Cadet Parade

[Javelin]

At the local forces training base they have a section of the base reserved in the summer for military (army/Air and sea cadets) training for youth between 13 and 17 years old. They have 2,3 and 6 week camps as well as work assignments for the kids to get a taste of military training in everything from basics like drill to wilderness bush exercises (survival, escape and evade, leadership etc) It's pretty rigorous for them but they are dedicated and generally have the time of their lives in these programs and is usually very different from their home lives. I was invited by one of the parent to see their "sunset ceremony" which is a review meant for the public to see and families of the cadets to see what their kids have been up to. The kids are from all over Ontario and qualify to attend these camps from training at their home units. some have never been away from home before or away from their families and look forward to putting this show on. The cadets that do the parade are members of the military band and pipe and drum bands and drill teams. which are courses that are offered to the cadets.

I wasn't sure what to expect and when I saw the set up of the parade square I didn't realize the bleachers they had down both short sides of the square were for the rest of the camp that aren't participating. They had chairs at ground level across the long side, 2 rows deep, and when it got started there was a crowd to shoot through standing behind the chairs. I used my 70-300g for the most part so I could shoot between people but a lot of my shots had heads and shoulders in them. it was OK, I enjoyed the show anyway and got a bunch of decent shots.. Next year I'll get a front row seat and use my WA.

This little girl kinda stole the show for me, she is doing a highland dance while the pipe and drum band plays. SHe looked absolutely thrilled with the whole thing.


This lady had quite a nice video set up. and she thought nothing of popping the thing off the tripod so she could stick her head in my shot


Some of the kids from the drill team. They wear their uniforms from their home units.

[bossel]

Excellent, I like them!

[David Kilpatrick]

That's nice. It is good to see a Highland dance done with a smile. In Scotland, the wee lasses who learn them are taught to keep a deadpan, straight face all the time because it is more like a martial art than dancing. I've photographed some really ugly Highland dances locally - jerky, exaggerated, rigid and without any joy at all. The head must be held absolutely straight up (ramrod down the back position) and the body rigid. That's just the way they are taught - unlike Scottish Country Dancing which is entirely different and great fun.

So, it's nice to see a shot of a different way of doing it which looks as if the dancer was enjoying it.

David

[Javelin]

Thanks

I managed a few shot of her. there were 4 or 6 dancers the rest were smiling but it didn't look genuine and they seemed to be concentrating too hard trying to be technically correct. this one was just doing it.

we used to see the black watch pipe and drum band in Montreal when I lived there. they were perfect in every way and it's an impressive site but I think it wouldn't hurt them to have a good time with it.

Ad tis ceremony they had a sort of skit they did where the military bands bugle player played a long peice but used one of the Lee Enfield rifles instead of a horn, it was pretty entertaining. I'd heard of it before but never seen it. i'll post a shot of that later. it's comical.

[Dr. Harout]

The first is great.

[Javelin]

thanks Doc.. a little more PP and I printed a short series of them. they look good this way except the 4 window strip of 5x7 frame I had for it turned out to be 4 7/8" wide instead of 5 and I don't think it'll work if I cut them.

heres a 303 calibre bugle


More happy dancer



looks like it needs a little more contrast.. but it's one of the ones I printed and looks fine on paper

[David Kilpatrick]

Your orginal dancer at least has the sporran chain in the right place, flashes are too far forward. The dancer on the right of the other shot has a sporran belt in QUITE the wrong place and has managed to wear his flashes on the outside of his hose. Capital offences in Scotland

David

[aster]

Javelin, these are very enjoyable photos...

I'm afraid that's all I can say because I have no familiarity with the particulars of the dress-code or the dance itself. David is the expert..

But I can appreciate them; and that's what I'll do!

Thanks for sharing,
Yildiz

[Dr. Harout]

...heres a 303 calibre bugle...

... and I thought the guy is sooooo hungry, that he is literally eating the rifle...

[Javelin]

HEH! that why his face was hidden

Looks like his sox aren't rolled over properly. and the poor lad has no hips to keep the belt up.

I can understand this being a problem. these kids go away for 6 weeks . and when you drag them away from their play stations, give them 3 squares a day of good food and a healthy routine they quickly grow out of their uniforms. Especially the small ones, so a lot of them look awkward.

Your orginal dancer at least has the sporran chain in the right place, flashes are too far forward. The dancer on the right of the other shot has a sporran belt in QUITE the wrong place and has managed to wear his flashes on the outside of his hose. Capital offences in Scotland

David