Where: Barbados

What: Crop Over Festival
Crop Over, a three-week summer festival of music, masquerade and culture, is Barbados' most popular and colorful festival marking the end of the sugar cane cutting season. Its origins can be traced back to the 1780's, when Barbados was the world's largest sugar producer and a festival was held at the end of each season. Today’s popular festival attracts thousands of people from across the globe.

“I’ve been to Crop Over once before, but that was several years ago and I was surprised by just how big the event is now,” says Bruce Hemming, who shot the accompanying panorama at this year’s festival. “Over 10,000 revelers in costume were in the parade and what seemed like the population of the whole island was down at The Spring Garden Highway where the day ended in a huge beach party.”

The festival begins with the Opening Gala and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and culminates with the Grand Kadooment, a costume parade through the streets. Cohobblopot, the biggest and most exciting party of the season, features performances from the hottest bands.

Local businessmen sponsor groups called "tents", and there is a fierce competition for top prizes and recognition. The semi finals of the calypso tents are held on the East coast of the island, and finals are held at the National Stadium, neither of which should be missed.

After being judged in the National Stadium the bands take to the road in a long and colorful procession. “That’s when the fun really begins,” says Hemming. “Rum and Soca music is a good mix for dancing and those who can “wine an grine” will have a good workout. “Wukking Up”, or very raunchy dancing, is frowned on by the judges so is toned down during the bands pass in front of the judging stand but after that the dancers get it on with considerable enthusiasm.”

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Shoot Details:
Hemming used his usual set up of a Canon EOS 5D with the 15mm FE on a 360 Precision head but also experimented for the first time with handheld shots using an 8mm Sigma FE. He notes, “post-production of these coincided with the release of the Beta of PTGUI for Mac which handled the circular FE images very well. Temperatures around 40degrees C took their toll on me and the gear. The matt black finish on my 360 P turned it into a little solar furnace and the grease from the bearings started melting.”

Visit Bruce Hemming’s website for more panos of Crop Over.
Email Bruce Hemming: bruce[at]bhphoto[dot]biz