Music Industry and Career Development within Music Photography
Content:
1. Music Industry Photography and Brief
2. Influences and Research into Music Photographers and Music Photography/Industry
3. 35mm and Research
4. Scanning and Retouching Practices
5. Music Photography – Commissions, Event and Venues (Getting Contacts and Commissions)
6. Music Video: Photography and Lighting (Advisor: Location)
7. Music Portfolio – Layout and Presentation
8. Personal reflection of the Music Photography
Music Photographer
Music Industry: Photography (Commissions, events, promotion and albums)
Exploring the music industry within photography. Understanding the musicians and bands views towards the having a photographer to promote and support their notion towards the public.
Even though some of the practice and photography will be digital based, the exploration of experimental analogue photography will display a creative and unique series of imagery throughout my photography portfolio.
Brief:
To create a strong present of music photography work within two social medias (maybe three) to show that my photography is not just creative and portraiture but also a ranged of Event, performing arts and music photography.
Looking into two formats of photography, starting with the digital; understanding the media and software to protect the imagery from copyright, editing times to create and upload the imagery (Time management and planning) and editing/skills needed to understand the music industry at music events/gigs.
With the analogue side of the photography, understand all the formats and editing but look into the different types of film to use, develop and upload onto the social media (due to the fact everything is digital) to understand similar needs and requirements needed in digital but within analogue, plus looking into a more time consuming skill/technique to use more efficiently within music photography.
Influences and Research towards the Music Photography:
Paul Harries
About the Photographer:
Music and Studio Photographer
Music based within Rock, photograph Amy Lee (Evanescence), Slipknot and singers or musicians within bands.
Nominated as Best Photographer in the Heavy Music Awards
Corey Taylor – Slipnot. Unknown Location. 2013. Paul Harries (Figure 1)
One of the well-known and interesting image (Figure 1) within Paul Harries photography work, was capturing the character and nature of Corey Taylor (Singer of Slipnot), where the mask can describe what type of musician and style of music they are. Also, the cover of a mask helps prevents the judgemental media or viewer who judges the musicians by appearances and looks, similar to methods of Daft Punk in the Pop/Hip Hop Music industry but in a metal/rock genre.
The lighting and equipment used within the photograph (figure 1), display as gritty and high contrast feel towards the scenery and appearance of the subject, feeling like the musician wanted to represent his music through the layout and appearance of lighting. Although from this it demonstrates the use of flash or portable lighting to brighten the subject and the surrounding slightly to capture a natural and relaxing view, relating to the theme and style of a movie, having a soldier returning home in which the clothing of the subject is wearing displays a military feel towards the notion of the photograph.
Other than the lighting within the photograph, the subject appearances and character is very different and odd towards other style related location shoots, due to the masks and type of clothing as well. By judging the appearance and looking at it straight away, it notion feels like it a horror theme movie than a musician due to rock/metal genre not being quite noticeable and interesting like Pop/hip-hop music of today.
Review from other Sketchbook about the photographer for influence: This example of Paul Harries’ work as influence is from the photograph ‘Corey Taylor – Slipknot’ demonstrating the exploration of music and location photography which can draw an impactful and interesting photograph using a digital camera. Exploring the tools of the flash and natural lighting demonstrates the exploration of confidentially pushing usage of what a photographer can use to further the atmosphere and mood within the photographs.
Within this photograph it explores how effectively flash can be used in specific situations, without flash this image will show silhouette of the singer, fields and trees but will show the colours of the sky. Although it would make a mysterious and unusual type of surreal photography without the flash, the usefulness of the tools help lightens and capture the detail of the person within the photograph and the details of the surrounding, progressing the fact the flash was needed in the location shoot if needed or to push my experimental and creativity within the images I was needing for the location photo-shoot for the CaliburnUK.
This image, it shows and demonstrate the standard and requirements needed within the 21st Century in the music industry needed and required within this area of photography demonstrating the professional skills needed and use of tools when in specific situations on locations, also push and further the creativity and experimental stages of what to do within the time frame and time of that shoot.
Methods and Techniques – Little Review:
Mixture of location and studio-based photography, similar to the styles of Antonin Kratochvil and Anton Corbijn but in a more digital format, suitable for digital media and magazines purposes.
Exploration within studio, different lighting, props and background lighting. Also creates and design scenes within the studio to create a staged atmosphere within the photograph, detailing the moods and character of subject in the photograph.
Understanding of how music photography in the 21st century is completely different to the methods and ways 20th century music photographers done work, different medias of camera, techniques and usage media and advertising.
Good photographer as an influence for both projects, for professional portfolio design and layout also website designs influence.
Different approaches with the camera to subject, either considering details of the subject and charactering the subject through props, objects and masks with certain bands.
