If there’s one thing I love to photograph, it’s musicians. They always seem so passionate, so driven –they are the epitome of the type of person I enjoy freezing in time through photographs. Any person with an honest countenance and ardent facial expression makes for a great photo, musicians included. However, when I photograph concerts (be it for myself or for Downtown Devil) I try to follow the “three song rule.” I’ll use my camera or my phone to capture stills for no more than three songs in one artist’s set and then put my device away and let the music fill my ears.
When I was at the Viva PHX festival Saturday, I couldn’t help but notice how few people followed this guideline. I was astounded by the crowds who seemed to watch the concert solely through their phone or camera lens! Are people actually able to enjoy being in the present moment when their eyes are directed at a small screen rather than the emotion unfolding on the stage set before them? I know I’m not able to devote the amount of attention a musician deserves when my face is behind a lens or screen.
This particular photo was taken at the Sir Sly show and is one of many I took of people using their phones to capture a moment at Viva PHX. When I took this photo, my shutter speed was 1/500 of a second, my aperture was f/2.0 and my ISO was set to 800.
Contact the columnist at Courtney.Pedroza@asu.edu.
