Mugenkyo Taiko drummers at the Edinburgh Mela
Edinburgh Mela festival photography
Today has been a long day, taking photos for the Edinburgh Mela festival. It’s also been a huge amount of fun. I love the atmosphere at the festival. Despite it’s size, it retains a really friendly approach throughout the weekend. There’s a sense of the crowds being relaxed and enjoying that atmosphere. But also behind the scenes, it always seems as if everyone is having a whole lot of fun. There’s a huge number of people involved in making the festival happen, including festival, staff and volunteers, catering staff, stall holders, performers and security staff. It’s no mean feat to be able to create such a welcoming atmosphere every year, across such a diverse group.
The day quickly became a blur of colours, dance, music, and amazing food smells! The festival had organised two photographers to take their official photos for their website this year. With the enormous programme they had on over the weekend, covering the full breadth of the event certainly kept us on our toes!
I was delighted when I found out the Mugenkyo Taiko drummers would be playing on the main stage. What an act! Their drumming rhythms are tight and compulsive. They also have an amazing stage presence, and are well choreographed. They were a great act to photograph, and definitely a highlight of the weekend for me.
More photos from the Edinburgh Mela
Rama and Sita at the Edinburgh Mela festival
Rama and Sita
I was taking photos for the Edinburgh Mela tonight, at Rama and Sita, their opening event on Leith links. The evening started with the local Samba band ‘Pulse of the Place’ playing as the light faded, and drawing the crowds in. Rama and Sita was the main event. It’s a spectacular piece of shadow theatre, with plenty of pyrotechnics too. In the Diwali festival, Hindus celebrate different aspects of the story of the relationship between Rama and Sita.
I had been down at Leith Links last night, for a run through of the whole show. It was really useful to get an idea of what would be happening, and gave me a chance to work out some possible vantage points for taking photos on the night. It turned out to be a beautiful evening – just as well, for an outdoor performance!
Were you there? What was your favourite part of the show?
I was commissioned to take photos for the entire Edinburgh Mela festival weekend. You can see a page of Edinburgh Mela photos on my website. Many of the photos are also on the Edinburgh Mela website
Edinburgh Mela 2012
Edinburgh Mela festival in Leith
I’m really looking forward to taking photos for the Edinburgh Mela festival again this year. This is a photo from the dress rehearsal of Rama and Site, the Mela’s opening show down on Leith Links. Usually the festival starts on Saturday, but this year they have taken the decision to put on a free show. There will be pyrotechnics and fireworks involved in the performance. And they’ve even scheduled in a full moon for the night, too!
The Edinburgh Mela is a riot of sound, colours and tastes, based on Leith Links in Edinburgh. There’s non-stop music, dance and theatre going on throughout the weekend, as well as food and other stalls, a fashion show, and childrens’ area. From a photographer’s perspective, it’s a great fun event to photograph. The colours and continuous activity certainly keep me on my toes, and provide opportunities for all sorts of shots I wouldn’t normally have a chance to take. The event always has a wonderful atmosphere, with thousands of visitors, and a real family friendly feel to it.
I’ll be down at Leith Links taking photos for the festival again this year. Here’s a few of my Edinburgh Mela photos.
Up and away
This was another great suggestion for a gallery photo title. I had two attempts at this one – at the first event, all the kids were hanging on tight!
So here’s UP
and….AWAY
Dusk
As dusk fell over the Edinburgh Mela site last night, a wee rainbow appeared – what a lovely way to end the evening!
Rainbow at the Edinburgh Mela
Edinburgh Mela – Friday night
There were some beautiful dancers at the opening night of the Edinburgh Mela.
Traditional dance at the Mela festival
Edinburgh Mela opening night
I’ll be taking photos at the Edinburgh Mela this weekend. I started off at the Leith Links site for the opening ceremony this evening. What a lovely surprise to find that Mairi and Dave were due to be playing!
Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis at the Mela festival
