It has been a busy beginning to 2014. I have worked on magazine assignments, photo shoots, live shows and videos.
Here is a composite image of Peculiar Disco Moves from a shoot in February
david wala newcastle photographer
My First Music Video From April 2010- Brilliant Mind Our Osprey
Back in 2010 I made a video with one of my favourite bands Brilliant Mind at their practice room ( an old meat storage facility on an industrial estate. I have seen and photographed Brilliant Mind at loads of gigs and even done their first photo shoot.
Before the shoot we had a rough idea of how it would look and shot the video live with me in the centre getting the footage ( we did not have any shot list but I was familiar with the song so done everything intuitively). In hindsight there are loads of things I would change but I am still proud of what we achieved – especially considering we done four takes with one camera. It has a great D.I.Y. feel similar to some videos shot by bands in New York in the late 1960s.
Once I shot the video neither myself or the band had the knowledge and/or software to edit this. So it has been on a hard drive since I shot it. I am pleased to put it out there and make it public.
I did not attempt another music video until 18 months after this at then of 2011 – The Union Choir Your Melodica
It Has Been Way Too Long – Here’s To 2014
First I am going to do my best to make time for my blog. I am giving myself 10 minutes to write this and add a few pictures – the less time you have to think the more you will write from the heart. Sometimes it is the same when you are doing a photo shoot you can sometimes capture the character of someone in five minutes.
I see that my previous post was about my A A D exhibition and it was extended until the end of January and I have took down all the images – which are now on the floor in a corner of my studio. The project was fun but putting the exhibition together took a lot out of me and other people – I feel after much soul searching that it was worthwhile . I know I made some new friends and produced some interesting images. Also it is a personal project and it was good for the soul. I am going to continue with the project but first I need to repair the Hasselblad 500 I was using – if anyone can get my viewfinder repaired please get in touch.
So far in 2014 I have photographed and seen some of my favourite bands/artists Adam Green, Obits, and Maximo Park. Also I was super proud to be commissioned to shot Maximo Park for t In The Studio piece which appeared in the NME in January. had to keep it a secret since I took the pictures at the beginning of December.
Looking ahead it is shaping up to be a great year already looking forward to gigs in the coming week by The Orwells, Toy, Radkey, Drenge and others
I am also continuing with my Instamatic for the People project of instant print pictures. Adam Green as part of my Instamatic for the People project
This is one of my favourite images from my A A D project I love the colours and how relaxed the band were. Despite numerous technical difficulties we managed to get some decent shots. This image was shot in bulb mode with a second curtain flash. With a Hasselblad 500cm
Looking forward to seeing more Telegram gigs and hearing more recordings. This shot is from The Shacklewell Arms Christmas party – did I tell you we won the pop quiz 0n the night 🙂
Adam Green as part of my Instamatic for the People project
- My Maximo Pictures in the NME from January 2014
New Reward On Kickstarter – Today Is The FInal Day
A big thank you to everyone that came down to my exhibition opening and the gig – I will not forget your support.
As all the images from my exhibition are hanging up in The Cluny ( I will be adding more during the exhibition) – I made a collage of all the images and I am offering this as a print on Kickstarter for just a £10.00 pledge.
The link to the Kickstarter campaign is here http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/davidwala/a-a-d-photography-exhibition
AAD Collage Print Available on Kickstarter
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/davidwala/a-a-d-photography-exhibition
Without People You Are Nothing
“Without People You Are Nothing” – this quote from Joe Strummer has resonated with me. Although I work alone mainly in my photography I could not do it without people to photograph or help me.
Tonight is the opening of my A A D exhibition at The Cluny.
At the time of writing I am so busy as I have to finish up preparations for the exhibition so I will keep this brief
However I want to thank every band that has taken part there are 28 and counting I will name them all and add a gallery soon.
Thank you to the bands playing tonight So What Robot, Retriever and The Union Choir – it is an absolute honour that you are playing the gig as part of the opening.
