I was at Benicassim 2009, I had an awesome time despite strong winds, a little fire, missing out on three of the main acts due to people not being interested in asking the damn right questions etc, but hey ho – I loved it much.
I have been following a couple of the images that have come back from the 2010 event – you can see them below.
I’ve spent the last twenty four hours re-organising my “Gallery” section. It needed updating and I needed to better represent “me” as a photographer and what I was up to these days. I have taken it down to 36 images which some people have advised is still more than I should show.
What dictates “how your gallery should look?” I’d say the following factors are important…
1. Who is your intended target? Press? Glossy? Agency?
2. What do you want to say about you as a photographer? – I take too many shots, here they are? or I’m so hot, I’m only going to show you three and a half images, the rest you can beg for, low life scum… There’s a balance somewhere between those two scenarios that you have to find…
3. Do you have any good images to show? Put them up, get someone to check them out, take advice (But not from your family, they say*) and cull cull cull…
4. Go over your gallery after you’ve slept on your choices – what jumps out at you as a bad choice? bin it…
They’re a few ideas I’ve been given since I asked for people to check out my gallery and let me know what didn’t work… What I’ve been informed from various sources is that, basically, I’m rubbish and should quit – most people kept about eight of my images live, they binned the rest… And that’s OK…
Let’s look further into these results “Keep about six” …of all the results – and I’ve had around eight emails with suggestions, in addition to the facebook notes and tweets (thanks for those) let’s take NiN for example – exactly three of the replies said bin it, and three said keep it… Very interesting and shows exactly what I say ALL the time on dPS – I may love a photo today that I hate tomorrow, it depends on my mood, the weather, if I’ve had coffee or not… So many things! (What music I’m listening to when I check out an image!!) – So, basically, I have decided that there is no real point worrying all that much because the person that checks out my images may be in a horrible mood… And then I’m screwed I guess!
My favorite images of 2009, in no particular order are…
You can see all of these images in large, glorious color in my gallery…
Elbow, Significance can refer to: with purpose and importance
For 2009, The most “significant” keyword on gtvone.com was “Elbow” This would be largely due to the fact that I photographed the band in Spain, met Guy Garvey afterwards and generally loved the set they played.
This is a photograph of me listening to an “Elbow” track “Fugitive Motel
It’s a brilliant track, good for “down” times… (as you can see above)
Lost in a lullaby
Side of the road
Melt in a memory
Slide in a solitude
Not ‘til I can read by the moon
Am I going anywhere
Not ‘til I can read by the moon
There’s a certain view when I’m talking to people that I’m lucky to have photographed two festivals this year, and, I guess I am in some respects. I got up close and personal (not that close and not personal at all, though I did say hi to the bass player from Alien Ant Farm and shook hands with the Saxon guys) and was able to roam around at the front of the gigs for three songs and go in the press areas and blah blah…
I’ve chosen five VERY TAME photos from my festival collection from Benicassim this year to share with you… Though, it’s not pretty lights and some over paid muso singing someone else’ song to you in the wrong key, it ain’t even someone singing their own stuff… it’s the darker side to festivals… the spew, the urine, the alcohol abuse, the drugs and the general pushing and shoving of the whole thing… Some people love this and that’s why they go – year in, year out to FESTIVALS…
At the front of the main stage where everyone walked through.
Urine sample
I wrote recently that Martina McBride, or at least her entourage, were quite …what’s the word …petty? Some musicians are great to photograph, some really worry how they look and want to protect their image and some just flat out won’t let you near them because they’ve got bigger jowls than a Christmas turkey… (names, anyone – huge band, come on… Jenny was a friend?) anyway, yes… Last night I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Alice Russell.. The venue was KOKO (My current fave) in Camden and let me tell you – what a performance… Anyway, that’s not the point – my point is that I shot for the whole set, encore, the lot… I went through three cards – two 4gb cards and a 16gb (half full) and I had an absolute blast doing it! – I was considerate to the fans, though, that had paid to stand behind me. I moved, I weaved, I ducked!.. I was a musical Mike “the ear biter” Tyson…
You know, I’d love to show you a photo or two from that gig, but as I’m penning this whilst at work (The clock has since gone 6, oh reading boss man) and some lowlife scum dog has swiped my CF reader – I have ALL the photos, but they’re enclosed in plastic and metal with a SanDisk Extreme IV
Björn Again
On that note, I’m off home to get me some Alice Russell image goodness and, at that point, share it with you oh faithful tripe reader…
And if the stereo guy is reading (hi!) I am going to be listening to Alice in chains again, through my 7 channel amplified, but I’ll turn five of them off – ok – just for you!… (Comment and tell me more about your course)
Sime
Oxjam 2009 | Whatever you’re into – from club night to classical, folk to funk – Oxjam is your chance to fight poverty with music. It’s a festival with a difference: hundreds of events throughout October, organised by ordinary people, taking pubs, clubs and front rooms across the UK by storm.
