Headline performer Kendal Gender at the Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
I have to admit I have a real thing about drag shows. Really, what’s not to like, gloriously over the top performances, amazing costumes and energy. Apparently I’m not the only one, the crowd at the Whistler Olympic Plaza was nearly overflowing despite the rain and chilly weather.
Show MC and performer Venus at the Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Performer PM at the Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza. Okay, that was weird, but in a good way.
Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
The back up dancers. Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Performer AndrogynAss at the Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Performer Genesis at the Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Drag performers AndrogynAss and Mya at the Drag in the Mountains show at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after Jaylene Tyme’s Dolly Parton inspired set. The Drag in the Mountains show at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Acacia Gray performs at the Drag in the Mountains show at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Performer Mya at the Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Cataleya performs at Drag in the Mountains at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Tech Stuff:
One of the toughest parts about shooting stage performances is the smoke machines. The smoke looks great behind the artist, but if there’s too much, it gets in front and you struggle to shoot through it. The only way to deal with it is keep your eye on subject and wait for them to get out of the big smoke cloud.
If you have sharp eyes, you’ll notice that not too many of the photos include the performers shoes. That’s because stage is surrounded by foot high audio monitors that block the view of the performers feet. Not really an issue with most acts, but I would have liked more full length shots for the drag acts.
I’m still getting the hang of the big Z9 camera, but I have to say for fast moving events in low light, it’s insanely good. I hit the focus in about 95% of the photos, despite the low light and over acting fog machine, which is an insanely high success rate. Now I’m idly thinking of getting a second one, so so much for small camera kick.