Courtney is so effortlessly cool. I got the chance to take photos at her show in Portland Oregon at the Crystal Ballroom. Getting to be right below the stage taking close ups of her having her way with her rotating collection of electric guitars was my favorite part of the show. She tromped all over the stage manipulating her skilled guitar playing with different pedals and rockstar moves as she got lost in her music.
The Aussie’s witty and conscious lyrics are delivered in a conversation like way which adds to the folk, poppy and easy listening records she has. The LIVE show was a different story; this was where we got to hear the grungy garage rock sound really come out that you don't get to hear on the latest recorded album, which is great by the way I can't wait to be sitting by some water listening to these songs. Check out "sometimes i sit and think, and sometimes i just sit". My friend and I agreed saying “it was more…hardcore live” while reliving the show late Wednesday night.
GEAR:
My trusty Canon 6D (come on I didn’t say 60)
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for those great wide shots and more of the full body shots
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for crystal clear close ups!
Ear plugs (trust me you can hear everything loud and clear when you’re resting your elbows ON the speakers to get a shot)
I loved the video projection over the show which reminded me of a more psychedelic time, it was no oil on glass plates but it went really well with the garage rock sound that filled the ballroom on Wednesday. The bowling ball looking giant guys moving up and down are now my favorite animations and made me giggle.
A challenge at live shows is the lighting. Sure the blues, purples, reds, green and yellows flashing all over the stage look really cool live, but grabbing a moment in time at a concert often times leaves you with an all red subject or an all yellow lit and unpleasing shot. I got lucky and found some really great lighting during a few songs. Some of these shots have the awesome video projection in the background while my subject is BEAUTIFULLY lit in a natural color of light. I also got a few portraits that look like I had control in the lighting and took them in a studio! Some have a vibrant spotlight behind the subject illuminating her brilliantly. I experimented at this show, tried to get some creative shots. I was able to shoot the whole set (usually it's just the first 3 songs) and was able to take my time in composing shots that I wanted. Above I posted my favorites. Hope you like ‘em.
also WHAT IS BERNIE!!?