Live on 35mm – inspiring gig photography blog

I just stumbled across a really awesome blog dedicated to gig photography: Live on 35mm.

This guy Valerio has been blogging his gig photos since October 2007, with a twist: all the photos are taken on 35mm black and white film. In his words:

Well, to differentiate and complicate my life, in this digital world, I am photographing artists using a couple of heavy, old, manual cameras loaded with rolls of 35mm black & white film. Yes, those silver halide emulsions posed on acetate that allow only 36 frames; that need to be carefully handled, developed, fixed, printed in a lightproof darkroom using smelly eco-unfriendly chemicals. All of this to get to a monochrome image, in an era where on digital cameras the same can be seen instantaneously, sent wireless and printed in seconds, eventually in splendid colours.

He’s also got a section with tips for other concert photographers with some great advice on strategies for different venues, lighting schemes, shooting backstage etc.

I’m a lame photographer and found this really inspiring. Thought I’d share it with you. Things like this inspire me to try a bit harder with my concert photos which often end up blurry/forgettable.

Hope you enjoy.