F.Gordon actually uses a Digital Camera

[F.Gordon]

Even though I did use some fancy new Kodak Portrait film that I was given to tryout today, I actually snapped mostly in Digital. Yea, I know. Consider it another sign of the coming rapture.
:yoiks:

This was one of those snaparoo days that I really felt fucking good. I did something different and new for me so it was kinda' a virgin moment. You remember that feeling, right?

Let's talk Bluegrass Music. I'll confess... I grew up in the days of electronic and drug synergy. Never listened to or had any appreciation for Bluegrass. I'm now a convert. This music has a personal honesty to it that is quite refreshing. Especially in this current world we live in that is filled with dishonesty.

I actually approached this snaparoo the same way I approach doing wedding crap. Sorta' kinda'. I looked for and did find a juxtaposition photo that worked for the event.



Even got a snap of the "Bride" walking down the sidewalk.
:rofl:



While there was a main stage kinda' place for the music people they were actually scattered all about. This was 1/2 of a husband and wife group.



Even though it was a very nice day my brain wasn't always working with my camera. Here, when I used the Canon Speedlite, I dialed UP two notches instead of dialing DOWN a few notches so I got some nasty shadows... but I still like this snap....



Is it just me or does the Bass Player look completely out of place?



This Bass Player is a little more in keeping with the "norm" of Bluegrass. Not as attractive as the other, but definitely more intense.



What was really kewl ... was the completely "unplugged" music going on. And I mean "unplugged". This group was playing for a small group of people in a backyard area...



This is one of my current favorites. (I'm still checkin' out what I took today) It was taken back in a wooded area where a Rattlesnake had just wandered onto a trail and it was killed. Normally, I was told, when they find Rattlers they just move them to areas far away but this snake had gotten a little too friendly with the guests so...

The photo isn't perfect. I actually laid on the ground in the dirt and cow/pig shit using my backpack as a pillow to get this snap. Her face is a little soft but it doesn't bother me. It represents an honest natural image of Bluegrass to me.



I've said before that I suck at "photo essays". This should convince anyone that was on the fence that I do indeed suck at "photo essays". All these snaps are full frame with no crop and I haven't taken the time to do any serious :eyes: processing work on these yet. Some are too dark, some too bright, some need color work...
:shrug:

Took this snap on the way out. Dark storm clouds were rolling in and soon after I took this the rain came down in hugh!!!111 buckets.



I don't know why I picked these snaps. To get a better "feel" for the great day I had I'd need to load about 100 snaps. Hopefully you have a good imagination and can fill in the gaps.

Thanks for lookin'... comments are welcome..
:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

1. These are great, F.

There's no escaping bluegrass in Alaska...every other musician you meet up here plays it. It's so bad that I actually had to learn how to play bluegrass flute back when I was playing a lot of music because those were the only people I could find to jam with. For someone more used to the blues/jazz/extended noodling type format, it was a real education (and somewhat limiting for me). But I agree, it's very pure and natural music. Your photos capture it perfectly.

[F.Gordon]

2. Thank you

Hey, I'm a ex-fluter! I put the elec-pickup in mine so I could wire it to a big Marshall amp. I was more into rock, jazz-rock, ...... Never pursued it to a 'pro' level but hung with some people that did. I swear you and I are connected someway... somehow.... or it could just be...
:smoke:

Maybe I can finally follow through with sumtin' like this photograherlisticalphil stuff. :crazy:

I had a blast today. (does using the word "blast" date me??) Just felt good. Went with the music and just snapped away. I'm a little wired tonight so I'll try to post a dozen or so more for yourself and any other bluegrass fans out there. I'm thinkin' alfredo is.... not sure.

Oh, and I forgot the friggin' EXIF data. I'll post that later too.

Ms. F', my resident critique and marketing consultant, says I need to do more people stuff and I actually got a thumbsup on a few I showed her. Tough she is. Tough.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I played the flute for years.

I learned in fourth grade (1955 or so) and played up through my sophomore year of high school, but then I wanted to sing in the choir and they wouldn't let us take two music classes, so I put the flute away for several years. Then when I moved to Marin County in 1971, everybody was playing music on the beach, so I bought myself a cheapie at a pawn shop (all I could afford) and started teaching myself improv. I wasn't doing anything else at the time so I just walked around playing all day long, just looking for people to jam with. After I came up here, I got myself a new flute and played maybe until 1982 or so with different people, in coffee houses and such, for tips and free wine. Then I got too busy with life and so on, so I don't bring it out much these days. But whenever I get the chance, I still love to jam. It's something you don't lose. Almost like breathing for me.

