I've had
some meaningful photo experiences this year. Shooting at EIBF was so
interesting of course. I went to several challenging talks - most notably by the
pre-eminent Scottish historian Tom Devine - on the Scottish Enlightenment and
secondly on the Darien Project. I attended talks also on the Scottish
referendum questions and the press and media. EIBF BLOGS September 2014 here -
-Scottish
Referendum. I view Scottish Independence as a journey. Many of the top Scottish
intellectuals and writers (such as Tom Devine and others) have come out on the
side of Scottish independence believing it to be the best way forward for
Scotland, after careful consideration. As yet I've not found any good reasons for
the UK union- apart from past sentiment or the world wars. This pulling and
sharing of resources quoted by the Better Together team seems to mean London
pulling in the UK resources. The referendum energised Scottish politics and
since then the SNP have had such a surge in new members that no one could have
predicted, and they are now the third largest UK party.
-Recently I
had the exciting and fun experiences of shooting at the wonderful Your Disco
Needs You - The Musical at Glasgow's Mitchell theatre - written by Anita
Neilson, musical score by David Allan and choreography by Tim Noble.
I didn't set out thinking I would be a music
photographer - I became one by accident over ten years ago now, after capturing interesting images at a
music gig. It seemed to matter to
capture something special about unique gigs.
My
best images are mostly captured when there is unlimited access to a concert and
I can find a nice position to the side of the stage and not interfere too
greatly with the audiences enjoyment. I want to be a bystander, an observer, not
a participant - although the whole point for me is to be lost and absorbed by the music. That's
why I am there - at the Queens hall Edinburgh or the Oran Mor Glasgow.
I attend gigs I hope to enjoy. Of course for the bigger artists there is the photographers pit, sometimes OK, but other times a rammy to get those good shots in the restricted three song grab, which means most music photos end up all looking the same kind of limited mug shots at the safe start of the gig and creativity is lost. While with a few other big gigs there can be an exciting adrenalin rush, all great fun! I'm very grateful for all the interesting musicians, artists, and writers I have met.
I worry that the Art of Music Photography is being lost these days with all the new restrictions. For me it is not simply about a mug shot - but about capturing those special music moments. Always about the music.
Renowned
jazz photographer David Redfern died 2014. In his obituary to Redfern by his close friend Tom Seymour -
"Like other photographers of his
generation, schooled as he was in the chemistry and craft of picture-making, he
has lived through the digital revolution. Gone now is the widespread
recognition of the photographer as a respected artist providing a valuable
contribution to the development of the industry. In its place is a new paradigm
of control and restrictions: access restricted to the first three songs or the
back of the hall, draconian contracts, impatient minders. As he wrote in 2005:
“Nowadays one has to cut through so much hype and crap before one can even
consider whether to photograph an event or concert.” It is indeed sobering to
consider how many images we might not be able to enjoy if today’s restrictions
had applied when David Redfern was building his archive." Well exactly!
I began to
wonder is music photography about the art and craft or simply the mug shot?
I continue
to work on editing techniques, mostly using Lightroom (occasionally Photoshop
for trickier editing) and what works and what doesn't. Its a very subtle thing.
-Writing
Work. My other focus of my writing work progresses with my first book nearly
finished (?) especially as I have three other new books in progress now! The organising, sorting and finishing work
takes far longer than the first writing drafts by miles. As is the case with
photography also - the shooting is only about 5% of the work.
-My Musicfootnotes
BLOG
Continues to
do well and I continue being inspired and I enjoy doing the blog. Top blogs this year include -
-Music 2014
New albums
this year - Head and Heart, Sarah McLachlan, Mary Chapman Carpenter,
White Denim,
