Places: Babcock State Park, West Virginia
**Please note that we will add more images from this show as time permits.
HURT
**Please note that we will add more images from this show as time permits.
I should have been in Louisville, Kentucky, this night, reporting on my good friends in Stereoside (there’s an interesting story associated with that as well); instead, my friend and fellow shutterbug, Shannon Lindsay from MUEN Magazine, asked whether I would like to cover a band from Virginia called Hurt; of course, I seized the opportunity, we were heading to Johnson City, TN, to a club called Capone’s.
**Please note that we will add more images from this show as time permits.
Megadeth: 2009 Endgame Tour
A few interesting stories came about when I covered the 2009 Megadeth Endgame tour stop in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the well-known Velarium. Megadeth headlined the show, with Machine Head and Suicide Silence as the opening acts.
A few interesting stories came about when I covered the 2009 Megadeth Endgame tour stop in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the well-known Velarium. Megadeth headlined the show, with Machine Head and Suicide Silence as the opening acts.
The Knoxville show was scheduled for November 22, but I rushed to request credentials on the 19th. Usually, you should ask for access at least a week in advance, so I knew I might get turned down. My main contact at Roadrunner Records, Megadeth's label, helped me get approved to cover Megadeth—just in time.
On the day of the show, I got to the venue just in time to cover Megadeth, despite my time constraints. I was disappointed, but I was alright with it.
The press pit usually runs along the stage and is about four feet wide in small clubs, sometimes even less. For Megadeth, though, the center of the pit was filled with some of the band’s equipment, so I couldn’t move around to get different shots. I thought I knew that Dave Mustaine almost always sang facing his left, but I ended up on his right and couldn’t switch sides in time. I made the best of it and, once again, tried not to stress.
There were about four or five photographers in the pit, and I recognized a couple as locals. We each found a small spot to work from, hoping to get the best shots we could. There’s one thing I’ve never understood—it happens at a lot of concerts. Some women feel the urge to pull up their shirts and expose themselves to everyone nearby. This happened to me and one of the local photographers while we waited for the show to start. A young woman behind us tapped the local guy on the shoulder. He turned around, she gave him a big grin and said hello, then did the same to me. I guess she wanted more attention, because she tapped us both again on the shoulder, and when we turned around, she lifted her shirt to her chin with a huge smile. We weren’t shocked or offended; we just laughed loudly and turned back around. Then the show began.
At most events I photographed, the rules were always the same: shoot for three songs, no flash, then you were finished. Usually, someone would lead you off the main floor to leave the venue. Sometimes, you could store your gear in the main office and stay to enjoy the rest of the show. This time, when we were escorted out of the photo pit, none of that happened. Security just let us walk around the edge of the crowd, so I did. I even made my way to the middle of the crowd, on Dave’s left side, and managed to get some better photos. It turned out to be an amazing evening.
Galgano Records Distributors: 1991
We were one of the largest music distributors in the Midwest. Everyone I worked with knew all the artists’ catalog numbers and their labels by heart. We were all good at our jobs.
Galgano Records, 4001 North Ravenswood Avenue,
The last place I remember Galgano Records being located was at 4001 North Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago. Right at the corner of Irving Park Road and Ravenswood Avenue. We occupied the entire first floor, and hardly anyone else used the building. For nostalgia, the first spot I remember was at 4125 West Armitage Avenue back in the 1970s; it was located on a whole city block between Kedvale and Keller on Chicago’s west side. I worked there after school and spent my summers working full-time.
The group I remember best is the one from Ravenswood Avenue. We felt like family. Our company picnics were always held at John Galgano Senior’s summer home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and they were big events.
We were one of the largest music distributors in the Midwest. Everyone I worked with knew all the artists’ catalog numbers and their labels by heart. We were all good at our jobs.
We had tons of record release parties, concerts, and promotional vinyl and CD’s weeks before the official release dates. I spent plenty of time backstage, hanging with people from the record label and with band members. It was always business, never any nonsense—I promise (fingers crossed).. These kinds of events inspired me to get into music photography. In fact, my boss’s son, John Galgano Jr., offered to buy me my first camera, a used Pentax Z10n with three lenses, in 1991.
John Galgano Jr.
James Galgano
Maria
Suzie
Doug Morris
Paul
Brian
Paul Steinbrunner: Mr. Rolling Stones Catalog
Jennifer
Rick
John Vaughn
Esme: A Celebration of Life
Esme is home…….
Esme is Home
A photo collection of our little girl
Esme and Rascal (left) crossed the rainbow bridge on October 6th, 2021.
Esme 2010 - 2026
We miss her deeply. Even through our tears, we are finding comfort in memories, photos, and the kind words from friends and family. Thank you for being there for her. Sending much love and light to everyone.
On Friday, May 22nd, we said our final goodbye to our 16-year-old dachshund. Esme; She never fully recovered from her back surgery eight years ago. As she aged, she lost muscle in her back legs, and over the past year, we noticed her losing weight, especially in her face. Her health had been getting worse for a while. Our vet told us it was time, and we agreed. Esme received a sedative at 9:43 am, followed by her last shot a few minutes later. She crossed the rainbow bridge at 9:58 am.
We miss her deeply. Even through our tears, we are finding comfort in memories, photos, and the kind words from friends and family. Thank you for being there for her. Sending much love and light to everyone.
