Tom Wagner at the Buffalo Chip on 27 May 2017

From the Cave Creek Balloon Festival, it was a short trek down the street for some country music.  This marks my third visit photographing Tom Wagner.  This time, it was at the Buffalo Chip in Cave Creek, where he has a regular gig.  

He’s a real personable guy and this photographer has to be ready because he often jumps off the stage into the crowd.

He’s a fan favorite there in Cave Creek, so I made sure I had some photographs of the lovers of his brand of country music.  That would include long time fan Dolly Kennedy.

One of the customers at “The Chip” asked me why I photographed him.  Easy.  I want to have photos before he gets the call up to Nashville!

This was a classic low light and horrible light situation.  I did not use flash for a reason: the band will HATE it!  I also on purpose used slower shutter speeds when I wanted to get a sense of motion in Tom.  

Until My Next Adventure,

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

Photos from Flickr ... and, here are all the keeper photos!

Cave Creek Balloon Festival 27 May 2017

I’ve photographed several Cave Creek Balloon festivals in the past.  This time it was warm!  In years past, it’s been held in the winter and one time it was so cold I had to keep my gloves on while photographing.  

The warm but pleasant weather brought out a huge crowd, probably the biggest ever.  It was held on the Rancho Mañana golf course, which provided a lot of room for the ten+ balloons, concessions, and people.  

The event started with a fly-by.

Entertainment on the Sanderson Ford country music stage was provided by the Anglim Sisters.  

Yet another low light shooting situation.  I was able to handle it with my Canon 5D Mark IV and some grain control within Adobe Lightroom. 

Until My Next Adventure,

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

Photos from Flickr ... and, here are all the keeper photos!

Odysea Aquarium Scottsdale

Over the last year or so, I watched the construction of a new aquarium in Scottsdale called Odysea.  The building is next to Butterfly Wonderland, a place I photographed earlier.  

I can't see hitting both of these venues in one day.  There is a lot to see and do, so I'd suggest this is a two day adventure.  Definitely worth it!  

Be prepared to walk!  The aquarium is huge.  For photographers, this is low light.  And weird, unpredictable, colored light.  Take your fastest lens.  I used the 24-105mm Canon lens.  Focus in low light was still a challenge.  I might have considered taking my Canon f/1.8 "nifty fifty" lens.  I wish I had thought about it; I could have put that little beauty in my pocket.  

Until My Next Adventure,

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

Photos from Flickr ... and, here are all the keeper photos!