[JeffR]

8. Hey, count me in

If we ever organize a Photography Group convention, we could try a trio arrangement of Swingin' Shepherd Blues.



Some cool pics here, F.Gordon. I like the blue reflection on the guitar headstock (reinforces the bluegrass theme). As to that out-of-place bassist, she can jam with me anytime.

The fiddler shot is just great.
:toast:

[F.Gordon]

14. I wouldn't remember which end to blow in

:rofl:

It was a long time ago. That part of me has floated downstream and out into the ocean. But "they" say once you learn how to ride a bike....

Thanks
:toast:

[Blue_In_AK]

18. You might be surprised, F.

I thought I had forgotten everything, too, when I started playing again in the '70s, but it came back really quick. The only thing that was hard for me at first was training my ear to know what key the guitar players were playing in so that there wouldn't be jarring dischords. Having always played with sheet music, that took a little getting used to, but after a while I figured out that if I started out playing an E natural, chances are I would be fairly safe since it's a common note in almost all the keys that guitar players play in (they seem to avoid the flat keys for some reason). Then if I go for a G natural and it sounds crappy, I realize they're off in the key of A or E, most likely, and from there it's pretty easy.

[Blue_In_AK]

19. Et tu, JeffR??

How much of a coincidence is this? Is that picture of you, may I ask?

[JeffR]

20. It is

from about 3 years ago.:hippie:

[Blue_In_AK]

21. I like putting a face to a name.

:) Your hair's almost as long as mine. Still got it?

[JeffR]

22. had it cut short last year

and again this spring. Nance still hasn't forgiven me for it.:-(

[TahitiNut]

31. For shame! All the flautulence in this subthread and NOBODY

... called themselves a flautist! "Flute player"?? Heresy! Illteracy! For shame! :dunce: :silly:

[CC]

4. The pictures

are great. My fav people one would be the fiddler, I like to softness of her face. Actually it is my fav of the bunch.

So did you get any names of bands, musicians? I ask because though I won't recognize a one I could run them by Terry and our friend Bill. Bill plays one of those big bass and is a quite a few cds with different bands. He started out with Ted Lundy decades ago. He stills plays once in a while but had to settle down into a real job with benefits a few years ago instead of playing Bluegrass and running a sawmill. I suffer through it, can't say that I have learned to like Bluegrass.

[F.Gordon]

5. Got names (and group names) of everyone I snapped

Took a little note book with me. Don't have it handy at the moment. I don't know that I would appreciate bluegrass on a CD as much as would live. There's something about music being played in a natural evironment.... the acoustics are very unique.

I got several decent snaps of the fiddler. She was a little shy about the camera but really enjoyed herself as she got used to the annoying ol' fart pointing a camera at her.
:rofl:

Thanks
:hi:

[CC]

6. That or she is used to annoying old farts and knows

how to play them too. :evilgrin: The old fart here get irritated when I point out how easy he is.:rofl:

[F.Gordon]

12. I'm pretty "easy"

I try to hide it but I think people figure it out fairly quickly.
:)

The Bands;
Open Road, The Stanleytones, The Bertye Maddux Band, Coalcreek Bluegrass Band, Palmer Divide, Mark Gardner and Rex Rideout, and The Mitguards

Were some other just regular folk.... no bands

[CC]

26. So I see this well after Bill

has left.We tried to kill him today. Not really but he did accuse us of it after helping to carry in kitchen cabinets. Oh well. So I ask the hubby, who ask if you liked it. Told him yep. Now I have to sit through a history lesson. I really need a rolling my eyes smiley for here. Great second set of photos too. Oh and John Deere collectors would probably go gaga over the seat pic.

[bvar22]

7. I agree with CC.

The Fiddle Player (next to last photo) is an exceptionally beautiful portrait.


You should send it to her if possible.
This would be a great "Cover Art" Portrait.

I always enjoy your photos, FG.

For being the RICHEST Nation the World has ever known, the US has donated pitifully few gifts to the World.
BlueGrass, The Blues, and Jazz are 3 of this country's Greatest contributions.

[F.Gordon]

13. I'll make sure she gets a copy of it

Thanks for the kind words.