Ozzy at Home. LA. 2014. Paul Harries
Although some of Paul Harries work is staged and studio-based photography, he also explored the personal and homely environments of musicians like this example (Figure 2). With the photograph of Ozzy Osbourne at home, display a somewhat odd but interesting narrative towards the scenery and atmosphere of the subject.
Starting with the appearance and expression on the subject face, it demonstrates a typical Rockstar with the shades and screaming, as if Ozzy Osbourne is at a music event or concert but surreally the subject is at home and yelling either at the dog or something in front of him. Also, with the yelling look the dog as well is yelling, as if the beast within them both are coming out a way to describe the subject type of music.
Other than the expression within the image (figure 2), the surrounding of the location display’s just a black and white pattern to match to the personality and nature of the subject but also display a viewing of what the person’s character is but the layout and design of the house, giving the expression of showing a different side of character is at home than being at the studio, where it could feel like the subject is very unnatural and looks stage in front of the photographer.
Overall from the work of Paul Harries, display a different approach and style of photography in the early 21st century uses studio and location (digital photography) in the music industry. Showing slightly similar traits and styles to how analogue photographers explore and experiment they techniques, methods and editing to how digital photographers explore within digital medias of Photoshop, Lightroom or Capture One. Which could be explore furthermore in within self-photography work and projects.
Steve Godfrey Link: www.stephengodfrey-photography.co.uk
Music Industry Photography – Freelance Photography:
A long as his commercial photography, mid 1980s.
Quite a lot of commission and events, relating to the style and theme of the appearance of the photographer. Contacts and knowing members/artists/clients within the music industry, capturing the moment and timing for the shots.
Different types of music genre, only get the first three songs unless you know the promoter and directors to photograph – roughly 20 mins.
Challenging up to a mixture of photographing the musicians and artists, by the other challenges of other photographers and artists to take photographs.
Fast and editing photographs, limited with the photographs you got to shoot than blast away. Watching the bands in the first song, understand and feel what the interaction and character of the bands and musicians.
Quick and fast enough – Can get paid and work well enough.
Worked with a mixture of Bands within the Rock, Metal and Heavy Rock Photography
Whimpey Goth Event: Started in 1994 – Photographing Event and the bands, good fun and enjoyment. Gothic Scenes and notion. Massive Archive of music events.
European Gigs and Festival: Photography and documenting the festival event, shoot for an American rocky side of the Gothic Genre. A big number of bands and musicians, good challenge and good contracts within the music industry.
Lighting and use of Flash: Battling with working through the lighting or flash
Respect from contracts at music events – More Work and recommendation
Get to the events early, maybe ask the lighting technician or director to get the special blue lighting to photograph the best photography within self-portfolio.
Ear Plugs – Highly Important and useful, stopping deafness early.
Self-funded and Promotion of a Book Launch of the limited designs and layout, funding and costs. Profit made and design. Selective and challenging task with the film-based photography, colour photograph with film needs to be perfect and timed well.
When shooting film: Predict and guess the type of film rolls, needed to take the photographing support bands or main bands at the gig event.
Whereas Digital: Can shoot a lot but be selective in the shots. Too many, too many to edit and place within the promotional and commercial usage.
Unpredictable moments: Some Musicians and Artists within music industry, are hidden or coming on stage. Written Contact and agreements to use specific clients, allowing work for promotion.
When exploring the music photography within an art gallery or exhibition, plan and explore the imagery layout and printing suitable mounting.
Self-Research and Practices:
Through the analogue practices and experience; understand the developing ratio and developing times of different film types I have used within past and current times.
Lomography Film; Understanding the correct chemical ratio and temperature to create for developing towards the negatives, practising and learning through experience and knowledge how it can be developed and processed as a negative for scanning and printing.
Scanning and Retouching Methods; Faster methods and techniques to retouch the scanned damaged negative
Gary Powell – Popular Music Talk
February – Subject’s Future Week
Drummer and Musician
Musician’s view towards a photography within music, is mostly that the photographer either needs to be at the right place at the right time or knows musicians, event manager or friends/contacts to get into places.
When it comes to music event at pubs/gigs/events: Doesn’t really matter with the quality (unless it is too dark or too light, even too blurry) just need to get a good/great photograph of the band members (even the drummer – which is the hardest yet challenging one to shoot when it comes to the lighting)
When creating a band for musicians, they need; Singer/leader, Lead Musician, bass/secondary and drummer/beats for the music band. For the addition parts, need a photographer (on photographer to help promote and work with them throughout the years of success and falls), manager/boss to change or keep the order within the band or musicians career.
Photographer requirements: Interested and passionate into that area of photography, non-biased or have favourites (kept to yourself, in case it causes arguments or fall outs). Helpful and quite creative within creating/planning the photographs. Characteristic: Chilled, calm and collective to work with mostly.
