Photos Nov

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.  

-Photography.

 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 - 

http://www.bjp-online.com/2014/10/david-redfern-photographer-obituary/

 "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,

PHOTOS February 2014

I' am busy trying to concentrate on writing, after a very hectic few weeks of photos and reviews and also a very fun time at Celtic Connections 2014, which was magic and a ton of work too!   All the amazing concerts and the people I met.  If you come over to Transatlantic Sessions it really is worth it!   

My music blog now gets over 5K hits worldwide per month, more elsewhere than the UK oddly. - http://www.musicfootnotes.com/

I still love photography but feel I need to focus. For the past months while I am still writing and I am trying to edit and organise my book into appropriate chapters and all - this is crucial but also a ton of work! oh dear. Its so easy to get distracted too! I also write Life blogs, all kind of things - there is not enough time I guess?  http://musicfootnoteslifeblogs

After the quality, diversity, breadth and quality of Celtic Connections 2014 I am more than ever excited for Scottish music. 

CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2014!

This year I heard some wonderful new musicians at Celtic - Lau, RM Hubbert, Mogwai, ImeldaMay, Nicola B, Del Amitri and from Greece Alkinoos Ioannidis. I also enjoyed artists I'd heard before - Dougie MacLean, Julie Fowlis, Jerry Douglas, Karine Polwart, Kris Drever, Capercaillie. 

It is good to see and hear the confidence, creativity, pride and range in Scottish music these days - and I can remember when it was all tartan shortbread caricatures and Jimmy Shand and his band or Andy Stewart's 'Donald where's yur troosers.'  Its a huge boost for Glasgow to host this international event each year.  Folk music is driven by a desire to progress the musical traditions thorough musical abilities, playing live, ethnic traditions, vocal harmonies, unaccompanied singing, story telling songs and words with a message, real instruments (??) and by diverse collaborations. There is much encouragement given over the festival to new musicians – with the Late Sessions, Open mic and also Showcase Scotland with music people worldwide attending these concerts. 

After the warmth of all these concerts I try to get back to normal this cold time of year. I enjoy the writing too and it is all a hectic buzz too!  Most of photography is about the post processing, uploading, contacts, online, media, text and info...  

Rob Noakes -  with  Where Dead Voices Gather' - still relevant and even better than his younger days. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/rabnoakes 

Photos December 2013

'The nature of photography as it captures that simple brief moment… allows no ending. Photography implies perpetuity... as if something of life itself steps over the normal limits of time.'   

I have been busy with the business side of photograph in 2013. For anyone who thinks photography is all about shooting, it is not. There are contacts to be made, hours spent on editing, online work on websites and networking, text and keywords to sort, promotions, emailing, googling and more. I am busy and continue to enjoy the expression of photography.  

I have spent some time updating my photography website recently, nearly done!

My images have been used in print media worldwide and online by major publications and media that include – Daily Mail, Financial Times, The List, The Sun, BBC, News Group Newspapers Limited. Also for album artwork,  authors promotions and more. I distribute for editorial purposes. Supplied images to artists promotions such as Emeli Sande (my photos were used for her promotions back in 2008 and 2009 before she was famous). 

Pauline Keightley Photography - http://pkimage.co.uk/

This year I have sent prints as gifts to a few special artists and it is wonderful to be able to do this as a thanks for their wonderful live concerts - the indomitable Michael Marra ( who sadly died a year ago) and to the outstanding new Scottish artist Emeli Sande.

Books. I’ve read several inspired books. Edinburgh Book Festival 2013 – as usual was hectic, informed, varied, challenging and fun. Celtic Connections 2013 again showed off it’s colourful musical collaborations.

It is transforming when words, music and art can make a difference.

My Life BLOGs -

I continue a few pieces for my Life Blogs - Youth Violence, Kate and Morning sickness, Social Mobility, Independence, The NHS. I write when events move me - sometimes poems, sometimes blogs. And sometimes words can make a difference and that's wonderful.

Youth Cafe's. Twenty years ago I wrote around 1994 about the Youth cafe's I came across in Finland when I was 17 as  an inviting place for teenagers to meet and hang out. It is good to see these now locally. What spurred me to write was someone writing in the local paper that there was plenty of places for both families and young people!  I thought - where!?

