My friends, George and Joe, went to follow their passion and start up a company that matches bands with venues, called Sights for Sound. Months of preparation go into their first event, finding the perfect venue, sound and light technicians, designer for flyers and banners, somebody to build the stage, and finally a photographer, me. The band is Cathryn Joseph, a indie, Scottish singer, and the opening act is Kristin McClement, an acoustic solo singer. George and Joe had found the perfect venue for the gig, St. John's Church in Bethnal Green.
Cathryn Joseph performing at St. John's Church in London.
The day finally arrives as I pack my gear and head for the bus to take me to Bethnal Green. I walk up to the church and colored lights illuminate the front windows and everybody is doing last minute preparations before people arrive. I head to the back room to unpack and get ready to start shooting. I love seeing events in the prep phase because you can see how much work goes into it. The sound techs are running wires, the sound guy is setting up lights, the stage is being set up, and it's all done before anybody steps foot into the venue.
The door opens and people flood through the door, grabbing drinks, and filling up the seats. Everybody begins to get quiet as Kristin McClement enters the stage and picks up her guitar. She has an incredible voice, it was such a pleasure to listen to as I photographed. Using the 24-105mm I had enough flexibility to get up close and to go up on the balcony to get some general view shots, I do wish I had the new f/ 2.8 though. Working with the f/ 4 was a little hard due to I'm still on the 5D mark ii.
Kristin McClement performing at St. John's Church in London.
Kristin McClement finishes her set and Cathryn Joseph and her drummer enter the stage. Candles are lit in front of the stage to add to the mood. Those candles offered some nice photos though, using them in the foreground and blurring them out. The lights his Cathryn Joseph very nicely as she sat on her piano playing, I do wish there was more light on the drummer, it was very difficult to photograph him. To any lighting techs out there, please put a light in the front and not just back lights, for the photographers. It was an amazing night with wonderful music, however. I was honored to be apart of it.