Behind the Lens

FEATURE
What gear do you use today? Do you prefer
to travel light and improvise, or loaded to
the gills with everything under the sun?
Loaded to the gills with everything is an
understatement of how I work and travel. I’d
rather have everything than beTo say loaded
to the gills with everything under the sun is
still an underestimation of how I travel. I like
to have everything I own with me on location.
I currently use a Canon 1Dx, Canon G15 and
the new Canon 5DS, which is my main body.
For lenses, I carry 24mm, 40mm, 300mm and
600mm fixed focal length lenses as well as the
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 zooms.
I carry this gear on every job I do.
How easy is it to get access to performers
these days? With so many publicists, the
splintering of the music business, etc etc,
Is it tough to get in and get the photos
you need? Do you find the artists pretty
cooperative in 2015 or pretty difficult
overall?
It has gotten so bad I won’t shoot a show
unless I have an Artist Pass. A media pass
from a nerdy intern telling me I can only
photograph up to the second song is not
interesting. I like to talk to the artist first and
go in with them – it’s the best way.
Do you have a favorite venue to shoot in?
And do you prefer working in larger arena
situations, or clubs? What’s the most out
of the way and perhaps the most difficult
venue you’ve had to work in?
My favorite places to shoot are small outdoor
arenas like the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles;
if a band uses smoke it dissipates into the air
rather getting trapped in. Having said that I
like to shoot at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip
because of their use of red and yellow lights,
and the stage doesn’t sit high at all. House of
Blues clubs are tougher because the stage
is very high and they lean towards dark blue
lights or none at all! You know how important
light is to getting a great artist shot! (continued)
November 2015 73