Houston Highland Games

After a two year hiatus the Highland games have returned. This is a gathering of the Scottish Clans in the Houston Area. There are athletic games, Bag piping contests, traditional dancing and various vendors of clan paraphernalia. This was a good photo op with what I thought were going to be smallish crowds. There was more than I thought but it was manageable. My stamina is not as great as it was once was, so this is the right size for me. The venue for this event was at the Humble Civic Center and Event Complex in Humble Texas. All covered and with the exception of the event arena it is all concrete so its easy to get around. Enough of my rambling - ONTO THE SHOW. These were all shot hand held with my Sony A7MkIII, with my Sony FE 24-240 mm lens and Auto ISO. Most of the ISO came out over 10,000 so I post processed using Adobe Lightroom and Topaz Denoise.

Stone Put

This event is similar to modern day shot out. BUT instead of a steel shot a large stone is used. there are two differing techniques allowed the "Braemar Stone" using a stone weighing weighing 20-26 lbs. does not allow any run up to the toe board or "trig" to deliver the stone. The 2nd technique, the "Open Stone" using a 16-22 lb. stone is put with one hand and starting with the stone resting cradled in the neck until moment of release. Most athletes in the Open Stone use either the "glide" or "spin" techniques to put the stone.

Weight Throw

The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached either directly or by means of a chain. They can weigh either 28 or 56 labs.

Bag Piping

Always love the bag pipe bands Especially when the leader (Band Major?) is in full regalia.

Dance

The dancing was from a local Scottish dance school. The kids did an admirable job.

Various Scenes

Just a couple images from around the place.

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Model Shoot with Precision Camera Store

Went on a camera shoot today sponsored by Precision Camera & Video Store this is an Austin company that is coming to the Houston market. It was supposed to be open around the first of March 2022 but due to permit issues and some construction issues they are now looking at mid April. It will be located in the Sam Moon Shopping Center on I45 in Shenandoah, that's east side of 45 across from the Woodlands.

This shoot was with models so I was completely out of my comfort zone. I shot all hand held and natural lighting. The pros there had the flashes and aides holding flashes and some had there reflectors and all that "stuff" that doesn't interest me. But taking pictures was fun and networking is always enjoyable. This was at Epic Studios facility, lots of outside possibilities and of course he has a nice inside studio with lots of room. All this can be rented by the hour but today was all free, or at least it was free to us. Precision may have paid the rental fee, THANK YOU PRECISION.

Here is some of what I did today, all are with my Sony A7 III, Samyang 45 mm Prime and hand held.