Baltimore's 30th Annual Artscape / Matisyahu

I should preface by stating that I had such a difficult time choosing which photos to use so I'm going to divide it up into a few different blog posts.  The bulk of the images consists of the main stage area which is where I was planted for Saturday night (last post) and Sunday also. 

I attached my zoom lens and was ready for action.

I only got one or two shots of the Pietasters set and the reason for that is because I was too busy taking in the crowd and photographing people.  In fact, I got busted by a few people who caught me taking their picture.  Oh well!  I normally try to be as discreet as possible because I so much prefer someone's true facial expression in that moment rather than if they know their picture is being taken. 

Artscape this year was definitely amazing, and Matisyahu's set delivered nothing short of just that.  Amazing.  In fact, I have never seen so much crowd surfing anywhere and I've been to a lot of shows in my lifetime thus far.  It was like the conveyor belt at the grocery store with humans on it.  They just kept being lifted up and shuffled down the sea of arms.  I will say that Matisyahu diving into the crowd himself and then at the end pulling people up onto the stage?  It was quite a sight. 

Stage dive in this post.  Pulling people up onto stage next post so......please stay tuned!

Part one....

Artscape Day 1

Well, technically it's Artscape Day 2 since it runs Friday through Sunday, but I it was Day 1 for me since I did not go on Friday.  Lesson learned this year - take standard AND zoom lens.  We were closer than I had anticipated for G.Love's set but since I only had my standard lens on, it still wasn't very close for photos.  Now, if I had my zoom lens then I could have gotten the sweat droplets running off Garrett Dutton's face.  Oh well.  Now I know for today when I go back for Matisyahu. 

So I cropped like there was no tomorrow.  Seriously, I probably should be providing a 'before crop' and 'after crop' for comparison but I'm not doing that.  Some were just too blurry cropped but others weren't completely terrible even though there is a lot of grain.  Obviously I chose the less terrible shots to share.  Plus a few other random Artscape shots.  I like the one of the guy taking a picture.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to snap it quick enough but it came out better than I had anticipated. 

All neon like

One night I was brushing my teeth getting ready for bed and this little guy flew in and landed on the mirror.  I went straight for the Nikon.  I snapped a bunch and chose these two for today's entry.  Please disregard those water spots on the mirror.  I windexed recently too.  Hmm.

Merriam Webster's definition of cute

This is my cousin and her husband's little man.  I babysat recently and took some pictures while I was there.  This shot was my favorite.  We played with Legos.  He said, "look how tall my skyscraper is". 

Do many other two year olds know what skyscrapers are?  I'm thinking probably not.  This kid rocks. 
I love him.

Looking toward the light

Image #1 of today.  I will be posting another one later since, yet again, I missed yesterday.  July is super busy!  Summer always shapes up to be ridiculous on the calendar and then goes by so quickly.  It should be summer all year. 

So, nothing too wild and crazy here.  Just a self portrait.  I like it.  More later. 

Down by the river

2 images for today.  Since time was spent yesterday at our local river spot, I thought I should use a few shots from a recent visit.  I recommend "rivering it up" as our group says, to anyone looking for a relaxing way to enjoy an afternoon outdoors. 

The best things in life really are free, people. 

So here are the 2 that I chose for today.  Apparently I like to take pictures of reflective sunglasses.  Except this time it's not a ceiling fan...it's me!  ......and I call the second picture, "River Love".

Catch the sun

Catch the Sun is a Doves song.  This band rules.  How more people aren't aware of these guys is a mystery to me.  If you have not listened to any of their music, stop what you're doing right now and go listen to them. 

Seriously.