April 2011

Recently, I read a blog post from an Australian photographer named Justin Edwards:

http://www.notaphoto.com/throughout-the-universe-in-perpetuity-why-i-dont-sign-copyright-grabbing-photo-contracts

He made a number of good points on why he doesn’t sign “rights grab” contracts, but the one point he made pretty much said it all.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen it asked, but following on from “first three, no flash”, I’d say it’s extremely unlikely that anyone would be able to pinpoint the first time a photo release was used or the first time a copyright grabbing contract was used and who the bands were. Once there was no “three songs, no flash” rule, now it’s industry standard in all but the small, local shows.  Once there were no releases. Once there were no copyright grabbing contracts.  In the last couple of years there has been a noticeable increase in photo release contracts and an increased erosion of photographers’ rights.

So, this is the point- if people keep on signing these contracts, artists will keep on giving them out!

Even if people sign fake names, bands will escalate this practice until it is the norm in the industry. And…you can only sign a fake name so many times until you are caught. Then the whole business is over!!

Most artists and publicists think of photographers as third class citizens from the start- a bother that they have to put up with to get publicity for their smaller bands. Most arena bands don’t believe that they need people to photograph their shows, unless they are from a major paper or magazine, or a large photo agency

And now, ironically, large agencies, (because most photographers don’t bother to edit), are restricting photographers posting from large events to the assigned photographer only.

So the business of photographing live music is pretty much over. I still get several college students a month coming over to get advice on how to make it in my business. I used to have a standard response:

If you work your butt off, you have about a 25% chance of earning a living in the music business.

But today, I have a different response:

Even if you work your butt off seven days a week, you have absolutely no chance of ever earning a living shooting pictures of musicians!

Thought #1

I photographed a band called The Civil Wars this week. Really wonderful people and amazing performers. I wasn’t going to stay all the way through, but they were so great I couldn’t leave. I was standing in front of the stage shooting every once in a while, enjoying the music and getting some really nice photos. After the show, I was invited back to say my goodbyes. While talking to Joy Williams, one of the two members of the group, she made an interesting comment. She said, “ You are not like most of the other photographers. You must have read Cartier-Bresson’s book “The Decisive Moment.” “You seemed to be waiting for moments to happen. Most photographers just shoot all the time.” WOW! Someone who gets it. Made me feel like I was doing something right.

Thought #2

This was sent to me this week:

COACHELLA 2011
PHOTO RESTRICTIONS/ALLOWANCES

**All artists will allow the first three songs (bands)/15 minutes (electro) unless otherwise indicated.

**Please be sure to check in at the press tent daily for updates.

Friday, April 15
BRANDON FLOWERS – no photographers will be permitted to shoot his set from the pit or the side of the stage.  A link to photos from the artist’s photographers will be made available to the media after his set.  If you have any additional questions, please reach out to his representative: Jen Appel/PRESS HERE PUBLICITY jen@pressherepublicity.com
KINGS OF LEON – Only pre-approved photographers, first three songs.
ODD FUTURE – No photography permitted whatsoever.

Saturday, April 16
ARCADE FIRE – Only pre-approved photographers, first three songs.
PAUL VAN DYK – Photography allowed entire set, first 15 minutes from the photo pit—directions for the remainder will be posted at the press tent day of. Contact: Alexandra Greenberg/MSO agreenberg@msopr.com
PERRYETTY vs CHRIS COX – Photography allowed entire set.

Sunday, March 17
KANYE WEST – No photography permitted whatsoever.

So…. Two thoughts on this subject:

1.)   I guess we should all start photographing electronic artists- they seem to like photographers.

2.)    Who the F—K is Odd Future?

This week I had the opportunity to photograph an amazing performer. WHe is Columbian rock star Juanes. One of the best shows, musically and production wise that I have seen in years, even though I could not understand a word spoken or sung from the stage! (except for the word CHICAGO,  which was spoken many times). The crew treated me with utmost respect from the time I got to the venue at 4:30 in the afternoon, till the time I left at midnight. The staging was magnificent. Large video screens surrounded the band on 3 sides and above. The screens played snippets of the show, along with movies and cartoons. The band was magnificent- three guitars 3 percussion guys, bass and keyboards.

From what I read about him, he is a political activist in his lyrics (would have loved a translator) but from what I could tell, he also appeals greatly to the ladies!

After the show, he made it a point to seek me out and make sure I was treated right and that I had good access. The next morning when I turned on my computer, I had emails waiting for me from his road manager and his marketing guy making sure that I had what I needed! WOW! Maybe if more people treated photographers with respect, we might want to shoot their shows!!

One thing that amazed me about the night were the sheer number of cell phones in the front rows, and the sheer number of people standing with their backs to him when he came to their side of the stage, so that their friends could snap a photo of them with him in the background. The people pictured below had seats in the front row ($127.00 per ticket) and must have shot 200 pictures of themselves during the show. Wonder if they even know what songs he sang.

I was recently offered an assignment from a national magazine. They wanted me to photograph Jeff Beck. They sent me an email address for his publicist. I emailed her and asked what the photo policy was and if there would be any kind of contract.

Her reply:

Photo policy is the standard first three songs. She also told me that there would be no contract. I decided to turn down the assignment, but wanted to ask her one more question: Would photographers be allowed to shoot from the front of the theater. Ten minutes later the word came back that photographers would have to shoot from the back of the theater. So I told her I would not be shooting, and also relayed the message to the magazine’s editor.

So the question is- at what point does the magazine stop calling me, and starts looking for the photographers that are willing to take mediocre pictures and have their name printed next to them in national magazines?

Another thing:

This week I had a conversation with a photo researcher who is putting out a box set project for the label she works for. During the discussion, I asked her what she would be doing 15 years from now when every time she calls photographers looking for photos from a bands 2011 tour, she receives 200 identical images form the first minute of the show. She replied, “I hope I am retired by then!”