It wasn’t a white Christmas in New York City this year, in fact on average there’s only a 14% chance that it will be. But even without snow we had a great time. One of the events that we attended was the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It’s probably the only show in NYC that you’re allowed to photograph.
Rockefeller Center Rink and Christmas Tree. On Christmas Eve this place was packed with as many people as there are in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
One of the best performances that I’ve attended this year, if not ever, was the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas concert. Their music is a blend of rock and classical and their light show is just incredible. For a photographer and I suppose everyone in the audience it was visually spectacular and a sensory overload. The lighting design is very unique. There’s lighting all over and around the stage including banks of lights that are suspended on independently moving tresses above the stage, lasers, fog and snow machines, with fire and fireworks at the end of the show. What is even an added bonus for their show, is that you’re allowed to take photos (not with pro cameras – but P&S is OK). I wasn’t aware that photos are allowed before going to the show, but fortunately Val had her camera with her, so I snapped a few shots. This is in such sharp contrast to most concerts, where NO PHOTOS are allowed. The worst had to be the Celine Dion “A New Day” show that I saw this past October in Las Vegas , where everyone had to go through metal detectors. Every camera, video and cell phone etc had to be handed over to security and was returned at the end of the show.
Well, I don’t need to look at the calendar to know that December and winter have arrived in Ottawa. We’ve already had several snowfalls this year. Including this one that I photographed yesterday on Petrie Island, near my home. The immediate forecast is for more snow and the long term forecast is for a colder than normal winter. This year for Christmas, Val and I will be travelling to New York City. I’ve always wanted to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza, the window displays along 5th Ave and Macy’s and of course a visit to B&H Photo.
