Thoughts

I entered a competition through the British Music Experience at the o2 and won a pair of tickets to a Ross Halfin master class. Ross Halfin was one of the first music photographers I liked and it was a good chance to here a big name photographer talk about their work. It was pretty much him talking about his career then going through examples of his work and talking through what it was like and how he got the shot. Ross has been in the music industry for a long time now and had quite a cynical and jaded view of the music industry which I guess for him and the things he's seen/done/been through it's understandable but I guess I still have a little bit of a rose tinted view of the music industry. I know it's not perfect but I choose to think that there are still people in the industry that aren't only looking out for themselves and aren't all about money.

There were some things he said which really struck a chord with me. He said that he would love to shoot nothing but black and white on film and that he tries to always shoot without flash. Also that he shoots how and what he wants. I really related to this is pretty much exactly how I feel and what I'm currently trying to do.

He talked as well about doing photo shoots and that you shouldn't be intimidated in the situation. You need to disarm them and break down the barriers to make the subject relaxed and that way you get the best shots. He also tries to capture what the people are really like and sides of them that people don't see. His work has a lovely natural look to it. The talk of relaxing the subject is something I'm thinking a lot about.

I'm always really shit scarred when it comes to shoots. I always get flustered and think that the other person is expecting more than I can give. I lack practice and don't really know what I'm doing and think my uncertainty and nerves is passed onto the model. I want to work on this.

All in all it was a really good night and I feel pretty lucky to have been there.

The last few weeks have been really hard and my self esteem and mental state have been really low. I'm tired and fed up of struggling. My friends and family help keep my head above water but it's been photography over the last three months that has given me an extra boost.

April is going to be a busy month but the being busy starts on the 31st. I'm seeing Emery at the Barfly followed by Carly and Ned's wedding the following day. I'm not shooting the official photos at the wedding but I'm doing some bits like taking photos of Carly and the bridesmaids and more. It's going to be a lovely day.

After the wedding, I'm going to go down to Brighton to do a shoot with my friend Kirsty. She is amazing. We are shooting a Suicide Girls set and then hopefully doing some latex/fetish pin ups which I've been dying to do ever since the shoot I did for Rockworld TV where they were using Jane Doe clothes.

I've also got seven events in eleven days. I have Hearts under fire, Alesana (probably not shooting as I doubt I'll get a pass), Melissa Auf Der Maur, the return of the Glitter Room and three of the London Burlesque Week. I can't wait but I think I'll be shattered by may.

I'll obviously write more about all these things afterwards.

I didn't realise that my blog was set up so people couldn't comment unless they had a google account or something like that. It's now set up so that anyone can comment. I really am thankful for the support you give.

I'm going to write at some point about my 'dream' projects/subjects which I'd kill to shoot. I can't really believe we are almost a quarter of the way through the year already. I'm sure there was something else I wanted to write about but I can't think for now.

Here's a photo from the last roll of 35mm I shot on my Lomo Fisheye. It's from quite a while back but I never posted it here.

Kick Ass signing

I would say I have three main passions in my life. Music, photography and comics. My day job has been working in comic shops for about 10 years now and comics, the art and the industry mean a hell of a lot to me.

On Sunday, through my job I got to meet and photograph two people who are quite big in the comics industry. Mark Millar who has written some great stories and John Romita JR, who to me is an absolute legend.

We had them in the FP London store to sign copies of Kick Ass and getting to hang out, talk comics with and photograph these people is an experience that is hard to top.

One of the things I love about shooting signings being able to shoot some natural shots and i'm photographing people I normally would never get the chance to.

There's a few more photos here.

Fistful of Rollers

After shooting the last London Rollergirls bout I got the bug and really wanted to shoot some more.

The Texas Hustlers team were coming over and they, along with the London Rollergirls were hosting a two day bootcamp and bout in the Excel London. I really wanted to shoot the bootcamp/training days as I thought that would be really interesting and it would be really interesting to see and photograph another side to the roller derby. Unfortunatly there were other photographers shooting it so I couldn't go but I got to go to the bouts in the evening.

This was a lot different to the first one I shot, the venue was a lot bigger (obviously), there were two shorter bouts and there were 1200 people there. They had specific zones for photographers and as there were a lot of us I decided to stick it out in one area and just safe guard a spot.

The bouts were superb, I think because of the occasion and the crowd there was a lot more enery and speed to the skating. It was such a good night. I'm still feeling quite limited to the photos of the bouts I can get as I don't have a long enough zoom lens but i'm happy with some of the photos.

