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View Full Version : Native American Heritage Celebration @ Chumash, November 7, 2007

DwightMcCann
23rd of November 2007 (Fri), 17:05
This is an annual event held by the Santa Ynez Band of the Chumash Indians at the Chumash Casino Resort. This is the third one I've shot (I'm not sure if there were any before my first one on 2005.) The native dancers are from the American Indian Dance Theater (http://www.americanindiandancetheatre.com/) and the young lady singer is Jana (http://jananation.homestead.com/JNHomepage.html). While the largest audience so far (invited guests only, please) the AIDT was no where near as professional and impressive this year as last and nobody told poor Jana that this was a solemn celebration of heritage and not a gambling casino event ... she kept urging all the attendees to go gamble but they were the owners and guests, sigh. The casino is new to this as I say and the first two years were utterly spectacular and I don't think they ever thought there were issues ... now they know. I only mention this so that you all are not amazed when you run into "issues" at your events ... the casino is one of the premier venues in California and they still have uh-oh's.

#1 Obligatory collage: Actually, I made two, the other being a bit more solemn than this one but this reflects the event better:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC2007-Collage2.jpg

#2 This dancer was one of two who were excellent:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana051.jpg

#3 And these three were the best of the group this year:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana079.jpg

#4 This dancer/flute player is also the background guy in the collage. He was very good, both dancing and playing, and clearly looks the part.
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana187-2.jpg

#5 Here is young Jana with her dancers. They could use a bit more practice but were very easy on the eyes. Jana does a lot of good work and clearly has potential which I expect will blossom as she matures:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana158.jpg

#6 In another thread someone asked was "Big Glass Technique" was. Here it is: 400mm f/2.8L IS with 1.4TC on a big tripod ... EXIF/IPTC intact:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana278.jpg

#7 And another:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana291.jpg

#8 And one from the center aisle up close with the 24-70mm at 24mm:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/NAHC11072007/fullsize/NAHC-Jana235.jpg

There are several more in my gallery at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/NAHC2007.html for your viewing pleasure.
shesgotthepic
23rd of November 2007 (Fri), 18:22
#4 rocks big time.

Lovely set, Dwight.
René Damkot
24th of November 2007 (Sat), 08:01
#3 and 4 for me..
The top left image in the collage is very nice as well.
DwightMcCann
24th of November 2007 (Sat), 10:46
#4 rocks big time.

Lovely set, Dwight.

Thanks, SHE. This conversion was done in LightRoom using one of the presets and then a tad of adjustment. Since I have started taking advantage of Virtual Copies I have done a few such.

#3 and 4 for me..
The top left image in the collage is very nice as well.
It's very soft so good for a background ... IIR it is a selenium conversion in LR.
simonSE15
24th of November 2007 (Sat), 11:04
fantastic stuff.
silvex
24th of November 2007 (Sat), 17:46
Nice series #3 and #4 are top shots! I like the clarity and color rendition of the third.
mrclark321
24th of November 2007 (Sat), 17:56
Great series Dwight!!
DwightMcCann
24th of November 2007 (Sat), 18:40
fantastic stuff.

I thank you. But, of course, as usual, it is mostly the casino production facilities and staff that make it look so good.

Nice series #3 and #4 are top shots! I like the clarity and color renditionof the third.

Thanks. That third one was a cheat ... I used the 'Vibrance' slider in LightRoom ... all the way to the top if I recall ... I just liked it.

Great series Dwight!!

Thank you, my friend. I hope to be doing these for many years to come.
Ballen Photo
27th of November 2007 (Tue), 12:05
Just spotted these Dwight, About time we see some Native American stuff from you. :p
Numbers 3, and particularly 4 are my faves of the bunch. Of course #5 gets honorable mention for being "easy on the eyes". ;)
-Bruce
DwightMcCann
27th of November 2007 (Tue), 13:38
Just spotted these Dwight, About time we see some Native American stuff from you. :p
Numbers 3, and particularly 4 are my faves of the bunch. Of course #5 gets honorable mention for being "easy on the eyes". ;)
-Bruce

Unfortunately it's just a once a year event, sigh.
Ballen Photo
27th of November 2007 (Tue), 13:43
Unfortunately it's just a once a year event, sigh.
Then get more photos next year? We need something to hold us over. ;)
-Bruce
DwightMcCann
27th of November 2007 (Tue), 13:45
Then get more photos next year? We need something to hold us over. ;)
-Bruce

Then go to my website and look at the Paulina Rubio gallery from earlier this year! That'll melt your socks! :cool:
symes
29th of November 2007 (Thu), 20:09
those look absolutely stunning... I love Number 3!

Cheers,
DwightMcCann
29th of November 2007 (Thu), 20:27
those look absolutely stunning... I love Number 3!

Cheers,

I thank you! Glad to see you poking around over here. :D
Riff Raff
3rd of December 2007 (Mon), 00:10
That third one was a cheat ... I used the 'Vibrance' slider in LightRoom ... all the way to the top if I recall ... I just liked it.

I actually set Vibrance to +40 for the majority of my indoor theatre performance shots. It almost always looks great on costumes.