From the musicians talk between me, ‘most musicians and artists within the music industry are dumb and mostly want someone with a camera at the event to mostly show off and let the public (who missed out on the event) what they are missing, plus a good way to not only promote the bands/artists/musicians but also promotes the photographer (Go to more events/music gigs if you have the money – in case of charges of entry fees and if there are no photographer around be the photographer)’
Music Photographers – Mixed ranged of interesting music event photographs, commissions or albums promotion towards the portfolio can be a whole mixture of photography towards musicians/artists/bands only thing needed to be professional is towards event manager, managers towards bands and artists and clients looking for a photographer to be at the event/gig.
Terence Donovan
Mostly for studio and portraiture-based photography, to understand the lighting correction, reading the expression on the subject’s face.
Lighting; Understanding the style and theme relating to the musicians/band/artist within the photograph, making them feel more human and themselves than what they want to represent as.
Relating to the theme of the genre of music, different mixture of genre in Rock, metal is somewhat dark, gritty and moody whereas punk is sometimes quirky and positivity jokey (upbeat).
Most influential portrait and studio photographer who explores with analogue photography, understanding the quality and grain of the image/photograph more correctly and artistically to identify the subject within the photograph.
Mick Rock
Music photographer which explores portraiture photography of the subject within the photograph.
Explores the used of both black & white film and colour film within Mick Rock’s analogue practices (which could be explored in both digital and film photography of my own)
Explores different aperture, lighting and angles to represent and characterise the individual within the photograph, David Bowie a heavily used subject within the music industry due to David Bowie being an artistic/creative musician even subject throughout music photography, making it an addition artistic notion but also a balance of commercialism at the same time (surreally/abstractly)
Don Hunstein
1928 -2017
Don Hunstein photography within both street photography, portraiture and music photography relates towards self-photography and skill, having a notion and exploring a narrative than waiting and planning a narrative and meaning towards a photograph or artwork, which seems uninteresting and time consuming when exploring self-photography work within an art practice, with digital and analogue photography.
35mm Practices and Research:
The 35mm Photographer’s Handbook – Julian Calder and John Garrett
- One book, I kept and use a lot within own analogue based photography work, in all genres of photography; Creative Arts, Portraiture, Music, Street and Architecture.
- Understanding the correct understanding of use the light meter in all situation within own photography work when using film – if I don’t use or follow the light meter or setting correctly on a film camera if will look amateur looking, either looking to under/over exposed on the negative which could be hard/difficult to editing or scan (when going to a digital format) or printing as a contact sheet or final print (when going to an analogue format)
Lomography Processing/Developing Ratios
New type of film which I’m starting to use more often than Ilford film (Finding Ilford film to easy and simple to process and develop into negatives – explored different chemical ratio and mathematical solution of the ratio of the chemical developer (stop and fix were merely the same – occasionally or frequently)
Website for Lomography Processing:
Low-Lighting Photography – Advice and Tips
Link to Advice for shooting with low lighting and ISO to use/suitable with film:
Finding the best solution when using film photography within a low lighting setting either at a music events or performances. Giving the best type of film to use, in between Ilford Delta 3200 or Kodak T-Max 3200 film (can depend on the photographers preference and experience with that film).
Understanding of Film ISO
Self-Research and Documenting between the Film Types
Aug – Sept 2017: Judgement of self-practice and experience
(Was Tested on all film-based Photography Work and Projects)
Ilford:
Stronger blacks and grey/silver (If pushed to its limits)
Very Grainy and Contrast is heavy
Good Attention to detail but slightly weaker by the grain and textures (Noticeable and sometimes easy to see by specific photographers and artists within analogue photography)
Lomography:
Grains are less noticeable, reducing the contrast but focusing on the attention of details.
Stronger greys and silvers for digital/scanning photography, occasionally in printing but takes longer in darkroom to find the perfect exposure, tones and details.
Tones and textures are sharper, but grain is less which can be odd or not the style/theme to look for if going more artistic with the grain.
Chemical ratios can be unpredictable, so a lot of experimental and testing if certain chemicals can’t be used or have (Risking the loss of the imagery in the film).
Scanning and Retouching Practices:
Editing Methods and Skills:
Faster use of tools and systems on the editing media; Using shortcuts, such as Letter Commands to use the tools more efficiently and resourcefully without point and clicking on to the tools bar via mouse on the editing software (which is quite a time consuming amount of time to point and click on the tools, plus it looks/feels very amateur/unprofessional to do that method of editing)
Better understanding of the lighting correction – such as curves, contrast, brightness and texture (Changing the imagery to look for clear and professional); in detail and suitable for either going online – social media, website or blogs or physical portfolio – books, prints/sketchbook or posters.
