I needed more images from the Tattoo so spent another great evening shooting two performances on Saturday 15 August. As the earlier performance starts at 7.30 pm the light was better for the flyover. Arriving from over the Firth of Forth from RAF Kinloss it’s a stunning sight to see the plane go right over the esplanade and Edinburgh Castle as the crowds look skywards and hear the roar of the engines.
The shot was taken from riggers walkway the top of the production teams gantry and above private boxes – thus at roof top height.
I got my wish to cover this year’s Press Night for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle – my third.
Commissioned by the recently formed Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance, the brief was to seek out images from differing angles and composition as well as colours that match the Edinburgh Inspiring Capital’s brand colours.
So another great night shooting stunning displays of music, dance, and pipe bands from all around the globe – a truly international gathering of performers. The joy of coverng this event is on previous blogs >> Edinburgh Military Tattoos 2006 and 2008.
Managed to 'grab' these performers from She Huo cultural troupe from the city of Xi'an in China for a few seconds just before the show started
The massed pipes and drums enter the esplanade from Edinburgh Castle
Keeping the beat
She Huo cultural act from China
Performers from She Huo cultural act from China waiting to come 'on stage'
She Huo cultural act from China
Top Secret Drum Corps from Switzerland with lighted drum sticks
I first shot the Tattoo in 2006. The MOST amazing experience.
As part of the media on the esplanade and a complete newcomer to photographing the Edinburgh Tattoo, it was with some trepidation that I arrived with my Nikon D200 and two lenses. But wearing an accredited Media Pass and getting waived through the thronging crowds queuing down the Royal Mile to get in was ‘cool’ .
At the press briefing just before the start, there are strict instructions on what to do and how to behave. One piece of advise is to not get too close when photographing in front of the marching pipers – they won’t stop and you could end in the middle of the columns and, we were warned, trampled on. Of course some of those who been there and ‘dunnit’ before do do that! I mean go between marching columns. Not me – a menacing looks from the Pipe Majors is just enough thank you!
An absolutely beautiful evening – dry, warm and a sky deepening into shades of deep indigo. But how do you shoot? Flash? What lens? What speed? Well, it kinda worked out pretty good and I was delighted with the results.
Massed Pipes and Drums against a stunning backdrop 2006
Performers come from all over the world - 2006
Finale performance in 2008 of the celebrated theme of 'Gael' from the Hollywood movie 'Last of the Mohicans'.
One of my favourite film themes and I can tell you, to be right in front of this violinist and the pipe band behind was magical. Hear a version of this below – just great but can you imagine what it is like with 100 pipers playing it too. The second clip is from someone at one of the performances.
The 'young lady' from Queen Victoria School' 2008 as she had just stepped out onto the castle esplanade on her very first live performance - please read more about her below...
2006 -Contemporary and traditional percussion from Switzerland’s awesome drummers
Highland Dancers 2008
2008 - A wet Esplanade gives an extra dimension
Drummer 2008
The view from the Castle's Drawbridge - and the rain! 2008
2008 - One of my favourite shots. The refections, colours, the spotlights, the singer to the right and the dancers just moving garefully to their right. Good one Simon!
In 2008 I nearly didn’t go. Only on that morning did I pop in by the Press Office of the Tattoo to see Alan Smith (delightful chap)… who encouraged me to attend. Had just got my Nikon D3 and the three Nikon 2.8 zooms and rain was forecast. Anyway I did go.
It rained – errr… no it bucketed down most of the night. The show goes on and it its history it has never been cancelled. But with the reflections of the tarmac, some great effects were achieved.
But there’s a great story from this night – well for me anyway. As a young pipe band and dancers arrived down the drawbridge out of Edinburgh Castle, I took up position here. Nearly last out was this young girl coming on at the rear and with the Queen Victoria School. This young lady just beamed with a joyous smile as she saw the live stage, at last, that she was arriving on, the audience, lights and atmosphere – it was written all over her face. A fleeting few moments and a sword, perhaps, a slight distraction in the only shot I got of the moment. I emailed with Alan at the Tattoo with the image - I just felt if I didn’t, she and her parents may not have had the opportunity to see a moment of her first night’s experience. He was able to pass it on to the schools Headmaster in the hope that it got through? It did. (The Queen Victoria School in Dunblane is for those whose parents are in the forces and often serving abroad.)
The photo also came to the attention of Catriona, the person looking after the schools sponsorship and when she saw my name in the emails enquired with me if I was the same Simon Williams that her mother (Susie Reid) knew as a child in Perth. Indeed I was/am. Small world. Later I sent Catriona other photos of the schools pipe band at the Tattoo. Some of these were posted on the schools web site. Later, I received an email from the Grandmother of the your girl asking if she could get a copy and it was thus I found out a little more about her and that her mother served in the forces.
I can say that it was an absolute privilege to have covered the Tattoos. To be so close to such spectacular performances and that are recognised throughout the world was just sensational. As you can see you get close and nearly personal with the performers.
