Nervous photo taking

On Tuesday night I headed into Melbourne to a nice little venue called Billboards to photograph Kele Okereke (aka the lead singer of Bloc Party) (!!!!!). I was feeling really great and excited about it until about 2 minutes before he walked onstage - I started to get REALLY nervous. I was about to photograph KELE FROM BLOC PARTY - Bloc Party, the band who's music has been a massive part of my life for so long.

I've photographed a whole bunch of bands I love before and never made myself nervous, not like this. There is something about being in the presence of Kele that I found really daunting. I've seen him live before quite a few times so I couldn't even use the "I've never seem him before and I'm so excited/nervous". 

When he walked onstage I had to stop my hands from shaking and just get myself into that "zone". He was a really easy person to photograph live - he's expressive, impressive, beautiful and mesmerising. 

*See what I mean about BEAUTIFUL*

I'll link to the rest of the photos when the gallery becomes live on thedwarf.com.au but until then I just needed to share these couple of photos from the night. I'm pretty proud of how the gallery turned out.

**** EDIT ***** The gallery is up on thedwarf.com.au CLICK HERE to check out the other photos

After the gig as I was going to pay for my car parking I took a massive tumble down a stair (only 1) and I now have a HUGE bruise on my leg (I'll get proper pics and share soon - it's gross), 2 bruised knees and a sore ankle. I haven't fallen that badly for SO long and when it happened I was so mad/embarrassed that I wanted to crawl into a hole. 

Tomorrow night I'm off to the Kaiser Chiefs sideshow. I'm extremely excited about this. I'll be back with my report on Splendour in the Grass (didn't I mention that I went to this amazing music festival last weekend?) and the couple of other shows I've been to this week. All in all it's been a busy, fun time.

Happy, tired smiles

 - Brooke

thedwarf.com.au A few bands

I've had a couple of photography assignments over the past few weeks - I think today is about the day to catch up and share. 

I love photographing bands - it allows me to try and capture those little moments at a gig that I've been living for years. Plus I like making these bands look good. 

First gig was British India - if you've been following my blog at all I've posted about these boys a couple of times. Basically they're awesome and I heart them and their music a lot. Photographing them live is always fun because they're so energetic and put on a great live show.

Second up was one of Red Riders last shows in Melbourne (absolute last one is on June 17th). They supported Children Collide on their tour. I won't really go into the first show we were at (it ended in some guy shoving me three times in the chest and me almost punching him in the face) but the second show (which these photos were taken) was much funner (except some person kept dropping stink bombs in the venue). I will miss Red Riders when they're through - I'll be at both of their final shows but I'm sure I'll post about that some other time. 

Children Collide were pretty good too :) They felt like the kind of band I would have loved 5 years ago. I never really got into their music - they put on a fantastic show though, very energetic and the crowd certainly loved them. 

As normal - just click on the photos to be taken to the galleries. 

Happy snapping

 - Brooke

thedwarf.com.au Lightspeed Champion

Last Sunday I ventured out after a day of pyjama wearing watching movies to the East Brunswick Club to photograph Lightspeed Champion's Pyramid Rock Festival Sideshow for thedwarf.com.au (geez try saying that sentance 3 times fast).

I arrived at the venue at 9.45pm (which is relatively early) to find that he was already on-stage - thankfully this was to be an early show which meant a not too late night.

* As always - click on the image to be taken to the gallery at thedwarf.com.au *

To be honest I was a little worred about this gig - usually the lighting at the EBC is not the best and it's a pretty dark venue at the best of times - add to that Dev's delicious dark skin and I was worried I wouldn't capture him as well as I should. My worries were not warranted - not only was the lighting moody and atmospheric (but still bright enough) but my newest lens is so awesome the photos turned out lovely. I must be getting better at this.

* As always - click on the image to be taken to the gallery at thedwarf.com.au *

The show was glorious - Dev was sweet and charming and his voice was beautiful. I've listened to a little bit of his cd's before but I don't think I've given them enough of my time - his music is delightful.

Check out more of his music at his webite HERE, at his myspace HERE, on his flickr HERE

I've been a busy girl this week - it was my first week as the official manager of my travel agency, I helped unpack all my Grandmas stuff at her new house, and I've seen many lovely bands (one more tonght). I think I'll post some more photos from the bands (all p&s camera) in one blog after tonights show - seems the easier way to write all about them.

Today I'm going to relax, try to stay cool and eat an icy pole before trying to get myself ready in this heat for tonight. It feels like summer has finally arrived.

