PHOTOs August 2011

Right now I am planning and looking forward immensely to the fun and manic ness that is Edinburgh Festival in August! Love it! From the packed exchange of outlandish performers that vie for your attention on the high street, to the quiet shady trees of the Book festival and the comedy shows, the dance and music. Its' amazing how it rolls round again so soon. One of the best thing is not that performers come from all walks of life and from all countries, but the exchange that develops with all the arts falling into the same artistic melting pot in Edinburgh over those few weeks. I grew up in Edinburgh with it's cobbled streets and castle that sits high above us all and it seems to inspire those stories we all seek.
I've made some wonderful goals the past years that I would never have dared dream if it wasn't for the artists that have inspired me. I'm shooting again at Edinburgh Book festival 2011. It was incredible last year taking portraits of such famous authors - and learning from the seasoned pros. Such a thrill when guys like Seamus Heaney or Frederick Forsyth walk round to the press pod! I take photos for Milngavie Folk Club - it's a small thing but great artists. I'm much more selective and only cover events I'll get good reviews for. I do it for the art. Painters need words to inspire, writers need images and musicians need both.

PHOTOS June 2011

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Hi,  Festival season approaches!

I have some exciting Photoshoots lined up.

Some of the artists I follow are doing well. Emeli Sande is supporting Alicia Keys at the Albert Hall this week. 
Check her new songs on YouTube, I love 'Heaven' and her voice sounds incredible. She releases her first album this year. Broken Records toured in the US and Hurts are playing the major festivals.  

I've seen some exciting new artists this year and I look forward to the summer gigs.

I have some writing projects I am motivated over - while I still love photography I need the challenge of writing.  It's a huge focus of my time and inspires my work. My Poems and my Artist in Us.  My 'Hot Guys' gallery continues to get interest!  

Music Photography is all about 'who you know'! Yes really. I've made many wonderful contacts over the years totally 'off my own bat' and through lots of hard work and perseverance. Maybe also as the feedback to my work has been so positive.

My MUSICFOOTNOTES Blog gets good interest worldwide -  the Stats are very interesting and hits from places like Russia, Iran and Japan.

Please check my 'Dylan Forever Young Concert Review'  -  http://www.musicfootnotes.com/2011/01/dylan-forever-young-tribute-concert-at.html

and 'George Martin: Known as the Fifth Beatle Blog.'

http://www.musicfootnotes.com/2011/05/producer-george-martin-known-as-fifth.html

My most popular blogs.  New Blogs - 'Stag and Dagger.  I've recently written some of my thoughts on Dylan and the Beatles for my Blog, two of my biggest musical heroes.   

Please contact me if interested in a review or/and photoshoot.

PKIMAGE

http://www.pkimage.co.uk

Testimonials on my Photography work from promoters, festivals and artists.

'We are delighted with the coverage in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald. Thank you so much for making this possible!  Your expertise has provided us with a wealth of memories of one of the happiest events I have ever been involved in.  Thanks again Pauline for providing so many wonderful memories of the day.' Angus Foulis Mugdock Triathlon

'The photos are FANTASTIC!!!!!!   I am absolutely thrilled with them.'

'I’m a big fan of your work, very animated!’ David Craig, DJ and promoter.

'Thanks a million - you really got it! Some great pictures right across the park - very good close ups and crowd scenes too. You seem to have captured the whole event, bags of atmosphere. You used the light exceptionally well : rain and sunshine too with bags of contrast. They are full of life and really catch the spirit of the festival!  Robert Kay, Director Kilsyth festival 

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"I love the one you sent which was in black and white.. it captures the 

essence of his stage performances - with piano playing and singing but 

also with a lot of happiness"'

'You have a wonderfully observing and imaginative eye Great stuff." 
"They are all good and some are superb." Pat Byrne, Westend website

''You're really very talented and have a great eye - it's a rare skill!"   Kirsty McGee, musician

"They are fab as always, you're truly amazing at your art." Pearl

"Thanks for all the support and the excellent Photos!"  Emeli Sande, singer. 