I went to the after party too which was great phone. It's such an open and welcoming community. It's definitely something i'd like to be more of a part of.

London Brawl Saints vs Glasgow Irn Bruisers

London Brawling vs Texas Hustlers

Some extra shots

More Brawl Saints/Bruisers photos are here.

More Brawling/Hustlers photos are here.

Other photos from the night are here.

Fuel Girls - Cafe de Paris

I thought about writing about some frustrations and low moods i've had in the last week or so with my photography but decided to just write about last night.

After shooting a lot of burlesque shows and the MOB girls at Facedown i've been dying to photograph the Fuel Girls perform. In my opinion they are the best alternative dance troupe around and it's a nice contrast to burlesque.

A friend has been dancing with them for some time now and she very kindly allowed me to come down and take some photos of them performing at Cafe de Paris, a venue i very much love. I really wasn't sure what to expect, didn't know what type of club night it would be, what the crowd would be like or what the Fuel Girls performance would be like. It really wasn't my kinda club/scene but I had a good time shooting none the less. There were some pretty cool podium dancers on beforehand as well. One of the things I like about photographing performers and bands is the fact that they don't really acknowledge photographers and I think that helps the shots come across a lot less contrived or staged but sometimes knowing someone's taking a photo can be fun. There was one of the dancers who several times saw me taking photos and held poses or dancied into the camera with a cool smile that made a nice change (so thank you to her!).

Club lighting is quite dim so I found it a little hard to shoot at times as I had to have a pretty slow shutter speed but the Fuel Girls came out a did a fire routine which allowed me to shoot faster.

I really enjoyed their performance and I got covered in kerosene (or whatever fuel they use) and Champagne but it was worth it. It wasn't always easy covering the stage with 2-3 girls on the stage with a couple more on podiums at the side but i'm quite pleased with the shots.

I shot pretty much the whole time in black and white and I know it's not the best way to capture fire but I think it's show the shape of the flames pretty well and might be something different to a lot of the other Fuel Girl photos.

I definitely want to shoot them again. Knowing what their performance is like I think I might be able to do a better job next time. So thank you Fuel Girls for last night!

The podium dancers

Fuel Girls

Some other photos from the night are here.

More of the Fuel Girls photos are here.

Scott C

Ok, so the bad has definitely out weighed the good this week and it's been tough but there's a little glimmer of hope. There's some opportunities that seem to be slowly opening up and i'm trying not to get my hopes up but things seem to be clicking into place for photography. If/when any of these things actually happen i'll deifinitely be writing about them.

Last summer one of my favourite artists was over from America to do an exhibit with another artist. It was a really awesome show and I got to hang out with them a little and take some photos of them doing a live art. It was my first experience of doing this and it got me hooked. Scott C who was the other artist is over at the moment doing a solo show called 'Everybody, all the time' with London Miles gallery in East London. It's really nice to get to see such a large collection of his paintings. I really wanted to shoot his opening but I didn't really get the chance but he was doing a comic book workshop which I asked if I could come down and shoot.

Saying Scott is one of the nicest people i've met would be a huge fucking understatement. I don't think i've met many people more relaxed and as excited about art, comics and just people in general. It's been a pleasure spending time with him again. Tina who is overseeing every thing for London Miles breaks seems like one of the few 'good guys' in the art world and is doing a great job at finding exciting people to exhibit.

Photographing the workshop made me realise how much I want to move a lot more into documentary style shooting especially when it comes to artists.

More photos here.

You can see Scott's work here.

Also check out the London Miles gallery.

London Rollergirls

I was pretty lucky and got the chance to go to a private/season ticket holders only London Rollergirls bout between the Steam Rollers and the Suffra Jets. It was the first time i'd shot a Roller Derby and was pretty nervous. Photographing people and performers is one thing but people speeding round a track is another. I knew it would be tough to shoot, as they are going round a track i'd have almost just one chance per lap to get the shots along with trying to shoot fast enough to get clear photos but not too fast to take away all of the energy from the shots.

The lighting was quite bright but it was high so it cast quite a few shadows and my current set up meant I couldn't get right up close into the action due to my lenses not being long enough.

I really wanted to get some good photos and really wanted to impress the London Rollergirls because I wanted the opportunity to shoot this kind of event again. I came away feeling like i'd cocked up this opportunity and felt like i'd been knocked down a peg or two. It kinda reminded me how much about photography I don't know and much I stay in a little comfort bubble with the stuff I currently shoot. Safe to say I felt pretty dejected.

