What are the chances?…..

Over the summer, I upgraded my camera to a Canon 7D. It’s a pretty cool camera and, to be honest, I have yet to really explore and appreciate its true potential.

One of the features that drew me to the camera, though, was the expanded ISO capability, which makes shooting in low light situations (like hockey arenas, which I’m known to do a little bit…) much easier. It also produces amazing video – in fact, I’ve been told that the television series “House” is shot on Canon 7Ds. Cool!

I have to say that I’m as intimidated by the camera as I am excited by it. I mean, really – take a look at the diagram for the little LCD panel on the top of the camera which shows all of the shot settings:

Yikes! This ain’t your Mama’s Polaroid One-Step! I assure you, it’s a lot less complicated than it looks but there’s still an awful lot of information and things to be aware of before you even think of pressing down on the shutter button.

One of the first outings I took with my new camera was to a local outdoor jazz festival. It was a great night – lots of good music, great food and absolutely perfect weather.

We went primarily to see Jill Barber, a local singer who’s creating quite a stir on the jazz scene. While I wasn’t overly familiar with her music at the time, I’d heard enough to be curious and wanted to check her out.

Jill was the headliner on the main stage the night we went and the audience was absolutely packed, two acts before she ever took the stage. I knew that finding a good vantage point would pose a challenge but we managed to secure a standing spot, a little further from the stage than I’d hoped for, but still at a pretty good angle and with relatively few obstructions. I don’t do well standing in one spot for too long so I also knew I had little time to capture a few shots before I’d have to pack it in.

So no pressure…..

Jill takes the stage and starts singing – she is spectacular, and I am an instant fan. She has a real loveliness about her – charming and accessible. She opens with the song “Chances” – it’s a sweet, sort of fifties style song,  and her voice slips in and out of her signature “baby doll” delivery. (It’s not for everyone, I don’t think, but it certainly works live!) Between songs, she shares stories about the songs she’s singing – their inspiration and what they mean to her.

The stars aligned for me that night – and I got the shots that have kept me going and inspired me to do more. Here are a couple:

And here is the video of Jill’s song “Chances” – check it out – maybe you’ll become a fan too!

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