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This will be the first time we have ever recieved a second round of interview questions for our Photo of the Week feature. One thing I did learn from ignite the sky is that her favorite music festival is actually the Warped Tour - which is exactly where her photo that we selected was taken.

Please check out the photo below along with ignite the sky's flickr photostream by clicking on her user name.

I also wanted to share ignite the sky's personal website and portfolio in case you might be interested!

Ignite The Sky

The second round of interview questions have been posted below!

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What actually made you want to pick up a camera? Was it only because you had grown up around cameras because of your father?

When we used to go on vacations, I wanted to capture all the landscapes and animals we'd see. Unlike drawing, photography allowed me to capture those subjects instantly and in great detail. These could then be used later for drawing references, which I guess is one of the main reasons I got into photography. My dad only had one camera, which was used mainly for snapshots and pictures of family. Since I liked taking photos, my parents just left me with it and I kind of went from there.

Why that particular medium?

I actually do a lot of different forms of art besides photography including drawing, painting and design. (I've also been known to do jewelry, metal and ceramics.) I feel that every experience in life makes you stronger. So in art, for example, something I've learned while drawing may help when applied to photography. Composition is a great example. Plus, I love too many of those different artistic processes to just pick one.

Do you normally stick to music-related photography only? Do you have any other subjects you enjoy?

I take photos of essentially everything. Most of these are snap shots, reference shots (for drawing) or of personal interest. I kind of feel like the reason I share mostly music-related shots is due to the fact that they get a larger response than anything else I shoot. I also enjoy music related photography the most, so maybe that comes across in the shots.

In which situations do you find your 50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor lens works best for?

I bought this lens specifically for concert photography. So essentially I use it at any show that has a photo pit, since most medium to larger venues won't allow flash work. Smaller club shows are more touch and go, depending on the amount of light available. The last show I shot was this little lodge basement style show and I wouldn't have gotten off any shots if it wasn't for this lens. (In the situation I was in, using a flash during the acoustic set would have been too aggressive for me.) I've also used it when I want an extreme push to my depth of field.

Can you list some of your favorite music festivals or events that you have experienced so far?

My favorite festival is probably Warped Tour. I've just been going so long that it's hard to imagine not going, even if I am not stoked on the line up. It is tradition. The first Bamboozle Left ruled, wasn't as stoked on 08's version. I've never been to Bamboozle East, but I'd go if given the chance. I think the only other festival of note is Coachella. It's hot and gross, but there are a variety of bands, interesting people and artwork.

As far as gear - do you ever carry a point and shoot camera or use one?

I have a Canon Powershot a610 and I love it. I carry it around everywhere. Its extremely useful to bring to shows that don't allow professional cameras because they normally don't care about P&Ss. Your equipment can be limiting, but I'm a firm believer that people can still do great work with even basic tools if they know what they are doing. I've met a lot of people with dSLRs who think the camera is just going to do the work for them. They don't understand what f/stops and shutter speeds are and how they affect exposure. I just don't think P&Ss should get the bad rap that they tend to and I think that if you are going to spend a lot of money on a nicer camera, you should probably know what some of the buttons do.

Do you feel naked or vulnerable without a camera in hand?

I used to get so upset being at a show without a camera. I would see all these amazing poses or great lighting and just be distraught that I had missed the opportunity to catch it. After awhile though, and a lot of effort, I learned to let it go. I try to carry a camera everywhere with me, specially shows, even if it's just my P&S, but I don't feel naked or vulnerable without one. Sure it sucks to miss a great shot, but at least I was there to actually experience it in the first place. I don't want to live life constantly behind a camera lens. That being said, I missed a shot of JD from the band Valencia breaking his guitar at Bamboozle Left '08... I'm STILL pissed off at myself for not catching it and that was back in the beginning of April.


Check out our previous interview with ignite the sky below:

Photo of the Week - No. 16 Cont'd.

 

Check out our previous Photo of the Week related entries and information by clicking here!

jambase_dotcom_logo.gifJambase.com has posted an interview with the legendary bass player and vocalist Mike Gordon, from Phish. This interview comes after Mike's release of his second solo album on August 5th, 2008. The album is titled Green Sparrow and features both Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell - both former band members in Phish.

Jambase.com - Mike Gordon In His Own Words

 

 

Check out our previous Jambase.com related entries and information by clicking here!

ignite the sky was really enthusiastic about this selection which was really fun for me. Check out the interview below - we got some really great responses this week.

The photo was taken at Warped Tour - read below for the interview.

 

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What were you trying to capture in this shot (If anything at all)?

I feel that one of the main reasons shows exist is to allow an interaction of energy and passion between the artist and fan. So I was mainly trying to capture that connection, the energy between the two.

How long have you been behind a camera?

I started messing with my dad's old Minolta probably 8 or so years ago.

Do you prefer a certain brand of gear?

I actually own three different brands of camera, I love them all. The only preference I can really state is how instinctual my Nikon dSLR's buttons/functions are for me versus its Canon counterpart. I suppose it would just take getting used to, but I found that my Nikon, even when it was new, feels just like an extension of myself.

