Jul 05 2009

A tribute to Michael Jackson in Sandton

Posted in Photojournalism Tags: city, dance, function, outing, Photojournalism, Sandton, South Africa

Here are the rest of my photos from the Michael Jackson tribute held at the Mandela Square in Sandton. They’re my weekly winners for Lotus’ challenge without any doubt!

There were hundreds of people there, and from the looks of the news articles it carried on for a long time after we left, but I’m glad I was there for a while. A lot of the radio stations had advertised it as a moonwalk, and had encouraged people to stop and moonwalk where ever they were at 1pm, not that anyone at the venue actually moonwalked!

First up, some more of the fans

Masked

M for Michael

A hug for fans

Jackson fans

Kids watching the dancing

And then the dancing and singing…

In motion

Jon Savage from the band Cassette played Billy Jean for the crowds

Billy Jean singer

And the dance outfit called The Repertoires did a dance act to a few of Michael Jackson’s songs…

Strike a pose

Smooth move

oooh

Leaning over

Dancing

Dancers

Africa belt buckle

I was so very worried before I went there that I would be stopped from taking photos with my camera, like I’ve been stopped a lot lately (so I took a colleague with me who ended up being my assistant and helping with my bag and the lenses and batteries etc thanks Charmaine ). But because of the camera, and because of the lenses I was packing, I was able to take photos with the journalists.

I was RIGHT in front. I was careful not to get in the way of the guys being paid to photograph the event, but I had the MOST fantastic vantage point for the dancers! It was an amazing experience for me, and I learnt a lot in the process. One of the things I learnt, is that my Sigma 70-300mm lens is really not wonderful… I’m now seriously considering buying the proper Canon one… the quality of it’s photos always disappoints me (look at the difference between the quality in the photo of the lady in the hat dancing and the other dancers which were taken with my Sigma 24-70mm lens).

Posted in Photojournalism Tags: city, dance, function, outing, Photojournalism, Sandton, South Africa

30 comments

link to this post

email a friend

Foot~Detox (1 comments.) - July 10, 2009 - 9:11 am

Michael Jackson is the greatest singer on planet earth. We wll miss him so much.

Corey~ living and loving (210 comments.) - July 8, 2009 - 10:25 pm

what a great opportunity for you. You got some fantastic shots. I love your style. these are fabulous. what fun.
.-= Corey~ living and loving´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday~ Say…Say….Oh Playmate =-.

Milly - July 7, 2009 - 12:49 pm

WOW WOW WOW! These are awesome. You get a “feeling” from seeing these.

Carolyn Egerszegi (6 comments.) - July 7, 2009 - 9:56 am

Terrific photos.. all of them. You’ve captured some excellent images! About the shot of the lady in the hat… in my opinion, sometimes the moment is more important than the image quality and you’ve certainly captured the moment. Although I must say I also have the Sigma 70-300 and I never use it. I can’t stand the quality either!! Anyway, the photos of the dancers especially are really amazing. You’ve captured the movement and the energy of the scene perfectly. Top marks to you J!

Tranquility (2 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 10:42 pm

Wow – Lucky you to have been able to participate and to get so close to the action! Looks like a lot of fun!
.-= Tranquility´s last blog ..Happy Fourth Of July Weekend! =-.

Amo (1 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 9:50 pm

Awesome! I couldn’t help but notice the guy in the background of the pic with the singer who was wearing the red and black jacket. Hilarious!
.-= Amo´s last blog ..Last Week in Pictures =-.

NatzG (12 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 4:22 pm

K, one can see I’m still a green beginner. I can’t see what you’re talking about with the lens’? Wish we lived nearer to each other so we could share notes. Why are you being stopped from taking pics?

Love, love these pics! My fav is the one with the woman’s face with the M on it.
.-= NatzG´s last blog ..Too Many Gaps – Too Much Hurting =-.

Roselyn - July 6, 2009 - 2:51 pm

Thank you Jeannette.These are beautiful. I am the lady in the photo hugging the other fan, facing the camera. These are special moments captured so well.
Thanks once again.

Janet B - July 6, 2009 - 12:14 pm

You have captured the essence of the event beautifully. Nice work Jeanette! Stacey would have loved to come with you, but we left here just after 1 for airport. Thanks for asking her though!

Sue - July 6, 2009 - 9:56 am

You have really captured the people/atmosphere so well Jeanette – I love them!
And my fave is the b/w one of the lady dancing

Firefly (284 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 8:41 am

I must say that I am starting to get tired of this whole MJ hype. Where ever you look its just tributes. Maybe I feel like this cause I wasn’t really a fan.

I am curious though. Where have people been stopping you from taking photos?
.-= Firefly´s last blog ..Johannesburg Zoo =-.

angel (136 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 7:54 am

Wow… truly awesome Jeanette!
.-= angel´s last blog ..Wedding Planning… =-.

Elaine (7 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 7:32 am

Those are AWESOME pics! the dancing must have been incredible. I love the dude with the purple beld and africa buckle!
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..a long stretch =-.

Trish (28 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 3:56 am

Great set Jeanette – you take amazing action shots
.-= Trish´s last blog ..Weekly Winners 27 2009 Birthday Edition =-.

Ladynred (6 comments.) - July 6, 2009 - 3:03 am

These are beautiful photos!
Re: What I have in my french toast was icing sugar and maple syrup!
.-= Ladynred´s last blog ..Photo a Day and Weekly Winners (June 28- July 04) =-.

Chantelle @ Photo Mommy (10 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 10:50 pm

Wow. That must have been an amazing experience. Wonderful photos.

Gilz (177 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 5:56 pm

A big difference with the quality with the Sigma…awesome shots. TFS
.-= Gilz´s last blog ..some of the girls =-.

Smoochiefrog (25 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 4:51 pm

Great pics! I haven’t seen a Beat It jacket like that in forever!

Little Apple (2 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 4:50 pm

Those are fantastic. Thanks for posting these. It’s great to see how other parts of the world paid tribute to MJ.
.-= Little Apple´s last blog ..Weekly Winners (July 5) =-.

Tarasview (1 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 4:15 pm

wow- those are amazing pics!!
.-= Tarasview´s last blog ..Weekly Winners- summer fun =-.

Stacey@Havoc&Mayhem (9 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 4:12 pm

WOW really incredible collection of photos! I love the dancing shos
.-= Stacey@Havoc&Mayhem´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – week 27 =-.

Secret Agent Mama (162 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 2:44 pm

I got chills looking at these pictures. BRAVA JENTY!
.-= Secret Agent Mama´s last blog ..On the Fourth of July =-.

Kim (78 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 2:22 pm

Oh Jeanette!! These pictures are a wonderful documentation of the energy that day!! I love the dancing shots.. what a great job!!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – Carnivals in Town =-.

Cathy (4 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 2:13 pm

Wow! Those are awesome!
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – A Family Day Out and About =-.

Hayley (15 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 1:54 pm

Stunning photos. Would have loved to have been there.

Secret Mom Thoughts (52 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 12:44 pm

Gorgeous photos. You did a great job. Love all the dancing shots.
.-= Secret Mom Thoughts´s last blog ..Weekly Winners-Zoo Edition =-.

Ness @ Drovers Run (5 comments.) - July 5, 2009 - 11:25 am

I have the Canon 70-300mm. It has been the most amazing lens. Try to spring for the image stabilised one if you can afford it – will make a huge difference.