IIt’s rare for people to be the focus of my blog photography, but today is an exception.
I’ve attended the Celtic Festival in Nevada City with my son for many years. Last year, I was denied entry with my camera due to a new policy requiring prior approval for professional gear.
This year, I requested permission ahead of time and was approved. With two cameras in hand, I set out for the day with a clear goal: to capture people enjoying themselves. While doing so, I paid special attention to the dancers and photographed them throughout the day.
I used a Nikon Z-50 paired with a AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 and a Nikon D-750 with the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Although my cameras aren’t the newest, the lenses are among Nikon’s finest. I’ve previously written about why I replaced my broken Z-50 with another of the same model and why I haven’t yet upgraded the D-750.
Why bring two cameras? It allows me to quickly switch focal lengths without changing lenses on the go. While one could use a wide-to-telephoto zoom, those often sacrifice image quality or come at a steep price compared to my current setup.
The day was long—I arrived at 10 a.m. and stayed until 8 p.m.—constantly walking the fairgrounds, looking for photo opportunities. To capture the public dancing, I lingered near the main stages positioned throughout the venue.
The festival’s photo policy is simple: if you don’t want your picture taken, don’t attend. Fortunately, everyone I approached was enthusiastic about being photographed. For a photographer, it was ideal.
By the end of the day, I was physically spent from crouching and carrying gear. It was a reminder of the stamina needed to cover an event properly. That said, the experience was also enjoyable and stress-free. My only compensation was complimentary entry, so I was free to shoot as I pleased and later share a selection of images with the festival team.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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