Right Printing Mode/Software; Print needing to be adobe RGB (1998) for the correct and colourful selection than the basic/limited colour chart on other printing modes/software – when it comes to Colourful imagery with black & white can be adobe RGB (1995) sometimes but needs when printing to be slightly brighter on the screen (as it comes out a little darker than usual on the print – as specific photographic paper within digital photography can increase or decrease the contrast, textures and details)
Advice and Editing Skills/Methods of Editing Software:
The Photographer’s Guide
Photoshop Elements – Adobe Elements: Website, Books and Magazine
YouTube: Specific Photographers and retoucher, demonstrates editing software: Strengths, weaknesses and techniques to make it easier and useable to for beginning to master photographers on retouching or editing
The Photography Show: Talks, Events and Software advice or help to create/design the imagery/photograph
Caliburn (CaliburnUK on Social Media) – Photography Work:
First Location - Photoshoot (Digital):
The development of CaliburnUK (music band) Portraiture and Location Photo-shoot:
Personal Reflection on my Music Photography when given a commission
Influences and Ideas – Planning and Research:
Within the progression of the location photo shoot with CaliburnUK, the plan was to make contact through social media to organise and plan for what time and day to do the photo-shoot, also knowing what style and theme the band wanted for advertising posters and images onto their social media page.
The first influence for this bands photo-shoot was to consider Kerrang magazines and Rock and metal related music photographers who specialise in the area, first the torso was thinking of was Paul Harries who was a photographer which work with a few bands within Rock and Metal music in his portfolio.
This example of Paul Harries’ work as influence is from the photograph ‘Corey Taylor – Slipknot’ demonstrating the exploration of music and location photography which can draw an impactful and interesting photograph using a digital camera. Exploring the tools of the flash and natural lighting demonstrates the exploration of confidentially pushing usage of what a photographer can use to further the atmosphere and mood within the photographs.
Within this photograph it explores how effectively flash can be used in cis specific situations, without flash this image will show silhouette of the singer, fields and trees but will show the colours of the sky. Although it would make a mysterious and unusual type of surreal photography without the flash, the usefulness of the tools help lightens and capture the detail of the person within the photograph and the details of the surrounding, progressing the fact the flash was needed in the location shoot if needed or to push my experimental and creativity within the images I was needing for the location photo-shoot for the CaliburnUK.
This image, it shows and demonstrate the standard and requirements needed within the 21st Century in the music industry needed and required within this area of photography demonstrating the professional skills needed and use of tools when in specific situations on locations, also push and further the creativity and experimental stages of what to do within the time frame and time of that shoot.
Second photographer which was a keen interest within music and analogue photography was Mick Rock who demonstrates within his generation of photography, the beauty of film and music intertwining in harmony. Furthermore, this photographer also is heavily well-known for taking photographs of David Bowie who is a strong and interesting character within the music industry, pushing the creativity and imagination of photography and art through the usage of imagery within albums and covers in Bowie’s Band and solo work in Music.
Suitable of this imagery, will be shown in one colour analogue photograph and another in black and white to demonstrate how the colour, contrast and atmosphere can affect the impact of the image. Giving brief reasoning for that type of imagery into the photograph.
Firstly, the colour photograph of ‘Bowie. 1972’ photograph taken by Mick Rock. Demonstrating the exploration of angle and position which a photographer can exploring when shooting a person characterise the personality within photograph. Though the lighting of the photograph captures the moody but silent atmosphere, as if the model is in his own for solace and place to feel themselves more naturally and peaceful towards the photographer, considering the fact of looking in a location that the model or person can feel calm and relaxed towards the photographer but interacting and socialising with the model to perfectly capture that perfect moment which reflects and shows a character which other cannot see behind that subject’s life.
The lighting demonstrates how effective it can cause a type of mood, from this it shows a mixture of high key lighting with the softness of low key lighting to get a positive, an innovative, dramatic type of feelings with the subject’s character and personality within the photograph, having a mixture of unimaginable meanings and representation towards specific targets when looking at the images but is very ironic and impactful.
Although with the colour showing the details of subject’s colour hair and mood though the expressions on the face and eye colour. Black and white photography focuses on the subject through lighting and composition, to express the mood and atmosphere of that moment through the photographer’s view.
This example demonstrates a powerful and impactful excitement from the musician’s passion, also looking closely at the image it seems like the subject is in his natural atmosphere on stage and in front of a crowd. Perspective of the lighting shows the usage of flash-gun being used to capture the upbeat nature of the event, which can be unique within different types of genre music, which is very difference through styles and theme.
Furthermore, the comparison between both colour and black & white both images from Mick Rock, is that throughout the series of work or exploration the photographer pushing and uses a mixture of equipment and tools depending on the situation. Giving the thinking process of how to organise and plan the type of photograph the photographer wants or needed to capture the mood and atmosphere to describe a narrative throughout a photograph.