Youth violence. I wrote about youth violence in Scotland in 2004 after a neighbour’s son was tragically killed. He was a 22 year old rugby player and he was waiting outside a club on Sauchiehall street on the night of an Old Firm game when two youths, one carrying a baseball bat, hit him and he fell on his head. Apparently these youths were running about and had hit several people that night, according to those in A & E.  I heard much later these youths only received a few years in jail.  Lesson is - don't go into town on the night of an Old Firm game!  Hooligans love an excuse to vent their angers.      

I have written about pregnancy and I have much to write on being a parent and education (more to follow!). I am a mother of three grown up children and I taught in primary schools. I wrote mostly in private to papers in the past but now I have a voice on my blog... http://musicfootnoteslifeblogs.yes-to-future.html

 http://musicfootnoteslifeblogs.our-culture-of-violence.html

 http://musicfootnoteslifeblogs.is-social-mobility-dead.html

Music 2013. Some exiting new artists in 2013 – Haim, Chrvrches, Kurt Vile, Lorde.

The two top artists I saw live this year were iconic Neil young and rocking rocker the wonderful Peter Gabriel. I am inspired by both! Glasgow saw the opening of a world class concert arena near the Clyde river and the old SECC – The shining blue Hydro.

Music Photography. I find the increased restrictions of music p these days frustrating. I do music p because I have a passion for music.These restrictions mean restrictions on what can be achieved with photography at concerts. I get my best shots when I can move about, relax and really get into the music and the gig - great photography is not simply about pressing the shutter!?  I continue to love it though!     

Peter Gabriel Hydro Oct 2013 - ALSO a good dancer! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fCpVJGZjvQ I hand it to Gabriel - he mentioned all his crew and even introduced the support artists (his two Swedish backing singers) . No 'Big Star' airs and graces about him at all. He talked of how 'Photos' never lie and how mobile phones will help to stop tyranny and oppression worldwide.

Pauline Keightley Photography

Music and Portrait Photography

Glasgow

Emeli Sande, Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Festival,

http://pkimage.co.uk/

http://www.musicfootnotes.com/

My Photography June 2013

Sometimes I believe images should speak for themselves – other times that there is a story behind every image.

I grew up in Edinburgh and I now live north of Glasgow (as well as ten years in America) which I hope give me unique perspectives. I am a writer, artist and musician. I read mostly music related book and articles. I play piano and my children are all musicians.

In 2004 and 2006 I took photos at gigs and festivals and re-discovered my passion for art, words and music that I had lost over the years. I realised that a good photo was mostly about having a good eye, while good equipment is like having good tools! 

I received good feedback for my photography and I worked on developing my craft and skills. I took images of several up-and-coming artists in Scotland who are now signed to Major Labels. One of these was Emeli Sande, who in 2012 went on to big things with her album Our Version of Events. I took photos at her ep launch at the Oran Mor Glasgow in December 2007 when she had much bigger hair and these photos were used in her promotions over the next few years. 

MY PHOTOGRAPHY is about creative & alternative style, natural light, composition and photo journalism. My focus is looking for good light and specifically on portraiture. I admire the photographers Mario Testino, Eve Arnold and David Bailey. I aim to mix the old with the new and capture moods such as quiet moments of inner reflection.


My images have been used in print media worldwide and online by major publications and media that include – Daily Mail, Financial Times, The List, The Sun, BBC, News Group Newspapers Limited. Also for album artwork, authors promotions and more. I distribute for editorial purposes. Supplied images to artists promotions such as Emeli Sande (my photos were used for her promotions back n 2008 and 2009 before she was famous).

As a freelance photographer I cover festivals, concerts and events. I submit work to major websites and festivals, press, artists promotions, album art work, theatre and events. My work has included the Edinburgh Festival, Scottish Ballet, Celtic Connections, Manchester Jazz Festival (MJF) and concerts such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Snow Patrol.
Emerging artists I have photographed who are now signed to major labels - Emeli Sande, Hurts, Lau, Warpaint, Everything Everything, James Blake, Django Django, Admiral Fallow, Metronomy, Head and Heart, Broken Records, Miles Kane, Low Anthem, more. A live album shoot in Manchester for Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin.

Writers I admire – Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Steinbeck, Somerset Maugham. I adore piano and perfect voices – also Mozart, Chopin, Dylan, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Paul Simon.

I admire painters – Van Gogh, Manet, Lucian Freud. I write poetry and songs. I play piano and I write on music mostly.

I hope to pursue more portrait work while still covering live gigs, events and festivals. More recently my writing has become very important for me and my work for a book on art and music.