"These photos are excellent - thanks. Some of the best I've seen of a live band." Robert Marton, artist manager

 "You've watched the film as a 'film', not as a script. We've been in this business for a few years and I've rarely met another professional who can watch so carefully and articulate their response so acutely.'  Comments on my Review by Owen Thomas Film Director

PHOTOS February 2011

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In February I 'was' planning to focus on catching up with myself here, but things have got very hectic so far!  I've been needing a break badly too - which I am taking this week with my lovely daughter to see the 'Northern Lights'. Sometimes we need to step back - re-focus our energies and it's important to do so.  I've been very busy the past month with Celtic - and I spend a lot of my time writing too.

*PHOTOSHOOTS. My plan is to do more photoshoots - so please get in touch if interested. While I will still do occasional live gig shoots.  I'm expecting when these young artists I have shots of are famous I will suddenly be rich? Well one never knows....

*VIKING GALAXY. My son's new band have been in the recording studio - which was great fun and thanks guys! I got some fun B & W shots just posted.  The recordings sound awesome!   They play Classic Grande Glasgow 12th Feb. 

*CELTIC Festival Glasgow  -   While I enjoy many genres, I believe folk or roots music ( or Celtic!) has an important role in keeping our cultural history alive and well. I used to go to Sandy Bells Edinburgh (where I grew up) - about the time Hamish Henderson may have been there. I saw Dick Gaughan in the 70s and travelled to many folk festivals. Celtic explores both our cultures and our diversities and what pulls us together -  our shared humanity and love of the arts, especially music of course!  

NEW ARTISTS.  I have images used as promotions on venue websites, artists websites, flyers and albums.  I  appreciate that people enjoy my work. I have studied music all my life, as have my children, and I believe I have  insights into what makes art, words and music work. I often have original ideas which I find others imitating, and it is flattering while also I wonder why I earn nothing for these ideas. I am not a 'snapper' - I write songs and poems myself and I consider my photography art. I've had wonderful encouraging feedback from many artists, including - Kirsty McGee, Mat Martin, Jim Byrne, Inge Thompson, Pearl (aka Katie Sutherland), Broken Records, Alistair Oglivie, The Magic Hat, who have used my images for promotional material.  

I am very excited about my son's new band ( as is he) and believe they have a great future.  As have the other artists I follow. Photography is a multi-faceted skill that involves contacts, reading, studying techniques, sorting, studying art, studying business, writing. MORE!   

I hope you enjoy my Celtic Connections slideshow on my website -  http://pkimage.co.uk/

'Musicfootnotes' Reviews  - where I also have several Celtic Gig Reviews -  
http://musicfootnotes.blogspot.com/

Glasgow Westend website - http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/

Many thanks to both Pat and Jim Byre for all their encouragement - check out Jim Byrne's new CD.  

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Pauline Keightley Photography / PKIMAGE Scotland - Photographic Artist.  I am a writer, musician and artist. I submit work to major websites and festivals, press, artists promotions, album art work, theatre and events.  My Reviews  - MUSICFOOTNOTES. Photos & My work has included the Edinburgh Festival, Scottish Ballet, Celtic Connections, Manchester Jazz Festival (MJF) and many concerts such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Snow Patrol. In particular I try to mix the old with the new and capture moods such as quiet moments of inner reflection. One of my main interests is taking images of new artists - several of those I've photographed are now signed to major labels.


ABOUT ME : I am an artist, writer and musician. I've been seriously pursuing photography for 5 years now. Commissions; a live album shoot in Manchester, a London manager for a signed artist requesting a Photoshoot, theatre shows and major festivals. In 2004 I had taken images with a small digital camera at a live gig at the Metro London and I realised then that the art of photography was about having a 'good eye.'  I received good feedback for my photos and 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 - Emeli Sande, Pearl, Admiral Fallow, Dave Gibson, Broken Records.  I grew up in Edinburgh and I lived in the US for ten years. I worked as a primary teacher and I am a mother of three grown-up children - one who is in a rock band in Glasgow called Viking Galaxy.
I hope to pursue more portrait work, while still covering live gigs, events and festivals. I want to thank all those who taught me the joy of music - my first piano teacher, my father, my folk guitarist boyfriend back in my twenties, the Beatles, Joni, Mozart, and my children and all the many artists who have inspired my photography. Also to all who have encouraged my photography with their kind feedback.

