I understand the title of this post likely raised some eyebrows. Photographing music? What?
What happened to the fishing?
Truth be told, I’m not strictly an outdoor / fishing photographer and sometimes – for my own sanity – I need to think and work in the world beyond the river.
While on assignment for various publications, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph several bands and musical events, including SXSW in Austin. Musicians, like actors, are people I always look forward to working with as by nature they often are playful and theatrical. Emotions are more easily expressed and, as such, they bring a lot to the camera.
A few years ago, around this time of year, I was photographing Brite Futures in a Sixth Street bar in Austin during SXSW. The lighting was abominable – a dim, dark bar with neon lights that appeared early on in the performance, highlighting the band’s retro-punk vibe. Using a shoe-mounted flash, I was able to capture the “money shots” within the first set.
The second set, the flash disappeared and I showed shutter speed and played with the neon lighting, loving the blurred, surreal feel it gave the images. Surprise, surprise, these were the images the publisher ended up purchasing.
Bottom line: never be afraid, once you have the shots you know you need, to hang around and play with the camera. Don’t ditch and run off somewhere else.
Later in the day, I met up with the group for a fun photo session at a rooftop bar in Austin. Nothing is quite as funky as the Austin music scene; something which artists tend to play up.
As a photographer, take advantage of the “funkiness” of subjects. They will love it, and you’ll love the results. Shed a bit of the rigidity and banter with the person on the other side of the lens. Famous musician or not, odds are they are a little (or a lot) uncomfortable with posing for the camera. Laugh, grin, and you’ll find it’s a positive experience for both parties.
The above group shot only took place after a series of rather staid portraits. Finally I laughed and said “pretend you’re out there on the sidewalk and see someone rather sexy walk by.”
After a moment, this happened.
Tags: Techniques
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That last post is a little comical. I like the girls look. If that’s the look a girl gives when they think someone’s sexy. I’ve never gotten it.
I was going for a change of pace… one can only post so many fishing pics before going a bit mad!
Like I said above, love shooting musicians and actors as they have such a wide range of visible emotion. For some reason, the Austin “hippie” crowd more so than most.
And if that’s the “oh he’s sexy” look, then I’ve been doing it wrong all these years. 😉