But the comparison between Mick Rock and Paul Harries in quite big from the generation and style of music they do within the music industry, throughout other types of rock music location is needed to express or capture the musician character and personality with that image. Ignoring the technology differences with both photographers both aim to make successful and impactful images which inspires self-work to further with the analogue or digital camera, when given the opportunity and the resources to shoot with film.
Furthermore, from both photographers, it demonstrates the exploration and boundaries to push within specific photography furthering the use of equipment and tools to create photographs which are impactful and interesting towards the viewer and the clients interest in a commercial and advising view of photography than an artistic view.
But with CaliburnUK being goth and metal types of music, influence by the 80s and 90s Rock and Metal bands. The film type of photography proof to be very successful and little bit more popular than the digital as the lighting and contract reflected the characters which the work of both photographers and influences give within my work in music photography.
What the Clients wanted from the Location Photo-Shoot:
Other than the influences and research I have considered for music photography, I asked the clients the style and theme of the photograph they were considering so both my influences and they influences are combined, so that it will give it a more clear and reliable source of materials for the brief of the location photo-shoot.
Furthermore, with the client’s influences shown towards myself, I had a stronger and flexible understanding of what is needed within the art of music photography without worrying about getting the photographs the clients want than worrying that I have got done.
Client’s photograph from other types of bands location shoot.
From the Images above from the Clients, were the type of photograph and style they wanted for they portfolio and profile on their social media page within Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get themselves started plus find out the characteristic each band member is like for the personal and single portraiture of each band member with the 35mm film camera later, during the location shoot.
The Location Photo-shoot (Digital Series):
The first batch of photographs to came out very successful and professional for the clients of CaliburnUK, which were slightly edited by contrasts, lighting and saturation because of the fact the bands were a metal/rock music type of genre music than a light and friendly type Pop or Punk band in the non-edits of the outcome of the digital series.
The Looking down photograph of the band CaliburnUK, was the first creative and adventurous photograph to explore with angles and positioning of the camera, having the equipment and tools to brighten and sharpen the images.
The equipment used within this photograph, was the relatability and usage of the flash with the camera to brighten and capture the detail of even individual of each band members instead of being a point and shoot headshot of the bands, making it looks so simple and boring towards the bands view towards their fans and clients who are interested in looking for hire or promotion.
Other than the equipment used within the location shoot, the usage of Photoshop and Capture One, with a hint of Lightroom. Made the photograph more to the styles of what the clients of the band wanted to advertise and promote themselves onto the social media.
One of the photograph from CaliburnUK digital series was uploaded onto Facebook, advertising and promoting the band on social media to empathies that they are a local within the specific area.
However, the equipment uses within this image was very adventurous and creative from the photographer’s perspective by exploring angles from shooting downwards to upwards, so all of the band members can be seen within the photograph. Also, the advantage of flash on the camera, demonstrates a moody and grungy atmosphere within this photograph in which band was looking for in the photographs because if it was a happy and positive photograph you’ll make the band look like a punk rock and metal/heavy rock band, what won’t be appealing or interesting towards metal/heavy rock type of music fans.
Overall the outcome of the digital series for the photo-shoot, was to promote myself as a music photographer on social media so that more clients within the music industry can hire me for location shoots, events and album photography in the future career. Also from this I have learnt to research different photographers within the music industry and ask what type of photography or imagery the client wants in case the client may not like the photos I have been influenced by photographers, having a clearer and broader mind set for what are the goals for the outcome of the overall within and after the photo-shoot and photographs being promoted for the music band.
Digital Series of Caliburn (Flickr): www.flickr.com/photos/128117740@N02/albums/72157687909608155
Facebook Link to Bands: www.facebook.com/CALIBURN.UK/
Music Events and Promotion Photography – Caliburn:
Music Event Photography Gear and Equipment:
Digital Camera or Analogue Camera (Automatic, manual camera on Analogue DLSR are quite a complex and interesting challenge)
Lens: 50mm, lens between 18-300mm, or if afraid to get too close to the musicians or bands (long camera lens above 300mm+ but looks awkward at a location music event in a pub or small club event.
Flash: Some lighting conditions are unpredictable and dark, lighting and moving lighting can go against the photography type of imagery you are looking for, make sure flash doesn’t ruin the event mood by the audience/fans at the event (Use if needed or if lighting too dark (or camera shake from low shutter speed affects your photography.
Tripod; Debatable if the photographer can prop it some to shoot/video a member in one place but near the stage where the fans are in a local gig/event in a pub is very hazardous, trip hazard (fans/audience won’t be sober at the event, so it is a big risk). Think about the space of the room before using the Tripod and if it going to cause hazards or issue for anyone.
Padding Needed – Punk/Rock Band
Padding Needed – Location Photo-shoot:
After the Caliburn Photo-shoot was completed and uploaded onto Facebook, another band (old contact), message via messager on Facebook for a booking and location photo-shoot, similar to the style and theme of Caliburn gritty and moody imagery tones but more upbeat and punky like through their imagery and promotional needs as well.