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

Hi guys - June 2010

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Snowpatrol!

I took photos at Snowpatrol Bellahouston park Glasgow on Saturday - it was very exciting and they were amazing. I recommend checking their 'Eyes Open' album and their newer album. Some great songs in there - Gary Lightbody is an outstanding talent. He dive bombed into the crowd at one point - great photo op! - and he had us photographers running all over the place. That's the biggest event I have taken at. Quite awesome. It was a prefect sunny day too. I'd forgotten that I had applied for the gig, and was shocked to see the email there for me at noon Saturday - and went into a panic to get ready!! oh dear..

Facebook

Are many of you on Facebook now? It does seem much better for family and friends- and more private then Myspace. Myspace is mostly for artists promotions it seems - so it is interesting for that reason though. Some of my family and friends are now on Facebook - yes us oldies too! and it is good for sharing family pics and news etc. So please add me on facebook if you are on there.

My Photo work April 22nd 2010

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Photos August 2007.  For Edinburgh festival 2007 and the Jazz Bar gigs I got a new lens.  I have been shooting live gigs over 2006. The photos I got there are very special to me.  After I realised that I was getting pretty good shots I applied to take some music festivals and I continue to receive good feedback. In 2008 I took at Celtic Connections and the buzz of doing this festival was so good. I felt like it was my journey of my own choosing - well it felt like I belonged and I work very hard on it all. There is loads to learn and getting those special shots doesn't come so easy at times!

Sometimes there simply are special gigs. I have had  commissions, photos used for promotions, CD artwork and photos picked up by festivals. 

I do my music and portrait photography in the hope that people get pleasure from my photos. I have studied great photo work in top magazines such as Vanity Fair, Vogue, Life since I can remember and I enjoy great photography.

It's certainly been an incredible journey for me the past few years. 
Its not only about photography though, because I adore writing music reviews also. Plus other things I am writing and also poetry. Poetry is actually the central thing for me - it informs music and motivates. The business side to photography and learning all about the music business, takes up a lot of  time.

Also I have started a small Review blog called 'Musicfootnotes'. If you are interested in a Photoshoot, please get in touch. I am eager and willing for new artistic challenges.  There simply is not enough time really - too many plans...I'd like to return to ink drawings and water colours. I miss it.

*My Photo work - March 2010

I have been busy 2010 with the Celtic Festival and the concert for Erne Parkin in Milngavie.

*'Celtic Connections' galleries and reviews January 2010. I've been adding many new galleries and my Celtic photos, which is the biggest event I do. My Celtic Reviews here - www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/

I heard several exciting new artists this year - Fyfe Dangerfield (who is a very talented song writer) The Low Anthem (made me think of hippies, very low key) Bellevue Rendezvous (stately and serene) Hobopop Collective (soothing Americana jazz) Laura Veirs (songstress who draws from nature) and 'The Future Tradition'. I enjoy the buzz of festivals. It feels a genuine, organic festival also and not about the hype or gimmicks. I notice my photos change each year for some reason. I am not sure if it is me improving or the festival changing? I wasn't sure if the colour was about the music on stage or the more vibrant stage lighting - maybe it was both. I had a hectic, fun, couple of weeks of music from such a wide variety of places, cultures and influences.  A thanks to all involved, especially the many talented artists and their music.

*Concert for Erne Parkin' gallery - I took photos at Erne's concert on 23rd January 2010. He was the chairperson for Mugdock music festival who died last July, and he will be sadly missed by the community here. My son plays with Erne's son in a rock band called the Viking Galaxy, and they played at the concert. There were in a band when they were 14, and this if their first gig back together for several years. It was fun to see how much they have come on. I even have photos of the band from way back, from this same hall and very same backdrop. Fun!! - this band are seriously going places so keep an eye out for them.

*My Photo work - Some good things recently. I've had photos in the local paper and I submit to two Glasgow websites. Some interesting things happening. This year I am being more selective, while I am also much faster processing, sorting and better at getting those right shots.