And It Was Called Yellow

Yes, I used a line from Coldplay's "Yellow", because my label says 'yellow' and well, I love Coldplay. Win-win. And don't you just love A Beautiful Mess App?! Makes everything so cute.

Couple of days ago I read this great blog post on taking cell phone photos at concerts. Couldn't agree more, especially using the flash part. I get it, we all want photos of our idols. Just like this.

Autre Ne Veut at Dia de la Musica 2013 (Canon 6D + 40mm lens)

Don't get me wrong, I am no better than the smart phone photographers - I always snap a photo or two and later on upload one on Instagram. Even if it's all a blur or you can't even see the band.

Of Monster and Men

The Black Keys

However, I would appreciate if people in front of me wouldn't keep their phones up all time plus you know, some people have iPads, luckily not a common sight at concerts... yet. To be honest I'd rather take some shots with a DSLR, but usually it's forbidden to take a "professional" camera with you at a bigger concert. I'd say it only encourages people to settle for low quality shaky mobile shots. Okay, but won't get into the debate of weather one needs to take photos at concerts to begin with.

Happy mid-week, weekend is getting closer, yea!

xx

Music Therapy

Two things - photography and music. Two things that can me get way too excited way too easily. I can take photos. I can't make music (the whole let's-start-a-rapping-career-in-the-darkness when the stove at our apartment exploded, it doesn't really count; oh those uni years!). However, without music... if planet Earth had no music I would have to re-locate. Music, you know!

So, I am trying to improve my concert photography skills. I take photos at concerts so rarely tho. I think it's this whole early 2000s thing. Back then I had a film SLR and most clubs said that I cannot enter with professional gear. Trying to debate them on it not being even close to pro gear got me nowhere. However, I guess these days things are more liberal (in some cases) as everyone's got a camera on them. Back then phones were a lot less smart. And people used them for calling (I know, right).

Last night I saw Chet Faker live in Madrid. Amazing. I am not sure what is about those Aussie guys. I don't think I have ever seen an Australian band/artist live that hadn't been amazing. Maybe it's this whole being-born-in-the-land-of-koalas-thing. Must be it. Anyhow, here are some of my favorite shots and you can see some more (in full resolution if you wish) on my Flickr account. 

It's almost weekend! Happy times. Have a good one!

xoxo

*All photos shot with Canon EOS 6D and EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens. Edited in Lightroom 4.  

Let's Get Manual

Manual focusing - yes, it's this thing when you turn out autofocus on your (D)SLR and try to get the image sharp trusting your eye. It had always daunted me, because well, my eyesight is not the best ever and all in all, it seems fussy. But as they say - desperate times call for desperate measures. I guess they also say that practice makes perfect, but well, I hadn't had much. So let's discard that.

I like, no wait, I love music! And ever so often I get the urge to try to take some photos at concerts. However, concert venues are not kind to anyone with a camera - unpredictable light (and too little of it), moving artists, crazy crowd trying to jump on you. To put it short, tons of movement and no light. Plus you are usually stuck in one spot. 

Some weeks ago Beach House played in Madrid. They had picked Marques Toliver as their support artist. I had never heard of him before and I was in for a treat. Visually and musically. He filled the room with his positive energy.

I just had to capture some of his performance on my camera. However, my camera disagreed. It was not up to focusing. So, I was like - whatever dude, I can do it on my own. And I went all manual. In a dark room trying to keep my camera as stable as possible and lending it my poor sight... I think I did well, very well. Kind of proves the point that you just have to try new things. And you must be the boss of the camera, not the other way around.

Some passion and concentration

Some captive story-telling

Some priceless expressions

Here's to music and bossing your camera around!

xoxo

Week 7: Sounds

There is no absolute silence, we are constantly surrounded by sounds. From water drops dripping when icicles start to melt to airplane engines - all kinds of sounds. However, with my undying love for music I tried my best to capture some musical sounds.

I was lucky enough to go to see Glen Hansard and Lisa Hannigan play live in Madrid. I don't know what it is with the Irish, but they just know how to steal your heart away. 

This one's my favorite. It reflects all kinds of sounds created at a super amazing concert - on stage and off stage. 

Olympus E-420, 25mm

My camera is not really designed for low light photography. However, can't help but share some more photos from the night. It is the atmosphere that was so special that I can overlook the quality of the shots from a technical point of view. I am sure that's not something a pro would do, but luckily I am not one. ;)

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

The colors change alongside the sounds.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

And colors alter images, Lisa's guitar was not really red... or was it. Love this girl!

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Of course there is this whole another angle one can take on sounds - the machines that control sounds.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

And of course there are the instruments that create beautiful (and less beautiful - you should hear me learning guitar) sounds.

My guitar, tambourine and triangle - anyone wants to start a band? :) 
Olympus E-420, 25mm

In action
Olympus E-420, 25mm

In this whole shooting process my guitar became my new favorite model.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Olympus E-420, 25mm 

I guess I wasn't thinking outside the box when shooting sounds. Music is such an obvious choice. I "blame" Glen and Lisa for making this week super extra musical for me, so it was impossible for me to think of any other sounds. Music is the ultimate sound.

 xoxo