Alphabeat

Originally uploaded by Julie Edwards Uk

Following Eliza were Alphabeat. I had never photographed or seen them perform before and I must say I really enjoyed the performance (although I could not hang around for the whole set as I had to get back and file the shots I had taken).

Sometimes the lighting in C2 is not the easiest to work with (and this was one of those times). The prime requirement here is to ensure that I deliver enough different colour shots (because black and white just do not sell in todays media).

Once I was sure I had enough I switched to my beloved Black and White because I felt the emotion and the performance of the lead singer, Anders SG would not come through in colour. I was right. The monochrome images have a real “live” feel to them…

Boy George

Originally uploaded by Julie Edwards Uk

I originally planned to shoot Boy George in Brighton at The Dome during the week. However due to their 5 photographers in the pit maximum (Health and Safety policy – the only venue I know with a limit such as this), I was asked by the promoters to shoot at another venue. I choose Eastbourne as it is only 40 minutes up the road and I was quite keen to see how he performed nowadays.


Compared to shooting in a busy pit, this was a doodle. I was the only photographer in a seated venue with a vary large area. As so not to annoy the audience, I shot sitting on the floor, moving between each of the 3 songs.

The hat along with the lighting made getting a nice shot quite hard but I got a few I was happy with.

And Boy George himself? I was impressed with his entry and he was very entertaining. I am sure the audience loved it….

Twittering

I forgot to add in my last post, I have finally succumbed to Twitter and will be twittering from my jobs and projects with my thoughts along with snapshots from the mobile. Follow me at @j_edwards_photo

Cissbury Ring – A walk above Worthing

So, where better to start my downland walks than 5 minutes from home with a walk up to the Iron Age Hill Fort - Cissbury ring (map location here).

The walk was a nice 1 and a half mile gentle climb up to the fort, taking a few “stock” images along the way, spending about an hour walking around the fort before returning down another path. The weather was really warm and the sky clear but very hazy meaning “view” shots would have muted colours with a lack of definition in the distance which was not really what I was after for my project to show the rolling landscape of sussex.

I was however able to capture the strange, almost desolate feel in the ring itself with this monochrome image.

However, as yet I am not sure how to treat this. The reason being is the land/ring itself is National Trust property but running through it are public footpaths. The national trust have a photography policy which states no commercial photography on it’s land without permission;

The National Trust does not permit photography or filming at its properties for commercial use or for reproduction in any form without prior written permission. These restrictions apply only to photography taken within the grounds of National Trust properties and does not apply to public highways and paths.Photographs taken for private and personal use may not be used in any other context, submitted to any photo libraries or on-line agencies or sold directly to any image buyers. All requests for commercial photography taken for profit at any pay-for-entry property must be channelled through the Broadcast and Media Liaison Office.

I ensured the tripod was positioned on a footpath however, until I check a local OS Map, I cannot be sure that the path was a public footpath or a NT one, there is also the clause above about any “pay for entry” site. There is no payment for entry to the ring. Until I can clarify the position, this reproduction is just for enjoyment;


So, enjoy…..

New personal project



I have been racking my brain to come up with a new personal project over the past few weeks. I now have 2…


Living by the sea, there are so many things to photograph within a few minutes walk of my home but the problem is they have all been photographed before, in so many ways. Of course, my point of view is always going to be different to others, so I hope my “Worthing” project will offer a new and contemporary view of the seafront. The problem is, part of this needs to be completed after sunset and I am not really keen to go to the sites I have marked out alone, in the dark with £xxx.00 of camera kit…

The second project is to apply my knowledge and skill of interior panoramics to the sussex countryside. It’s with this in mind that I went off walking along the river Adur yesterday to test myself and my techniques. Whilst the viewpoint I choose is not exactly inspiring I am now confident in what I have to carry and how to create what I hope will be a fantastic set..

I love Sussex, I think it is a wonderful county with so much tucked away with 90% of it’s population not being aware of anything thats not 100M away from a road. My aim therefore is to capture the wide openness and the outstanding natural beauty of this county.

That said – my test shot did not exactly fall into that category although the scale and detail are without doubt to the standard I am looking for.



Eight Questions BAPLA Must Answer


When BAPLA wrote to the Government regarding the controversial Clause 43 of the Digital Economy Bill the association claimed to be speaking on behalf of a united photographic industry. It wasn’t. BAPLA ignored thousands of photographers lobbying to stop the clause. In an open letter to BAPLA, EPUK asks “Why?



Joe Perry and Bad Company

For some, Saturday night would have been a trip down memory lane at The Brighton Centre as “Bad Company” played.

Before Bad Company though, we were treated to the legend that is Joe Perry (of Aerosmith Fame). A treat it was; as well as his playing, we got 4 songs to photograph him! I think this is the first time where the band is 4 strong but all the focus (and lights) were on the lead guitar.

Both acts have obviously performed thousands of gigs in their time and whilst they were undoubtedly performing for the paying audience (quite rightly), it was clear that they also made sure we (the 4 photographers) got good shots. (In fact a couple of poses were way over-the-top, especially considering the age of the performer, but hey, they were enjoying themselves).

Howard Leese of Bad Company

Howard Leese of Bad Company

Paul Rodgers
Paul Rodgers

Now something I have to get off my chest (a rant)…..

As a photographer, I get a pass to a gig by applying to the PR agent (either for the tour or performer) and it is up to this PR who gets passes.

I know I am not well known, but the agency I work for is and I have shot many of the big acts performing in the UK over the past 12 months.

Last week I applied for a gig that is happening towards the end of April. I sent in my standard request, details, link to portfolio and 99% of the time I get a positive response. This time I did not… fair enough but after a couple of email exchanges, the final response is that “I need a publication to take your shots”.

You would think thats fine and fair but (and here is my issue), this same PR has said the same to me before. (Still fine). I know on that last occasion who shot the show (of a big name) and many were hobbyists, “wana-be’s”, some even with very little experience.

So, how did they get in? Small independent magazines (some web based), none of whom pay for content, some again written in spare time. I wonder what the total circulation of these are? Maybe I am missing the point and this is the future of media but at some point someone has to pay for the investment in time, equipment and experience surely? (For example, Saturday night one of my lenses broke, minimum replacement cost £500.00).

So here is my tip if you are starting out or want to get in to music photography; ally yourself to a local freebie magazine, use this to get access.

Maybe my agency is not big enough? Well my images are distributed to 35 territories world wide and they are cited in one of the industry “must read” books as one of the best agencies with whom to place images. (but are not Getty, the biggest, who I am sure will not have a problem getting a photographer a pass).

What is galling however is I know, come the summer festivals this PR agency will be sending out notes and requests to shot this new act or that new act at each of the festivals to gain coverage (as they did last year) … so they want us to help them to gain the success but once they have it, we can get lost…..

Stop 43!



Stop Commercial Orphan Works Exploitation in the UK Digital Economy Bill Clause 43

WE’VE GOT TO STOP THIS INSANITY!