Thursday, May 21, 2026:
The Day Before: The Photoshoot.
My wife asked me to take some photos of Esme before her vet appointment the next day. I wanted to make it special for her, since she has brought us so much happiness. I set up both my backdrops, studio lights, gels, and my Nikon D800 with the 85mm lens for a classic photoshoot.
We set everything up in the living room, grabbed her favorite blanket and lots of treats, and got started. Esme was more willing to sit for this session than ever before. Like with kids, you have to guide them into place and use those brief moments when they pause to snap a photo.
While editing the photos, I noticed that even a small tilt of her head showed how much gray had appeared on her face and legs. I checked my iPhone to compare how the gray patches looked.
After the session, Esme got her own Ribeye steak with homemade fresh-cut French fries. For dessert, she enjoyed a 'we have Starbucks at home' pup cup.
My wife and I were very happy with the final images. They are a last tribute to an amazing little girl who overcame back surgery and kept bringing us joy until the end.
Moab Entrada Rag Bright 300gsm Paper
I've often been advised not to put all my eggs in one basket, which led me to explore another fine art paper option from Moab Paper. I reached this decision after searching for papers similar to my usual choice,
I've often been advised not to put all my eggs in one basket, which led me to explore another fine art paper option from Moab Paper. I reached this decision after searching for papers similar to my usual choice, Hahnemühle William Turner paper, and discovering Moab Entrada. Both papers share a similar texture, but in terms of feel, the Hahnemühle William Turner stands out as the clear winner.
The Hahnemühle has a weight of 310 GSM, while the Entrada weighs in at 300 GSM, which isn’t a significant difference. However, the surface of the Hahnemühle felt a bit coarser than the Moab Entrada, which is somewhat smoother but not as soft as a Baryta paper. It still retains a nice texture. In terms of detail and shadow reproduction, both papers excel, as they are made from 100% cotton and are both archival and acid-free.
Since this was my first time printing my own work, I felt my initial impressions might have been a bit overly optimistic. I decided to step back from the Moab Entrada and revisit it later with fresh eyes to truly appreciate the final product—not only for its applications in art and photography but also for its pricing. The Hahnemühle costs $6.30 per sheet, while the Moab Entrada is priced more affordably at $4.65 per sheet, providing some budget flexibility.
Below Left: 1. Babcock State Park, WV, 2. Restoration for my In-Laws, 3. John 5 (Rob Zombie), 4. Our Wedding Photo, My Wife-Her Mother, and Brother (photo by my good friend Sheena Pendley Design & Photography), 5. My Wife and Her Late Sister Mary (Kathy).
Hahnemühle Fine Art Paper: William Turner Paper and Museum Etching Paper Comparison
The two contenders for the paper I planned to use were both from a Hahnemühle sample pack I purchased from B&H Photo a few months earlier. While I won’t claim to know everything about fine art papers, I want to express how excited I was with the final results I achieved
In my last blog entry, I revisited an image I created over a decade ago. While I used Adobe Lightroom to finalize the image, I also utilized Topaz Gigapixel and Photoshop Generative AI to enhance the detail by tightening and sharpening the pixels. These tools helped me achieve a more painterly, detailed, and visually appealing final result.
The two contenders for the paper I planned to use were both from a Hahnemühle sample pack I purchased from B&H Photo a few months earlier. While I won’t claim to know everything about fine art papers, I want to express how excited I was with the final results I achieved using Hahnemühle Museum Etching paper and William Turner paper. Both are excellent fine art papers made from 100% cotton rag, with one key difference: their weight. The Museum Etching paper weighs in at 350 gsm, while the William Turner paper is 310 gsm.
Below is the Museum Etching paper on the left and the William Turner paper on the right. After a thorough comparison, the William Turner paper had the appropriate contrast; it retained detail and depth in dark and shadowy areas and allowed the colors in the image to stand out more than in the Museum Etching paper, as shown in the pictures below. It emerged as the clear winner for me. I did a black-and-white to be sure of my final decision.
Places: The Great Smoky Mountains: Walden Creek to Cherokee
From our cabin in Walden creek to Cherokee, North Carolina, we drove the 33 miles of scenic road to places such as the Sugarland’s, Chimney Top and the highest peak in the Smokey mountains, Kuwohi formally known as Clingmans dome,
From our cabin in Walden Creek to Cherokee, North Carolina, we drove 33 miles of scenic road to places like Sugarland's, Chimney Tops, and the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains, Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names restored the Cherokee name Kuwohi on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, and voted to change the name of the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, a Cherokee name for the mountain. The tower at the top of Kuwohi is at 6,643 feet elevation, making it the highest point in the park.
The balcony view from our cabin in Walden Creek is breathtaking. This photograph was taken with a Nikon D800 and a Nikon 20-35mm f/2.8 lens. I combined five carefully selected images out of 20, which varied in exposure, then stacked them in Lightroom with minor edits in Camera Raw. The result highlights the serene landscape around the cabin.
I spotted this curious Coyote in Cade's Cove, and I believe it was actively searching for a handout, as it stuck around for quite some time, showing little hesitation in my presence. Shot this image with a Sony 7RII with a Sony G master 135mm f1.8.
