I have just made a gallery to show the first bach of images from the Instamatic for the People project. They feature Howler, Collectors Club, The Neat and Sound of Guns. Click on the picture below to visit it:
Instamatic for the People Gallery
david wala
Instamatic for the People 2012 – Pictures Can Speak Louder Than Words
After taking a year way from my ongoing Instamatic for the People project I decided to restart it this week by photographing Howler.I have changed this project to include bands from outside of the North East of England – I want to make it inclusive as possible. Local writer Linsey Teggart summed up my project in her article for Narc magazine her article for Narc magazine – this sums up the article. Other information can be found mainly in my 2010 and 2011 posts in this blog.
On Friday while waiting for Howler who were delayed due to mechanical problems – I was wondering if they would have time to do some photographs ( I needn’t have worried they were super cool and very helpful even though they had been on torturous journey on the M1.). To pass some time I flicked through my book from the exhibition and reflected on how much has changed in our local music scene. It is interesting to see how fashions, and locations have changed as well as the people
This picture of Brent below shows rest of Howler engrossed in the book I think sums up their enthusiasm. As their album America Give Up has been the soundtrack of my year I think it is fitting that they are the first band to be photographed for the relaunch of the project. This has given me a real boost.
- Brent from Howler, and the rest of the band looking at the Instamatic fro the People book
I would also love to photograph all the people from the original book next year as part of this ongoing project.
The book is still available to buy from Blurb books click on the image below – all profits go to Teenage Cancer Trust. It is also available for iPad and iPhone as a download
I would once again like to thank everyone that has taken part and to Howler for being the first people of 2012. I am looking forward to see where this project take us – hopefully to another charity opening and gig.
David
x
PS I will be putting up an online gallery soon of all the images as I take them – I have more to add from some amazing people which will be added soon
That’s Close Enough Off! at Newcastle Academy
I love to be close to the action – you can just see the Vans of a stage diver as he returns to the crowd.
Off! Newcastle Academy 22 June 2012
Howler Paris Fleche d’Or 26 May 2012-2
Howler Paris Fleche d’Or 26 May 2012-2.jpg, originally uploaded by david.wala.
Jordan Gatesmith – Howler one of the most exciting live bands around. Their debut album is also filled with energy and great songs.
More of my images from the gig are here:
The Greeting Committee and Positive Mental Attitude
After weeks of preparation and days and nights of shooting I was so proud and relieved to have finished my third music video for the Greeting Committee’s new single Show Me the Lights of Home released on End of the Trail Records
It was great to see our ideas which we discussed in their practice room, actually evolve into this music video. I am especially happy to include cakes and cricket in this video
I am a big fan of Jesse Malin and love his take on P.M.A., we really needed positive thinking to complete the location shoots for the video. We had to endure heavy rain on both days which scuppered our original plans for many of the scenes, but the band and everyone involved had a totally positive attitude and will to get things done – even if it meant filming into the early hours of the morning.
It was great to work with such talented people from whom I can learn – Dan Horn was especially helpful as he has experience in filming, and had a load of helpful suggestions.
A big thank you also to the actors,Dan Horn, Olwyn Currie, Rebecca Currie , Chris Hardy, as well as the extras that came along in the rain and mud to help make this happen.
Also a big thank you to Paul Burgess for helping out in so many ways – he is also the genius behind the single artwork and many other things – you can find his work here. It was above and beyond that Karen and Alex Burgess also came down to the shoot, and even supplied the scary doll on Steve’s turntable
The Greeting Committee Show Me The Lights of Home Artwork by Paul Burgess Graphic Design.
This was to me an ambitious project, but I am pleased we did not play it safe and here are the results. I hope you like it:
Natasha Haws EP Launch and Stepping Stone Video
Today – I am really excited about seeing and photographing the super talented Natasha Haws EP launch at Sunderland Minster – which is a sell out. It will be a wonderful night.
Also I am so proud that the video I made ( with the help if some great people) for Natasha’s lead song on the EP Stepping Stone has over 2,000 views at the time of writing
See you there !
Live Acoustic Fantasy Rainbow Location Video
A few weeks ago we filmed a live acoustic session with Fantasy Rainbow live by the seaside.
We really hit lucky with the weather, and the performance by Ollie and Sam was sublime.
There was a lot of ambient noise planes, jet skis, and motorbikes. We shot at sunset so we were chasing the last of the daylight so we only done two takes of each song. The performances were so good all the footage selected is from the first take of each song – a testament to the ability of these guys. If anyone knows how to get rid of the sound from that damn jet ski please get in touch.
I will never tire of hearing these songs.
These songs can be found on the Tiny Light’s record label bandcamp page .
This will always remind me summer to the North Sea coast in March 2012
Natasha Haws Stepping Stone Video
I was very pleased to get an opportunity to shoot the debut video of the local musical wunderkind* Natasha Haws, and only my second promo music video.