Music/ Events/ Portraits/
Web: www.pkimage.co.uk/
Contact. pkimage09@gmail.com

Pauline Keightley Photography

Music and Portrait Photography

Glasgow

Emeli Sande, Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Festival,

http://pkimage.co.uk/

http://www.musicfootnotes.com/

Photography December 2012

It’s been a year of weddings, nostalgia, resolutions and it has been an interesting hectic year. 
I continue to love music photography but I am more selective these days about gigs I cover as I have other priorities. This year was quiet for bigger artists for me – well in 2011 I saw Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and not much can compare with that!
 
Weddings. I shot a beautiful wedding up at Fasque house in Perthshire. A perfect day, a lovely couple and a fun learning experience.

Music and Royal Albert Hall. I continue to shoot occasionally at my local folk club. Along side this bigger concerts. It was my delight and pleasure to take photos of Emeli Sande at the Albert hall London at her gig there in November. It’s a venue I never dreamed of going to never mind taking photos at.

Festivals. This year at Celtic the highlight was the Gerry Rafferty Remembered concert organised by Rab Noakes. Rafferty was a truly great Scottish singer songwriter (Stealers Wheel, Bakers Street, Stuck in the Middle With You and much more) who sadly died in 2011. As always the Transatlantic Session proved the value of a great band and excellent musicianship.

Edinburgh Book festival, I particularly enjoyed Nile Rodgers talk as he strummed his guitar. Rodgers has written songs for some of the greats – Bowie, Madonna, Michael Jackson,and more.

Scottish Music. I’m so proud of the Scottish folk artists. Some have recently passed, sadly Michael Marra and there is a concert for him at Celtic 2013. It is also good to follow the new artists coming up such as Biffy Clyro and Karine Polwart.

 Scottish Singer Songwriters
*Emeli Sande.  It’s hard to know what to say. I have followed Emeli’s career for five years and to be there to see her take over the Albert hall stage this November was quite emotional for me, so I can only imagine what this year has meant for her. She sang the most moving moment at the Olympic opening ceremony with a haunting refined and breath taking version of the Welsh song Abide With Me.  Her single Heaven was her first hit song – she also sings of Wonder, Next To Me, My Kind of Love. It certainly has been her path in life to sing for us.

We have a lot to be proud of with Scottish music today – it seems as healthy and creative as ever. I enjoy seeing the traditional along with the newer pop sounds. We have many talented and popular ceilidh bands and also singer songwriters with character and depth. I might even hope with Scottish independence young musicians might feel they don’t have to head to London to record and write. Alongside our creativity we might feel the confidence we once had to realise we are as good today as we were in the Enlightenment. 

Quote: There’s Love in this world for everyone, Every precious smile you make, Be sure love is out there looking for you.'   Michael Marra

 *Michael Marra. He Paints With Words. Sadly quirky and humorous and sometimes poignant artist Michael Marra passed away in November 2012. I have seen him live several times and the last time at Milngavie Folk club in 2011. I wondered he didn’t look so well in the photos. At the sound check he set his keyboards on an ironing board. I will never forget his singing Robert Burn’s Green Grown the Rashes O at his concert at Mugdock theatre in 2007. He returned again in 2008 when I was lucky enough to meet and chat with him and where he signed one of my prints. He said he enjoyed playing in the small theatre with its semi-circle of tiered seats and grand piano. He looks so frail when he first comes on stage but then he lit up the venue with his deep gravelly voice - with his endearing manner and ironic dry wit, Marra sang his medley of songs which are full of unforgettable characters and images of place and time. Mugdock was a perfect venue for him and he held  the audience in the palm of his hands. I’m not sure I have ever been so engrossed at a live gig. Songs. Kelly's Visit to Dundee,' 'Muggie Shaw', 'Freda Kohl's Visit to the Tay Bridge Bar', and 'Lonesome Death of Francis Clarke', 'Schenectady Calling'.

Photography Inspirations

I first got inspired by photography through the amazing images in Life magazine, Vogue and later in Vanity Fair. I can’t remember exactly when, but I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t drawing either fashion, ballet or portraits. I took Art as a subject for Higher and won the Art prize (to my surprise). I particularly enjoyed pencil sketching portraits of my friend Laura. I was also always writing poems and stories in notebooks, it was my way to make sense of the world.