From the top left to the right, the photos were taken in Cades Cove. My wife captured a doe right beside our car with her iPhone 14; it almost reached the passenger window. Meanwhile, I snapped a shot of a Tom by the roadside. The most astonishing encounter was with a Bull Elk near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, close to Cherokee, North Carolina. The mating season in September probably explains why we heard a Bull Elk's calls near our cabin early in the morning. I managed to capture this incredible moment with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Guitar Center: The Almost Rant
I really don’t expect this month’s blog to be long, in fact, it was actually going to be a rant about a purchase I made from Guitar Center in Fairfax, Va. The rant as this blog was meant to become a fast and quick resolve…………
I don't expect this month's blog to be long. It was supposed to be a rant about a purchase I made from Guitar Center in Fairfax, VA. The rant was meant to be a quick and calm discussion with the store manager, John, to resolve an issue.
In late April or early May, I was researching guitar amplifiers. I wanted something for noodling at home, not for gigging or starting a band. I was looking for an amp that wasn't too big and had a warm, bluesy tone. The Fender line of tube amps, including the Blues Deluxe Reissue, NOS, and Blues Junior, is known for their distinct sound and is a popular choice among guitar enthusiasts like me.
After hours and days of reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, I decided on a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue, 40 watts, in good condition from Guitar Center. Although I had many amps saved in my "wish list," I was sure this was the one. I finally placed my order on May 25.
The much-anticipated day, June 2, finally arrived. The UPS app promised delivery by the end of the day. I was unsure if a signature was required, and my past experiences with UPS and FedEx, where they signed my name and left packages on my porch without my consent, only added to my uncertainty. That's a story for another time.
During late April and early May, I was on a quest for the perfect guitar amplifier. I wasn't looking for something to gig with or start a band, just a compact amp with a warm, bluesy tone for some casual noodling at home. The Fender line of tube amps, including the Blues Deluxe Reissue, NOS, and Blues Junior, fit the bill.
After spending many hours and days reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, I settled on a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue, 40 watts, in good condition from Guitar Center. Though I saved many amps in my "wish list", I was sure this was the one. I finally placed my order on May 25.
The long-awaited day, June 2, had finally arrived. The UPS app indicated a delivery scheduled for the end of the day. I was unsure if a signature was required, as both UPS and FedEx have a habit of signing my name and leaving the item on my porch without my consent. This recurring frustration was a story for another time.
So it was no surprise to me to find a box (a huge box) sitting on the front porch. At first glance, the box appeared tattered, torn, and beaten up. No way this was my amp. It had to be something else. Maybe the wife ordered something, and my package was coming later. Nope! further inspection of the shipping label clearly showed it was from GC. My excitement quickly turned to anger, not only at the condition of the box, but also at the poor tape job on the outside of the box, as well, but UPS was not innocent in this. I initially decided to hold off, expecting the contents until the next day, as I had other pressing issues to contend with at the time, but I felt compelled to confront this. So I opened the box.
First off, I noticed the lack of bubble wrap, just one piece lying across the grill cloth; the rest of the packing consisted of wadded up paper, little to no protection for the amplifier inside.
At first glance, the amp looked unscathed, unlike the outer box (eye roll). I started to feel this situation wasn’t as bad after all until I decided to get my guitar and plug it in, hit a note on my guitar, and nothing. Well, maybe I needed to let the tubes warm up, but still, nothing— just the unsettling sound of the reverb echoing every time I moved the amp. So, after further inspection, I noticed that one of the preamp tubes was shattered completely, hanging on by a thread from its socket. Then I saw the impact point on the back left corner of the amp.
I didn’t waste any time, and soon I was on the phone with the Guitar Center. I got to the store and was transferred to someone I thought was located at the Fairfax store. I spoke to someone named Logan and told him my situation. He responded to me with a comment about the poor packing, damaged box, and broken preamp tube. “What do you expect when you buy a used amp?” What?! Are you kidding me?
After serval minutes on the phone with Logan, and me repeatedly telling him it was the preamp tube(s) I needed, what does this young Man do, well to add insult to injury, he sends me the wrong tubes, I received the two larger tubes that are in the amp, I then decided to order the correct ones myself,
Once the correct tubes arrived, I decided to take my amp to a local guitar repair shop, Alpha Music. I told them to do whatever was necessary to bring the amp back to 100%, and they did—wonderful work. There was still one thing I felt compelled to do: call the GC Fairfax store and speak to a manager about my less-than-satisfactory experience, not so much to get compensated for my trouble but to hopefully pass on what I had to deal with so no one else would have to go through the same. It was a Thursday when I spoke to their customer service manager—let's call him “He that shall not be named” (his idea before the blog was written). He then referred me to the store manager, John (who wasn’t in that day), on this matter, so I decided to call back the next day.
There was still one thing I felt compelled to do: call the GC Fairfax store and speak to a manager about my less-than-satisfactory experience. It wasn't so much to be compensated for my trouble, but to hopefully pass on what I had to deal with so no one else would have to go through the same. It was a Thursday when I spoke to their customer service manager—let's call him “He that shall not be named” (his idea before the blog was written). He, in turn, referred me to the store manager, John (who wasn’t in that day), about this matter, so I decided to call back the next day.
