View allAll Photos Tagged backbend
Only a selection of images from each photo-shoot are posted here. If you'd like to see additional images from certain models you'll need to subscribe to my Patreon account where I will be publishing content I don't post here. You'll also have the option to make fan requests for more photos, or new photo-shoots, with your favourite models. My subscription rates are very low , staring from only $1/month, so check it out as I could really do with your support. - www.patreon.com/realitydysfunction
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Only a selection of images from each photo-shoot are posted here. If you'd like to see additional images from certain models you'll need to subscribe to my Patreon account where I will be publishing content I don't post here. You'll also have the option to make fan requests for more photos, or new photo-shoots, with your favourite models. My subscription rates are very low , staring from only $1/month, so check it out as I could really do with your support. - www.patreon.com/realitydysfunction
Instagram: @realitydysfunction www.instagram.com/realitydysfunction
Only a selection of images from each photo-shoot are posted here. If you'd like to see additional images from certain models you'll need to subscribe to my Patreon account where I will be publishing content I don't post here. You'll also have the option to make fan requests for more photos, or new photo-shoots, with your favourite models. My subscription rates are very low , staring from only $1/month, so check it out as I could really do with your support. - www.patreon.com/realitydysfunction
Instagram: @realitydysfunction www.instagram.com/realitydysfunction
Only a selection of images from each photo-shoot are posted here. If you'd like to see additional images from certain models you'll need to subscribe to my Patreon account where I will be publishing content I don't post here. You'll also have the option to make fan requests for more photos, or new photo-shoots, with your favourite models. My subscription rates are very low , staring from only $1/month, so check it out as I could really do with your support. - www.patreon.com/realitydysfunction
Instagram: @realitydysfunction www.instagram.com/realitydysfunction
Only a selection of images from each photo-shoot are posted here. If you'd like to see additional images from certain models you'll need to subscribe to my Patreon account where I will be publishing content I don't post here. You'll also have the option to make fan requests for more photos, or new photo-shoots, with your favourite models. My subscription rates are very low , staring from only $1/month, so check it out as I could really do with your support. - www.patreon.com/realitydysfunction
Instagram: @realitydysfunction www.instagram.com/realitydysfunction
Standing Mountain Pose / Backbend / Hands in Prayer. Saluting the sun outdoors at sunrise or before sunset, as in this picture, helps the yoga practitioner feel even more relaxed & connected with the beautiful nature all around no matter the time of day or season. Practice indoors, outdoors; anywhere you have a few moments to focus on your breath. It will leave your body restored and mind rejuvenated. Photo taken by Charles Wills (thank you) on a beautiful November weekend at Webb Mountain Park in Monroe, CT. It is a great place to take a short to moderate hike and enjoy the great outdoors.
I realize we’re halfway through the music festival season so I should have posted this sooner but here in Chicago where I’m from, we’re gearing up for Pitchfork Music Festival to start tomorrow and in less than a month Lollapooza will also be happening. This is my third summer shooting music festivals including Pitchfork Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Hideout Block Party, and Coachella. I wish someone had told me a few things three years ago to help prepare me. I thought I’d share the love.
First, a disclaimer….you know that part in Say Anything where John Cusack/Lloyd Dobler proclaims: “I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.” Well, I sort of loved him for that even more than when he was holding a large boombox over his head. That said, I’m going to recommend some products here not because I want to encourage materialism and consumerism but because these are the things that have worked for me. The reality is that there are a lot of products out there that are not well made or will let you down and ultimately waste your hard earned cash. As most of us are just scraping by and not making $1000 a photo, very few of us can afford to waste our money on stuff that doesn’t work or is poorly made and will cost us a great deal more overall.
Some obvious things first:
1.Unless you are meticulous and not scatter brained in the least, you will need some extras of everything. I recommend bringing extra lens caps, lens cleaning cloths, memory cards, batteries, and a couple extra pairs of ear plugs. You are going to be exposing your ears to some really massive amounts of input. I don’t find the foamy earplugs to be very helpful for me. First, it distorts the music so that it feels like you are sort of just listening under water. Second, it’s usually not enough protection when you are up against huge amps. I highly recommend: earlove.net/. They are worth the extra cost, trust me!
