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.

Day 357 - Pinocchio...?

So, I didn't have the time to go out and shot a new picture today, so I figured I would edit one I took a few weeks ago.  Not sure which would have taken longer...  After staring at this picture for 10 minutes, I then tried various filters to edit it to tell the story I wanted it to tell.  Still not sure I got it.  This figure reminded me of Pinocchio, and I wanted it make the background fairytale/drawing like, and make the figure look as though he was stepping out of the drawing as a "real boy".  Not loving the edit.  Will have to try again, when I actually have some time.

Day 352 - Another Wedding...

At a wedding this weekend, and was trying to capture that perfect shot, and my camera was being particularly insubordinate. I was trying to capture the rose centrepiece on the next table through the branches of the centrepiece on our table.  As I was trying, very unsuccessfully, to get this shot, I noticed the door to the kitchen and the ugly EXIT sign would wreck the shot if I could ever get it. This was the best I could do... time for a new camera... yes.

Day 351 - Director's Chairs

Part of the fun of hosting a conversation is that you get to do things that are out of the ordinary.  During our conversation, we hung out on these director's chairs. Fun to pretend that you are part of the entertainment industry!

Day 350 - From the stage

I posted this photo straight to Facebook yesterday evening, and wanted it to be the shot for the day.  At the dinner I attended I hosted a conversation with Dawud Wharnsby. We had a conversation and he sang a few of his songs.  I love hearing the stories of people lives, and Dawud has had some really interesting experiences which made for a really inspiring evening.

Yes, I've posted a few pictures of Dawud, a dear and wonderful friend and it was an honour to share the stage with him.

This was from where I was sitting on stage.

Day 346 - Starving!

Can you guess where I was today? Just placing an order with my sister for an event at her school.  I was fasting, so sitting there watching all this food come out to the tables was torture!

Day 345 - Using obstructions

So, I was at a concert last night, and wanted to take some pictures, but my camera cooperates less and less with me.  I have a lot of very blurry pictures of my friend performing.  I realized how I would be able to take a half decent picture after much fiddling, the only thing is I kept getting peoples head in my shot.  It wasn't artistic in the least. At one point the person in front of me turned to the left, and I thought maybe I could use that.  This is the result.

Day 300 - Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

I have been dying to take some photos at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library forever.  I just never seem to be in the area when it was open.  I happen to passing by today, just as it was closing, and the woman at the entrance said I could take a few quick pictures from the main floor.  That is just what I did.

There is something that is just so enchanting about this place. I remember the first time I went to this library... it reminded me of Beast's library from Beauty and the Beast. I know it doesn't look like the library in the movie, but it just reminded me of the walls of books and just the pure joy of being surrounded by so many books... so much knowledge.

I definitely want to go back and take some more pictures from different floors and different angles.

Day 291 - On the rocks...

Just not inspired to go out and shoot a photo.  So, figured, this represented my mood the best... dreaming of a relaxing night with a cold drink (cranberry juice with soda water and a twist of lemon).... or good company and a warm drink would do too!

Day 286 - Journey

Saw this on the wall in the hospital and I wondered if it helped the patients get better. Does it help to see goals and their concerns? There is nothing written on this chart, but does that make a difference to the patient?

Day 282 - Friend, activist, writer, and consultant

So, I'm not feeling well today, so I thought I would post one of the pictures I took last night at a friend's book launch.  She had asked me to take pictures of her event, and if you have been following me, you know I have a serious lack of functional camera options.  My sister was able to borrow a friend's camera, so, I was was excited to take pictures for my friend.  But, as luck would have it, we got stuck in traffic, and ended up arriving quite late, and I was only able to take a couple of shots.  This was my favourite....

So, let me introduce my friend.  This is Farheen Khan.  She is an unbelievably strong woman who stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid to speak her mind.  She is working to empower women, and end violence against women.  She has experienced more in her years than some have experienced in a lifetime. Not all her experiences have been positive, but she uses them to empower others and allow them to share their experiences and stories.  You can read about Farheen's story in the two books she authored chronicling her journey to find happiness.  

Congrats on the second book Farheen!  I know you will continue to do amazing things in life!

Day 280 - Baking fun!

Been in the mood to bake recently, so that is what I did last night. And, of course, I just couldn't not take some pictures.

I had so much fun making the cookies and decorating them.  I know they will just end up in someone's stomach, but doesn't mean they can't look pretty!  I just love the fun sugar colours and all the different possible patterns.  It was really late, so I was messy.  Don't worry, I'm not going to consume all them by myself.  In fact, some went with my sister to school today, and were thoroughly enjoyed.

Day 279 - Puzzles

Do you like puzzles? I do, even when they kick my butt!  I've been staring at this particular Sudoku for 3 days, and I finally solved it this morning! Nerdy, I know, but it was so exciting!

Day 278 - Superhero?

Do you have a favourite superhero?  I've always liked Superman and Spiderman.  In high school, my friends were obsessed with Superman, as portrayed by Dean Cain. I can't say that I really like the recent incarnation of either Superman or Spiderman, but I still like the characters and what they represent.

Day 277 - Vintage Cloth Roses

I don't normally like fake flowers, but I really did like these.  Isn't it amazing, how filters makes even the most normal things look interesting.

Day 276 - It's a cookie!

Oreos... Milk's favourite cookie!  I was eating the Oreos at an event, and I had to take a picture... it reminded me of the argument I had with my Moroccan friends.  In Morocco, they use the term cookie for very specific types of cookies which does not include cookie sandwiches. BUT, Oreos are cookies!  I would not relent until they agreed with me... really I think they were just sick of arguing with me!  Now, the memory makes me smile whenever I see Oreos.

Day 273 - The light at the end...

I was looking for interesting things to photograph when I was at a conference the other day, and honestly, I was much to tired to be creative.  And then there was the issue of my camera really being on it's last legs, so to speak.  Oh Canon Powershot Pro1, how you have served me well.  How I will miss thee when I when I finally have to let you go.  So, this is what one of the only shots I took.  There was a window at the end of the hall, and although I couldn't get the picture I envisioned, this did capture the essence.... there is a light at the end of the tunnel/hall.  That it doesn't matter what hall/tunnel your are in, there is a light at the end.

Day 266 - Warm treat on a cold day

It's that time of year again..... RRRRoll up the Rim to Win! Had to take a picture to pay tribute.  It seems that during this contest, it is Tim Horton's season! Honestly, I just needed a quick pick me up, so this did the trick.

Day 263 - Fly me to the moon...

I'm still getting the hang of taking pictures while I'm moving and the subject of my photo is stationary.... and on my cell phone. I didn't take many photos the evening I took this (a few days ago), but decided to post it as a reminder that I still have some much to learn - from being able take a photo while moving to taking into consideration obstructions that may end up being part of my image.

If you are wondering about the title, I don't know why, but when I see old airplanes I just hear Sinatra crooning "Fly me to the moon, And let me play among the stars..." I know it's a plane and not a spaceship, but something about that images of early days of flight, and their desire to go beyond what was possible in their time makes me think that their dreams didn't stop at just being able to fly, but they yearned to "play among the stars".

Day 262 - Family

Been thinking a lot about family recently, and wanted to take a picture of what I've been thinking. I was staring at my laptop trying to figure out a shot, and I noticed the W & E keys together, and that summed it up perfectly.  A family is about the we and not me... about what you are together, and being there for one another.... and there the keys were together on the keyboard.