On Friday, July 30th, I called John. I won’t go into the entire conversation we had, but I will say it was calm. John checked his computer about my order. The person Logan I spoke to about the replacement tubes, which John told me I must have been transferred to the distribution center, which is why there was no Logan working at the Fairfax store when I inquired. This is where it gets interesting: John also told me that the amp I received was actually not the one I ordered. I noticed this when I looked at some screenshots I took of the one I thought I was getting; it had some marks and showed signs of use, character.
The amp I had in my possession was a newer one. According to John, he had two at the store when I placed my order. One was missing, it seems there was a “new” person they had working at the store, and he shipped me the wrong amp. It should have dawned on me that the amp I had was different; how many used amps come with the little cardboard info sheet that lists the features of the amp?
The bottom line is I know that retail folks always get the short end of the stick when it comes to complaints, they’re treated like crap daily, the store manager at the GC Fairfax store was very attentive, understanding, and showed a genuine concern in what I went through that led to our conversation. All I wanted or expected was to be heard, not just to be acknowledged, but truly understood. I came away from the discussion with that, and it was enough. John also refunded me my shipping, which was very generous. I will be shopping at this store in the future.
Road Stories : That One Show I Regret Missing Is........
‘96 was the second year Alligator Records Photographer Eugene Kimmons would toss me a bone, The year before (because of him) I covered the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival featuring Blues greats such as Luther Allison and Eddie Campbell.
James Brown, there I said it. No build-up to what this blog is all about, just "BOOM", there it is, I guess the image above gave a hint to who it was. It was July 5, 1996. The show was to be at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park in Chicago (I was still living there … That's the one show I had been eagerly anticipating but had to miss. '96 was the second year Alligator Records Photographer Eugene Kimmons would toss me a bone. The year before (because of him), I covered the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival featuring Blues greats such as Luther Allison, Otis Rush and Eddie Campbell. Eugene, a mentor and friend, always thought I was capable of becoming a music photographer. However, I was much harder on myself and my abilities, both as a visual artist and more so as a photographer. So, back to the "why," this is the one show I regret missing. I remember I had my gear with me at LaSalle Photo, where I worked at the time; it was at least a 40- to 45-minute ride by bus and train, and on a good day, it was about an hour when there were festivals in the downtown area.
Before I departed for the show, I had been nursing a migraine all day long. My 30s were a time in my life when I started to get migraines; they'd come and go, and I'd go about my day, but it was also in my 30s that the frequency and intensity would get worse over time. This debilitating condition was one of those times it was not going to let up, and it left me totally incapacitated. Still, I decided to try and make the James Brown show later that day. I was able to convince my boss to let me leave early that day, all the while thinking to myself that the sun was too bright, and I was feeling sick to my stomach. Despite my condition, I made the choice to go to the show. I always made it a habit to arrive early for any event I was involved in; it helped me plan for the day. To my surprise, the press table was already open, even though I still had a few hours to kill. I made my way to the line.
My migraine was worsening; I was light-sensitive, nauseous, and dizzy. I knew my blood pressure was likely being affected as well. Soon, I found myself next in line to get my credentials for the show. At that moment, I informed the staff that I wasn't feeling well and decided to head home. Looking back, the only show I ever regretted missing was James Brown. It's a regret that still lingers—a missed opportunity that I can't help but think about from time to time. I even came across an article by Rick Regar that appeared in the Chicago Tribune in 1996, which reminded me just how special that day was.
Road Stories : Black Stone Cherry, 2009 vs 2011
Carnival of Madness was actually my 2nd attempt at photographing Black Stone Cherry. My first attempt was back in 2009 in Corbin Kentucky at the newly built Corbin Arena
The 2011 Carnival of Madness tour was the last tour I photographed. Health issues played a significant role in my decision to step back after over 20 years in the industry. I attended the tour in Huntington, WV, which felt fitting since I had decided to put down roots in West Virginia two years prior. The Carnival of Madness marked my second attempt at photographing Black Stone Cherry, and I successfully captured it. My first attempt was in 2009 at the newly built Corbin Arena in Corbin, Kentucky, just a 25-minute drive from my home in Williamsburg, KY. Unfortunately, my credentials for that show never materialized. I had coordinated with their record label to set everything up, and Roadrunner Records had always been supportive of my work. Amy, Lily, and Jessica from the label were invaluable; they ensured I was on the list at will call whenever I arrived at a venue.
However, when I arrived in Corbin, I waited over two hours in the will-call area for my credentials to be verified, but the venue staff could not locate the credentials list. This situation was not a reflection of Roadrunner Records, as I had always enjoyed excellent communication with them. It was also unrelated to Black Stone Cherry, their management, or the band itself, as they had no knowledge of my supposed attendance. The issue rested squarely with the Corbin Arena and its staff.
Lost lists and miscommunication among staff at a venue are common occurrences. However, it raises concerns when those working the door allow people to enter without tickets. I experienced something similar at a .38 Special concert I was supposed to photograph the previous year in Corbin. To be fair, 2009 wasn't a great year for the city of Corbin overall.
