M8 AND 50 SUMMILUX ASPH AT 1.4 - ISO 1250 - 1/90S
LEICA M8 AND 50 SUMMILUX AT 1.4 - ISO 1250
Peter sounded great as his voice is still in top form. Strong, smooth and unique. He seemed like he enjoyed performing for the crowd, though he did not enjoy the cameras snapping away!
It was late and we had a LONG drive home, so we skipped the last band which was a local band called “Maggie Speaks” and headed home. There was a wedding photographer there wielding a Nikon D300 or 700 with a huge monster lens who shot the event last year and I knew she would get the last band anyway, plus we had a 3 and a half hour drive home and I was beat.
All in all I had a great time and the event was great. To read more about it or to donate to the cause, click here to check out the carrie fest website!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS INCLUDING A SLIDE SHOW WITH ALL IMAGES FROM THE CARRIE FEST!
CARRIE FEST 09 - REMEMBERING CARRIE HUDECK CHIUSO
Monday, May 4, 2009
Yesterday I attended and shot a benefit event in the Chicago area that I just found out about a month ago from a friend of mine. When I heard about it I jumped at the chance to attend and photograph it because A: I Love Shooting! B: It was for a great cause, and C: I am from the south side of Chicago where this event takes place!
Let me start off with the backstory of how and why this event came to be.
On Feb. 2nd 2008, 33 year old Carrie Hudeck Chiuso, was murdered in a senseless crime while at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, IL. On that tragic day she was supposed to attend a birthday party, but before going to the party she called her husband to let him know she was stopping in at Lane Bryan to buy a shawl for their day in the city. She wanted to spend time shopping in downtown Chicago since they were going to be down there.
After a while, it was getting late and her husband was trying to call her but he was not getting an answer. Soon he got a call that no one would ever want to take. He was informed that a man entered the Lane Bryant store and shot all six women in the store, and his wife was one of them. Five, including Carrie were tied up and shot in the head and one in the neck, execution style. To date, the cowardly killer has not been caught. Here is an article if anyone is interested in knowing more about it.
Carrie was a loving wife who spent her time counseling teens and meeting with them one on one to help solve their personal problems. She worked as a counselor/social worker at the high school she graduated from, helping the kids who needed that extra bit of support.
A few months after the shooting her family started Carries Fund to keep her message and spirit alive, and soon thereafter Carrie Fest. This is an all day event that features bands, silent auctions, raffles and great food. Everything at the event is donated by local businesses and 100% of the proceeds go to help underprivileged kids.
This year Ed, a friend of mine in Chicago was talking with Carries brother Mike about me shooting the event. I was asked if I would like to donate my time to photograph the bands, the people, and pretty much anything and everything. I said SURE as anytime I get a chance to shoot something I jump, and even better, it is for a great cause.
My wife and I arrived at the event early and met up with my buddy Ed and his Fiancee Juliana. One of the musical performers was Peter Cetera of the band CHICAGO fame (He was the main force behind the group in the 70’s and 80’s) and we were able to watch some of his sound check though he did not want anyone taking pics. Ed grabbed my wife's D-Lux 4 and also took some shots throughout the day. Here is one Ed took of Mike and his daughter. Mike is Carries brother and he is the main man who started and organizes Carrie Fest. Click on any image for a larger version.
After a walk around I started to take some shots and as the people were pouring in it appeared the event would be a success. This was the 2nd annual Carrie Fest event and it was geared up to be bigger, badder and better than the last one for sure.
The following shots were taken right at opening so you do not see the crowd of 1400 that showed up for the event. But still, you can get an idea of what was going on.
One of the bands playing was THE VOICES, an authentic Motown band who sang their asses off and sounded phenomenal. Probably the best Motown band I have ever seen. They were very cool guys, and were happy to be there no doubt. (Ok, here is where I get off track again and start rambling about something else...)
There were actually about 6 photographers at the event, all wielding huge Nikons and Canons with super zoom monstrosities. I stuck with my M8, 28 Cron and 50 Lux. That’s it. I feel you can get better images when your subjects are not looking at you in fear. Big huge lenses yell out “Hey! Look at me! I am a pro!” while my M8 made me blend in like a normal guy. It relaxes your subject IMO.
When I took my shots people just assumed I was a normal guy taking shots. I tend to get more natural results this way.
Anyway, here are a few shots of the “THE VOICES”
These guys were super cool and even signed autographs after the show...
After The Voices played it was almost time for Peter Cetera to come out. He was slated for a 7 pm start and at about 6:30 there was an artist that came out and he was painting portraits to music. In 10 minutes flat he did this portrait of Elvis while the DJ played two Elvis songs. Kind of abstract but he also did one of BONO from U2 that was FABULOUS.
After the paintings it appeared that Mr. Cetera was running late as it was now 7:40 but Peter came on and started singing some of his greatest hits. “Glory Of Love”, “One Good Woman”, “After All” as well as some Chicago classics like “Hard For Me To Say I’m Sorry”.