We discussed possible locations and style for the performance footage. Initially I was thinking of doing it in my studio where we could have complete control of the lighting and it would have been warm.The only place I was sure I did not want to film was on stepping stones. Eventually, we decided on shooting at the top of a fire escape in the center of Newcastle, on a cold and cloudy February day – it would have been great to have some sunshine but we are not in California. We filmed all afternoon, Natasha was super patient and we managed to get all the footage we needed. One of the highlights of the day was the improvisational skills used making a substitute guitar strap from some plastic fishing wire which was used on a previous photo shoot to tie balloons
We discussed possible locations and style for the performance footage. Initially I was thinking of doing it in my studio where we could have complete control of the lighting and it would have been warm.The only place I was sure I did not want to film was on stepping stones. Eventually, we decided on shooting at the top of a fire escape in the center of Newcastle, on a cold and cloudy February day – it would have been great to have some sunshine but we are not in California. We filmed all afternoon, Natasha was super patient and we managed to get all the footage we needed. One of the highlights of the day was the improvisational skills used making a substitute guitar strap from some plastic fishing wire which was used on a previous photo shoot to tie balloons
The dancing was Natasha’s idea I had not filmed anything like that before. I did some research, and we done a some run throughs on the day of the shoot so we could all warm up. It took all day to get the footage we needed. On a separate note the video was filmed opposite ( on the other side of the river) the Music Box studios where the music was recorded – a nice piece of symmetry. The time and effort spent rehearsing was evident on the day – the dancers done a phenomenal job, and were an absolute pleasure to work with. The choreography and thought in matching the dance to the song works incredibly well.
The editing took hours and hours, special thanks to Natasha and Scott who came to my studio and helped out by selecting the dance footage ( without ever complaining about my coffee making skills).
Making a video is all about teamwork, I also must thank Daniel Robson, and Martin Emery for help on the shoot – they are always enthusiastic about getting the right results without ever complaining – thank you !
I know I made mistakes ( we all do), I am real fan of reflective writing and have made notes about everything that I done right and wrong – overall I am happy with the result, although I have to say I felt nervous about other people’s opinion. So far people have been very kind and positive about the video. Overall I hope we done this beautiful song justice – thank you Natasha.
The video is here:
We have also done a live session in my studio – here is Constant Fairytale
* I hope I am not being pretentious – I just seen an episode of Mad Men where Peggy Olsen is described the same way
Never Play It Safe Safe – Symphonic Pictures Promo Shots – Spaghetti, Pancakes, Rats, Soup, and Other Shenanigans
Back in May 2011 it was a privilege to have Symphonic Pictures play their first gig at my Instamatic for the People exhibition opening. Therefore I was happy to be involved with doing the photography for their first set of press photographs.
When Johnny from the band contacted me with the idea/inspiration for the shots my first thoughts was that they would make an impact and I loved that they were not playing it safe.
It took a few weeks for the band to assemble props, to which I also contributed. We used a painted a background and tried to emulate the lighting of 1960s shoot by at times using just the modelling lights and other times flash. It was also an opportunity for me to shot with my medium format Mamiya RZ67 camera, and use some hard to find expired Agfa portrait film which I had saved for something special. The subdued colours also helped to give that retro feel to the images.
The shoot took 5 hours and we tried to pay attention to detail for each individual portrait. It was testament it was a relaxed atmosphere throughout and that we all committed to getting the exact images that we originally envisioned.
The images were then given to Paul Burgess Graphic Design to work his genius the lettering and finishing touches
I have to say it has been so amazing working with such a creative bunch of people.
Thank you
x
Weekend Update
I was reading an article recently about how music photographer’s should promote themselves. It made me realise that I should do more, although I do feel people will get sick of hearing the usual just shot this, done that etc. However if you do not promote yourself people will think that you have nothing going on.
Currently I am very busy with my photography I am shooting live gigs, doing promo videos, editing a five camera live video shoot that I directed, and doing album covers and press shots. I will be adding more information about these soon
This week I have photographed seven bands over three gigs. Some of the images are below:
So Many Wizards Head of Steam 8 March 2012
Brilliant Mind Head of Steam 8 March 2012
Symphonic Pictures Newcastle Academy 6 March 2012
You can see all my live shots on my Flickr site
I did have one disaster I shot a gig by Nero – who are DJ duo who stand at the top of a 7 metre plinth – and all you can see are there two heads above the parapet. Before the gig I tried without successa to get permission to get access to the balcony or stage so I could get some interesting shots. I have sent them to Newcastle Academy – but I doubt I will put them anywhere else. As ever I was prepared and knew what to expect and tookj my 70mm-200mm lens for the close up shots. I will learn from this and move on.
Here is one of the better images:
Nero Newcastle Academy 8 March 2012
They say you should end on a high. Back in January I done a video session with Tusk in my studio. I was pleased with the lighting and the black background, and the tight composition. I think they sound fantastic. We also done some photographs – here is one of them below:
Tusk at David Wala Photography studios. Newcastle upon Tyne January 2012
I am very proud of the video and the camera work of my team Daniel Robson, and Jill O’Donnell. I finally edited the first song this week.
Thank you for reading this – I will hopefully be updating with more things soon
This is what I call a weekend update
David Wala Photography 