As ever The Cluny have been absolutely fantastic and always helpful and friendly. Paul Burgess has done a magnificent job with the posters . Digitalab have done a fantastic job with the printing on a very short notice. Mark at Art for Art’s sake has done an amazing job framing everything yesterday morning – an absolute star.
Tonight Daniel Robson and Lewis Norvid are doing the DJ duties – I am super grateful that I do not have to worry about the music I know it will be amazing. A huge thank you to my wife Jill for her help and editing skills. Thank you to everyone who has helped me and publicised he exhibition. Also check this article out by NE;MM it perfectly describes my project http://nemmonline.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/david-wala-a-d-photography-exhibition.html
David
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Also as well as the people I need to use a camera 🙂
The camera that has been used for most of my project
This has been used to take every picture in the exhibition
Kickstarter Campaign ?
For sure there are many more worthy causes than my Kickstarter campaign. Deep down I have many reservations about asking people for money to fund my project. I really do feel uncomfortable about doing it, but I have decided to go ahead and start a Kickstarter campaign. I am not asking for something with nothing in exchange I think the range of rewards are valuable – I promise I am not offering to cook you a meal or go on a date. Also a big thank you to the people who have kindly supported the project – that means a lot.
I was discussing this with a local musician yesterday and he told me that some people do not think twice about asking to use my work for free or just a credit – actually some people do not even bother asking :-). I should also add there are many that do ask and support my work – they all know who they are.
The link to my Kickstarter campaign is here AAD Kickstarter campaign
Here is the video I made
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This is a personal project and I am doing it just because I enjoy it, and hope other people will too. Also thanks to everyone for taking part in the project without them there would be no project 🙂
More importantly I would like people to come along and enjoy the exhibition and the free gig on 6th November
A A D Project Exhibition At The Clunny In Newcastle Opening 6th November 2013
For nearly two years I have worked on a project called A A D. A project all shot with a medium format analogue ( Hasselblad) camera with the subjects taking the photograph with a cable release. I have a photographed touring and bands from the North East including Howler, Hooded Fang, Art Brut, Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs.
There will be an opening on Wednesday from 6:30pm at The Cluny in Newcastle and a free gig featuring So What Robot, Retriever, and an acoustic set by The Union Choir – please come down. For more information please see the Facebook Event. I also have a Kickstarter campaign with some unique rewards from the exhibition.
A poster for the A A D exhibition at The Cluny in Newcastle
Sylvain Sylvain Tim Burgess And Radkey – Instamatic For The People
Although I am now super busy with preparations for my A A D exhibition opening at The Cluny on 6 November
I have had time to keep working on my Instamatic for The People project
For me the New York Dolls are such an important band and I always privileged to have seen them recently starting with their first comeback gig at the Royal Festival Hall back in 2004. It was an absolute honour to add Sylvain to my Instamatic for the People project.
It was also great to have the legend that is Tim Burgess to my project such a cool guy and feel really privileged to have him as part of my project.
I also photographed Radkey who have just appeared on Jools Holland show and really blew me away with their set at The Cluny – looking forward to seeing them again in 2014
Sylvain Sylvain Instamatic For The People 2013
Tim Burgess Instamatic for the People 2013
Soi Radkey Instamatic for the People 2013
Dee Radkey Instamatic for the People 2013
Soi Radkey Instamatic for the People 2013
Radkey At The Cluny Tonight
Had a great time tonight at The Cluny in Newcastle saw three high energy bands WTCHRS, Radkey, and Drenge. It was the the first gig in Newcastle by Radkey and they totally rocked
Radkey Newcastle Cluny 3 October 2013
The End of the Hooded Fang European Tour 2013
I finally managed to get a vinyl copy of the latest Hooded Fang album Gravez, as well as catch up with the band after doing a shoot with them last year. I took some portraits with my Instax camera – great band great people. For more shots from the gig click on the image below
Hooded Fang
David Wala Photography 