What is your favorite piece of gear that you own?

I enjoy my 50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor lens. Not expensive, but does really well. I never use that for festival shooting though.

Do you find it troubling to carry equipment around at festivals and still have a decent amount of mobility?

Two instances stand out for me when it's difficult to move with equipment. One, when you are shooting a large artist and the pit is completely filled with photographers. Not only are you trying to keep your equipment from being knocked around, but you also have to make sure you are not stepping into someone else's viewfinder, while at the same time still try to work. And two, when you are shooting a tiny stage with a "fake" fence-like barricade. I shot a set once where the pit was literally a foot or so wide, (just enough room for me basically) and I was scared the fence might fall over.

With that said, what do you normally carry with you at a festival?

Two or three cameras, my favorite being my simple but dependable Nikon d50. The lenses I normally take have focal lengths of 50mm, 18-55mm and 55-200mm. The extras, like film, batteries, etc. Lens cleaner is a serious thing to remember, it's saved me more than once. Lots of water. Sunscreen. I guess the last thing would be positive energy. Bands and artists in my experience honestly like to see working photographers enjoying the set.



Check out our previous Photo of the Week related entries and information by clicking here!

midwestjam_movie.jpgThe world premier of the Midwest Jam Movie is this week on Thursday - July 17th. The premiere is being held at Trocaderos Nightclub and Restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This film was filmed in 2006 at various festivals around the country - in particular the 10,000 Lakes Festival.

After the premiere of the Midwest Jam Movie - there will be an actual show of live performers made up of artists from the movie itself. They include:

  • Aby Wolf
  • Heatbox
  • Simonett & Young of Trampled by Turtles

 

For a complete list of artists and bands that appear in the Midwest Movie Jam - please click continue!

 

Updates have been slow around here and I am well aware of this. My day job has really drawn a lot of my time lately as I am transitioning a lot of my work into a new role and new duties.

We also have not entertained our Photo of the Week for some time as well. We have not forgotten about this feature and actually have received a response to our Photo of the Week - No. 12 interview questions! This is really great news!

Thanks again to Wendy Whittemore for supporting Festival Friendly and giving us great responses to our questions. Check them out below!

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What were you trying to capture in this shot (If anything at all)?
Motion, action, interesting flat light with the radiant blue

How long have you been behind a camera?
Since 1988....

Do you prefer a certain brand of gear?
Well....it depends, I love an old camera to get some interesting effects, medium format, twin lens. Took this with a nikon digital and we also have professional Canon digital equipment. Oh, yeah, I'll point and shoot, too. Anything I have at the moment to capture it.

What is your favorite piece of gear that you own?
Tilt Shift lens for the Canon...fun stuff.

Do you find it troubling to carry equipment around at festivals and still have a decent amount of mobility?
It can get tiring. I use fanny pack style camera bags. I try to go light, point and shoot if needed. I do have shoulder and neck problems from hauling around the twin lens but wouldn't trade those images for anything.

With that said, what do you normally carry with you at a festival?
Stuff I don't mind damaging, point and shoots, high speed film for night shots, no flash, zooms can be great but sometimes the fixed lens makes you work for it.

Additionally, please check my current flickr shots, just got back from Bonnaroo 08...sorry about the delay in replying.

Wendy

 

Check out our previous Photo of the Week related entries and information by clicking here!

 

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Festival Friendly - Daily Festival News Discussion


 

Bonnaroo has recently posted an exclusive video-interview with the Fiery Furnaces.

Fire-Furnaces-1.jpgFiery Furnaces is an indie rock band that was formed in Brooklyn, New York and is comprised mainly of Mathew and Eleanor Friedberger - brother and sister.

Fiery Furnaces will be performing at Bonnaroo this year. 

Check out the interview here.
Fiery Furnaces Interview

 

 

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Festival Friendly - Daily Festival News Discussion

I'm excited to post the interview from Georgio for the Photo of the Week. Robert wrote a short commentary earlier this week to go along with the selection. Going forward, Robert will be a big help with the Photo of the Week - both during the selection process, creating new interview questions as well as updating the Photo of the Week section.

On to the interview! Thanks again Georgio - we really appreciate your willingness to contribute.

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Please click continue for the full interview.

Bonnaroo: Ben Folds Interview

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Bonnaroo has recently posted an exclusive video-interview with Ben Folds.

Ben_folds_site.jpgBen Folds is an American singer-songwriter and was the frontman for the group Ben Folds Five. Ben Folds is well known for his songwriting and his ability to play multi-instruments including the piano.

Ben Folds will be performing at Bonnaroo amongst many other festivals this season.

Check out the interview here. Bonnaroo Ben Folds Interview

 

 

To discuss this entry, please visit our Forum and sign-up!
Festival Friendly - Daily Festival News Discussion

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On Sunday, we annonuced the photo depicted above for our Photo of the Week - this was our fifth consecutive selection since inception. The image above is from Woodford Folk Festival and was contributed to our flickr group by Garry'.

As we have in the past, we sent Garry' a short list of interview questions to hopefully give everyone some insight into the person behind the lens.