So, was it worth the wait to finally photograph Black Stone Cherry after two years of dealing with the Corbin situation? My answer is a resounding yes! The show was beyond anything I could have imagined. I had a hard time keeping up with their electrifying performance. After the show, I saw the band members as they headed to a meet-and-greet. I was sitting on the ground, dripping with sweat and breathing heavily into a towel as they walked by. I managed to gather my strength and exclaimed, "Great show." One of the band members replied, "Are you alright?"
As for my final thoughts, I am not bitter or angry about my first attempt to cover a Black Stone Cherry concert. Instead, I am grateful for all the opportunities I've had over the years, whether good or bad. These experiences have become my stories.
Web : www.blackstonecherry.com
Gear : Nikon D200 w/Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8
All images edited with Capture One Pro 20
*Color versions of some of the images can be found in the archives by clicking here. [Archives]
Road Stories: Dude Don't You Need Your Camera
Rockstar Mayhem Festival, Raleigh, North Carolina, August 3, 2010. Though I could just pick many stories from this event, there is one in particular that stands out, and it goes something like this.
Rockstar Mayhem Festival, Raleigh, North Carolina, August 3, 2010. Though I could choose many stories from this event, one in particular stands out, and it goes something like this. First off, it was incredibly hot that day, I mean really hot, around 92 degrees, and the shade offered very little to no comfort, especially when you had so many bodies moving between the two side stages that were right across from each other — the Jagermeister stage and the Silver Star stage. These stages were offset from the main stage and the press lounge, creating one huge mosh pit as the bands performed from one stage to another. 1:00 pm on one stage, 1:25 pm on the other, 1:45 pm back again, back and forth.
In the press pit (side stage) Justin Hagberg of the band 3 Inches of Blood, photo by Brian Cade
Gear: Nikon D200 w/Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8
In the press pit (side stage) Jim LaMarca of the band Chimera, If you look at the bottom left, just above the camera shown in the image, you’d see my skinny ass; photo by Jay Beadnell. owner/photographer at Stageshotz photography, Raleigh, NC , Image used with permission.
I met up with fellow photographers Jay Beadnell, Graham Denzler, and Jim Green, all residents of North Carolina, and our good friend the late Jason Kotas of New York. This was the first time we had met. We all decided months in advance to meet up in one city to photograph Mayhem Fest and hang out. All of us were either shooting for a major publication or an underground rag, which was my comfort zone.
Back and forth, back and forth, across the lot from where the two side stages faced each other. By this point, I had already covered In This Moment, 3 Inches of Blood, Chimera, Shadows Fall, Norma Jean, and Hatebreed on the side stages. On the main stage, there was Lamb of God, Korn, and Rob Zombie—only one band left: Five Finger Death Punch. I really tried to stay hydrated throughout the day. I was drenched in sweat, tired, and actually looking forward to the festival being over.
We were once again sitting in the press lounge, waiting for the event staff to escort us to the main stage one last time. All I remember is everyone talking, everything moving in slow motion. All I could do was melt into my chair at our table and try to get my bearings back into focus. Then I saw everyone standing and leaving the table. I guess it’s time to shoot the last band. I got up and started to follow our group to the main stage when my good friend and fellow photographer Jason Kotas said, “Dude, don’t you need your camera?” I was so tired and out of it that I didn’t realize I had left all my gear on our table in the press lounge.
Back and forth, back and forth, across the lot from where the two side stages faced one another, I had already covered In This Moment, 3 Inches of Blood, Chimera, Shadows Fall, Norma Jean, and Hatebreed on the side stages. There was Lamb of God, Korn and Rob Zombie on the main stage, only one more band to go, Five Finger Death Punch. I tried to stay hydrated throughout the day, but I was drenched in sweat, tired, and looking forward to the festival being over.
We were once again sitting in the press lounge, waiting for the event staff to escort us to the main stage one last time. All I remember at this point is that everybody was talking, everything was moving at half-speed, and all I could do was melt into my chair at our table, trying to get my bearings back into focus. Then I saw everyone standing and leaving the table, I guess it’s time to shoot the last band. I got up and just started to follow our group to the main stage, we were just outside the press lounge when my good friend and fellow photographer Jason Kotas says to me, “Dude don’t you need your camera”, I was so tired and so out of it that I didn’t realize I had left all my gear on our table in the press lounge.
Five Finger Death Punch images by Brian Cade
Web : www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com
*3 Inches of Blood images by Brian Cade, Gear: Nikon D200 w/Tokina 20-35 f/2.8
*Five Finger Death Punch images by Brian Cade, Gear: Nikon D200 w/Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8
*Image of Jim LaMarca (Chimera) by Jay Beadnell of Stageshotz.com used with permission
Staying Creative and Other Stuff During The COVID-19 Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic takes our world by storm, many of my fellow photographers as well as myself have wiped our calendars clean of all photo shoots until further notice. I’ve been keeping myself busy with some re-edits from past assignments, photographing birds and attending online town hall meet ups and forums
As the COVID-19 pandemic takes our world by storm, many of my fellow photographers as well as myself have wiped our calendars clean of all photo shoots until further notice. I’ve been keeping myself busy with some re-edits from past assignments, photographing birds and attending online town hall meet ups and forums with other professionals, using the ZOOM app, The 2 I have attend are Fashion Photographers Connect created by renowned fashion photographer Melissa Rodwell , also owner/creator of The Breed and Alice magazine, and lastly the ASMP., Both have been very mentally therapeutic.