It is the same influences and research throughout the similar ways of how I did it will Caliburn Photo-shoot but was more prepared and ready for it than the Caliburn Photo-shoot.
Also, with the different genre of music, the Padding Needed were the tone and notion of the photography needed to be more upbeat and humorous, due to it being a punk/rock band with a comedy character towards it. With the location not being the woods like Caliburn, planning and public consent wasn’t an issue with Caliburn Location photo-shoot, and the Location with Padding Needed one was it was in a public skateboard park with public using it a lot (Children, adults and young adults, harder to avoid or take photographs if people photobomb or go into the photograph)
Contact was started via Messeger (Personal Profile than photography page, as they were good friends since college) Via Facebook but then started in a professional manner as emails, sending the invoice of my services of photo-shoot (This band allow me to screenshot for education purposes, some bands/musicians differ – can be a touchy subject which could lose business with them in the future)
PillowFest 2017 - Music Event:
Few months afterwards from the location photo-shoot, the band was creating with a mixture of other music bands a music event at Craufaud Arms in Milton Keynes. Being the contact and friend towards Padded Needed, they contacted me via messager and email/phone, to let me know in advance the dates and times it was going to be run (10th December 2017).
What was needed for the Music Event Photography:
No videography needed as there was a videographer on site, so working with them to help get the best quality of lighting and working together when swapping to different parts of the stage.
Professional and clear photography of each band so 20-30mins with each band on stage or on the 4th song stop and wait for the next band to come on.
10 to 15 minutes break, also time for next band to set up and prepare as well.
When imagery is edited and completed have logo of the event (Pillowfest 2017) on it for personal use of each band as well.
Digital formats only – Shooting Both JPEGS and RAW File for quick uploads and photographs on get onto social media fast and efficiently.
HalfLives – Alternative Rock Band
HalfLives and Support:
Link to Analogue Photography of HalfLives + Support: www.flickr.com/photos/128117740@N02/albums/72157690021108622
Within this event and permission with the event manager as well, I got to explore and experiment a more traditional approach towards music photography, by the use of analogue photography, with a manual 35mm film and instant film camera throughout the music event.
Only issue with the film/analogue photography was finding the correct ISO type of film to use for the event, was debating with 400 and pushing it with the chemicals, better grain and textures given as well or going with 1600 or 3200 ISO (Which I decide to do, to experiment and see if my darkroom practices of developing film, haven’t got rusty/bad). Although the 3200 ISO Film was selected for the event, the instant film camera was 400 ISO with Flash built into them, another experimental type of photography to explore as well within darkroom practices as well (to add as well if it doesn’t work or is unsuccessful – giving me a bit of knowledge/experience in improving within analogue/film photography within music photography).
But after the event, the main worry of shooting the film was if I have done it correct (haven’t muck it up), being either too dark/light or blurry on the negatives, which didn’t when develop the 3200 ISO Film (camera using was my Canon A1 – which I’m quite a natural with for 7 years with the camera). But the new challenge was the Ilford instant black &white film, predicting that the film wasn’t safe or in the canister if opened fully (which turns out there was a canister for the used film when crank up when opening it up in the darkroom – one was quite shocking, need to remove the batteries before opening up fully)
Overall with the success made from the use of film and analogue photography, came out clear and grainy (the type of grain, I was looking for printing/editing digitally), but to save money and time it would be more beneficial to shoot digital for music event and photography (as it takes longer to develop, scan and upload online to social media), learning to understand what types of shots, are needed and suitable to represent the band and good to promote own photography within a documentary and traditional way.
Outcome of the imagery:
Apart of the digital portfolio on Flickr and promoted on Instagram to show the experimental and musical side of my photography
Music Event and Venues:
Secrets + Support
24th November 2017:
Music Event at the Roadmender
Fun and Interactive photographs of the fans/audience.
With photography of Caliburn and band members, comission by Caliburn to do there photography and portfolio, help promote the band through social media and promoting myself that, I am a music photographer
Also made new contacts: Music Event Manager and Organisers plus interest with other bands to help promote there work through photography as well.
Email and socially promote the photography on Facebook Page, also tagging the bands at the event as well to get nofication and notice as well.
Wars with Support:
16th Feburary 2018
Music Event at Roadmender
Bigger and similar to many tasks with previous expereince and work at Roadmenders, but this time to band was more interactive with the crowd and photographer. (big surpise of unspected approach of band members getting close up to the camera – to get unusual shots).
Louder: Use of Ear Plugs as well, music was a lot heavily genre (Death metal and screamo, but still good).
