G. E. Stinson

Shot last weekend at the Guelph Jazz Festival during a duo improv

performance with Nels Cline. Thanks for your time and comments.

Gordon, I know it is difficult to capture musicians on stage, as the music seems to carry so much of the vibe. It is often difficult to get a good angle and light. You absolutely nailed this one! tremendous! I feel as if he is yielding himself to the guitar and allowing the music to escape from his hand. Beautiful! Love it!

So very good to hear from you! I agree that the shooting of performances is a challenge. I attend two five day festivals annually and try to get to some shows in NYC, Montreal and Toronto. I have only begun to do some photography at some of these shows in the last couple of years. I have always had two major reservations. I am very conscious of not impinging on other peoples enjoyment of the performance, after all they came to hear music not my shutter, I only shoot when the performance is very load and try to restrict shooting to the beginning of the show. The second reason is more self centered , I too come out to hear the music and I have never been any good at multi-tasking. The performance always sounds best when given my undivided attention. The particular little backwater of contemporary music that I follow is quite under represented and I do feel I have something to say with these portraits, so I am left undecided.

 

" I feel as if he is yielding himself to the guitar and allowing the music to escape from his hand. "

Mary, I cannot imagine a more insightful observation, this is precisely what he was doing, both figuratively and literally. This duet with Neils was a shimmering wall of ambient tones which they coaxed from their instruments with the slightest of caresses. The result was more like weaving a tapestry than playing a guitar.

Gordon, my love and my work with performing arts, this one touched me deeply.Yes it is a challenge to work without disturbing the others it is taken into concideration by me as well, when I photograph in a show.

 

I find that you did a hell of a job with the light and shadows here,( and B/W) taken it till the edge but did not pass it ,as the details are there! you caught a moment of great inner concentration to his tool and his music, he looks totaly immersed in it. I like a lot his placement on the frame exactly what is needed. I like the connection of his bowed head with the guitar, and the strong contrasts as seen many times in stage lights. My compliment!

I like the intensity and the composition. There is almost a graphic feeling with the line of the guitar neck across the frame. I don't know how I missed this one. Wonderfully captured and nicely done. Dan