XM Radio has given me another outlet to escape, especially with the Marky Ramone: Punk Rock Blitzkrieg channel and the Howard Stern Show, it tears me away from the TV, listening and watching the number of infected and dead grow larger each day, here and around the world.
Even my wife, the avid quilter has been keeping busy with making masks for those that need/want them, in fact the cover image for this blog I am wearing one of her creations. She makes sure I have a mask with me at all times, since I am considered “high risk” because of a respiratory disease that I was diagnosed with in 2012..
Below are the self assignments I had given myself, the next assignment is to get some decent images of our furbabies, some where along the lines of the work by Alexander Khoklov and Veronica Ershova.
Lastly but more importantly, I just wish people would take this pandemic more seriously, social distancing works, staying home works, we need to bend this curve of recklessness and selfishness, NOW!! cause tomorrow may not come for many of us if we don’t. I know this, I want to live.
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This image was actually an outtake from the assignment I did last month for this client, I edited it Capture One software
This image of local musician Bo Mcmillion was an assignment I shot in 2011, I reedited the image in Capture One software, converting it to black and white.
We have a few bird feeders in our yard, sometimes I put some out on a table on the back porch, I decided to take advantage of a good situation.
From all the birds that stop by to feed, this one stood out .
Road Stories: My First [Paid] Live Gig Pt. 1 of 2
I remember when I first started to get the bug to shoot concerts, especially rock concerts, Though I had not a clue on how to go about it. Sure there were always some street festivals every summer, a lot of them bringing in some major talent along with the local scene, and lastly, there were the street musicians on about every street corner or subway stop. , and they were all easily accessible to anyone with a camera.
Luther Allison, Chicago Blues Festival, 1995
I remember when I first started to develop a passion for shooting concerts, especially rock concerts, although I had no idea how to go about it. Sure, there were always some street festivals every summer, a lot of them bringing in some major talent along with the local scene, and lastly, there were the street musicians on about every street corner or subway stop. , and they were all easily accessible to anyone with a camera. The summer of 1994 was a turning point for me. I had spoken to almost every established photographer I knew about getting into music photography, and the response was always the same: I had to pay my dues. Though this never dawned on me exactly what dues were or what steps I needed to take to reach my goal.
I remember the summer of '94, I had steady work at the studio. Shooting headshots for aspiring models in and around town, it just so happened that a client had to reschedule an appointment, which left the whole day to myself. So, I decided to venture downtown to the 11th annual Chicago Blues Festival. It was a golden opportunity to engage in some street photography, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the first things that caught my eye as I entered the event area that early morning was a relatively large white tent on the side of the Art Institute of Chicago. It was one of several vendors setting up for the day. It turned out to be legendary music photographer Paul Natkin setting up for a photo exhibition of his work.
Paul has worked with some of the most prominent artists in the music industry, including Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, and Prince, among many others.
I introduced myself, telling Paul I was an aspiring music photographer and asked what should I do to “pay my dues”, and quite simply Paul told me to photograph everything, cover all genres of music and from there build a strong portfolio for bigger and better gigs, and always be professional and to respect other photographers in the pit, and always wait for your shot. That was some of the best advice I had ever received from anyone up to that point. And I always remembered that to this day.
Between 1994 and 1995, I was building my music portfolio, paying my dues. I had the honor of photographing Blues legend Luther Allison (pictured above) with the help of Alligator Records photographer Eugene Kimmons. Most of my blues images were made possible because he took me under his wing; he was a great mentor to me. Ted Hawkins (below) was the first step into music photography. I went into the festival as an observer, waiting for the right shot, though I had hit all the side stages that day, this one stood out for me., Mick Jones (B.A.D./co-founder of the Clash) was another show I did in 1995. My good friend Bert Masa and I decided to attend the Halsted Street Festival. We had just missed the band Better Than Ezra, but we were able to catch Big Audio Dynamite’s set. Yank Rachell and Jimmy Walker, the elder statesmen of the blues, were among the side stages I visited in 1995 at the Chicago Blues Festival. Blind Pig Records/Dellmark Records recording artist, the late great Eddie Campbell (pictured below), was another in the 1995 series of images I shot that helped pave the way for my next step forward into music photography.
Meet and greet with Ted Hawkins, Chicago Blues Festival, 1994.
Halsted street Festival, Mick Jones (Big Audio Dynamite), 1995
Jimmy Walker.(piano) and Yank Rachell (Mandolin) Chicago Blues Festival, 1995
Beating The Odds:: A Story About My Miniature Schnauzer, Milo Pt 2 of
I’ve been in Milo’s life since he was 5 weeks old [he turned 7 years old in July]. In contrast, when he was just a little pup, I would hold him in my arms, with his head on my shoulder and tell him every day how much he meant to me, that I loved him and that where I go, he goes
I’ve been part of Milo’s life since he was 5 weeks old [he turned 7 years old in July]. In contrast, when he was just a little pup, I would hold him in my arms, with his head on my shoulder, and tell him every day how much he meant to me, that I loved him, and that wherever I go, he goes. I would also tell him I’d never abandoned him in some shelter and that I would never let anything bad happen to him. Needless to say, I felt so helpless during his time of need; I almost felt as if I was breaking a promise.