For many years I had little time for art or writing due to work and family commitments. By accident eight years ago I took my first steps in photography at a venue in London. I captured a few interesting shots with a small disposable camera (!) and I realised much of good

photography is about having a good eye for it while of course good equipment is like having good tools! I discovered when I got my first SLR in 2006 that professional photography  required numerous technical skills to understand how the lens and camera worked and that using automatic is not an option to have more control over good results and difficult lighting conditions.

One of the hardest skills in photography is the organisation and editing of work.   

Organisation is key. Probably the hardest skill of all is learning to sort and select images quickly, and recognizing what makes a portfolio image. I discovered that 'in camera' selection was very important. And the Big Question – what makes those portfolio images? Some photos might be good but they don’t have that magic quality in them. I also worked very hard at making contacts and studying how the photography business worked and looking at others work.

While I enjoy street and nature photography, my main passion is music and portrait  photography. I aim to take flattering images which in my mind is the skill of a good photographer. I hope I have an artistic instinct for flattering angles, light and the use of soft light.

My Music Photography

Music is the reason I do photography, music is my passion.

I started out taking small venues and local festivals. My particular interest is Scottish singer songwriters. In 2007 to 2009 I took photos of several up and coming artists here. I received good feedback on my work – I had requests for the use of my images for promotional purposes, I was invited to a live album shoot in Manchester, and I was thrilled to receive a call from no less than the manager for Emeli Sande for a photoshoot.

The two big events for me continue to be Celtic Connections Glasgow and Edinburgh Book Festival. I first took at Celtic in 2008.

What next? To develop printing techniques and my main focus on mono (black and white) images. To submit more and to work more on the business side. To take more photo shoots hopefully. To hope for those magic images!  To paint.

There is really not enough time. 

And it really does take much more than a thousand hours.

Emerging artists I have photographed who are now signed to major labels - Emeli Sande, Hurts, Warpaint, Everything Everything, James Blake, Admiral Fallow, Metronomy, Head and Heart, Broken Records, Miles Kane, Low Anthem, more. A live album shoot in Manchester for Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin.

Emeli Sande has been working on her music since 2007 when she was commuting weekends to London. She left medical school after obtaining a medical a degree for a Publishing deal in 2008. Most wont' realise the work that has gone in before reaching the stage she's at now with her platinum selling album 'Our Version of Events'. David Sneddon has also been working behind the scenes on his song writing since 2004. He's had many preconceived hurdles to overcome, but finally this year he has over come them at long long last and he has received recognition for his songs on several number one selling albums.

Photos November 2010

Edinburgh is the biggest book festival in the world and I am very proud of my Edinburgh International Book festival photos। There are such diverse, colourful and memorable figures from the worlds of Irish poetry, political thought, children's authors, dramatic thrillers, autobiographies and more। This is the first serious portraits shots I've taken - while of course I think of my music photography as portraiture। The latter being often in challenging lighting conditions. This gallery also contains text. A huge thanks to the festival for all its hospitality and kindness. Famous Names at the book festival this year - Frederick Forsyth, Peter Mandelson, Seamus Heaney, Vidal Sasson, Melvyn Bragg, Martin Bell, and many more international names. Posted on my site. http://pkimage।co.uk/

Folk Nights. I also took photos at some fun Edinburgh folk nights the Royal Oak and at my old haunt Sandy Bells. Also the Coral at HMV Picture house. I had a bonny time being inspired at Edinburgh festival 2010 - ah love it - where character, poetry, art and music flourish for a few sunny weeks. Actually it was freezing in the press pod!  At the Unbound Londoner Billy Franks did an entertaining gig with Scottish writer Christopher Brookmyre!

The Oran Mor। I went down to my nearest venue in October with its an imposing converted church that sits astride the Westend intersection of the areas two main roads. I was excited to see Holywood legend Tim Robbins and new duo Hurts there and both were awesome gigs in very different ways। You can read my gig reviews - http://musicfootnotes.blogspot.com/

My Musicfootnotes BLOG - My live gig Review site has interest from Japan! and I read that they are very keen on Scottish Indie music there. Also interest from Russia - and as much traffic from the US as the UK - all scary in a nice way. Its not enormous traffic but enough to make me think...

You can see my Book festival images and others on my site - including Irish poet Seamus Heaney. www.pkimage.co.uk. I hope music and words continue to inspire. Read more: http://www.myspace.com/paulinekeighley/blog#ixzz13WntuBZv