Benz World Blog » Purple

Funk Chunk

Jason Benz — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 23:47:18 +0000

This is the Melbourne Ska Orchestra rockin’ the Delta stage on the third day of Bluesfest 2022. They are my favourite band to photograph due to their spectacular show. The exceptional blend of organised chaos must be seen to be believed. They extend the limit of what up to 25 people can do on a stage simultaneously. They have been busy too, recording 7 studio albums, overturning the assumption that big bands write slowly. Defying the possible is MSO MO. All the new tunes in their set had the instant catchy quality they are known for. Their energy is infectious and inspires wild dancing in the crowd. (image download here)

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

New Year

Jason Benz — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:01:50 +0000

Happy New Year 2022. I had a Hippy Christmas, listening to music in a native forest with a cell tower to myself. I would normally be chilling up a mountain at this time of year but it has been cool enough to stay in the subtropical lowlands where the internet is fastest. 2021 was a wet year too in Australia, this helped rejuvenate the natural environment after the fires.

As the world discovered in 2022, In the wake of disruption, you don’t get back what you had before. We must face the challenges of this new reality as the world continues to change. I hope this year’s existential threats can create solidarity so we can move forward together, as we did to take action on the hole in the ozone layer.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

New Year

Jason Benz — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 17:25:39 +0000

Happy New Year 2019. May your dreams come true. These are the Sydney new year fireworks. I left my van behind and took the train into the city from my temporary base in the Blue Mountains where I have been enjoying a relaxing Christmas with the Australian branch of my family.

2018 was the most photogenic year so far. It was also the start of my longest journey. In December I revisiting the last 8 months of travel pics to create 2 years worth of stock photography in a few weeks. This brought my total to 700 images at Shutterstock. This averages out to 1 a week from 14 years of photo submissions.

This year I will continue south until the March equinox which should put me somewhere in Tasmania for the first time. I will return to the Blue Mountains in April and resolve to have another 100 stock photos by then.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Collins Street

Jason Benz — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 09:11:03 +0000

This is a view of the 3rd and 4th tallest buildings in Australia as Photographed from the 2nd tallest. The centre building is 120 Collins Street, A postmodern style heavily influenced by iconic Art Deco buildings in New York. On the right is 101 Collins Street which also would not look out of place in a Ghostbusters film. This led me to make this composite by adding purple clouds in Photoshop.

The tallest building in Australia is not in Melbourne like these, nor is it even in a state capital. It is the Q1 on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Oz answer to UK‘s Blackpool tower.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Melody Angel

Jason Benz — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 11:56:49 +0000

This is Melody Angel rocking the Juke Joint at the 2017 Byron Bay Bluesfest. I have never seen anyone channel Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz with so much style. This was no tribute act, this force of nature from Chicago had plenty of authentic blues and soul in her music. (image download here)

Melody Angel will return to the festival in 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Purple Flag

Jason Benz — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:55:29 +0000

This is Patersonia Sericea, commonly known as the Purple Flag, Native Iris or Native Flag. It is endemic to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. This flower was photographed in a garden in Western Australia.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

California Honeydrops

Jason Benz — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 13:59:46 +0000

It is often the bands you have never seen before on the smaller stages at festivals which impress the most. These are The California Honeydrops playing the Juke Joint of the 2017 Bluesfest. They have their own unique mix of Blues and Soul which will find you tapping your feet before you know it. (image download here) The California Honeydrops will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

Nalle Colt

Jason Benz — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 09:10:03 +0000

This is Swedish guitarist Nalle Colt playing with Vintage Trouble on the Crossroads stage on the final day of Bluesfest 2016. This was one of the most memorable performances of the festival.

Benz World Blog will be posting daily images from Bluesfest 2017 from mid-April. Does anyone have any requests from the lineup?

UPDATE: Vintage Trouble and Benz World Blog will be back at the festival in 2023. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Nalle Colt image is available for download here.

The Bamboos

Jason Benz — Mon, 30 May 2016 14:29:07 +0000

This is Kylie Auldist singing with Melbourne based Soul Funk band The Bamboos at the 2016 Blues on Broadbeach music festival. If you want to get your groove on, I highly recommend you check them out.

Stage lights often produce challenges for cameras. To process this image a little split toning was added in Camera RAW to recover the skin tone. A mask was then created in Photoshop to put some red back into the dress.

UPDATE: The Bamboos will perform at Bluesfest in April 2022. Get your tickets from the Bluesfest website.

Purple Rain

Jason Benz — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 01:13:25 +0000

RIP Prince, Thank you for the music.