 - Baby owl

I don't know why I loved this little owl, but I did.  He looks like a baby owl and all babies are just so cute.  Yes, I know it's not a real owl.  So, the one thing I don't like about this picture is that slight glare on the glass container behind the owl.  I tried to crop it out, but didn't like how mono-toned the picture became; the little bit of brown/red on the right makes like the picture as is.

Day 77 - My path

So, this a picture from an urban park.  I didn't love the light, but couldn't fix with my limited software. 

What I decided to do was make the image a little softer, darker and add a quote to it.  I used software that I'm unfamiliar with, so I didn't notice until now that the opacity of the shadow text is a little strange.  I'll have to figure out how to fix that for the next time.

Day 76 - Ultramarine feathers

This is a picture of a female mallard.  I love the ultramarine blue feathers with the white bands on the wings.  I always find it so striking and inevitably catches my eye!  This was one of many ducks I saw the day I took this, but this was the only one alone.  Thought it made for a nice picture.

Day 75 - More directing the eye

Trying to see how I can direct the viewer to the subject.  When I was taking this picture there were a group of girls to the right that kept walking into my shot when I was positioned a little differently.  I came closer to the tree, and realized that I could use it to direct the eye to the sculpture. 

Day 73- 'Tis the season

I was at Chapter's, and the wedding section caught my eye.  I love the bags, and well, it is wedding season, so this is my tribute to it!

Day 65 - Enjoying the veiw

Was on the lake shore the other day, doing an activity with a friend, and happened along this couple who were just enjoying the view.  Couples like this make me happy; though I don't know their story, there is something inspiring about older couples.

Day 64 - Four o'clocks in the day

These flowers are called Four o'clocks, because they are only in bloom in the evening.  I simply adore these flowers because they area so colourful, and then look amazing when photographed in the dark!   As you can tell, it wasn't quite night when I took this photo, but I guess, it was close enough to evening, that these were starting to open. 

Day 63 - Bee, bee, bumble bee....

Was trying to take pictures of some flowers on a slightly windy day, and noticed this bee going from flower to flower.  Amazing work bees do, cross pollinating flowers.  Tried to take a picture of the bee working away, but the wind kept blowing the flowers every which way.  This photo is soft.  Not sure if I like it.