That One Time When Noel Gallagher Shot Me with His Guitar

Pemberton Music Festival 2016
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Shot during the 2016 Pemberton Music Festival in Pemberton, B.C.

I’ve been seeing reminders popping up from previous Pemberton Music Festivals, which was sad due to the cancellation of this year’s. It made me think about some of the shots that I took from last year, and this one always gets me. It appears that Noel does not like photographers.

Billy Idol at the Pemberton Music Festival, 2016

Pemberton Music Festival 2016

Say what you will about Billy Idol. He’s been doing this rock and roll thing for a long, long time and still being Billy Idol like it’s nobody’s business.

I was very fortunate to get some of the best shots I think I’ve ever had the opportunity to shoot when it comes to concert photography. This one would be my favorite during his performance at the Pemberton Music Festival in July of 2016.

See more photos in this Pemberton Music Festival 2016 on flickr.

How did I miss out on Sloan in the 90’s?

A photo I took of Sloan at Surrey Canada Day 2013

This is a question I ask myself every time I hear their song on the radio or randomly coming up on my various playlists. Even at KRUI, you would have thought that I would have at least played Sloan[wiki] once.

Surrey Canada Day 2013

It’s quite possible that I played them at one time and never knew it. That’s the beauty of free form, college radio. Although some would call it a curse.

Surrey Canada Day 2013

These photos are from Surrey Canada Day 2013 where I got to shoot photos for Rebecca.

Surrey Canada Day 2013

Oh well. Late to the party, but I didn’t miss last call.

Of Monsters and Men @ The Orpheum

Of Monsters and Men at The Orpheum Theatre on May 12, 2013.  (Vancouver, B.C.)
Of Monsters and Men at The Orpheum Theatre on May 12, 2013. (Vancouver, B.C.)

Concert photography and perfect lighting is something like the sweet spot on the bat. If you can connect that moment with perfect timing and location, it’s out of the park.

Not only is it about your location in terms of proximity to stage, but you will never be in control of the lighting that is presented to you. Some times, you just have no option other than to turn a shot into black and white, and that’s very rock and roll in its own regard.