Q to All - Why do you shoot concert photographer?

[Rock Photo Star]

What is your motivation, attraction, purpose, etc. that has drawn you to focus on it, instead of for example, portraits, weddings, landscapes, etc?

I'm curious whether there are a variety of reasons, motives, purposes, etc. or its pretty much the same for everyone.

[90c4]

For me:

1. to get an elbow on the stage - I love being close up
2. in an effort to capture an iconic image
3. love the challenge of changing lights, motion, time constraints.

[Rock Photo Star]

For me:

1. to get an elbow on the stage - I love being close up
2. in an effort to capture an iconic image
3. love the challenge of changing lights, motion, time constraints.

For me, first, capturing passion, drama. In other fields of photography - fashion, glamour, advertising - you manufacture it, i.e. you set up/stage the scene, the models strike calculated poses.

It's an activity where people naturally strike dramatic, passionate poses. I love capturing such "larger than life" expression and find it such a dramatic contrast that in the end, the people are just people but for that 45 min to hour plus, they "rule."

Second, as I've moved on to bigger shows, capturing the spectacle of a concert. It's like another, surreal world. One that "erupts" and just as quickly disappears but photography freezes a moment of that eruption for all time.

Third, I love how photographs present a totally different reality that often looks better and more dramatic and glorious than the actual reality, i.e. don't know about others, but plenty of times I look through photos and think the band and show looks way more exciting and dramatic than I actually remember it.

I like the challenge of trying to capture an iconic image of the above elements.

I don't do it because I "loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" music or "music is my life" (not that I don't enjoy the songs or concert, but I otherwise wouldn't catch the shows if I was not shooting). Nor do I do it because I find rock stars or concerts glamorous.

Ironically, after shooting hundreds of bands, I've been itching to switch to doing the "manufactured reality and passion" of staged glamour and artistic photography.






creating the manufactured reality and passion of glamour, "staged" photography.

[90c4]

You wouldn't otherwise be going to the shows if you weren't shooting? Why not shoot bands that you enjoy? Are you getting paid to be doing this at least?

[Rock Photo Star]

You wouldn't otherwise be going to the shows if you weren't shooting? Why not shoot bands that you enjoy? Are you getting paid to be doing this at least?


I think you misunderstand. I don't mean I am shooting bands or shows that I hate. I don't believe in celebrity so there is not any band that I would ever feel driven to want to see. I can take it or leave it.


Thus, what I go there for and enjoy is what I listed. Like you, trying to capture icon moments of the passion and spectacle.

I am not sure how much more clearer I can be.

I only shoot what I enjoy shooting cause I am not getting paid [thus, the payment is that I would enjoy shooting the band].

[narlus]

I think you misunderstand. I don't mean I am shooting bands or shows that I hate. I don't believe in celebrity so there is not any band that I would ever feel driven to want to see. I can take it or leave it.

you can certainly be driven to want to see a band and that has zero to do w/ 'celebrity.'

i'm shooting musicians because first and foremost i love music...hell, i spend an inordinate amount of time and money on it, and have been for 3+ decades...this photo is almost two years old and i've added another 5 shelf LP unit behind where the blue chair used to sit. i could have probably folded that money into a nice sports car but that's not where my interests and passions lie. photography is just another outlet for me to enjoy/express/give back to the music world.

http://narlus.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p438198210-5.jpg

[Rock Photo Star]

you can certainly be driven to want to see a band and that has zero to do w/ 'celebrity.'


Agree. Never said otherwise [man you look for conflict with me :D I wasn't commenting on others, I was just commenting on myself that I don't believe in celebrity so I am not driven. I was not making a zero sum comment that you either don't believe in celebrity and are not driven or are caught up in celebrity hype and are drive.

Love of music is what I expect most people would say. I doubt people would say because they are caught up in celebrity worship though I definitely believe there are photogs that are driven by that.

[moogyboobles]

I loved going to gigs anyway, I started late with live music seeing my first band at 21 (Pearl Jam), I've been making up for it since then. Then I got my DSLR last year because I loved taking pictures of my children etc.
Made sense to combine the 2 loves. For me if I don't have my camera with me at a gig I spent the whole time wishing I did, imagining I'd taken that shot! I feel naked without it.
Only downside is the cost, I have 3 children, I feel so guilty for spending this much. But I need to get experience so one day I can perhaps make some money to fund this.

[tylermoney]

Shooting music live is always fun... it's always different. You're constantly having to move, and try different angles and locations. It's harder to plan for, and more spontaneous. There is something about getting a great shot of a live performance. Here are some I took while at SXSW this summer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tggorton/sets/72157616004982908/

[Rock Photo Star]

http://narlus.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p438198210-5.jpg


cool looking pad, btw. love the fireplace and beams. with the wood floor, furniture and monotone plaid rug, it's like Grateful Dead meets Shaker community :D

[narlus]

thanks! it's a bit different now...we sold those futon chairs and got some IKEA ones. i also moved out the blue recliner since i needed another LP shelving unit. i gotta update my photo (once i put all my records away).

[mr2step]

While I only have one experience to fall back on, unlike the majority here, I'd just like to say that it was a variety of things that brought me here. First and foremost, My love is live music. My wife and I travel near and far to see our favorite bands and engage in the live music experience.
Secondly, photography is my second hobby/passion and when I can combine them into one experience, there is nothing else I'd rather be doing in this world. Well, i'm sure I could think of something:lol:
At this point in time, I only have one gig under my belt but it was a surreal experience to say the least and has only fueled my desire to shoot more shows. For me, it's not about the "prestige" or for the ego, it's the fact that I am partaking in the music experience in a different way. It was very difficult to not dance and sing while I was shooting, as a "rabid" fan of this band. I was approached by some of the other togs before the show in the press pit, and they were with Rolling Stone and an online website and when they asked me who I was shooting "for" I just said myself and they all laughed. Good times! I look forward to many more experiences in the future and learning from the good people here.