2.You know those pseudo benches in a lot of larger photopits where you can take a rest, especially if the stage/band you’re shooting is running behind schedule? You’re going to really want to do it but do NOT set your bag down while you’re shooting unless everything of any value is around your neck. Fans steal bags and (I hate to say it) other photographers steal bags. I know your bag is heavy and, in this case, my only recommendation is this: suck it up! I’m so sorry but no amount of temporary shoulder relief is worth thousands of dollars. Also, I recommend using these Chrome Messenger backpack bags: www.chromebagsstore.com/messenger-packs-ranchero.html Yes, it’s a bag that costs nearly $200 after taxes, shipping, etc. but the good news is that you will never have to buy another bag again. I cannot tell you how much I’ve pretty much beat the heck out of mine and there are no signs of wear and tear whatsoever. It has two nice shoulder pads, a cell phone holster, and is extremely waterproof. Basically, it’s worth the investment. Did I mention you’ll never have to buy another bag to haul all your stuff around again? That’s important.
3.Drink water, not beer. Oh wouldn’t the beer just take the edge off? Make you feel relaxed, etc.? Don’t do it!!! Take all the money you would have spent on overpriced festival beer throughout the weekend and put it aside. When you’re finally finished with all photoediting on that Sunday night or Monday morning, buy yourself a nice bottle of champagne or Belgian and drink up to celebrate surviving. Also, I highly recommend bringing your own more durable water bottle. Most music festivals have stopped giving out free water to press OR they will have one tent set up that’s destined to be far away from whatever bands you are assigned in the media area which is not very helpful. However, quite a few festivals have fountains or opportunities for free water of some sort. I also recommend supplementing your water with electrolytes. This one works quite well: www.rei.com/product/779683. Also, don’t forget your Ibuprofen/Aspirin and vitamins!
4.Sorry to be gross, but you should bring some tissue or toilet paper and a little bottle of hand sanitizer. You should not count on the porta potties to have these things in full supply, though I’ve been happily surprised the last couple of festivals I’ve gone to.
5.Have you ever sat around and wondered how China became such a national super power? It’s probably because of this: www.tigerbalm.com/. Buy yourself a jar of it and rub it into your shoulders, neck, and any other part of your body that aches every single night. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better the next day. It stings a little and there’s an after effect that goes on as it sinks into your muscle tissue that might actually hurt a bit but let it work it’s magic.
6.You need suncreen (duh!) I am so pale I’m ghostly. If I’m out in the sun for even a half hour without sunscreen, I burn. That said, I highly recommend this Kiss My Face spray SPF30 product: kissmyfacewebstore.com/detail/KMF+1800403 You can pick it up at some Whole Foods but, because it’s a natural product, it isn’t usually available commonly at most grocery or convenience stores in the US, which means you might end up having to order it online. Why I love this product is simple…it works! Also, it is a lot less greasy, you can spray it on your back (for your facial areas, spray it on your hands then rub on your face.) and you should be able to get away with spraying it on once in the morning before you leave and not having to worry about re-spraying for the rest of the day. That’s really important because the last thing you’ll be thinking about when you’re photographing beautiful Karen O doing a backbend is re-applying your sunscreen, trust me. On occasion, I have gotten minorly burned around my shoulder straps as the suncreen has rubbed off in those areas. However, I burn excessively easily so if you’re like 99% of the rest of the population, you don’t have to be worried.
7. If it’s going to be especially sunny, consider bringing a small compact umbrella to shield you while you’re waiting in the photopit or photopit line. ( I learned that one from excessively wise and experienced Robert Loerzel: www.flickr.com/photos/robertloerzel/ who graciously held one over our heads during the two hour wait for Iggy Pop when we were suffering through Amy Winehouse at Lolla 2007)
8.I recommend you start every day of the festival by having a large mocha with an extra shot of espresso and one-two bagels (depending on your metabolism.) You want a complex carbohydrate that your body is going to have to break down over time through the course of the day. Make sure to obviously give yourself enough time in the bathroom after eating before taking off to minimize porta potty usage..besides, you don’t have time to go to the bathroom…you have bands to shoot! For quick sugar intake when you’re running on low, pack a couple of energy or granola bars. Plan on eating more after you’re done and waiting for your 4,000 photos to transfer from your memory card to your hard drive. Did I mention to make sure to take your vitamins?
9.If you are traveling to this music festival, I would recommend the following portable external drive: Smartdisk 160GB FireWire Portable Hard Drive …it worked very well for me when I went to Coachella. Don’t forget to bring your battery charger!
10. As Margarita Gonzalez stated below, make sure you wear your most comfortable pair of shoes! As Paige K. Parsons below added: Remember there's a BIG difference between shoes that are comfortable to stand in for eight hours vs shoes that are comfortable to walk four miles in. Most likely you will need the latter at a festival.
