We Are Scientists

[rachelpattison]

Hi everyone!

Got the opportunity to shot We Are Scientists at Leeds University last Monday, it was a really great night, good venue, good lighting.

I got the pass to shoot about a month ago but it had to be confirmed in the week before the gig, when I emailed the woman, she didn't response, so I thought oh well, they must not be interested anymore. Then at about 6.45 on the night of the gig I got an email through saying the pass was confirmed! Luckily I only live about 45mins from the venue and was able to shoot across and got there in the middle of the first warm up act. Phew!

I felt thought that my focus was off a little as I had been in a bit of a rush and I think my composition was not that great, anyway here are the shots let me know what you think. The last one I'm really not sure about but I've included it as I really want to know whether people like it or not.

#1
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/graemepattison/IMG_4334.jpg

#2
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/graemepattison/IMG_4353.jpg

#3
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/graemepattison/IMG_4384.jpg

#4
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/graemepattison/IMG_4426.jpg

#5
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/graemepattison/IMG_4374.jpg

Thanks
Rachel

[simonSE15]

I think the drummer shot is brilliant. #3 is nice too.

I should be shooting them at Brixton hopefully :-)

[thelightofsound]

i like the comp of the drummer shot too! and alought it's not your sharpest, i like the angels in #2 a lot

[gospastic]

good stuff. good music too.

[narlus]

#5 is great...dark but you can clearly see the face details. drummer shot rocks too. nice one.

[DwightMcCann]

Ya', I think they are all a bit dark but excellent captures.

[René Damkot]

I like the last one best. The rest could benefit from a tighter cropping IMO.

[Owain Shaw]

I ask because I'd like to be able to take my camera into gigs (because the quote "I'm always mentally photographing everything as practise" applies more than anything) but, can't because most won't allow it, did you get the pass because you were working for anyone, or did you put in any particular reasons or, just apply as yourself, looking to take some pictures at the gig?

I like the second one the most, the pose and the lighting are both very good in that one. Regarding the last one - it's dark but still effective and you can still see and read emotion from the face - I like it.

Yours, deep within the crust of a pork pie,

Owain.

[rachelpattison]

Hey, thanks everyone, see the drummer shot is popular, its not often I get chance to shot a drummer as they are normally so badly lit (guess we all know about that!)

Dwight - yeah some of the shots are a little dark whenever they came away from the mics the lighting was lost but of course this is generally a good time to get some interesting shots so I tried to do some anyway without such good lighting.

Narlus/Rene - glad you liked the last one, I do too although I know its not commercially useable, I like it because you can see the cheeky expression on his face and the joy of playing I guess.

[rachelpattison]

I ask because I'd like to be able to take my camera into gigs (because the quote "I'm always mentally photographing everything as practise" applies more than anything) but, can't because most won't allow it, did you get the pass because you were working for anyone, or did you put in any particular reasons or, just apply as yourself, looking to take some pictures at the gig?

I like the second one the most, the pose and the lighting are both very good in that one. Regarding the last one - it's dark but still effective and you can still see and read emotion from the face - I like it.

Yours, deep within the crust of a pork pie,

Owain.

Hi Owain

I shot the gig for a website, www.rockontheweb.co.uk, I don't know but I'm guessing if I had just asked for a pass just for my portfolio then the answer would have been no. I don't get paid by the site but its worth it just to get the passes so I can get the shots for my portfolio.

I got the email address to apply for the pass from the promoter, I called them up a while ago and they emailed me a long list of all the gigs they were promoting and contact details to apply for passes. Another promoter I contacted organsises all the passes in house so again I was able to get the relevant email address.

There are loads of similar websites like the one I work for have a look around on the web and I'm sure you'll find one that is interested in your work. Have you done much photography at gigs? I also shoot loads of small bands in crappy venues too, some of that is for a local free music mag, there is bound to be something like that in your local area too. Most smaller venues will let you take cameras in so quite often I just turn up with my camera, generally you will find that the band are interested to see the pics, especially if you are soft like me as I generally let them have the pics for free.

Hope this helps and I am not waffling on too much!
Glad you like the pics
Rachel

[René Damkot]

There is quite a bit of info even in the jpg file. Should be more in the original jpg, even more if you shot RAW....
http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/POTN/IMG_4374.jpg

[adam*]

Great shots, perhaps your best so far. Nice work!

[taygull]

These are pretty good, I agree they could be a touch brighter....

The last one is very good.

[rachelpattison]

Hey Rene

Thanks for that,it looks a lot better. I don't currently shoot in RAW but I'm about to start,don't really know how to deal with pics in that format but I'm sure I'll find out!

