Usher and Tinchy

On Wednesday (yesterday) it was off to the O2 to cover Usher and the supporting act Tinchy Stryder.

The real shock of the evening for me was walking into the area it was laid out as a seated concert! Given the type of music (particularly the dance music of Usher) I would have expected a standing crowd. However, they all seemed happy enough and it was nice that the show run to schedule.

First up was Tinchy in a nice light.

Tinchy Stryder

The issue with photographing rappers is the microphone, for obvious reasons its always covering half their face. I’ve chosen this side view because I like it’s shape but I did manage to get 4 or 5 without the mic.

Usher on the other hand was a totally different subject. There were props, dancers and lots of light (including backlight which makes it harder to get a nice crisp image).

Usher - swinging the mic..

Carrying on the microphone theme, Usher used one in his show as a prop singing up tight to it and then swinging it away.

Usher

It’s always nice to get a close up

Peter Andre

So far this year is light. Not because I have not been working but because I have been doing few gigs or celebrity events.

The explanation is simple; A few years back my work consisted mainly of Architectural and Technical subjects. I moved to doing music and celebrity as this market became less busy with my clients opting to produce their own images. Well these last 2 months I have done more work back in that market. These companies are now realising that taking photographs is more than just buying a decent camera and pressing a button. Although I am not providing them with the images, I am now teaching them how to take good technical photographs of the buildings that they require (and the software to work with the images).

Mind you, I have missed the music and celebrity work and was glad to get back to the Indigo O2 to photograph Peter Andre on Saturday; He looked really happy and relaxed on stage…


I have also posted this entry direct from my Flickr stream now, so clicking the photo will open the larger version.

Spandau at the O2

Last night it was off to the O2 for ’80s heartthrobs Spandau Ballet. Standing around waiting for the gig to start with records from that era being played made me feel old! (and when I realised that a few in the front rows were watching me walk up and down singing all the words, embarrassed).


They might not have performed together for about 20 years, but they did sound good and as you can see, they seemed to enjoy themselves..

Snow Patrol

Yet again the 3 song rule comes into play, but boy what 3 songs! (Altough they were a little short for my liking). Only by the end of the third was I satisfied that I have enough “in the bag”. Once I am happy I have enough, I really start playing with different lenses etc. but of course, taking all 3 songs ment I did not have time for any really whacky perspectives. However, that said, I am, really happy with what I have filed this morning and am fairly sure it will stand up well against the “opposition” ;-) . 3 Songs means you get to see 3 samples, I hope you like them;




Level 42 – They stil “bounce”

Saturday night – Level 42 at the Indigo O2. A great “little” venue inside the O2 dome. I say “little” as it still holds some 2400 peeps. I arrived about 5 minutes before the band went on; not due to “coolness” but due to traffic. New rule; Do not visit IKEA before a gig!


We got the usual 3 songs and although they have all aged, the Indigo bounced. A few shots;




I still love shoting Black and White and have tried a new idea here also…  Monday I have an evening off (I think) but Tuesday is the premiere of Duplicity and Wednesday is Steve Craddock and Simon Fowler (ex. Ocean Colour Scene) so more later in the week.