One of the things to cross off in my bucket list of places to go was the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton NS. I have driven the Pacific Coast Highway in California (twice) and just love the spectacular views and overall driving adventure and I was curious to experience the Cabot Trail. I found some extra time and money since I wrote off my annual New York trip for several reasons and decided to spend four days in Cape Breton instead. I wasn’t sure what to pack gear wise as I wanted to travel light but I also wanted to make sure I had enough gear to cover whatever I would come across on my adventure. My initial thought was to bring two camera bodies, 70-200, 60 micro, 24-70, 35F2, 24 2.8, tripod, MacBook and after several hours I decided on one camera body, 24-70, tripod and my iPad. I also packed a minimal amount of clothes and felt good that I was able to travel so light. I usually pack way too much stuff. Temperature for the four days in Nova Scotia was in the mid teens with sun and some nice clouds which added some depth to my photos. The views from the Cabot Trail were absolutely stunning and I managed to stop at almost all the scenic spots to take it all in. There weren’t that many tourist at this time of year so it was great to not only take my time shooting but also to shoot efficiently. I did go off the Trail several times to experience some of the little towns and for photo ops. I also made it to Meat Cove which is the most eastern tip of Nova Scotia. I did notice as I was taking several iPhone photos at Meat Cove that I had no reception. I checked my other phone which has a different cell provider and it also had no reception. I must have been off the grid for several hours which made my slightly anxious. Crazy but I guess you don’t realize how much you depend on your phone especially for safety reasons. Anyway, I continued driving for three full days along the Cabot Trail staying at different inns and lodges in Beddeck, Ingonish and Cheticamp. It was great to experience these different towns and absorb a bit of the culture. I also enjoyed some fantastic seafood. On the last day of my trip I decided to make a visit to Peggy’s Cove. A little far from the Cabot Trail but somewhat on the way back to Halifax airport. Last time I went the weather was very foggy and overcast which made for some great photos. But with the weather being sun and cloud this time around I thought it would be nice to have a separate feel for Peggy’s Cove. Also, last time I was there it was at 6am when no one was around. I knew this time there would be many tourists ruining my images. But to my surprise parts of Peggy’s Cove were fairly tourist free which made for some great shots. After a few hours my feet had just about enough and I also needed to make it to Halifax airport with enough time to fill up and return the rental so I bade farewell not only to Peggy’s Cove but to the beautiful and peaceful Cabot Trail in Cape Breton.

All of images from this trip can be viewed here.  Also included in this gallery are images from my first visit last year to Peggy’s Cove.

One of the best shows so far this year was Chet Faker at the Danforth Music Hall. I was fortunate enough to cover the show for Quip Magazine and after listening to his album several hundred times over the last few months I was stoked to not only shoot the show but stay to enjoy the concert as well. Amazing that he was all on his own on stage (I was hoping for a live drummer at least) as he kept the crowd absolutely entertained and captivated for his set. What a great show!

Thanks to Quip Magazine.

Visit Quip Magazine for a review of the show here.

Images from Chet Faker’s show can be viewed here.

*shot on September 13, 2014*

A few of my faves were playing today and this made me forget about the crusty, muddied shoes I was wearing. Seeing Death Cab For Cutie and The National back to back is my highlight thus far this summer. I love these guys and their shows were awesome. Craziest show was Die Antwoord. Not only was the show frenetic but that electricity travelled through the photographers and the crowd. I found myself being crushed in the pit and lots of people had cameras up in the air at arms lengths in order to capture the action. As much as I hate to do this, I ended up shooting a few frames in the same way since I had no choice. And this show was LOUD! The three song limit seem to go by in about a minute and I left the pit wondering wtf just happened and if I got any decent shots. Cameras got banged around a fair bit and besides losing my lens cap (found buried in mud) all was fine. Wow, crazy!

Thanks to Quip Magazine.

Visit Quip Magazine for  a review of the festival here.

Images from Bob Mould can be viewed here.

Images from Tokyo Police Club can be viewed here.

Images from Die Antwoord can be viewed here.

Images from Stars can be viewed here.

Images from Death Cab For Cutie can be viewed here.

Images from The National can be viewed here.

Images from Metric can be viewed here.

Images from City And Colour can be viewed here.

*shot on September 7, 2013*

Covered Riot Fest for Quip Magazine at Downsview Park. Last time I was there (Edgefest 2013) I got absolutely soaked from one of the heaviest rainfalls of the season. This year there was no rain but it did rain heavily the day before which left many parts of Downsview Park in total mud. After the first 15 minutes, having accepted that you were going to be grotesquely filthy with ruined shoes, it wasn’t so bad. At least my gear didn’t get filthy. It did get ridiculously cold though into the evening but the beers and the tight photo pits kept me warm. Speaking of photo pits, this year it seemed like they were larger…or maybe there were less media (still too much). Anyway I seemed to have more freedom shooting the bands. Best show for me on the first day was Rise Against and The Flaming Lips. I’ve shot Rise Against a few times and just love the energy of these guys. Plus I love the crowd surfing. The Flaming Lips had one hell of a light show but it was the outrageous costumes and stage set that really made you feel like you were some kind of psychedelic acid trip. Great way to end the evening.

Images from Taking Back Sunday can be viewed here.

Images from Awolnation can be viewed here.

Images from Broncho can be viewed here.

Images from Rise Against can be viewed here.

Images from Death From Above 1979 can be viewed here.

Images from The Flaming Lips can be viewed here.

*shot on September 6, 2013*