Lighting on the ground floor level is quite dark and unpredictable, so flash was used on some occasions
Social Media – Digital Portfolio and Facebook
Facebook Page – James Wayling Photography:
Link towards the photography work: www.facebook.com/jameswaylingphotography
All the digital photography of all my music photography, mostly event, gigs and performances on my Facebook Page.
Music Video – Documentary and Photographer (lighting Director/Assistant):
Mostly a task of a music student creating a music video with a media student – specialising in videoing (but needed assistant with lighting and camera setting at specific locations and area of the shoots)
The task for myself, was to photograph the location lighting and find angle/position suitable for videoing for the videographer to record, deep and dramatic types of storytelling/narrative between each scene.
Information about the music video, was it was to represent a story of homelessness and loneliness which needed more people/actors or actresses, to fill the role of passer-by or public ignoring the singers/musicians within the music video (Musicians and singers were represented as the homeless being ignored and blanked from existences, on the bus and at specific locations)
During some of the Locations, the group of music students at specific location got quite natural and themselves when getting into their music/rhythm/beats (atmosphere). So through of the idea of documenting some of story/narrative through the experimental practice of analogue photography (use of Lomography Film – Lady Grey ISO 400
First location shoot (Digital):
- Indoors: Simple lighting and entry
- Exploring different angles and positions of where the videographers (two videographers) could position and shoot from.
- Guidance and advice on the lighting, settings and lens to use for each videoing scene/section.
Second Location – University of Northampton: Park Campus (digital) and Train Station (Digital & Film):
- Date: 25th February 2018
- Location Morning Videoing at Park Campus on the Bus (Double Decker – upstairs was needed to create a unique atmosphere and narrative towards the video)
- Task: Documenting and capture the progress and lighting of the music production team, assisting the media student to have a documentary of imagery of how they work. Also explore the documentary and portraiture side of analogue photography within music (mostly the experiment and explore the Lomography film a bit more as well)
Third Location – University of Northampton: Avenue Campus (digital & Film):
- Date: 26th February 2018
- Location all day was near and around University of Northampton: Avenue Campus and Racecourse in Northampton
- Task: Digital, was to keep up-to-date lighting and settings for the media student when recording both day and night, bus a few photos of the buses driving pass as well. Also, suitable night-time lighting as it was going to be both daytime shooting and night-time shooting as well. Finally, a few photographs and documentary in the recording studio as well.
- Whereas for the Film side of the photography, try to get a Don Hunstein style of documentary photography with the musical style of photography of Mick Rock and Paul Harries digital and analogue style into mix.
Overall from this experience and practice, help improve my communication, networking and photography skills (by giving advice and techniques to help the videographer learn and improve when shooting a narrative/story throughout the documentary and videoing of the music video around Northampton – Within the University and nearby.
Also learning the skills and knowledge of video graphing than photography as well throughout the creation of the music video (being a spare pair of hands for the media student, demonstrating and understanding the photography within videoing – if that makes scents within a photographer’s perspective, could be too surreal to understand). Learning further angling, notion-full type of imagery/shots for photographing/video-graphing a narrative, notion or story similar to documentary photographers of both digital and analogue photography.
Music Portfolio – Digital and Physical Layout:
Strong and up-to-date digital photography portfolio of music events, commissions and photo-shoot with musicians (even though some of digital colour photography, will be used for portraiture and studio portfolio, showing a more creative ranged of photography within my studio and portraiture photography career development).
Digital photography reasoning on be on the digital media, was cost of printing (too many to choose from and select from as well), but easier to display all contacts and commissions of bands, musicians and artists within the music industry in one go, than printing the selective imagery (some were analogue, showing the digital scanning and editing required – YouTube) showing a 21st Century approach towards photography as well, which is needed within younger and somewhat skill- full photographers using both digital and analogue photography as both formats.
Digital Portfolio of my music photography are on these Link:
Digital Photography – Social Media and Online:
Music Event: www.facebook.com/JamesWaylingPhotography/
Caliburn
Location Photoshoot (Digital Series): www.flickr.com/photos/128117740@N02/sets/72157687909608155
Location Photoshoot – First Portraiture (Film Series): www.flickr.com/photos/128117740@N02/sets/72157685171751592
Padding Needed
Music Event: PillowFest 2016 and 2017: www.facebook.com/pillowfest/
HalfLives
HalfLives and Support: www.flickr.com/photos/128117740@N02/albums/72157690021108622
Website Commissions:
The Young & Restless: www.jameswaylingphotography.com/the-young-restless
Photography Portfolio and Layout:
Photographic Paper- Permajet; Good type of photographic paper when doing black & white photography – digitally or analogue (edited via scanning and Photoshop/Capture One/Lightroom), similar to resin coated photographic paper within the darkroom if the black & white is edited correctly, meaning have the similar textures and details of a analogue print by making the digital pixels look more grainy towards the viewer (emphasis within the editing stages of the imagery, if done correctly), tricking the viewer/client in thinking it is a traditional print than a digital print (within a surreal/abstract way within my photography).
