GIFFORDS CIRCUS RIDES AGAIN
Olympus was back for another year of photographic fun with the whip-crackin’ high-tumblin’ bottle-jugglin’ horse-wranglin’ wagon-trundlin’ tent-raisin’ stake-drivin’ boot-stompin’ spur-janglin’ rain dancin’ gold-rushin’ bounty-huntin’ bugle-tootin’ banjo-pluckin’ Hell-raisin’ Thanks-givin’ Giffords Circus at the picturesque Chiswick House and Gardens.
60 lucky photographers were invited to photograph three superb acts from the Circus’ latest production “The Painted Wagon”.
Attendees had the chance to try out some of the latest Olympus kit, including the sought after 300mm as well as getting helpful tips and tricks from both the team of experts and three outstanding Olympus photographers including Neil Buchan-Grant, Gavin Hoey and not forgetting Principal Photographer Damian McGillicuddy.
Everyone soon arrived and piled into the Big Top to shelter from the great British weather and was welcomed by Olympus’ very own Claire Voyle. Once briefed and all attendees had their kit of choice, we were ready for the first act…….
Image credits: Claire Voyle & @liannem44
And back by popular demand was “Bibi & Bichu” the juggling brothers, performing amazing tricks and even having some audience participation with the Olympus team!
Up next was the incomparable Nancy trotter Landry doing her Native American dance, making for some fantastic photos! Our final act, all the way from Addis Ababa….members of the Konjowoch Troupe, showing off their amazing foot juggling and acrobatics!
Image credits clockwise: Andy Newman, Gavin Hoey & Daisy Dickinson
With the curtains closing on the final act it was time for the portrait sessions. The attendees were led through three inspiring portrait sessions with Damian, Neil & Gavin. Everyone got the chance to photograph three different acts including Tweedy the Clown, Virgil the Sheriff and Miss Lillian Konyot as well as having the opportunity to ask the experts any technical questions they had.
Image credit: Vicki Slade
After a fun-filled afternoon of extraordinary photography, the rain stopped and the event drew to a close…..and it wouldn’t be a trip to the circus without finishing with tea and cake!
Thank you to everyone who attended, of course Giffords for their hospitality, superb performers and use of their extremely photogenic backdrop! We hope to see you at the next event!
Competition Winner
A huge congratulations to this years winner, Nicole Tomkowiak, for her stunning shot of Nancy Trotter Landry.
