This weekend I did a bunch of shooting at Bumbershoot – Seattle’s (and apparently the country’s largest) Music & Arts festival. Bands like Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Matt & Kim, Akron/Family, De la Soul, and Metric put on great shows. Some were wonderfully hilarious and fun (NPSH!) and others were just…well…out of control interesting/amazing (thank you Akron!). Over the two days I was there I couldn’t help but take notice of the pros – with their bags of gear, huge lenses, and seeming free reign to go anywhere they wanted. Yes. I was a tad jealous. I wondered what it would be like to literally have thousands of dollars – your livelihood, pretty much – strapped around your neck and all over your arms. Without a glorious press pass, I tried to simulate as much as possible the “Gotta get the shot, no matter what” attitude – which was fun. Not only did I get to take in the music, I felt like behind my camera I was getting to see a whole other show. The one where the audience is as much a part of it as the musicians. Check out some of my favorite shots from the weekend.
NATALIE PORTMAN’S SHAVED HEAD (above)
MATT & KIM (above)
DEVIL MAKES THREE (above)
AKRON/FAMILY
AMAZING TRUMPETEER at LENKA (above)
Music is for many, an inspiration all it’s own. I know for myself, it’s not only a passion it’s the thin layer surrounding all of my work. Influencing it, whether I know it is or not. Even if I’m not even listening to it. It’s there.
Art, design, and music have a long history together, I know, and I am often bowled over by beautiful cd packaging and LP covers. Secretly wanting to…er…lick it…it’s so good! (Please tell me I’m not the only designer that feels this urge when they see great design!) But honestly, I haven’t really been too impressed lately. Maybe it’s just that I’m not looking hard enough or paying the right amount of attention. (Being poorish has a way of putting blinders on me.) So, I want to change this and offer to you today the first in what I hope to be a regular dialogue of great covers that are not only inspiring, but are just plane ol’ “lickable”!
“So what, pray tell us, is the cover that spurred on this little rant?” It’s the cover of The Walkmen album You & Me. Strong typography. Strong photography. I kind of don’t want to mess it up with descriptive words that would only distract you from enjoying it. But I love it in every way. I’m doing a little detective work on the designer….and will update with my findings.
Question to the masses:
What covers have inspired you, lately?