When you put it that way it is a little depressing....this "rich" nation of ours :eyes: has given so little to the world. But we're really good at blowin' up shit and fucking up other countries.

For being the RICHEST Nation the World has ever known, the US has donated pitifully few gifts to the World. BlueGrass, The Blues, and Jazz are 3 of this country's Greatest contributions.

[TahitiNut]

9. I detest Country & Western ...

... but love Bluegrass. Scruggs pickin'. Breakdown. Orange Blossom Special. Yee-haw!


The young bassist isn't all that unusual, imho. I've seen a lot of young folks gravitating to Bluegrass over the years. (Thank God.)

The 'soft' fiddlette is a lovely photo. Truly.

[priller]

11. I'm with you on that

Pop country music -- bleah!

But bluegrass is great. When I was young, my guitar teacher and his big extended family would all get together and play their bluegrass music. His nephew was a good friend also. Only got to strum along with them a few times, but it was very memorable.

Agree with everyone on the female fiddle player. Great photo.

[F.Gordon]

15. I'm hooked

Maybe I always associated Bluegrass as being a form of Country. I realize now that it isn't. I mean... I'm sure there are links and such that melt the two together... but Bluegrass as an Art form all by itself is extremely nice.

[ConsAreLiars]

27. Blugrass and (subversive) gospel gave us R&R.

For a blend of small bit of acid and Roots-Bluegrass-Jig into the spirit of the people listen to the Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra. Listen to samples here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/canterbury . Prepare to dance.

[NV Whino]

10. Oh man,

that fiddle player is wonderful. That one photo captures the entire genre--location, people, music, history. Gives me chills to look upon it.

[F.Gordon]

16. I'm flattered

:blush:

I still have one FC to load in and look at but I think the lone fiddlerette (stole that from up thread) may be the only good snap I got that day. But, considering that I've gone out for the day and got ALL trash I guess it ain't all bad when you get at least one goodin'.

Thanks
:hi:

[F.Gordon]

17. Just a few more

As before... full frame.... no crop... no serious :eyes: processing.....

[JeffR]

23. After some curve-messin'

That second one's going to be great. Like the first one & the next-to-last one a lot too.

[intheflow]

24. Oh yes, you certainly do suck at photo essays.

NOT! What are you smokin', F.G.?? :smoke: These are gorgeous photos!

OK, maybe not everyone is a gem. Like, I really don't get the tractor butt holder shot. But after that, they're all quite wonderful.

I especially like the ones that show band members interacting. The fourth shot is my favorite by far. The the intensity on the bassist's face, the grin on the mandolin player who is so obviously digging on what the fiddler is doing... that is a perfect jam photo. And in the second post where you added more photos, I like the last one with the two women and the guy. They are all so engrossed with working with each other, not trying to outshine each other, all appreciating the gifts the others bring to the stage. Wonderful and wonderful!

Of the rest, the two I like best are the pretty girl with the fiddle in your OP, because she seems to glow with the love of playing. And I like the sepia toned older fiddler in the second post because he looks like he could be playing any time from the 1930's to the present.

I absolutely love bluegrass, and these photos took me right into the music. Thanks for this "awful" photo essay!

[Gregorian]

25. Really nice.

David Johansen of the New York Dolls got into bluegrass, I have heard. In my mind, all music has something going for it.

One thing that blew me away, totally, was Steve Earle playing a cover of Nirvans's Breed. In fucking credible. It was one of those crossovers that put a facet on bluegrass that I'd never seen before. Although it wasn't bluegrass, Earle is. And his acceptance of Nirvana is what opened my eyes to a side of his musical reservoir.



I don't know if I'll be what I appreciate, in this lifetime. Photography and music.

[Ms. Toad]

28. Nice collection of photos

I like the guys with the ties (look more out of place than the bass player, to me, but they look like they're having fun!).

No one playing one of those washboard chest plate things? That would have made for interesting photos!

My spouse has really turned into a bluegrass music fan in the last couple of years. I find it ok if we happen to be around it, but I am not yet to be motivated to go out of my way to find it.

[intheflow]

30. Ooh! The washboard!

That's the instrument I most want to play! I checked on their cost at the New Orleans Jazz Fest this year, and one to fit me would cost a minimum of $80. Not in the budget this year. :(

[DrDan]

29. those are great

and being a bluegrass fan, I really enjoyed them

In particular, the fiddle player is a terrific pic!