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

thedwarf.com.au The Vasco Era

Last Monday night I made the trek out to the East Brunswick Club to photograph The Vasco Era for thedwarf.com.au . It's been a while since I ventured out to that side of the city but as always The Vasco Era put on a great show - so it was well worth it. Those boys make it too easy.

It's been a little while between photography gigs and after Monday night I've realised I've missed it. Hopefully there'll be more on the horizon - I know I'm headed to a bunch of shows over New Years and summer time is like heaven for gigs to me. If I don't have my "proper" camera I'll be sure to share some "point & shoot" photos for sure!

As always click on the images to be taken to the full gallery over at thedwarf.com.au

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke



thedwarf.com.au latest shots take 2

On Wednesday the email came around with the newest list of gigs to photograph. Because it usually comes around on a Thursday I felt like I replied a bit too late but managed to get 2 gigs last week.

One of the gigs I was already going to (and had already purchased a ticket to), the other was a group who I have seen a couple of times and I knew they'd put on a fun show.

On Friday night I ventured out and saw Bluejuice at the Prince Bandroom in Melbourne. It was a fun filled night of dancing and photos and karate outfits (srsly). I had a plus one ticket but because of the late notice I didn't manage to find anyone willing to go (I KNOW). So I ventured off by myself to enjoy the festivities.

*Click on image to be taken to thedwarf.com.au and more photos by ME*

Saturday night was a show I have been looking forward to for a LONG time - The Vasco Era at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne. As you've already been told, I have had their new cd on high rotation and can basically not stop listening to it.

I have been to a lot of Vasco shows in the past (it's been about 5 years since I first saw them support Evermore at the Hi Fi Bar) - I've seen them through the blue polyester suits, Grandpa jacket, cape wearing, blood covered bass guitar, long scraggly hair, breaking apart stages, small crowds, big crowds, ep launches, radio performances, lambchops, Elvis hair, screeching, small drums, meeting their parents, and multiple "wifebeater" singlet tops. It's been a long and lovely time and I can quite easily say that I have enjoyed EVERY show I have ever been to - so I knew that this show was set to be simply amazing.

While the polyester suit has thankfully been retired, their presence onstage has only developed into one that is hard to fault. They put everything into their live performances and the crowd on Saturday night reacted enthusiastically - enjoying every minute of it. They were a pleasure to photograph live and I can only hope that the fun and energy shows in this set of photos.

*Click on the image to be taken to the gallery with more photos by ME*

The new songs have slipped into their setlist flawlessly and their cover of The Horrors "Jack The Ripper" almost sent me into a mini freak out. I'm super happy I was surrounded by my friends at this show and that we all shared in another fine performance by these lovely boys.

Can someone please tell me that they're playing in Melbourne again soon - I feel like we've been ripped off with no regional shows (out the Mornington way - not Bendigo/Ballarat) on this tour. One show is never enough.

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke

BTW - if you're wondering, The Vasco Era was the band I already had tickets to. I always do

thedwarf.com.au latest shots!

As some of you may be aware I have started photographing bands live for The Dwarf. The Dwarf is an online music resource site specifically focusing on news, photos and interviews.

I have had 2 assignments in the past month (in between my jet setting) and I thought I'd bring your attention to them. Click on the images to be taken to the gallery for that show

9 March 2010  - Dirty Projectors at the Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne

25 March 2010 - Gyroscope at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne

The Dirty Projectors were my very first show that I have officially shot for anyone and I was nervous and excited because I haven't ever really heard their music before so I didn't know what to expect. They were a lovely sounding band but a little boring to photograph as they didn't really DO much. I guess that's the challenge - I'm happy with how my first attempt turned out.

Switch to Gyroscope and it was a totally different experience. I have seen Gyroscope quite a few times live so I knew they would put on an amazing show - which they did. They're animated, energetic and thrash around on stage. They were an absolute ball to photograph live and I'm exstatic with the quality of the photos I captured!

I also received an email last week with the possibility of some new opportunities that I am excited about - I'm just waiting to hear more.

I think this photography short course I've been looking into is a MUST when I return from the UK (I'd miss the end of it if I started it this coming month). I'm having far too much fun with this

Let me know what you think of these photos - I'm planning on updating here whenever anything new comes up. I hope you guys like reading about these new adventures - new hobbies are fun!

Glitter Sparks & Happyness

x x x

Brooke