11.)Also by Paige K. Parsons: www.flickr.com/photos/paigekparsons/ Know not just the distances between stages, but the time it takes to move between them with large crowds of people about. You've got to plan your schedule with plenty of tolerances for travel.
12.)Also by Paige K. Parsons: www.flickr.com/photos/paigekparsons/ Scope out *all* the stages early. Talk with the security guys and/or festival coordinators and confirm which side has access to the photopit. Often it's different from stage to stage, sometimes it's different than you were told in your media info. If you arrive on the wrong side it can take an entire song to get from one side to the other if the crowd is large.
13.If you are lucky enough to have “scored” your pass without actually knowing anything about photography because your dad’s a CEO of a company sponsoring the festival or something, do us all a favor and actually try to learn as much as you can on your own. There are photographers who would give up alot for this opportunity so take it as a serious gift. Besides, the last thing I want to hear in the pit five minute before Daft Punk take the stage is “Hey, you have the same camera as me! Can you teach me how to use mine?” And yes, that actually did happen to me at Lolla 2007.
Now, some non-obvious things…..
1.Camera gear recommendations: I can only recommend what I know and I’m a Canon vs. Nikon user..that doesn’t mean Nikon is inferior at all, though! I use the 5dMkII with the Canon IS 2.8 70-200mm lens most often during music festivals. If this lens is too expensive, consider renting one, especially if you are planning on photographing bands you may never have the opportunity to photograph again (i.e. Leonard Cohen.) I should warn that this lens is excessively heavy. I actually prepared myself after its purchase by lifting weights while jogging on the treadmill. The Canon 15mm fisheye lens is also great for smaller stages and crowd shots. Paige K. Parsons has some great fisheye crowd shots with her Nikon D700 as well. Here’s a good example: www.flickr.com/photos/paigekparsons/3620173399/ If possible, bring an extra base as backup. Nikon recommendations by NickD: www.flickr.com/photos/_nickd/ : As nikon goes i'd recommend a d300 or (if you want full-frame) d700 with a 70-200 f/2.8 vr if you can get it, and a 50 f/1.4 for smaller intimate venues.
2.We’re unfortunately in a troublesome age in terms of photographer’s rights and what that means is that you may not be given full information about what restrictions bands are giving until the day of, even if you received a press release from the festival organizers detailing these restrictions…it doesn’t matter. Artists/musicians change their minds at the last minute about photography and unfortunately festival organizers don’t consider the idea that some photogs have actually made a huge financial investment to shoot that particular band on the basis that they’d *gasp* be allowed to. (Such was the case last year when Kanye West decided on the same day of his performance he wouldn’t allow photography from the pit even though the concert was taking place in his own city and he had allowed it previously at Lolla.) In addition, some bands/musicians may limit the photopit to only Wire service photographers. However, the trend I have seen (with Pearl Jam and Radiohead specifically) is to not allow any Wire service photographers into the pits. Another thing I have seen is a band decided to only let his buddy, a barely competent photographer, to shoot and bars every other photographer. It completely sucks and it’s extremely difficult to get a good shot from the crowd. The only thing you can do to prepare yourself for this is to read all press information and check in at the media tent of the festival every single day.
3.If you absolutely have to sign a contract that takes away all your copyrights, sign and date it so that you can argue it was signed under duress. Also, give your publication the exact number of photos requested and keep the others private/friends only if you use them. If you are not assigned that band and do not have to take photos but want to, strongly consider not signing because your rights as a photographer are way more important, trust me.
4.Some festivals, particularly Lollapalooza have “caps” on their photopits. In other words, they won’t allow past a certain number (in Lolla’s case, 50) of photographers to be in the pit. What that means is, for the larger bands, make sure to keep an eye on the pit and make practical decisions about time management. It’s a lot better to be #3 in a photopit for a larger band and miss out on shooting a smaller band you can easily photograph again than to shoot the smaller band, be #51 and not get into the pit for the larger band. Also, be aware for that more aggressive bands where there is an issue with crowd control, the festival could potentially lower the amount of photographers they are going to allow in the pit. Arrive extra early if you are assigned these bands. By extra early, I mean, check in atleast 2 hours in advance. Yes, I’m serious.
5.Make a special effort to photograph bands that typically play in darker conditions. (Pretty much every band I love fits this description.) If you know this may only be the only time you’ll ever be able to shoot this band without them being behind a heavy gush of smoke playing in what looks like the pit of despair, go for it! Also, make an extra effort to photograph international bands you know won’t come around very often.