To get involved with the festival that knocks the nation’s socks off in the name of fighting poverty, register yourself and find out more.
I was involved last year, I may well be involved again this year!
Sime
Soil | Sonisphere UK
Soil – Great band – Find them on MySpace
I have nothing to say, Here be pictures – Linkin Park @ Sonisphere 2009
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California, formed in 1996. Since their formation, the band has sold more than 50 million albums and won two Grammy Awards. It achieved mainstream success with its debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005. Its following studio album, Meteora, continued the band’s success, topping the Billboard 200’s album charts in 2003, and was followed by extensive touring and charity work around the world. In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth greatest band of the music video era and the third best of the new millennium behind Oasis and Coldplay.
Having adapted the nu metal and rap rock genres to a radio-friendly yet densely-layered style in Hybrid Theory and Meteora, the band explored other genres in their next studio album, Minutes to Midnight. The album topped the Billboard charts and had the third best debut week of any album that year. They have also collaborated with several other artists, most notably with rapper Jay-Z in their mashup album Collision Course, and many others on Reanimation.
Linkin Park
Linkin Park - Brad Delson
The steamy shadow of Chester Bennington
Pull the trigger - Chester Bennington of Linkin Park
Chester Bennington of the loud'ish Linkin Park
Actually, you know what, I do have a few things to say… I emailed a woman who I’m a bit scared of today… I’m after Pearl Jam accreditation for any / either of the London shows, I’m a fan and a photographer and I have a commission for a UK based magazine OR I can shoot for press – you choose… I’ve had a reply, just one, it said “We’re full, but Sue will sort you out” I’m not sure what that means, but I hope it’s painless… I’ve been a fan since they became Pearl jam, and indipendantly I’ve been a fan of individuals since before hand… Anyway, we’ll see…
I was offered a photography pass for V Festival and have kindly declined – I need to spend some time working on my magazine relatioships and working out how to “get to market” I know I won’t be able to photograph “Killers” and I am not interested in photographing Oasis… (Unless their security manager apologises for being a complete twat in Spain)
Turned out that the 100-400 was the perfect length for the big festival stages, so I’m happy with that. The Canon L 100-400 is a great lens, really beautiful light rendering… The color it creates is stunning.
I’m starting work on a photography book, High level ramblings at this stage, something to do with music photography, how to get into it, what it’s like, experiences and so on… So – that’s another reason why I’m spending a bit more time writing and a little less time filling my hard drive with photos (Though, I have a few gigs booked)
A mate of mine (Who shall remain nameless) had a porn shoot last night… 100 images, £400 – Why can’t I get £50 for 100 of my music images?!…
Sime
If I was asked, and I wouldn’t be asked, what I honestly thought of the Nine Inch Nails performance on Sunday at the 2009 Sonisphere Festival, this is what I would say…
“Trent Reznor, lead singer of prolific band Nine Inch Nails wasn’t his usual self on Sunday. He appeared to be giving it everything he had left in his being, pouring what was left into the microphone in one last feeble attempt to please the pathetic, yelling fans that have stuck with NiN for so long. Reviews of the performance are calling it “Soft” and others sighting that “NiN really didn’t deserve to be there” …So, they had a bad day? there were clearly issues and hell, I salute Trent and NiN for the performance they put on and for the years of amazing music that they’ve given us… And if you don’t like it, you can bugger right off” – Sime | http://gtvone.com
Trent Reznor | Nine Inch Nails
I am only accredited to use this photo for the commission that I had and for this, my portfolio. Please, for the love of all things holy, do NOT steal this image as it is © 2009 Simon Pollock and NOT for you to post on your blogs or your facebooks without PRIOR permission… (I’m not normally like this, but if you steal it and use it and I get banned from shooting, I will have you killed… honest)
Sime
To share is a good thing…This is Metallica setting Sonisphere 2009 alight…
James Hetfield of metallica
James and Kirk of Metallica
James Hetfield gives me "eye time"
All images in this post, and on this blog (Unless otherwise noted) are © 2009 Simon Pollock All rights reserved – not to be used in any way without prior permission.
Watch a metallica special after you get one of the satellite hd receivers with great dish signal strength at InternetLion.com, home of the bestdish deals!
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