Please find the original entry here:
Photo of the Week - No. 5

Without holding you up anymore - check out the interview below!

 

What were you trying to capture in this shot (If anything at all)?

A great sign visible from the far distance looking like a "Hollywood" sign over the rural valley

How long have you been behind a camera?

Probably about 3 decades, started with film and changed to digital 3 years ago.

Do you prefer a certain brand of gear?

When I changed to digital I selected Canon because of their superior lenses. Since then I have added more and more Canon gear.

What is your favorite piece of gear that you own?

The wide angle lens EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5 USM, I really love wide angles and use this lens on about 85% of my work

Do you find it troubling to carry equipment around at festivals and still have a decent amount of mobility?

Not really, the car park was close enough to get back and change lenses. The EF-S 17-85 f4-5.6 IS USM lens is great for such purposes and covers a good range.

With that said, what do you normally carry with you at a festival?

Normally just the camera body and the 17-85mm lens. However, for festivals with no landscape I prefer the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens...a bit heavy but excellent for close-ups and low light.

Thank you

 

Be sure to check out Garry's flickr profile as well as our flickr group.

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Festival Friendly - Daily Festival News Discussion

 

DJ Ben Brown @ WMC

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wmc_ben_brown_flyer.jpgAbout a month ago we were really fortunate to score an interview with a great DJ out of Chicago. DJ Ben Brown, who happens to be a resident DJ at Vision Nightclub in Chicago, is spinning at an official Winter Music Conference poolside event tomorrow evening.

We are really excited for Ben and wish him the best of luck. Please check out the interview below:

Festival Friendly sits down with DJ/Producer Ben Brown

Festival Friendly is hoping we will have the opportunity to talk with Ben again after he gets back so check back with us for that.

 

Official Ben Brown MySpace
Official Ben Brown Web site

 

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Festival Friendly - Daily Festival News Discussion

 

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The Photo of the Week in our fourth session was from Coachella 2007 and was submitted to our flickr group by Mick_0.

Check out our short Q&A below:

What were you trying to capture in this shot (If anything at all)?

I’d been coming to that tent for 5 years and I knew how the crowd could get packed in there. I wanted to capture that mass of sweaty, jovial humanity. It was kind of a lucky shot. To get it, I put my camera with fisheye lens on a 5-foot monopod, and then held the monopod as high in the air as possible. That added a little to the sense of motion since the shot is not exactly level, nor exactly centered. It also added a personal sense of danger for my camera! One stray elbow and it could’ve all come crashing down.

How long have you been behind a camera?

I got my first camera in 2000, and my first SLR in 2005. In that time I’ve covered music festivals for Musicmatch, Grooves Magazine, and Yahoo! Music.

Please click continue to finish the interview.

We heard back from Hans ( shadowplay ) and are excited that he was so quick to reply and happy to participate in the Photo of the Week. potw_no2_thumb.jpg

Hans photo, presented at the right; was taken in Seattle, Washington at the Folk Life Festival. The same thing that attracted me to this photo also rings true for Hans as well, "the spirit of their friendship and congeniality made for a lovely composition."

This photo was taken with a Nikon D1X - more information specific to image properties can be found by following this link: More Info

Hans ( shadowplay ) has been posting to his flickr photo stream for three and a half years now. His favorite thing to photograph? Hans claims to not have one particular favorite. Who can blame him? Instead, Hans enjoys photographing anything from studio figurative and old doll stuff - to candid shots on the streets or on road trips.

Hans is a hobby photographer, but his "real job" is as a "movie and mini-series producer, having produced some seventy hours for network and cable television." With that said; Hans really embraced digital imaging technologies and along with that has been drawn to Flickr and the community that drives it as well to display his photography.

With over 3 million aggregrate views on his photo stream we really hope we have helped to get more visitors to look at his work. Once again, thanks to Hans for participating in the Photo of the Week.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowplay/

 
Ben BrownFestival Friendly had a few moments to sit down with upcoming DJ and producer Mr. Ben Brown. Ben has been a resident DJ at Vision Nightclub, Chicago's premier dance music club, for nearly a year now. Ben will be attending WMC this year and DJing at some pool side parties. Over the past several months, Ben's productions have received some great exposure. His productions have been featured on world-famous radio shows such as Tiesto's Club Life and Markus Schulz's Global DJ Broadcast. So, without further ado, I present you our very first interview, with Ben Brown.

What is your musical background?
Well... any formal training is a distant memory.. I was in band in 5th grade and chorus in middle school.. I think any skill I have in writing music comes from a general obsession with listening to any and every kind of music I could get my hands/ears on.

When, and how did you first become interested in music?
Too long ago to remember... I just remember listening to all music compulsively from at least 4th grade on.

Just how long have you been a DJ?
Let's see.. counting the bedroom days... about 5 years. If you go way back, I used to “DJ” middle school mixers and stuff like that, but that was before I knew what it really was.

What made you first get into Djing?
I guess it really came from a desire to hear my favorite songs mixed together how I wanted them. Add into that a little spare time in college and that's how I got started.

Continue reading the interview below...



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