Rachel

[Owain Shaw]

Hi Owain

I shot the gig for a website, www.rockontheweb.co.uk (http://www.rockontheweb.co.uk), I don't know but I'm guessing if I had just asked for a pass just for my portfolio then the answer would have been no. I don't get paid by the site but its worth it just to get the passes so I can get the shots for my portfolio.

I got the email address to apply for the pass from the promoter, I called them up a while ago and they emailed me a long list of all the gigs they were promoting and contact details to apply for passes. Another promoter I contacted organsises all the passes in house so again I was able to get the relevant email address.

There are loads of similar websites like the one I work for have a look around on the web and I'm sure you'll find one that is interested in your work. Have you done much photography at gigs? I also shoot loads of small bands in crappy venues too, some of that is for a local free music mag, there is bound to be something like that in your local area too. Most smaller venues will let you take cameras in so quite often I just turn up with my camera, generally you will find that the band are interested to see the pics, especially if you are soft like me as I generally let them have the pics for free.

Hope this helps and I am not waffling on too much!
Glad you like the pics
Rachel

I'd never done any before last Sunday, I a) hadn't had a camera of any kind I'd be able to get in before and b) always used to go with my brother and his friends and we'd have fun in the mosh at our local venue. I've got a portfolio full of other, highly irrelevant stuff which is likely to be of no help what-so-ever.

I'm not going to apply for any form of pass without a client of some description, I've done work in other fields to know you need someone backing your application otherwise it's pointless. I will however be contacting the promoters because I'd like to be able to get my camera in so I can start building up a portfolio using something other than my camera phone, and have fun taking photographs.

You have indeed been a help, thank you,

Owain.

[sweetsaram]

I love that last shot ... great expression on his face...

[johnstoy]

I like # 3, and the reflection of light on the guitar head...
Rene's DO (do over) of the B & W, is mine favorite of the bunch...

[pushrod]

great set.

i personally like the b/w shot on the darker side... too much noise & it loose's its feel of actualy being there with it brightened.

jmo.

[blackshadow]

I ask because I'd like to be able to take my camera into gigs (because the quote "I'm always mentally photographing everything as practise" applies more than anything) but, can't because most won't allow it, did you get the pass because you were working for anyone, or did you put in any particular reasons or, just apply as yourself, looking to take some pictures at the gig?

I like the second one the most, the pose and the lighting are both very good in that one. Regarding the last one - it's dark but still effective and you can still see and read emotion from the face - I like it.

Yours, deep within the crust of a pork pie,

Owain.

Owain - I suggest you take a peek at the threads on obtaining photo passes - do a search on this site.

But before you get to that stage you need to start shooting shows in camera friendly venues and honing your skills so when the time comes for you to approach an editor, band, manager, promoter, publicist etc you have a body of quality work you can show them.

[livewire-photography.com]

Hey Hey Rachel, Cool photos, really loving the ast one and the first. hope your ok.
James....

[livewire-photography.com]

Also Rachel, i checked out your site on that website (rockontheweb) there is ohone photo where the singer is clutching the Mic, i love that shot.
When u shoot for this site,do you review the gig aswell?
Cheers
James...

[Owain Shaw]

Owain - I suggest you take a peek at the threads on obtaining photo passes - do a search on this site.

But before you get to that stage you need to start shooting shows in camera friendly venues and honing your skills so when the time comes for you to approach an editor, band, manager, promoter, publicist etc you have a body of quality work you can show them.

Thanks for the advice. It's good advice but, it doesn't really fit what I'm looking to do, which, in short, is not pit passes or professional (gig or any other) photography. I've already nearly killed one of my hobbies going that way! I just want to be able to take my camera in the venue over my shoulder, have fun and maybe take some photographs like other events let you do. Hence asking how the OP got her camera into the venue. She was working for someone and that's all I really needed to know.

Never taken my camera to the local "venue" before, now my brother has moved away and I don't have a mosh buddy, I might start doing it for the fun of it. If nothing else I'll be able to release the ideas I get at larger gigs but can't execute because the fun police won't let me bring a camera.

[MagicallyDelicious]

great shots! i really like the last one for some reason!

[rachelpattison]

Also Rachel, i checked out your site on that website (rockontheweb) there is ohone photo where the singer is clutching the Mic, i love that shot.
When u shoot for this site,do you review the gig aswell?
Cheers
James...

Hi James

Yeah I review aswell, I'm not very good though! I originally contacted the site just to do photography but when I tried to get passes the pr people always asked for a reviewer aswell so I ended up doing both.

I think this is the shot you mean
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/graemepattison/IMG_4566.jpg

Thanks for the comments
Rachel