Tempe Arts Festival

Hard to imagine more fun than we had.  Six photographers, six views of a huge art festival.  This is a long one for mom.  It may take her all day to peruse it to her full satisfaction!

This was the view from I-10 going east to meet up with the group to ride the Rapid Rail from Camelback and Central to Tempe.  Fog was predicted for the morning. These are the Estrella Mountains.

If you have not tried the Phoenix Light Rail . . . well it is fun, safe and cheap.  Reminded Doreen of her childhood in New York City.

There is so much to photograph at a large festival such as the one in Tempe.  But none of this requires much reading so just enjoy.  Feel free to imagine your own day there. 

Street entertainer up on stilts.

Doreen reports that this young girl  is an audience volunteer to throw up the juggling pins to the unicyclist.  He gave her the hat to wear.  She was cute and did a terrific job.

Focus, focus, focus!

The unicyclist saw Doreen with her camera and asked her if he laid down would she take his picture.  He did and she did.  Then he remarked, "That'll be $20.00."  Quite the comedienne!

Doreen writes:  I call this man the Jazz Singer.  He said to me, "Children can listen to my music because they can understand the words I sing and there is no profanity."  This girl and boy were mesmerized.  His music was very uplifting!  After a while the little boy started to tap his foot.  This made a big impression on me and I was very happy to experience it.

Simply 3.  They played all day without a break!!  

Delving into peanuts at Five Guys.

Strato Glass by Scott Thompson.  Lensbaby 35mm used.

When finished, this chalk art gorilla will be shown reading a book entitled, "The Origin of Man".

An 'oh dear' moment.  The artist's first name is Serena.  These are paper mache sculptures.  Just gorgeous and powerful. Serena welcomed my taking pictures.  She has no worry that her art can be copied.  She said it took her 32 years to master this art.  I used my Lensbaby for most of them.  I will send her all of the photos I took, many more than shown here, if I can find her email address!!  

An old fire engine was simply parked along the side of the street.  Of course, it was there just for the photographers.  No one else seemed to notice it.  But, we were all over that assignment!

 

At the end of the day we rode a very crowded Rapid Rail back to our cars on Central and Camelback.  We watched the sun go down behind clouds, somewhat grateful that we had not missed a 'to die for' sunset while sandwiched between bicycles and riders.  For me, the best part was not over.  I still get to see the images each friend is going to send for me to put on the blog.  There are always surprises and a keen sense of what I missed.  This is usually accompanied by the thought, "I wish I had thought to capture this image".  Here are the surprises for me from this trip. Thank you.  And, an additional special thanks to Doreen for including her own story with her images to help me tell a better story.  My mom appreciates that too.

The Art Festival goes through Sunday, December 7.  You still have time!!  Go!  Thanks for joining our fun.

Motocross

John Thomas kindly invited us to join him at the AZ Cycle Park on US Highway 85 to Gila Bend.  Object: improve our action photography.  Definitely out of my comfort zone!!  But we had so much fun that we are going back and improve many aspects of our shooting.  With that disclaimer, enjoy the photos.

I asked, "May I take your picture?"  His response was a left thumb up!  Then he got on his bike and took off a-smokin (below).

Defying gravity!  He jumps from the hill on the right . . . landing?

What can you say?  Just hold your breath!

I asked the young man who rides this bike if he was a bad boy.  "No ma'am."  His father, standing nearby, nodded his head in agreement.

The Cycle Park is actually a huge pit dug out and then filled selectively with hills, dirt traps, sharp curves, etc. all designed to delight the motocross riders.  Both races and practice times are held.  There is a 'peewee' section but adults can learn on that track as well.  All in all a fun group of people who obviously enjoy spending the day at the track.  I would like to thank John for the invitation to join him.  I enjoyed the challenge.  If you get a chance to go, pack your lunch and GO!

Red Rock Crossing

Before heading to Red Rock Crossing we drove up the hill to the airport's overlook.  From there you can see a wide swath of Sedona.  It was midday . . . so . . . well, the light was not the best!  But, after a fair amount of grousing about the light, you have to admit that at least one person in the group was up to the challenge!

Our goal in going to Red Rock Crossing was to capture some fall yellows, reflections and maybe a clever closeup or two . . . against the gorgeous backdrop of Cathedral Rock.  A bonus would be a great golden hour, turning the rock a brilliant fiery orange that reflected back onto Oak Creek.  We will leave it to our viewers to decide if we got what we went for.  For us?  Well,  when ten friends get together with a common interest in photography the outcome is usually memorable.

A view seldom shot.

Doreen started by showing off color wrapping the parking area in gold.  I looked up at the iconic Cathedral Rack and was disappointed.  Doreen turned around and looked back.  I like Doreen's perspective better than mine!

One perspective taken earlier in the afternoon.  Below another one taken three hours later.

Another interpretation.

Not all is red rock.

Barbara breaks the rules about leading lines.  

Rick has angels that deliver the sun just where he asks . . . .

Kati had a good strategy.  She went 'light' with only one camera and one lens, her macro lens.  She was taking her time and working each and every shot.  I think she was in a meditative state!!

Another view.  

Another view.  

You know something is up when you spot a line of photographers with their black noses all pointed in the same direction, such as we have above and below.  What you don't know is how many 'interpretations' of the scene you will get.  Enjoy them all.

Our hikers took up the trail to the top of the Cathedral Rock.  They mentioned one mile and then said it was a bit like Piestewa Peak.  That meant it was 'arduous', difficult, and definitely not meant for the ordinary person unprepared for that kind of hike.  Their images were awesome!!

Now that is a very new perspective of Cathedral Rock!  Thanks Ann.

Uh?  That is a tough path.

I think Greg took this of Ann with her iPod Touch (her camera for the day). She certainly offers a sense of scale!!  Quite the view.

Nice comparison with the images taken from the airport's viewpoint.

Wayfinding rock.  

Ah Lefty.  I see that Ann has a new perch for you on Buddha Beach!

If you hike up the creek far enough you come to a forest of cairns.  Hundreds of them!!  I believe the area is referred to as Buddha Beach.  I was told it is very bad karma to steal a rock from someone else's cairn creation.

When one runs out of ground real estate the cairn is placed up in trees!

This house is right behind the bank where everyone wants to stand for the iconic Golden Hour shot of Cathedral Rock.

As the Golden Hour settled in we were able to capitalize on that precious gold and get in a few more shots that really emphasizes the gold.

"If you are the last one leaving the creek, please dim the lights.  Thank you."