Never Say Die - HMV Forum

Photopasses are a little bit of a rare occurance for me at the moment and I managed to get one (through Livethescene) for the London date of the Never Say Die tour. It had an insane line up. The tube strile meant I didn't get in until after the first two bands but once inside I met up with three other photographers I'm friends with (Ian Arnold, Abbi London and Ben Gibson). It was quite bizarre shooting with some many friends around and in the pit. It makes everything so much more fun and a lot more relaxed. It really felt like thats how shooting shows should be.

The lighting for the venue was a bit hit and miss and that coupled with the fact they allowed flash sort of knocked me off my game. I wanted to shoot flash but couldn't get it right so I'd shoot without and then the lighting would turn shit. I'd then have to go back to flash only for me to get frustrated and switch back to shooting without. I normally don't see many other peoples photos from the gigs I shoot (if any) but seeing Ben's and Ian's photos highlighted how different my photos are (and I'm not sure thats a good thing). There's one or two photos from the night I really like but I look at them all as a whole and just think that they should have been better. That sort of line up and that sort of venue deserve better photos. I struggle a lot with shooting with flash and it's something I really need to get to grips with.

The links below will take you to the rest of the photos from the night.

The end of this year is going to be a strange one. Three potentially life changing opportunities may happen and they may not but I might right about the situations soon. Strange times ahead.

Your Demise

Emmure

Bleeding Through

Comeback Kid

Parkway Drive

Your Demise

Emmure

Bleeding Through

Comeback Kid

Parkway Drive

Your Demise - 100 Club

Your Demise played their first headline show since their album came out at a special show at the 100 club. It was nice to see a show there considering the venue is faced with possible closure. The 100 club is a good venue with an amazing history. The only time I have shot a show there was Gallows a few years ago.

I was really impressed with the first band on (While She Sleeps) and they were really fun to shoot. As it was still early there weren't many people down at the front but there was three photographers/people with DSLRs and we all really stood out. It made me feel quite self concious as a photographer.

Obviously as the night went on it got busier and once Your Demise came on the crowd were pretty rowdy. There was a few stage dives and people climbing on the crowd. I tried to stick to the sides to avoid getting battered. My camera was a bit better than it has been but something is still not right. I'm going to have to get it serviced soon.

I like the photos of Your Demise but I think my photos of While She Sleeps are definitely the best ones I took that night.

A friends band was playing tonight and I was pretty excited about shooting them. Sadly I had a bit of massive gig fail, I ended up turning up to the venue and finding out they'd already been on. Whoops. Sorry Sarah!

It's been a busy few days, I've got some shots from a burlesque show and I'm shooting another one on Sunday. I'm also shooting a couple of signings tomorrow (Simon Pegg and Bryan Hitch).

I feel a bit directionless at the moment and although it's good that I'm out taking photos, I wish I was working on/towards something.

Hang The Bastard

While She Sleeps

Your Demise

The Hang The Bastard photos are here.

The While She Sleeps photos are here.

The other Your Demise photos are here.