Comments on: AFI http://www.ishootshows.com/2009/12/01/afi/ Music Photography, band portraits and promos from professional music photographer Todd Owyoung Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:32:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Julie http://www.ishootshows.com/2009/12/01/afi/#comment-108377 Julie Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:22:57 +0000 http://ishootshows.com/?p=2803#comment-108377 I think a different way of describing it would be that while lighting designers design the show for the audience and performing artists, the photographers are interpretive artists there to capture the performance in a way that reflects them as artists and shares those moments with others. It is a collaborative experience, filled with trade-offs. The audience experiences first hand the absolute wonder of seeing the band live, and witnessing the magnificent atmosphere created by the performers, designers and technicians. Then that audience in addition to fans not present for the performance get another perspective on the experience through the photographs. I personally see lighting design and photography as forms of editing. I like both in that regard, and consider myself more of an editor than a creator because I prefer having something to start with, as opposed to a blank canvas with drawing or an empty stage in scenic design. Lighting design and photography each make their own aesthetic adjustments to the performance, and frequently clash. My favorite resolution to this is HDR photography (granted, that process may not be feasible for concerts). Everyone puts time, money, thought and effort into their work, and there will always be points of friction. The best we can do is remain true to yourselves as artists, do your best to respect the work of others, and be willing to accept that there is no easy, win-win solution for this or a "right" perspective. Would it be possible for photographers to speak with the LD before the performance to get an idea of the concept and aims of the design and discuss their own objectives before the shoot? Would that resolve anything at all? Unfortunately, not all photographers and lighting designers have the knowledge or understanding to respect the others' work and perspective, so the next best alternatives are to light and shoot your own work when possible, or to make sure anyone doing work that will go in your portfolio understands how you work and your preferences and beyond that accept that in most cases (if not all) no show or shoot will be perfect. I think a different way of describing it would be that while lighting designers design the show for the audience and performing artists, the photographers are interpretive artists there to capture the performance in a way that reflects them as artists and shares those moments with others. It is a collaborative experience, filled with trade-offs. The audience experiences first hand the absolute wonder of seeing the band live, and witnessing the magnificent atmosphere created by the performers, designers and technicians. Then that audience in addition to fans not present for the performance get another perspective on the experience through the photographs.

I personally see lighting design and photography as forms of editing. I like both in that regard, and consider myself more of an editor than a creator because I prefer having something to start with, as opposed to a blank canvas with drawing or an empty stage in scenic design. Lighting design and photography each make their own aesthetic adjustments to the performance, and frequently clash. My favorite resolution to this is HDR photography (granted, that process may not be feasible for concerts).

Everyone puts time, money, thought and effort into their work, and there will always be points of friction. The best we can do is remain true to yourselves as artists, do your best to respect the work of others, and be willing to accept that there is no easy, win-win solution for this or a “right” perspective.

Would it be possible for photographers to speak with the LD before the performance to get an idea of the concept and aims of the design and discuss their own objectives before the shoot? Would that resolve anything at all?

Unfortunately, not all photographers and lighting designers have the knowledge or understanding to respect the others’ work and perspective, so the next best alternatives are to light and shoot your own work when possible, or to make sure anyone doing work that will go in your portfolio understands how you work and your preferences and beyond that accept that in most cases (if not all) no show or shoot will be perfect.

]]> By: Panchromatism | Catch Flash 3 http://www.ishootshows.com/2009/12/01/afi/#comment-87631 Panchromatism | Catch Flash 3 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:14:57 +0000 http://ishootshows.com/?p=2803#comment-87631 [...] concert photographer I follow named Todd Owyoung made a post today referring to “catchflash” – I’ve never heard of it [...] [...] concert photographer I follow named Todd Owyoung made a post today referring to “catchflash” – I’ve never heard of it [...]

]]> By: Panchromatism | Catch Flash 2 http://www.ishootshows.com/2009/12/01/afi/#comment-87630 Panchromatism | Catch Flash 2 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:12:17 +0000 http://ishootshows.com/?p=2803#comment-87630 [...] concert photographer I follow named Todd Owyoung made a post today referring to “catchflash” – I’ve never heard of it [...] [...] concert photographer I follow named Todd Owyoung made a post today referring to “catchflash” – I’ve never heard of it [...]

]]> By: Panchromatism » Concert Photography: Catch Flash and Light Trails http://www.ishootshows.com/2009/12/01/afi/#comment-84362 Panchromatism » Concert Photography: Catch Flash and Light Trails Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:17:04 +0000 http://ishootshows.com/?p=2803#comment-84362 [...] concert photographer I follow named Todd Owyoung made a post today referring to “catchflash” – I’ve never heard of it [...] [...] concert photographer I follow named Todd Owyoung made a post today referring to “catchflash” – I’ve never heard of it [...]

]]> By: Alastair http://www.ishootshows.com/2009/12/01/afi/#comment-79845 Alastair Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:53:38 +0000 http://ishootshows.com/?p=2803#comment-79845 @Taylor. I don't really care what you are to be brutally honest. If you have an arguement other than "no I'm not" I am happy to debate it with you. Warmest regards Alastair @Taylor. I don’t really care what you are to be brutally honest. If you have an arguement other than “no I’m not” I am happy to debate it with you.

Warmest regards

Alastair

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