Well after a flurry of activity it would seem to most that I've abandoned my blog. Happily this isn't the case and I'm posting this just to remind you all that I'm still here :-) Things have been very hectic of late and my camera hasn't been out of it's bag for a while. I had hoped this was about to change with a trip to Leicester's Summer Sundae Weekender.
Unfortunately those of you that know me well will appreciate that I'm not the most organised person in the world. Okay so that will probably qualify as understatement of the year, I could organise the proverbial "P*ss up in a brewery" but my idea of organisation would be to tell all my mates which brewery, what time and then point them at the beer. Anything involving more than that stands a good chance of being missed. Needless to say, getting a photo pass for the Summer Sundae Weekender was going to involve a bit more than that.
I had tried to find the contact details for the Press Agency handling SSW but somehow managed to miss the really obvious media and press link on their home page. I finally got the email address for the person to contact from an editor I've worked with a couple of times but unfortunately by that time the deadline had expired. I did consider taking my camera along anyway as I've managed to get some good shots from the crowd in the past but the jungle drums were beating out the message that "Pro" cameras wouldn't be allowed into the arena. They were okay with slr's in general but anything that looked too pro would not be allowed. Given that I use a Canon 1D and my lens of choice for this event would have been my EF 70-200 f2.8L USM I think any pleas of "but I'm just an amateur!" would have been met with stern looks and being forced to leave my kit in my tent - not a good plan.
So far this is sounding like a disaster story, but I have to say it was probably just what I needed. You see the thing is, whenever I shoot a festival, gig or whatever I tend to be so focused (no pun intended) on getting the shots that I almost ignore the music. There's nothing worse than bouncing along to a great tune with your camera down by your waist just as the artists decides to do a cartwheel so you have to switch off from the music and concentrate on the job in hand. Even when I've been at gigs where I'm not working (or not getting paid anyway) I usually have my camera with me and I inevitably start rattling off shots. This time there was no question, no camera, no photographs, just lots and lots of music.
It was fabulous, the line up included Supergrass (how rock and roll should be), Roisin Murphy (gorgeous and barmy), Macy Gray (amazing performance and not a trace of the Diva), Reverend and the Makers (even better live than I'd expected), Simian Mobile Disco (fantastic show to round off the weekend) and loads more bands that I haven't heard much from (SSW has a policy of supporting local talent so you get a lot of unsigned bands in the Musician Tent and Rising Stage). Was I itching to take some pics? Of course I was, and I have to confess to stealing my girlfriend's point and shoot to rattle a few off but I've seen a lot of acts that I really want to photograph in the near future (Roisin Murphy and Reverend and the Makers in particular) and had a healthy reminder of why I got into this business in the first place. All in all a very successful weekend, so if you feel like your concert photography is getting a bit stale then my advice would be to get yourself off to a few shows without your camera.
posted @ Friday, August 15, 2008 8:47 PM
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