Not realllly my cup of tea (or coffee) but Paul played to the Lenny Kravitz crowd as a warmer upper and they seemed to enjoy it. I read a funny interview with Paul today, he said, when asked if he’d play a 12yo’s birthday party “They’d probably tell me to f*&^ off” I’d not had the pleasure of hearing Paul spin it before, but I did like what he did – he uses Pioneer decks and keeps it real – I was chatting with his photog (from Pioneer) before the gig… Whay can’t I have a job working as a music shooter for a company? …Anyway – Paul Oakenfold, ladies and gentlemans… Nice one Paul
“Seems a little smug to me, oh god of photography – handing out tips to ppl who may not want or need them” – See, this is the type of attitude that the world has these days. “Don’t talk to anyone, Don’t help anyone” I’m not claiming to be “The God of Photography” and I’m certainly no (Quite clearly that’s *insert name of whoever inspires you and your photography* – I know my way around a camera, even blind folded… I look after a Digital Photography Forum with 50,000 members, I shoot daily… I saw someone that looked like she could use some help and offered it – if you took the time to read my post, anon, you’d have noticed that the first lines said “I thought of a new way of passing on photo tips, if per chance someone wanted them” – If the people of the world stopped and helped each other a bit more often, we’d have a nicer place and less people with an attitude like yours. For the rest of you normal human beings with some ability to help others for free – keep on doing it.
Simon Pollock is just new on the London music scene, but he’s not there to wow the crowd with his amazing (!) singing talent, oh no, he’s there to capture the action, the emotion and the passion as it happens. He’s thirty five this year and he spends way to much time wondering about photographing music, musicians and live concerts. He is a tall Australian, London based music photographer, and we guess it’s safe to say. Slowly but thouroughly establishing himself, picking gigs that suit his style – a wide range of acts from the quiet melodic tones of Kevin Pearce to the Thunderous bass smack down that is The Prodigy. Simon is looking for more work, commissioned work as a music photographer, hoping to pick up a small commission here and there, he is getting his portfolio together – and after losing his entire website and blog to his wonderful (ex)host last week is rebuilding his gallery and replacing his lost blog posts one at a time. If youhappen to be a PR agency looking to hire a talented music photographer for a live / recorded music event, party or function, please use the form below to get in touch. Simon enjoys Jasmine tea, Canon cameras and talking about himself in the third person.
I thought of a new way of passing on photo tips, if per chance someone wanted them. As I stepped off the tube tonight, I handed a random person with a camera my card – She was standing on the platform at Hammersmith with her headphones on, snapping shots of the “Mind the gap” that’s painted on the platform edge. Funny, she reminded me of me just a little bit.
She was using a Nikon D40x from what I could tell (Couldn’t quite see) with a f1.8 50mm lens on it… Great combo.
When you’re taking photos, just remember to take a second to compose your shot – I noticed your “mind the gap” was right at the top of your frame – I was peeking at your viewfinder – It might be more visually appealing if it’s leading into the frame, or interestingly in the middle / off to one side. I also noticed you were snapping off frames with one hand – I do that from time to time, that’s OK, but you’re always going to get less shake when you hold your camera with two hands.
Question: You were using manual focus, is that just a preference?
A friend and an inspiring singer – Kevin Pearce is a top bloke and a darn fine performer. I saw a link to on Kev’s MySpace page to a review of his latest work, you can see it below. I have included Kevin’s latest track in this post – which I have cleared with him – for your aural pleasure. here
There’s an ethereal quality to Kevin Pearce’s voice which penetrates even the foggiest of minds. Light Song, the singer’s first EP, is a short collection of carefully crafted songs which call on many influences. Pearce lists Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen amongst his favourites, and the soft religiosity created by the combination of his raw vocals and melancholy song-writing is sure to win him favour among fans of those artists.
The first track, For Her, characterizes Pearce’s style; his lyrics leave him bare and open, and the vocal, harmonies and simple guitar melodies exhibit his beautifully haunting voice.
The second track, also called Light Song is quietly thoughtful; you feel like you are witness to an intimate conversation between lovers, well-placed harmonies adding gravitas to Pearce’s lyrics.
Older Times and Healthy State of Mind pick up the pace, both short outpourings of regret and wisdom in hindsight.
Final song Vultures demonstrates much clearer English folk influences, with minimal instrumentation, sharp drum beats and hand-clapping. Here, Pearce shows off the many facets of his vocal ability, which seems to be what this EP does best. Pearce is clearly a talented songwriter, but his real skill lies in the versatility of his voice which is truly expressive and unusual in its quality.
Keith Flint. Originally a dancer / hanger on – Now key man (debatable) of world class Drum&Bass outfit, The Prodigy… They were my first Wembley Arena gig – I was pretty blown away by the atmoshpere and then when they came one stage – the place went wild, kicked off… Here’s a couple of my images from the evening.
