Kaiser Chiefs @ HMV Picture House

So this was the gig of things going wrong. I was running late for the supposed start time of 8:45 and just ran in the door with 5mins to go to find they had started at 8:30. Quickly got my pass and fought my way through a crowd of people determined that I wasn’t going to be let past, to arrive in the pit most of the way through the second song. At least I’d made it!
Then the inevitable happened with the temperatures being so cold, my lenses and view finder instantly fogged up and had to be cleaned after every shot. The band were sounding excellent, but were heavily backlit and bathed in constant blue lights which was a nightmare.
Managed to get a total of about 18 shots fired off and most of them unusable. This was one heavily processed with a tint on it to try and remove the massive blue cast. Didn’t turn out to bad after all.

Black Keys @ The Corn Exchange

The Black keys are a 2 piece rock outfit from Ohio in case you wanted to know? Bit of a strange one this one. Songs 2,3 and 4 rather than the first 3, but all was good for shooting with a nice big white spotlight on singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach.

Rachel Sermanni @ The Pleasence Theatre

Folk singer Rachel Sermanni was not someone who was on my radar, but I’m glad I went to this one. As far as photographing was concerned it was reasonably straight forward, but the music was outstanding. Quiet, soulful and quite innocent. The hardest part of this gig was moving around without making a sound because this was one of these gigs where you could hear a pin drop. Glad I went to photograph this one. Beautiful voice, beautiful girl.

Scottish Music Photo of the year 2011

So here it is! Thepopcop’s Scottish Music Photo of the year 2011!   To say I am slightly chuffed is an understatement. 

The shot was one that was taken at the tail end of last year but was never released into the public eye as it wasn’t really a “press” shot and more of a personal favourite. To have this shot chosen as Scottish Music Photo of the Year 2011 out of the 72 entries by Scottish music photographer legend Harry Benson is an honour to say the least.

Here’s what Harry had to say about the shot:

“There is energy and yet there is a calmness about the photograph as well. Of course, there’s the ruler/subject or preacher/flock that can be read into the photograph. I like the fact that the audience is in the photograph as I like to see as much of the environment of a photo as possible. It gives a sense of place and time.”

 

I’d just like to thank Peter, Maurice and Cameron at Universal News and Sport, because without them, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to get out there and shoot a lot of these amazing gigs.

Pandas @ Edinburgh Zoo

Today was a little down time for me so I did something I always enjoy doing, went to the zoo. I didn’t expect to get in to see the Panda’s but Mrs M managed to speak to the keepers and blag us in because some people hadn’t turned up.
Only had my little walk-around Pany G3 camera with me and it was shooting through glass in low light so the shots aren’t the best, but here are a couple of the better ones. These animals are fascinating and almost look fake when you see them because of their facial expressions.
If you haven’t already, get over to the zoo and support their cause.

2011 Summary

So it’s coming to the end of 2011 and what a year it’s been.

 

What started out as a slow year, started to pick up with some awesome artists like Beady Eye, Mike and the Mechanics, the mighty Bonjovi and the legendary BB King.

 

The summer came along and The rewind festival was not going to disappoint.  Moving onto the autumn, there were a handful of outdoor gigs like JLS and Olly Murs at Ingleston and then The Saturdays and Boyzone at Hopetoun house.

 

The year rounded off nicely with some top acts like Bryan Ferry at Edinburgh Castle, Jessie J at the Usher Hall, the Darkness, Pixie Lott, Hanson and finishing with Motley Crew & Def Leppard.

 

Most of all, this has been a year of Firsts for me, including:

First Stadium Gig

First Festival

First gig at the SECC, Usher hall, and Hopetoun House (not that impressive, i know)

 

I must admit there have been a few boxes ticket on the photography ‘bucket list’ this year and hopefully there will be more in 2012.  Thanks for popping in from time to time and I hope you have enjoyed some of the pictures.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy new year.

 

Bob the Tog.

Def Leppard @ SECC

That’s one ticked off the bucket list. Got to photograph the mighty Def Leppard tonight. They were drowned in light, sounding awesome and pulling every rock pose in the book. Here’s a couple of shots.

Motley Crew @ SECC

Through in Glasgow tonight to shoot Def Leppard and Motley crew turn up!!! Shooting from the sound desk on this one which meant the shots were fairly one dimensional, but got a few good ones. Def Leppard shot coming soon.

James Morrison @ HMV Picture house

James was sounding great tonight. Light was fairly mixed, but ok. Here’s a little photoset from the gig:

 

Laura Marling @ St Giles Cathedral

NEVER, EVER let me complain about light again!! A beautiful setting and some of the best acoustics I’ve ever heard in a venue, but when it’s lit by a couple of hanging lights and some candles, it’s tough. Here’s a shot that’s been post-processed to the max.