Poo-Poo Platter

On Sunday, I was one of the official photographers for the 6th Annual Buskers’ Festival at Pike Place Market. The festival featured over 35 Northwest street performers on 3 stages over the course of 7 hours. There were singers and dancers, magicians, storytellers, and a slapstick comedy act that nearly destroyed one of the stages. Most of the performers were based in Seattle, but several traveled in from around the state and one even flew in from Paris.

As was expected, the weather was less than optimal, being overcast and dull most of the day with a few light showers mixed in. While the gray skies made photographing the event difficult, the weather did not dull the festivities one bit. The performers showed off the best they had to offer. The crowds hung around in the rain to cheer them on. Everyone was just in generally good cheer all day.

The good cheer definitely had its impact on me. I was a bit annoyed with the horrid lighting conditions and nearly gave up shooting early into the event, but seeing the happy crowds and talking with the excited buskers gave me motivation to stick around and make the most of the situation. I didn’t get my best work out of the event, but I sure did have fun shooting it.

I got to hang out and chat with many buskers I had not met before. I had total freedom to shoot wherever and whomever I wanted. I had some great conversations with locals who attend the event every year. I was even sucked into participating in one of the comedy acts during which my 20mm lens was kissed by a performer, I had water spat at me (in jest, of course), and a trick raining umbrella dumped water all over my head. Definitely a fun and memorable day.

Some highlights from the festival are available in my Flickr photostream. If the Pike Market Performers’ Guild likes my work, one or two of those images (and others that I have not uploaded yet) might make it into press material for next year’s festival.