There are a few shots I liked and thought came out ok but I felt I should (or could?) have done better. I just hope the LGR like the shots. Guess we'll just see.

Everyone should check out a London Roller Girl event. Seems like a great community.

More information on the London Rollergirls can be found here.

The other photos from the night can be seen here.

Rise Against

Just got round to uploading some photos I took at the end of last year. I took them for a website which hasn't as of yet used them. I can kind of understand why. I'm pleased with some of the shots but they aren't very commercial. They are quite expressive but due to the lighting, faces aren't very clear.

I was shooting at Brixton academy which is a great venue, its pretty big with a great lighting set up and large pit at the front. The only problem tonight was they seemed to flood the stage with light without really front lighting it very well. It also can be difficult getting good coverage of everything down to the size of the stage and it's hard to react and get from one side of the stage to the other.

It's always a joy to shoot in any of the larger venues and it's not every day I get to shoot big bands like these.

Poison The Well

Thursday

Rise Against

I also Shot Escape The Fate and Hollywood Undead at Shepards Bush Empire, it was a pretty decent show and the lighting for Hollywood Undead was a dream come true. It was just spot on and I was pretty happy with my shots. Unfortunatly my laptop died just before christmas and i'd already backed up every thing except those shots. I've got one shot left of each band that I had emailed which i've uploaded.

Rise Against photos are here.

Thursday and Poison The Well photos are here.

Escape The Fate and Hollywood Undead.

Cupids Cabaret

I spent valentines day editing Gallows photos during the day and nursing my wounds from the night before. I had so much to do and was so shattered that I had to bail on taking some photos for 'Words and Pictures'. Sorry Julia.

Sunday evening I went down to what was meant to be the last show put on by Keith Suave. I think it's been hard for Keith because the shows have been great and it's a good venue but because it's Croydon not many people ever want to travel out, they'd rather go into town. The line up was more of a mixed bag of performers which I think worked very well. Banbury Cross and Beulah Bell are stunning and always put on a great show and Major Suttle-Tease would have stole the show had it not been for Banbury.

One of the performers was Frank Sinazi. He's a comedian who looks like Hitler but sings like Frank Sinatra. While being quite funny and clever it was very close to the mark and photograph-wise, it was too close for me. When you see his performance it's very easy to see that it's very tongue in cheek with a lot of comments on George Bush and Tony Blair but a photo could be so easily taken out of context and cause a lot more offense than his routine would. That made me feel quite uncomfortable.

The lighting was a little softer and different to normal but it was still good.

Banbury Cross

Banbury Cross is simply amazing. She is stunning and has a superb look. Her routines are so well done and really I don't think there's anyone doing what she does better at the moment. I'm really happy with how the photos of her that came out and one of the photos from her finale I think I nailed. Banbury is fast become a big muse for me. A lovely lady and easy/a pleasure to photograph.

Photos from the night are here.

The Banbury Cross photos are here.

Gallows - Kingston Peel

Second Gallows gig was at the Peel in Kingston. It always amazes me how two shows by the same band can be so different. The peel is such a small venue and with a band like Gallows, that just leads to an insane show.

Small venues can be a bitch to shoot in. Unless you get down the front early it's hard to get a decent spot to shoot from and for busy shows I find it safer to pick one spot and stick with it. It means you might not get decent coverage of the stage but at least you can get something without having to shoot over the top of peoples heads.

I think i've shot enough shows like this to kind of go into autopilot, it may not be the best way but I find a setting that works and stick with it. You have to be so aware of everyone around you as you get knocked about by the crowd, stage divers and crowd surfers. Changing settings a lot just doesn't work for me as I try and shoot quickly and try and protect yourself and your camera.

I came away from the gig with a swollen cheek, brusied knuckles, thighs and knees but it was worth it. Gigs like this where it's a struggle make me feel like i've achieved something and like i've worked for the shots.

Sharks and Blackhole

Gallows

It's rare for me to get photos of Lee.


Lags and Frank ended up crowd surfer at the same time and ended up on top of each other and I think Franks smile is priceless. Think he was glad to make it back to the stage in one piece.

On a personnal note:
I've mentioned before on here that the last year or so has been a struggle for me and how important my trip to New York and Warped. I've got through most of it with a lot of support from friends and family but before New York I was in a pretty bad way and felt pretty hopeless. Music and photograph were what I held on to, to keep me going and give me something to work on. It's an escapism I can't really do without. What I haven't really gone into is how important Gallows have been for me. Through Gallows i've met some great people who have become good friends. Gallows playing warped was one of the main reasons I decided to go and I really think without them and without that trip I think I may have ended up doing something stupid because they gave me hope, it made me happy and gave me something to be proud of again.