Midnight was upon us, Milo was up and down all night, and this continued into the early morning. I had laid out some blankets next to his bed to be close; I still couldn’t sleep, and every time he slightly moved or breathed, I was at his beck and call.
Milo grew weaker and weaker, with his belly sucked in and very tight, he was worsening by the minute. I began to Google his symptoms, and the only thing I thought it could be was the Parvovirus; I frantically searched through my files for Milo’s medical records to see when I had him vaccinated for parvo, but I came up empty-handed.
It was another two hours until Milo’s other vet would open. I had already decided that I would get Milo to the animal hospital well before the original 10 am appointment. It was just after 7 am when Milo and I hit the road heading to the animal hospital, about a 20-minute ride. I talked to Milo the whole way there, repeating his name to let him know I was still there.
It was just after 7 am when Milo and I hit the road heading to the animal hospital (about a 20-minute ride) I spoke to Milo the whole way there, saying his name over and over to let him know that I was still there.
At the Fairlea Animal Hospital, Fairlea, WV.
At the vet's office, we didn’t have to wait long before they had Milo and me in an examination room. Right away, Milo’s vet thought it was parvo; all the signs pointed to it. However, the area Milo and our two Dachshunds shared was always clean. I always picked up their feces and disposed of it properly. The area was mowed and fenced in—no other animals could get in unless they jumped the fence. Then we discussed what Milo had eaten before he became ill; the only other thing I had given him besides his dry food was some dried cranberries three days earlier. Milo’s core temperature was 97°F. They started running a test on him and putting him on an IV. They said they would contact me later that day.
3 days before Milo had gotten sick, July 28, 2019
Some hours later, the vet called. The good news was Milo tested negative for parvovirus, but they had him on IVs and were still running tests. They were trying to figure out what was affecting him. One possible cause the vet suggested was cranberries. I asked about Milo’s chances of pulling through. The answer was brief: they didn’t expect him to make it through the night; he had lost so much blood and could go into shock at any moment. The vet said that if Milo survived the night, he might face permanent effects on his heart, kidneys, or liver. My heart sank—I could lose him in minutes or hours. I felt I had let him down. The vet said they would do their best to keep him comfortable and would update me sometime on Friday afternoon.
I had been with Milo for the last two days, awake over 48 hours with him. This night was going to be very long for both of us. Milo was fighting for his life. I just wasn’t going to be there for what might be his final battle, win or lose.
It was Friday morning, August 2, 2019. I hadn’t slept again. I went to work that morning, running on pure adrenaline. I hoped Milo had pulled through, but a small part of me was bracing for the worst.
I had been with Milo for the last 2 days and had been awake for over 48 hours with him. This night was going to be very long for both me and for Milo; Milo had a battle on his hands, and I wasn’t going to be with him for what was ultimately the last battle, win or lose.
It was Friday morning, August 2, 2019. Again, I had not slept, and I went into work that morning, running on pure adrenaline. I was hopeful Milo had pulled through, yet a small part of me was bracing for the worst.
August 3, 8:32 am — I received the call I had been bracing myself for all night. Milo had made it through a rough night and was resting. He had drunk a little water and eaten a small amount of food. I was so thankful to the vet and staff for all they had done for him. Milo was going to stay at the hospital another night to ensure he didn’t rebound and to check his blood work. I received several updates throughout the day on Milo’s recovery, and I was very hopeful he was coming home.
Thank you for hanging in there to read Milo’s story. I had no idea what HGE was until I googled the symptoms. Although they were very similar to parvovirus, I knew it was not that.
This disease comes on suddenly and can be fatal if not treated within 24 hours. By the time this disease took full hold of Milo and his vet saw him, that window for recovery was almost closed. I have included some links below to shed light on this horrible disease. Please check them out and read the comments from others who have experienced this with their furbabies. I have also included Milo’s vet and their wonderful staff’s website.
Thank you for hanging in there to read Milo’s story. I had no idea what HGE was till I googled the symptoms. Though they were very similar to the parvovirus, I just knew it was not that.
This disease comes on without warning and can be fatal if not treated within 24 hours. By the time this disease took complete hold of Milo, and by the time his vets saw him, that window to recovery was almost closed. I have included some links below to shed light on this horrible disease. Please check them out and read the comment section about others who have experienced this with their furbabies. I have also included Milo’s vet and their wonderful staff’s website.
“Hero’s don’t always wear capes”
Fairlea Animal Hospital/ Servicing Small Animals
A Blog By Susan Bulanda/ Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, (HGE) in dogs
A Blog By Susan Bulanda/Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) in dogs revisited
South Boston Animal Hospital/What You Should Know About Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) in Dogs
VCA Hospitals/Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome in Dogs (Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis)
Beating The Odds: A Story About My Miniature Schnauzer, Milo Pt 1 of 2
Taking a slight detour from any photography and music themed blogs to tell a story of my amazing miniature Schnauzer, Milo and his bout with a life threatening condition called HGE (Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis) or AHDS (Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome) which it has been renamed. It’s a life threatening intestinal condition that can effect all healthy dogs, but is common in smaller breeds, such as Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers.
