Calgary Stampede, July 5, – 14, 2013

Calgary Stampede, Midway Rides 

For many in Calgary it might be a little early to start planning their Stampede activities, but for the many volunteers the work on this year’s stampede started last September. The schedule of events that will take place down at the grounds is jam-packed with activities. The midway will be filled with rides, this is one of my favourite places to visit.

This year the parade will be exiting, Astronaut Chis Hadfield will be Parade Marshall, and parade morning is always exciting. about 350,000 people line the parade route, and the parade is two hours long, one of my favourite days of the year!   So with all this thought about Stampede I am exploring some of the old images taken in previous years and planning my visit to the stampede this year!

 

 

Related articles

• Chris Hadfield named Calgary Stampede parade marshal (updatednews.ca)
• Calgary Stampede’s midway treats to feature deep-fried butter and more (vancouversun.com)
• Macleod Trail lane could serve as Calgary Stampede taxi queue (metronews.ca)

friends at the calgary stampede,

I spotted these horses standing at the Olympic Way Gate, Stampede Grounds.  As I watched these two seemed to be whispering to each other as people passed!

check out my friend Hiro’s horse image, I love the emotion he captured.

Jillian, High-key portrait of a blue eyed girl

high key portraits, calgary portrait photography

Thursday Morning, it has been a busy week in Calgary with all the different Stampede events going on, I have been, like most people taking lots of photos and slowly working my way through the images on file.  I thought I would brighten your day with another of Jillian’s photos taken last weekend.

Everyone in Calgary, or who has been to Calgary during the Stampede will know that this isn’t a week for work, it is a week to enjoy, see the sights and “socialize” and have some fun.

As a volunteer at the Western Photo Gallery this week is even busier than normal.  We are having a great year down at the grounds, Monday I was at the rodeo with the girls. I will be working a shift at the Western Photo Gallery on Friday afternoon if you want to come by for a visit. Saturday I am going down to wander the barns, take in some rides, and eat my way around the midway, apparently there is lots of food choices!  hope to see you down at the grounds.

I hope you are having a great week.

Related articles

• Jillian, high key portraits in Calgary (jmeyersforeman.wordpress.com)
• Calgary Stampede. Western Photo Gallery (jmeyersforeman.wordpress.com)
• Animal portrait – Horses, such a gentle animal (widebrightpass.wordpress.com)
• Stampede Western Photo Gallery – Picture Frame (artandpictureframing.wordpress.com)

Flag Carriers and their Red Flags at the Calgary Stampede 2012

flag bearers_Calgary Stampede_2012

I did manage to get to the stampede parade this year, but I have been busy and unable to get to processing the images, until last night.

These beautiful flags glowed in the sunlight. The hot sun last friday morning made photographing the parade a challenge; glaring highlights, burnt out whites and dark shadows, and people almost melting in the street! Those who were watching the parade were down on route, in their spots, and waiting by about 7:30 in the morning. The parade started about 9 am,  and it took about 1 hour for the participants to walk the entire route. The last participate joining the parade about 11 am.

The parade was wonderful, more pictures to follow. www.jmeyersforeman.photoshelter.com/

Related articles

• ‘It’s going to be special’: Hundreds of thousands turn out for kick off of Calgary Stampede (news.nationalpost.com)
• The ‪Ismaili‬ community float wins best overall at Calgary Stampede (ismailimail.wordpress.com)
• Parade kicks off 100th Calgary Stampede (lfpress.com)
• Calgary streets full of cowboy boots, hats (metronews.ca)
• So how hot is it at the Calgary Stampede? – Calgary Herald (calgaryherald.com)
• Twin sisters recreate Stampede scene of ancestors’ photograph 100 years later (calgaryherald.com)
• The Calgary Stampede at 100 (macleans.ca)
• Attendance record set for Calgary Stampede (cbc.ca)

Calgary Stampede. Western Photo Gallery

Monday a group of us from the Calgary Stampede, Western Photo Gallery Committee were down at the BMO building, we met with the photographers and began setting up the 2012 Photo Gallery.

Photographers include:  Brad Allen, Ariel Arrieta, Paula Barrinton, Ken Cornett, Jeff Cruz, Joe Desjardins, Patricia Hart Grondin, Ryan Hellard, John Hoskins, Karen Kane, Don Kesler, Michele King, Hiro Kobayashi, Tara Lowry, Angus Macgillivary, Sheen MacLean, Dawna Warren, Matt Skretting, Courtney Todd, Angela Waite, Jonathan Zablonski, Andre Millar, Brad Orr, David Richeson, Wayne Simpson, David Lynnes, Cody Tritter, Christopher Martin and Stewart McLeish (gosh I hope I didn’t miss anyone!)