Things are better but its still hard keeping my head above water and seeing this band give me a boost I really need. With both sets of photos from their shows and the other photos from this week (including the ones i'm editing from the last Glitter Room show), I'm actually proud of what i've done for the first time since last summer. I feel like for a moment that i'm winning a little.

(I may delete this last chunk out depending on how I feel as i'm not sure it reads quite how I want it to or conveys what I want to get across. I'm pretty sure it comes across quite cheesy and drama queenish.)

Sharks and Blackhole photos are here.

Gallows photos are here.

Miss Led / China town

Friday night I had the pleasure of photographing the amazing and talented Miss Led paint a wall in the offices of Secret London.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed watching people paint and draw, Miss Leds work is so smooth that its facinating watching her work.

It was a little difficult shooting as there was barely any decent light, it's also hard trying to do something that was different to the last time I photographed her.

On Saturday while in central London I had a walk through China town as it was the eve of the Chinese new year. It was so busy and lively. Didn't shoot as much as I would have liked but I got a couple of shots I liked. I wish i'd been able to go up and see the actual celebrations.

There should be another couple of updates over the next couple of days from Gallows at the Kingston Peel and The Glitter Room's valentines day show.

The Miss Led photos are here.

A couple more from China town are here.

Gallows - Watford Colosseum

If you haven't seen Gallows live then you're really missing out. More important than being one of my favourite bands, they are possibly my favourite live band and a massive muse for me. They have pretty much given me my passion back for taking photos at gigs and last year they were very crucial for me for personal reasons.

The thing that does it for me at Gallows shows is for energy and passion i've not seen anyone better than them. They give all of the shows everything they have. Frank is such an intense performer but there's also quite a few times where he seems so calm with so much going on around him, I like taking photos of those moments and I don't think i've seen anyone throw them and their guitar about as much as he does.

I also feel pretty fearless at times when photographing Gallows, I feel a lot more prepared to get into the middle of things to get some shots.

I was meant to see them at a charity show just before christmas but Steph was ill and several shows had to be postponed till now. After a bit of a mission of a journey involving loads of closed roads, snow and a sat nav trying to take us down bus lanes.

The venue was massive with a really high stage. The monitors on the height of the stage made it a little difficult at times to get a decent vantage point. The lighting for the support bands was really great, really strong lighting but when Gallows came on it became quite flat and a little harder to shoot.

The photos aren't great but i'm pleased with some of those. So thankyou to Gallows for constantly reminding me why I love taking photos of bands time and time again.

None The Less and Spy Catcher photos are here.

Blackhole photos are here.

Gallows photos are here.

Rolo Tomassi - The Barfly

Second update today and my 3rd show of the week. Went to see Rolo Tomassi at the Barfly in Camden. Rolo Tomassi are a band that have been around for a while but it's only been the last 3 or 4 months that i've gotten into them. Seen them a few times now but this was the first headlining show i've been to. Supports were Child Abuse (put on a good show but not my cup of tea) and Hang The Bastard.

Like a lot of small venues, to be on the safe side I try and secure a decent spot. I love photographing in the Barfly but for shows this like it's hard work. The lighting constantly changes from being too dull to too bright in an instant so you really have to adjust quickly or watch the lighting and spot the pattern.

Because of the type of venue and the type of bands playing you have to pay attention to the crowd. Pits open up all the time, crowd surfers can come over the top and I spent the whole of RT set getting battered into the stage and pushed over the monitors (at one point I was trying to change a lens, got hit and my lens cap got knocked across the stage). It's all worth it though.

Rolo Tomassi were superb and Eva Spence is everything you could wish for in a front person and subject. Definitely going to have to catch more shows of theirs.

Child Abuse and Hang The Bastard photos are here.

Rolo Tomassi photos are here.

Alkaline Trio - The Underworld

So second show at the underworld this week was Alkaline Trio. Bands like Alkaline Trio don't play these kind of shows often so I was pretty excited and I managed to get a photopass for the show thanks to Cindy Frey.

The difference between the Alkaline Trio show and 99% of other shows at The Underworld was that they had a barrier at the front of the stage creating a little photo pit but the only thing was they had the usual 3 songs/no flash rule.

After the 3 songs I shot from the side of the stage as usual for a little bit.

It was a superb show and i'm glad I didn't waste the opertunity.

Hopefully I should have some Rolo Tomassi photos up later today.

Rest of the photos can be seen here.