Taking a slight detour from photography and music-themed blogs to tell a story about my amazing miniature Schnauzer, Milo, and his bout with a life-threatening condition called HGE (Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis) or AHDS (Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome). It’s a life-threatening intestinal condition that can affect all healthy dogs. Still, it is common in smaller breeds, such as the Miniature Schnauzer and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Milo and his sister (Esme) don’t like thunderstorms.
On July 30th, the day before Milo was affected by HGE/AHDS, he was active like any other dog—playing and eating—showing no signs of distress. The following day began normally. I let Milo out to do his business, and when he came back inside, I offered him his morning Greenie dental treat; however, this time, he refused it. I then prepared his food as usual, but he merely sniffed it and walked away; he also didn’t drink any water, which was unusual for him. Initially, I thought the thunderstorms approaching our area that day might have triggered his reaction, as Milo was terrified of storms and often stayed close to us when one was nearby. I decided to stay home with him that day, and I noticed he was more clingy than usual, following me from room to room. I also observed that his stool was slightly runny. Again, I attributed his behavior to the impending thunderstorms.
As morning turned into afternoon, Milo still had not eaten or drunk any water. He even refused a treat I offered him. I thought he was just scared. By the late afternoon, I noticed Milo began to vomit. The vomit was foamy and contained thick, clear mucus. I saw something that looked like blood in it. I called Fairlea Animal Hospital immediately and made an appointment for him. They scheduled him for 10 a.m. the next day.
By 5 pm, Milo began to become lethargic, as if he were somewhere else. He clearly showed signs of something much more than a fear of storms or an upset stomach. His fur started to feel like straw. His vomit became denser with mucus and clingy to his mouth. By 6:09 pm, Milo wasn’t answering to his name at all, his vomiting was more frequent, and much more foam and mucus in texture. Then by 7:39 pm, His stool was pure blood. It started with him releasing small amounts of this, and within minutes, it was a puddle. Milo got to the point where he could barely make it outside before each episode.
All I could do was assure him that I was not leaving his side, make him as comfortable as possible, and let him know he was loved and cared for. Deep inside, I believe he has always known this. By 11:37 pm, the bloody diarrhea was still nothing but blood; it had a raspberry look about it with pieces of clotted blood, and it was getting worse. By now I was already awake over 24 hours with him, never leaving his side, if he breathed differently than usual I was there, if he got up from his bed I kept mt my eye on him; by 3:47 am Milo was straining, his poor gut to pass a stool, his stomach was tight and pushed in, with every strain, he groaned and grunted. This part of his life was breaking my heart. Milo did try to drink some water, and he lapped up as much as he could. Maybe he was out of the darkness; no sooner than Milo drank the water, he vomited every bit of it along with a precise, slimy mixture, with bits of white looking particles I believed were food he had eaten the day before. The darkness was only beginning.
Here are “some” of my top must see documentaries/movies ; about photography and/or photographers.
Here are “some” of my top must see documentaries/movies ; about photography and/or photographers.
1. IN YOUR FACE: The Neil Zlozower Story. Tells the Story of Legendary Music Photographer Neil Zlozower
2. SHOT! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock: The Story of Legendary Photographer Mick Rock.
3. The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography, First Woman to shoot With The 20x24 Polaroid Camera.
4. Smash His Camera: The Story of Notorious, Reviled Photographer, Ron Galella
5. Hondros: Documentary of War Photographer Chris Hondros, Killed Photographing The Civil War in Libya.
6. The Photographer of Mauthausen: The Film Tells the Story of Photographer Francisco Boix and His Life in The Mauthausen Concentration Camp.
7. Kodachrome:
8. Salvador: A 1986 Drama about the Salvadoran Civil War, Starring James Wood.
9. Photographer Albert Watson: Presented By The Smithsonian Art Museum and The ASMP.
10. Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens
A New Year; No Excuses.
Hard to believe how I allowed time to slip away (again) from me, I had not blogged in about 3 months. A lot has happened since then, mostly with the new house; Acquiring some needed essentials for both my office and Barbara'a quilting room, bookshelves, desk, picture frames etc.
I have a few edits on the table from personal favors I had photographed for friends and family, still, I plan for a few self-assignments of my own that need to be more on the forefront than I have allowed.
lastly, my year ended with the passing of a friend from back home, celebrity and portrait photographer, the legendary Marc Hauser. I am thankful that he and I were able to reconnect through social media over the past 8 years. Marc had been and still is a huge influence on what I had done and plan to do in photography.
Hopefully, January will be the springboard I so desperately need to launch my medium format portrait sessions on film, luckily I still have people still wanting to participate in these projects.
Brian
The Absent August Blog.
Sometime in July, this was the last house the realtor showed us and the one we decided on. August became a very busy month for us, after signing on the dotted line there was a lot of packing to do, a lot of back and forth trips dropping off loads and loads of boxes every night this made the final move easier on us. My August blog was not posted for this reason, and it was worth it, If not for us, but our fur babies; Milo, Esme, and Rascal. They had their own yard to play in.
Front yard, plenty of shade trees.
The Living Room
Taking a break; Milo checking out the yard from inside the house
Barbara giving the dishwasher its first test run.
Backyard, looking from one of the property markers. Babies in their fenced area and try the new mower out; We went Green, Greenworks Pro battery mower.
We fenced a portion of the yard for them to go out, later we'll extend even more for them.
Milo Wants To Help;
storing boxes in the attic.