The subject matter and how it is handled as diverse as the photographers themselves; everything from horses and stage coaches, big cats and little cats, ranching images, and first nations images, grizzly bears and wolves,of course western landscapes and even one double rainbow. Something for everyone. We hope to see you at the Western Photo Gallery, during the Calgary Stampede.

Related articles

• What the 100-year-old Calgary Stampede means to Canada – The Globe and Mail (ismailimail.wordpress.com)
• 30 things you need to know before the Stampede (metronews.ca)
• What the 100-year-old Calgary Stampede means to Canada (theglobeandmail.com)
• Calgary Stampede tickets going like hot cakes (cbc.ca)
• The Calgary Stampede 100 Day Kick Off (talktodiana.wordpress.com)
• Stampede Western Photo Gallery – Picture Frame (artandpictureframing.wordpress.com)

Versatile blogger

The Versatile Bogger Award

Having my blog nominated by Jakesprinter at http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com is quite a complement, and I want to thank Jakesprinter for acknowledging my blog, it is nice to know that the photos and content are enjoyed.

There are three simple rules after being nominated as a versitile blogger; 

1. Thank the person who gave you this award by linking to their blog! with that I do want to thank Jake  for nominating my blog, and recommend that you heck out his blog, he has some great illustrations, and is working hard to build a community by not only asking readers to get involved with him, but by reaching out to support other bloggers. He seems to have a wonderful sense of humor!

2. Nominate 15 bloggers here is 15 blogs I read, enjoy and are inspired by

1. http://lindsaymariko.wordpress.com/
2. http://traceycaponephotography.com/
3. http://stowell.wordpress.com/
4. http://newyorkstreetportraits.com/
5. http://widebrightpass.wordpress.com/
6. http://marinachetner.com/
7. http://taloeffler.com/
8. http://mikehardisty.wordpress.com/
9. http://willsteward.wordpress.com/
10. http://anitamacphotos.wordpress.com/
11. http://shoppinginmyowncloset.com/
12. http://eatpraytravel.wordpress.com/
13. http://poeticaperture.com/
14. http://www.rickdiffleyphotography.com/
15. http://everywhereonce.com/

3. Tell your readers 7 things about yourself:  that’s probably harder than picking 15 great blogs out of all the great blogs out there!

1) I love to travel; 2) I carry my camera almost all the time; 3) I love poetry, and have been reading/studying haiku; 4) I am a volunteer at the Calgary Stampede, Western Photo Gallery Committee; 5) dancing is a great way to spend the evening; 6) dinner with family and friends is another great way to spend the evening; 7) I would like to see sunrise more often!

Calgary Stampede Midway Rides at night

I was back down to the Calgary Stampede last night for another shift at the Western Photo Gallery, there is some great work on showing, and it was wonderful to meet and chat with so many of the photographers.  When I was done my shift I headed back out to the midway to enjoy the crowds and the rides.  Okay so maybe the crowds are not much fun, but as the night wore on and the sky turned dark there were fewer and fewer people on the rides, fewer and fewer people to walk in front of the camera!  I almost made it out late enough to see the fireworks, but I had spent a good part of the day on my feet and I headed home.

Calgary Stampede, Midway Rides, The Chain Swing

Thursday I was at the Calgary Stampede, my turn to do a shift at the Western Photo Gallery and while I didn’t have much time to spend on the midway I did take my camera and fish eye lens with me, for a few shots of the midway.  The Swing is one of my favorite rides, people look like they are flying out over the heads of everyone, and look like they might take off any moment.

The Calgary Stampede Midway has over 40 rides,  tonight after my shift at the Western Photo Gallery I am going to try some of those rides, and get some more photos of people having the time of their life!  Which rides is your favorite?

The photo is available for purchase at jmeyersforeman.photoshelter.com

Calgary Stampede, Aboriginal Dancers and Singers

It has been a busy week both at work and at the  Western Photo Gallery, with little time left over to enjoy the Stampede or for photography,  I am hoping that I can find time to get down to Stampede Grounds to catch the someof the shows, have some mini donuts, ride some of the midway rides, and if possible see stay away long enough to see the fireworks!

I will let you know how it goes!

Calgary Stampede Cowboy

the Calgary Stampede is on and people are having a great time once again!

While I am spending some time helping out with the Western Photo Gallery  I have had some time to attend the Stampede and do some photography.  I am hoping as the week goes by that work isn’t too busy and I can spend more time down at the grounds enjoying the sights, sounds, food, and entertainment.

Related articles

• What the 100-year-old Calgary Stampede means to Canada – The Globe and Mail (ismailimail.wordpress.com)
• Calgary Stampede tickets going like hot cakes (cbc.ca)
• Travel Canada: Calgary Stampede celebrates its 100th anniversary this July (thestar.com)