Blunt Force Trauma

I sat in the photo-pit about 20 minutes before Cavalera Conspiracy were due to hit the stage. I always find this to be a calm time before hell is unleashed. It gives me a chance to get a feel for things, check out the lights and prematurely plan my camera settings. Of course, those plans get thrown out of the window pretty damn quickly but you do need to keep your wits about you because your three song limit comes and goes in the blink of an eye.

Phantasmagoria

I have fond memories of the Damned’s heyday back in the day. They were clearly my sister’s fave band at the time and I distinctly remember her room plastered full of posters and pinups of Dave Vanian and crew. I also remember driving her to (the now long gone) Venue in St.Kilda to see the Damned on their first Australian tour many, many years ago. A veritable plethora of nostalgia when it comes to the Damned so that made for high anticipation before tonight’s shoot on the band’s return trip to Australia.

Who Let The Trolls Out?

I was looking forward to tonight’s shoot as I finally would be shooting with a lens I have been hanging to get just for gigs. The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 is a lens I have been clamouring to get for so long but due to budget constraints (ie broke) I have been stuck with the 24-105mm f/4(!) for the past couple of years. Yep, all the photos you see on this site, every single one – has been done with the f/4. *gasp*

I won a contest a couple of months ago on the strength of this photo and the prize was free lens rental for the weekend. Seeing as I was scheduled to shoot Finntroll tonight, and Motorhead tomorrow – it all worked out rather well.

Rise Of The Fallen

I think it is now official. When it comes to shooting live music in Melbourne, no venue comes close to Billboard. The lighting guys nail it almost every time and it is always a venue I enjoy shooting at. In fact, I really don’t think I’m ever going to bother trying to photograph anyone at the Hifi Bar. The pit is awfully deep, the lighting is almost always utterly abysmal and you spend a long night pushing your camera to the max, only to come home with naff shots.

Option Paralysis

I knew it was going to be a difficult night when before Dillinger Escape Plan hit the stage, there were 10 security goons in the pit and about 8 photogs. Chaos was on the menu tonight and it didn’t surprise me in the slightest when after one song, we were told to vacate the pit. Pronto!

Seems to be a common occurrence at Billboard. There’s one little security dude who pulls the pin at the first sign of an energetic crowd.