Well, actually, all you need to do is sign up to my newsletter over there on the right and confirm your subscription to be entered into the chance to be entered into the second prize draw at a chance to win a Think Tank Pixel Sunscreen V2.0, Pop Open Sun Shade that Works with Laptops up to 17 valued at $69.00 and a set of ExpoImaging ExpoAperture, Depth of Field Guide Combo Pack. valued at $35.00 So – Sign up, Chill out, I will post the prizes to anywhere in the known universe and some places beyond… Competition closes Friday 10th of July, 2009 (At sometime through the day) – Sime x
Lenny Kravitz, What can I say… Well, how about *please can we have some nice lighting next time?* First song “Hello, I’ve turned the SUN on and placed it on Lenny’s face” and second song (only two tracks, folks) was “Let’s make him look sick.. hmmm…GREEN!” – Regardless, the lad performed well, he drives the women nuts and isn’t half bad on the old GEE TAR! – He’d make it insomuch as my “So ya wanna be a rock star” post is concerned… Are You Gonna Go My Way is still my fave Lenny album, easily… Reminds me of when I first really met my mate Tom… We were down the coast, driving around in his mother’s red car listening to it at full tilt… good times
Lenny Kravitz
I popped along to the Islington Academy to see Hilltop Hoods play… They totally rocked it – The crowd were manic (As the photos show!) the lighting, as it seems was a theme for the evening, was ‘orrible!
This be a little bit of video what comes from me pressing the wrong buttons…
Some photos – Why I went there!
Crowded!
Salute or Heil?
Crooner!
Top shot…
I did the best I could (did I?) with the light I had… Hilltop hoods are an infectious blend of sledge hammer and velvet – go buy their latest cd State of the Art
I was on the tube this morning and as ever was thinking about blog content… What popped into my head as I was about to start playing air guitar to myself… “How do you get to be a rock star!?” I immediately decided that you need to LOOK like a rock star for starters… Here is my “The top ten things you need to be a rock star” list! But first – Watch the video that inspired the list…
1. You need to have a Leather Wrist Band! all hard core rockstars have these, you should to.
2. If you’re not wearing something that’s studded, you’re just not cool – no studs – no rockstar.
3. Midnight, Dark as all hell, but if you’ve not got your Ray Ban Aviators sunnies on, who are you trying to kid?
4. There’s two rockstar flavoured guitars – the Gibson Les Paul Goldtop and the Fender Strat (Seethrough of course!) …Which one are you?
5. You’ve got your guitar, you need your amp – a rockstar wouldn’t walk past a Book about Marshall’s!
6. If you’re caught sipping a latte and listening to John Mayer on your iPod classic, you’re NOT a rockstar
7. You need to have a film clip, and to have a film clip you need to have LOTS of red paint and some police batons! or just Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
8. Leather Pants, Spinal Tap wouldn’t be Spinal Tap without them now, would they.
9. Seeing as you have all this stuff, maybe you should own a rockstar’s The Ultimate Guitar Chord Chart?
10. Attitude baby! – You can’t buy attitude, you either got it, or you don’t…
Well – there you have it! Do you cut it, or are you pathetically lacking?
“Seems a little smug to me, oh god of photography – handing out tips to ppl who may not want or need them” – See, this is the type of attitude that the world has these days. “Don’t talk to anyone, Don’t help anyone” I’m not claiming to be “The God of Photography” and I’m certainly no (Quite clearly that’s *insert name of whoever inspires you and your photography* – I know my way around a camera, even blind folded… I look after a Digital Photography Forum with 50,000 members, I shoot daily… I saw someone that looked like she could use some help and offered it – if you took the time to read my post, anon, you’d have noticed that the first lines said “I thought of a new way of passing on photo tips, if per chance someone wanted them” – If the people of the world stopped and helped each other a bit more often, we’d have a nicer place and less people with an attitude like yours. For the rest of you normal human beings with some ability to help others for free – keep on doing it.
Simon Pollock is just new on the London music scene, but he’s not there to wow the crowd with his amazing (!) singing talent, oh no, he’s there to capture the action, the emotion and the passion as it happens. He’s thirty five this year and he spends way to much time wondering about photographing music, musicians and live concerts. He is a tall Australian, London based music photographer, and we guess it’s safe to say. Slowly but thouroughly establishing himself, picking gigs that suit his style – a wide range of acts from the quiet melodic tones of 
from what I could tell (Couldn’t quite see) with a f1.8 50mm lens on it… Great combo.
Well, actually, all you need to do is sign up to my newsletter over there on the right and confirm your subscription to be entered into the chance to be entered into the second prize draw at a chance to win a 
valued at $69.00 and a set of 
valued at $35.00
So – Sign up, Chill out, I will post the prizes to anywhere in the known universe and some places beyond… Competition closes Friday 10th of July, 2009 (At sometime through the day) – Sime x
is still my fave Lenny album, easily… Reminds me of when I first really met my mate Tom… We were down the coast, driving around in his mother’s red car listening to it at full tilt… good times
! all hard core rockstars have these, you should to.
, you’re just not cool – no studs – no rockstar.
sunnies on, who are you trying to kid?
and the 
…Which one are you?
on your 
, you’re NOT a rockstar
, Spinal Tap wouldn’t be Spinal Tap without them now, would they.
?
