Check out our interview with music photographer Lewis Palmer who talks to us about all things music and his favourite gigs. We sat down with him last year to discuss this for The Indie Files and this is what he said...
Meet Lewis Palmer who is the house photographer of 02 Newcastle City Hall and also photographs films and documentarys. Lewis has always been a passionate music fan and wanting to combine his interests of music and photography and this is what he said...
- What got you into music photography?
"I have always been a passionate music fan, going to concerts and
following bands in great detail. I became very interested in
photography while studying a Masters Degree in something
completely different, it seemed only natural to combine my interests.
It turned out that I really enjoyed the process of photographing live
band, and so I have continued to do so to this day!" - How did you become the house photographer for Newcastle
city hall?
"I was photographing This Is Tomorrow festival in Newcastle and got
talking to one of the other photographers in the press tent and we
seemed to get along well. I saw him a few times in the months
following at different shows and then he messaged me letting me
know that the O2 Academy as it was then was looking for another
House Photographer and that he had recommended me to the
Head of Press. It turns out that she was fond of my work that he
had sent her and she wanted me to work with them. There are now
three of use that work at the City Hall and gigs get split between us
depending on our availability." - What happens on the day/night of a gig?
"I suppose this varies on whether you are working with the band
directly or for a venue or publication. Most of my experience is from
working for a venue or publication, in which case I will have
received some sort of confirmation that I will receive a photo pass
either ahead of time or on the day. When I arrive at the venue I’ll
collect my pass at the box office and make my way to the front of
the venue. Medium to large venues have a ‘pit’ at the front, which is
the gap between the barrier and the stage. I’ll wait there until invited
into the pit by security. The industry standard is being allowed to
shoot the first three songs with no flash, but on rare occasions this
does vary. This applies to the support acts and the main act.
Following the show, I go home, edit my images and send them off to
whoever I’m working for." - How have you found working as a music photographer in the
North East music industry?
"It is a great place to start out, lots of small venues and bands
to work with." - What do you think are the pros and cons of the NE music
scene?
"Pros:
Decent up and coming scene. Lots of small independent
venues with music on most days.
Everyone I’ve met so far seems friendly and helpful
Cons:
Large acts often seem to skip Newcastle on their tours." - What would be your advice for those that want to work as a
music photographer?
"Start small. You aren’t going to get stadium shows from the
minute you start, and working small venues is a good way to get to
know people and bands.
Gear doesn’t matter, to an extent. Getting started you can use
any camera really, but you’ll find in dark venues that better lenses
and cameras will deal with the low light conditions better. Not only
that, but your first kit lens won’t be much use shooting from the
back of a stadium.
As with any aspect of life, be nice! You never know who the
person you’re speaking to knows and how they may want to help
down the line."
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