6.If you’re like me, your deadlines are pretty immediate and you have to bike home like mad and start photo-editing as soon as possible so that you’re up until 4am or 5am working on your assignment. You are bound to grow really tired doing this and be all sleepy. What usually helps me stay up is re-watching the ending of Twin Peaks: (If you can fall asleep right after watching this, you’re a much braver soul than I am!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ0qHLAsS2w
7.Feel free to run like mad and shoot as many bands as your body and time will allow. If you have limited time to get across a crowded park and you are exhausted with way less adrenalin than you’d expected, it might be helpful to use a visualization technique. Usually, I picture a younger version of Hannibal Lecter in a sweaty Kings of Leon shirt running after me with a vicious look in his eyes…that often does the trick! However, with age I am realizing more and more it’s also important to listen to your body. Take rest breaks when possible and keep hydrated. Have I mentioned vitamins yet? ;)
8.Make friends! It is great to have a few people you can trust to update you when you are across the field to know how fast a photopit line is growing or if a band cancels or is running late. Texting is amazing in these cases and make sure to return the favor to your friend as well. In this age of concert photography when we are slowly losing our rights, it’s important to really stick together with the people who won’t let you down. I've been lucky to have a few good friends on my side at music festivals, like Sei Jin who texted me when he saw Tim Harrington of Les Savy Fav was cutting hair at last year's Pitchfork Music Festival.
9.Play nice! Be fair! Everyone knows of that 300 pound behemoth (usually male, sorry men!) that always cuts everyone off in line and tends to have about 42 elbows while in the photopit. Shooting a festival with strict deadlines is stressful enough without these types of people but you’re bound to run into a couple. Feel free to be extra snarky when they hit on you later. I usually find, “I don’t have a name” does the trick.
10.Be nice to your security guards! They are working long hours in the hot sun for probably about as much pay as you are. The ones that seem the strictest are also the ones most on the ball that are going to end up protecting you if the fans get crazy and out of control.
11.Have you ever been at a music festival when it started to rain? I’ll exercise the words of legendary author Douglas Adams with this one: Don’t Panic! Especially if you have a waterproof bag! It’s good to keep some heavy duty plastic bags to wrap around your camera base and the contacts with the lens when this happens. Just exercise good common sense…shoot as little as possible in these cases in the rain with some heavier duty plastic bags wrapped around your camera then put your camera back safely in your bag. This is one reason, however, that I would recommend buying camera equipments with warranties. I usually request, “I would like the kind of warranty where I could basically go fishing with my camera and as long as I can pull it out of the water and return it, it will be replaced.” That said, I treat my camera bases and lenses with huge amounts of respect and don’t do anything stupid but it’s great when you don’t have that sense of anxiety over a freak accident or storm looming over you. Also, I know there are a lot of rain gear protections out on the market…this is one thing I have yet to try so if someone has a good recommendation, feel free to put that in the comments section.
12. Don’t forget to shoot the drummer! They really like it when you remember them! ☺
Above: the drummer for Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Aaron Sperske, at Coachella 2009.
Continuing my series Inspiring Asanas...
Here is another artwork for the series, reflecting my creative vision of one of the asanas we do about in the middle part of each yoga session. This is a variation of the same heart opening yoga pose as in the previous image in the series.
Not sure if my Jedi power kept only my camera floating above me, but seems that I levitated as well :-)
I mean floated in cosmic dreams as a Space Wanderer :-)
As for the image, of course, added my texture magic, enhancing it by layers of textures with our origami papers, including Chiyogami paper with a pattern made of Katsushika Hokusai's “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, and also some hints of our origami sun star :-)
You are welcome to look through this series or you may like to see it as a slide show
red shiny zentai
bridge or backbend from above
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*Nikon D300
*Nikkor AF-S 28-70
*30mm - F2.8 - 1/100s
*Camera below ceiling, radio triggered
*Flash with white umbrella from 10 o'clock, above model, aiming down
*Flash with small softbox from 4 o'clock, on floor, aiming up
*processed with Adobe Lightroom
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running into the 200 pics limit soon...
Any comments welcome!
Only a selection of images from each photo-shoot are posted here. If you'd like to see additional images from certain models you'll need to subscribe to my Patreon account where I will be publishing content I don't post here. You'll also have the option to make fan requests for more photos, or new photo-shoots, with your favourite models. My subscription rates are very low , staring from only $1/month, so check it out as I could really do with your support. - www.patreon.com/realitydysfunction
Instagram: @realitydysfunction www.instagram.com/realitydysfunction