www.danielgainescreative.com ..............................................................................................................................all images © daniel gaines PHOTOGRAPHY 2011

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Welcome to 52Photos, a year in images 2011. 52Photos started in January of 2010 as an effort to capture 2010, one week at a time, through the eye of a camera lens. I've enjoyed the process immensely, and have been thankful for all the amazing feedback I've gotten as a response to my images, stories, and thoughts throughout the year. I'll be continuing with the blog through 2011 with a slightly new look, but still providing 52 images and some thoughts to go along with them. Technical to abstract, social commentary and just plain fun, you'll find a mix of topics, variety of images, and hopefully, something you will enjoy following along. I've had a number of people ask "where can I buy a print??". The answer is an easy one... select images are available by clicking here. Of course you can just send me a message too, I'd love to hear from ya!

-daniel gaines

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Man on Fire

Week 18


Man on Fire
May 4, 2011

I'm not a rabid fan of Vegas. I don't dislike the place, I just don't have a yearning desire to go that often. I've been well over a dozen times for various reasons over the years (the most recent on a corporate event shoot) and while it's an experience, it's not one that holds much appeal for me these days. I guess I feel like the chirping of slot machines promising riches with the pull of a handle is a poor replacement to that of birds in a mountain forest early in the morning just outside my tent. That said, the image above was from one of a number of performances put on by a circus group hired by my client for their main evening event at Caesars, and WOW... what a show.  This fire-thrower was among acrobats, dancers, gladiators and jugglers as part of the evening's entertainment, which was, I admit, spectacular.

My first thoughts were about how dedicated to their craft these performers had to be. These were no weekend warriors out to make bucks on a side job. These were professionals, with extremely difficult and sometimes dangerous feats performed for (presumably) well-paying spectators. The time and effort and sacrifice involved in perfecting their skills can only be life-consuming.

I also thought about how pervasive our need for entertainment is. I mean, what is the appeal of a circus? Entertainment. Excitement. Fantasy or Escape. While these are arguably selfish pursuits, perhaps they are based in something a little more noble. The search for celebration.... one of the talents and gifting and stewardship of them in a way that is a witness to the giver of these talents.

Whatever it is, hats off to this Man on Fire. Brilliant show.


Image taken with Canon 60D, 70-200 2.8L lens, .5 sec @f8.0, ISO 100
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2 comments:

  1. Mike BrownJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    Hi Daniel,

    Great photo! Thank you for making me look good! I was the chap spinning fire at the Symantec event.
    Thank you for your kind comments! Hats off to you too for all the great images on your website!

    Cheers,

    Mike Brown

    Blue Sky Circus Productions

    ReplyDelete
  2. dgJanuary 8, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    Mike, thanks for the kind words! And feel free to forward your contact information. I'm happy to get you a few images should you be interested.

    dg

    ReplyDelete

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