Leather case Photo-book (Artbook) Portfolio – 25 Pages if creating more darkroom or digital based photography prints. Drawback or the case is that, I cannot place my logo or business card onto it (might need to find solution or ways to present it as my photography presents onto the music portfolio, in case it comes up as Mr.NoName with a alright portfolio.
Inside the Leather Photo-book, the pages are weak with the paper so will be replaced with black card, preventing bends towards the imagery and pages
Reasoning for Black & White Photography Prints:
- As I was exploring both digital and analogue photography, the analogue black and white series were becoming more and more, also showing the process of development of selecting and editing the imagery into scanning. The selection was decided through the contact sheets within the darkroom, as it saves time and progression to show, also test printing on resin-photographic paper.
- Also, good to show the client/viewer my own photography work from the darkroom practices and printing. Displaying the creative and artistic side of my photography within analogue photography within music – commissions, event and documentary photography work – from August 2017 to present (2018). Trying to keep up-to-date with the analogue with my digital photography when displaying music photography. Everyone wants to know and follow, when more work is produce and uploaded
Personal Reflection on Music Photography:
Throughout the practice and development of my career within music photography, it as exploring not just the notion and contacts (even the business side of the creating work and business) but finding and creating the narrative and notion of art photography within photography within music, as it is quite a difficult subject to be an art form within photography. But instead, it helps promote and create through word and mouth who I am and what type of photographer in music photography I specialise in, relating to portraiture, studio and creative photography (with the analogue photography and darkroom practices).
Starting with the influences and research into the music photography (also analogue and digital photography technique and styles used in documentary, studio and portraiture), it demonstrates and expresses the requirement of what a photographer needs to be towards a much musical client and business client throughout the music industry, helping not just promotion towards the photographer but also the music band, musician or client. Looking into the how photographers adapt, change and improvise to get the clients needed for the final outcome of the image. With Paul Harries, the influence of his work demonstrated that the photographers within the 21st century use of digital and maybe analogue (with some of the black & white) needs to be very up-to-date by consonantly uploading and displaying photography work throughout the social media (Instagram, Facebook and many more) to keep themselves advised and promoted for more photography work with old clients or even new clients looking for a photographer, demonstrating that practices and imagery needed to keep the needs of work to keep the photographer going on a daily basis’s.
Other than photographers and artists of photography who explore music photography within documentary, portraiture or studio, a good question is to ask and discover the opinions of the a musicians of a old band/group to get the perspective (in full detail) the requirements and needs of what the bands/musician/artist needs from the photographer or cameraman (for some musicians it is a guy with a camera) to help advise and promote the music through imagery or design. Learning that from a musician’s point of view, a photographer is always needed throughout the history of music, no matter the style and theme to capture and express the passion and feeling with imagery than words, showing action is more important than words within the music industry. Also, from the talk with Gary Powell from Subject’s Future Week, it helps plan and motivate myself to push my music photography as a passion and meaning than a job (which it is but needs the passion to create the meaning and art towards the photography, then focusing on getting paid or getting money from it). Showing that a lot of practice and research is need for any role as a music photographer.
Furthermore, from the research and influences supporting the photography motivation the real experience and knowledge actually came through practice and work throughout the commissions, event/gigs and photo-shoot within or out of the studio with the clients (focusing that the musicians, artists or band members of music of what there were but treating them as clients, kept me focused and professional when doing music photography – less distraction, but can have fun and laughs along the way), showing the professionalism within my photography throughout the passion and dedication through the planning and developing of the photography for portfolio and promotion use for the client; using it to advertise themselves musically or commercially throughout social media.
Also, through the commercial side of the music photography, it helped me learn and adapt within the social media of promoting my photography through the client’s social media and own social media, demonstrating a lot of agreements, copyrights and metadata to prevent lost of photography control and representation of myself throughout the musical industry, aiming to become a formal and professional music photographer throughout my imagery within event/gigs, commissions and studio and portrait photography (with the studio and portraiture, it relates to the studio and portraiture career development, due to music; musicians, artists and clients within music, wanting to express themselves with an ironic or meaningful fashion statement through clothing representing themselves in the image – not all but some) throughout the portfolio and career.
Overall throughout the music photography, I am becoming a more confident, passionate music photographer who has explored and expressed themselves through different medias, understanding the different professionalism; quality, representation of the band/music company or even what type of imagery the client’s needs for themselves and compromising imagery for own purposes within the music career of photography. Finally, the outcome of the photography and portfolio throughout this work within career development has set, delivers and represents myself within a business and commercial perspective but shows a passionate, creative notion through the imagery, showing the progress of making contacts, work and friends throughout the development of becoming a music photographer, passionately and joyfully.
