Rock & Roll photography, to say the least, was/is one of the most important aspect of selling an album/CD in the matketing industry. Where would Kiss be without concert photography , or Deep Purple's "Live In Japan," "Peter Frampton Live," Woodstock, and mainly all live albums made, and being made to include new Rock & Roll CD’s and DVD's? The concert photo and the business of concert photography has flourished since the early 50's. Rock & Roll photography became an important medium especially in the 60's when groups like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Doors, Steppenwolf, Jefferson Airplane and others made their debut. Due to their overwhelming success and, to Rock & Roll in general, Rock & Roll photos have been an important way for millions of fans to "get a look" at who these great band members were. Rock & Roll concert photography not only helped the curious fan see how the band members looked but, also allowed the audience to get a glimpse of how Rock & Roll music was expressed. Rock & Roll photos showed us the smiles of Ringo Star, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lenon, Mick Jagger's large lips and mouth, the intensity of Jimmy Page, Alvin Lee, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend and other great guitarist. In addition Rock & Roll concert photography gave us a chance to see the innovative props on stage that many bands used during their concerts. These images of concerts allowed the viewer to "be there" even if he or she was unable to buy a concert ticket. Rock & Roll concert photography also allowed the creation of thousands of new music magazines, programs, and record albums both legitimate and bootleg. However, very few people know how, and under what circumstances Rock & Roll concert photos are taken. It is not easy to get concert photos on film (or into your digital camera) as one might imagine.
Most of the time you will shoot your Rock & Roll photos from the "pit." The pit is usaully an area in front of the stage that is fenced of from the public. However, and unfortunatley, not all concert photography is done in the pit. You must also understand that the pit is shared with other photographers, and at times gets very crowded which makes it difficult to get that great concert photo. Then there are the limitations The first limitation is "NO FLASH!" That's right, you can't use flash because it upsets the artists on stage and rightly so. Just imagine what it is like to have a camera flash flashing in your eyes over one hundred times! The next limitation is you can only photograph the first 3 songs and then you must leave the pit. This is usaully the norm for Rock & Roll photography. That's right, all those great concert photos and Rock & Roll photos for sale that you see are all taken during the first 3 songs! That puts a Rock & Roll photographer under extreme stress to get that great shot ! In addition, you are trying to get that great Rock & Roll photos while you have no control over lighting and no control over the other photographers in the pit with you. You are not alone in the pit and usually photographers are running from side to side, getting in your way, trying to get that "perfect shot." THE-MUSICBOX recognizes the impact of Rock & Roll photography, the tremendous challenges concert photography encounters, and the emotions it has illicit over the years and present years. THE-MUSICBOX offers Rock & Roll concert photography for sale as a tribute to Rock & Roll photography, to all photographers, and fans of Rock & Roll.
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