Dizzee rocks! Where were all the togs?

Dizzee
Originally uploaded by Way Ahead Photography

Watched Glastonbury on the tellybox last night and marvelled at young Mr Rascal's performance, especially when he teamed up with the lovely Florence Welch of Florence And The Machine. I had the privilage of photographing both Florence and Dizzee at festivals last year just before they both got uber-famous.

Wished I could have been there snapping this time!

It's interesting to observe that for both Isle Of Wight and Glastonbury, there is a noticeable lack of still photographers in the press pit; they appear to have been superceded by videographers... is this is a sign of the times? Has still music photography become old-fashioned? I hope not!

But it's definitely been harder to get press accreditation this year, the organisers don't seem as interested as they once did (even tho I have magazines that will print my pics and writeups now!).

It will be sad if my suspicions are proven correct. Photography and live music go together so well, and I believe a still image conveys so much more than several minutes of film ever can.

"A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others."

(Ayn Rand)

Recently I've read The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, and have just bought and started Atlas Shrugged (which is an immense publication and should provide weeks if not months of happy reading!). Her writing blows my mind!

It's not so much that her words have inspired me to change, or have revealed a new truth. Rather they have underlined, and given voice to the thoughts and feelings I've had for as long as I can remember, about how messed up this world can get, and how I can overcome it and remain true to the person I was made to be.

This world does not like individuals. It does not like people who succeed by their own merit. It likes to build up heroes it can control, fake-heroes who can be praised for their weak efforts (for if their efforts were truly great, they'd be a threat to the collective!), then destroyed if they put a foot out of line.

But, to quote another great Randism, " "The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me!"

What Makes Me Unique?

Now there's a question for a sleepy Saturday morning!

I met with a lovely lady yesterday who is an expert at marketing, social networking and all that good stuff. She was talking about how a business needs to have impact, be essential, and be unique. These three can form an equation that can measure the potential success of a venture.

I was reminded again of something James Kaan said that impacted me greatly about the time I set up Way Ahead:

"Observe what everyone else is doing, then do the opposite!"

Now I don't strive to be individual. I don't deliberately go out of my way to be obtuse, because that would be pretentious and fake.

What I do try and do is something another wise man once told me, I just get on with what I'm doing, and not worry about what the others are doing, what they are succeeding at, or if they are having a go at me.

My uniqueness is found in the thing I want to do, not the things I do to try and make it a success. And it's very easy to get sidetracked if not careful.

I have to remember that I don't take photos to get clients and work.

I get clients, and I get work, so that I can take photos.

If I keep it that way round, I think my uniqueness will show...

We Don't Need This Disease (in Folkestone)

Editors @ Leas Cliff Hall - Folkestone
Originally uploaded by Way Ahead Photography

Had the privilage of shooting the Editors Tuesday night at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone.

Now it would be very easy for me to berate the absolutely imbecilic morons who threw beer, caused fights and even accosted Tom the singer. But to be honest I think they've got too much credit already.

Instead I will focus my attention on what was one of the best live performances I've had the privilage to witness this year.

Despite everything that was thrown at them, literally at times, the band gave it their all, and put on an amazing show for the REAL music fans who were there.

The set and lighting were simply perfect, I had a blast taking photos and then stood back and enjoyed the fantastic music. I didn't know their music so well before the gig, but as is often the way when I shoot a band, I have become a fan! My next Itunes invoice will be a biggie...!!!


As for the others - well done you. I only feel sorry for the people who have to serve you at the dole office...

Practicing hard...

25/365: "Don't expect your practice to be always clear of obstacles."
Originally uploaded by Way Ahead Photography

We have a gig Saturday - first in ages, in fact the first this decade!!!

Loads of people from my village, from our workplaces etc coming. I love it that the band is becoming a "community" thing - it's about the people who come out to have a good time.

And we will give them one! A band that amongst others, plays Kaiser Chiefs, Blondie, Reef, Stereophonics, Abba, Girls Aloud, The Proclaimers, Sugababes, Gerry Rafferty, Stevie Wonder and Foo Fighters all in the same set, has nothing to fear :)

\m/

What makes a photo "interesting"?

21/365 (and SPT 21/01/10): Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Originally uploaded by Way Ahead Photography

Recently I've been trying to explore "Explored" on Flickr, and find out what it is that makes photos interesting enough to get so many views.

At first my rather cynical observations pointed to the fact that many of the photos contained pretty people, many of whom didn't have many or even any clothes on...

Whilst I'm not a shy fellow, I didn't think this would be condusive to making people want to view my photos. More likely in fact, it would scare them away...

Then the other day I saw a quote that said "If the world is cold, make it your business to start fires". Inspirational. And also a great idea for a photo. Out came the zippo lighter, and the result was a photo that has so far ranked #15 at its highest, and had over 500 views in just 2 days!

So - I've not been at this very long, but my tips for getting a photo on Explored are:

1) make sure you view other people's photos add them as favourites and leave POSITIVE comments. If you've got nothing nice to say, say nothing (as my dad says!)

2) add contacts and keep in touch. Flickr is social networking, just like Facebook or Myspace - you make relationships online with like-minded photography lovers. I've already made some great friends on Flickr.

3) Join groups - groups are themed towards certain types of photography, and there are hundreds of them - you are bound to find one that you enjoy submitting to.

4) Regularly submit photos. Consider doing a project like a photo a week to start with (I started with self-portrait Thursday for example) - and perhaps move on to something more ambitious (like the 365 project I'm doing for 2010 - a self portrait every day!)

5) Seek inspiration - look at other photos on flickr, but also listen to music and note the lyrics, read books, watch TV, play with your kids, go for walks. In other words - live your life. Don't become obsessed so much with photography that you end up doing nothing worth photographing.

This photo of Salvadore Dali is the sort of thing I aspire to. It's just incredible - the amount of work that's gone into this moment, and the way it captures the personality of the subject as well. Makes my meagre laptop-burning efforts look like the cheap publicity stunt they really are.

Last Minute Christmas Present Idea?

Rain
Originally uploaded by Way Ahead Photography

Need something quick for Christmas?

How about a photo of you as a couple/family? Perhaps a fashion style shoot for a stylish partner? Or maybe a band shoot for the kids, or even a photo of the family pet?

Way Ahead is pleased to offer you a 1 hour photoshoot with an 8"x10" printed framed photo, for £30.00*

Simply contact Luke on 07956 584178, or via the website http://www.wayaheadphotography.com and book a shoot, and I'll email you a lovely colourful Way Ahead Photography voucher.
They'll get something to open on the big day, AND even better - something to look forward to after Christmas is all over.

And if you pay with PayPal online, you won't even have to go out in the snow!

Simples! :)


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* please note that this does not cover delivery if required, and is valid to customers within a 30 mile distance from Ashford, Kent. Customers outside this distance may be subject to travel costs.