I was going to move back into my archive tonight, but I downloaded some photos from a visit we had from my friend, Al, and his new boxer pup, Haggis, and I thought I would show you one.  This is how they travel together.  They recently took a 1000 km trip to Cobalt, Ontario and back.

"I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises.  All lies and jests, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest" – Paul Simon

I am going to finish with the Summerfolk photos, for now,  on a personal highlight of the festival.  Summerfolk has played an interesting part in my photographic career.  Truth be told, I was the Summerfolk photographer once before, when I was on the GBFS board about 15 years ago.  Although I hope no one ever sees those photos – they are likely in the GBFS office somewhere – it was an early opportunity to learn about photography.  I first showed my prints in public at Summerfolk 2008 and again in 2009 when I was chosen as an artisan.  And I had the privilege of documenting this past festival – the 35th Annual. 

But more significantly, Summerfolk exposed me to ideas and people at an important age.  The music of John Gorka – the man in this picture – had a profound impact on me when I first saw him perform close to 20 years ago on the Summerfolk stage.  So profound was this influence that I chose the name of one of his songs  – Good Noise -  as the name for my photography company.  It is also a guiding principle in my life.  This is better explained here.

To thank him for this, I decided to give Mr. Gorka a copy of my first book, Two Roads.  I wanted him to know the positive impact his words had on my life and to see what I am trying to do in my photography.  The book further explains why Good Noise is so important to me.  So on the Sunday of Summerfolk, while Mr. Gorka was leaving a fantastic workshop at the Gazebo stage, I approached him and told him all of this.  At least I hope it sounded something like this – I was very nervous.  I shook his hand and thanked him and he seemed genuinely appreciative as he put the book in his bag. 

Thank you Summerfolk for the opportunity to make some more good noise.

"Tell me the truth what are you living for?  Tell me why, why are you near?   ’Cause if you cannot make yourself a good noise, tell me what you’re doing here." – John Gorka

Peace

Okay, second last Summerfolk photo.  I promise.  I have one more I want to post and a story that goes along with it and then I will go back to my archive.  But it will have to wait until tomorrow as my mind is not ready right now.

"To bring order into this jangled sphere man must find its centre." – Marshall McLuhan

Peace

I think it is safe to say that this band from Vancouver was the surprise hit of the festival.  They rocked the bar tent Saturday night and then managed to get most of the crowd at the main stage on to their feet for a few minutes – which rarely happens.  I was trying to capture their energy in this photo.

"The grass is always greener, but you still have to cut it" – Hawsley Workman

Peace

Another Summerfolk photo.  Only a couple more and then I will have to get back to my archive.

"if you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own." – Noah and the Whale

Peace.

My favourite photo from Sunday at Summerfolk.  The last batch is now up on my Facebook and Flickr pages. 

People get ready there’s a train comin’
You don’t need no baggage, just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’
You don’t need no ticket, just thank the lord.

- Curtis Mayfield

Peace

Not sure what this person is doing, but the way they are lit is awesome.  This photo is from Saturday night of Summerfolk.  136 more are posted on my Facebook and Flickr pages.

They seem wild but they are so tame
They seem wild but they are so tame
They’re moving towards you with their colors all the same
They want to own you but they don’t know what game they’re playing

"Rococo", Arcade Fire

Peace.

Another favourite from Friday evening at Summerfolk.  I like how creepy the tuba player looks.  If you want to see more, I uploaded about 110 photos from Friday evening and before to my Flickr and Facebook pages.

"Wrong way going on a one-way road" – John Butler

Peace

First Rate People playing the Over The Hill tent at Summerfolk.  Still working through the photos from the weekend.  I hope to have, at minimum, Friday’s photos up tomorrow.  It always takes longer than I expect.

"Do what you can do with what you’ve got." – The Constantines

Peace

Had a great weekend photographing Summerfolk, even with the rain on Sunday night.  It was even better than I expected because of the nice people at Lens Rentals Canada who let me use an awesome 70-200 f2.8 lens for the weekend.  I hope to start developing the photos very soon, but until that happens, here is an early favourite.  This is Danny Michel, one of my favourite acts from the weekend, on his tippy-toes playing his guitar.

"Ziggy played guitar" – David Bowie

Peace.