For the third year running, Tyson Elder put on the YYJ Rocktographers gala showcase of local concert photography.
I was more involved in this show than ever before, being part of a four-person team (Tyson and I with Kirsten James and Lindsey Blane) covering all the aspects of planning the event, from booking the venue and bands to getting the liquor license and associated liquor, from physical handouts and social media to mainstream media promotion and ticket giveaways.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/250 s · f/5.6 · ISO 640
We made a few big leaps this year, including finding a new venue (moving from Vic42, where we got our start, to Fort Tectoria), bringing in four bands for a plugged-in rock show, and having ticketed, 19+ licensed nights of live rock music.
By all accounts (both nighttime rock shows hit capacity, with approximately 500–600 people coming through the doors through the weekend), it was a smashing success and, looking back on it, mostly worth all the stress. Mostly. Event planning is difficult. =)
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 23 mm · 1/180 s · f/3.5 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/64 power, ceiling bounced, on camera
There’s this nervousness with being so invested with the success of an event. That nervousness broke both Friday and Saturday night at about 8:30 pm, when the room became full each time. Thank goodness, too. I can’t imagine how Tyson and the rest of Team Rocktog must’ve been feeling.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/64 power, ceiling bounced, on camera
We had double bills of live and loud plugged-in bands Friday and Saturday, and it was a great change to the mood (along with that of the venue). San Felix opened up Friday night.
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 110 mm · 1/125 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 70 mm · 1/125 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Some folks really wanted to be Rocktographers.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/125 s · f/3.5 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
You can see the flash in the upper-left hand corner. Isn’t it cute?
Some of my favourites showed up, like Dylan Benson (he’s Iver’s papa) and his gal Kristen.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 29 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, on camera
Next up on the Friday bill was AZTEC.
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 100 mm · 1/125 s · f/3.5 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/125 s · f/3.5 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Before the doors opened Saturday, Tyson chatted with Allie who, besides being Assistant Promotion Director at The Zone @ 91-3 and 100.3 The Q!, is the lead singer of the band Stinging Belle, with Zone workmate Jon Williams.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/250 s · f/2.5 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
The Rocktographers often only see each other at shows and festivals, so YYJ was a great opportunity to catch up. L–R: Adam Lee, Lindsey Blane, Darren Ho, Michelle Edwards, and Leanne Green.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 25 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
And here’s Stinging Belle. Ready to rock. RAWK, even.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Canon EOS 70D · Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM · 200 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
In between bands (and from noon–5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday), folks enjoyed the photos, and voted on their favourite for a chance to win a print of their own.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Tyson talks to our amazing bartender, Brittany, about what to do since the beer ran out (there were no riots; we got more).
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Closing out the live music was Nanaimo’s Gold & Shadow, who were fantastic. And, like Tyson and Brittany above, plaid-tastic.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/180 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
And this guy showed up Saturday night: Jesse Roper’s Hype Man. He and his Hype Girl Gurl brought the smiles, peace signs, and high fives big time. It was a great cap to the event.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/125 s · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Strobist: Canon 430EX II x2, 1/32 power, ceiling bounced, remote triggered
Wanna know more about Rocktographers? I contribute regularly to rocktographers.ca, and would be much obliged if you checked it out!
=)