Fujinon 35mm 2

Gruesome Ritual

*Gruesome Ritual*
Fuji XPro-2
Models : Michel & Anaïs

In the Unknown Armies loren there is a ritual to make someone demon-possessed which requires drilling a hole through their skull to let the demon in. That seemed like a very graphic and cool thing to represent to illustrate the game. A vertical variant of this shot was used on page 68 of Book 1. The drill was really heavy though, and I remember Michel being worried that it would actually hurt him even though it was (obviously) not functional.

Red Tenor

*Red Tenor*
Fuji xpro2

I normally try to take neat or well detached concert photographies. Not that there aren’t fantastic live photos that are more grungy or cluttered, but I don’t have a knack for them. Once in a while though, I’ll shoot a photo that isn’t neat, where you can’t quite distinguish the details. Often, when I’m lucky, these convey something different, a bit more of the atmosphere of the venue maybe. Such is this photo of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Kevin Harris, a quasi black and red.

Wide ‘Bone

*Wide ‘Bone*
Fuji xpro2

There’s a lot of fun to be had when taking photos of trombone players. First of all, the shape of the instrument varies based on how extended it is. It can allow for amazing diagonals or, from up close, the bell can be the center of attention. I tried different things with TJ Norris at a DDBB gig in Paris, and I quite like this one. The trombone is all slid in but the 35mm lens (30mm equivalent) makes it look super long already.

One Hand Up

One Hand Up
Fuji xpro2, 50mm, f/2, 1/100s, ISO 3200

TJ Norris is the newest in the Dirty Dozen Brass Band lineup, but he’s a fine addition, both on trombone and on vocals. I like this shot because you can see the audience in the background. I need to do more shots like this, wide enough that you can see the musicians are not playing in isolation.

Golden Icon

Golden Icon
Fuji xpro2, 35mm

Hong Kong is littered with tiny temples. There are three within walking distance of my house and many many more I’ve been to. The scenes are often red and gold, and lit with numerous candles or lights. This one was the first entirely gold colour icon I saw though.

Jesus Live

Jesus Live
Fuji xpro2, 52mm, f/2.8, 1/125s, ISO 3200

Lettuce is a hard hitting modern funk band whose bass player, Jesus Coomes is nothing short of a stage imp. Not only does he play wicked bass grooves, but he jumps up and down like a madman and wears the silliest socks. Go check Lettuce if you can, it’s a guaranteed evening of fine music and booty shake.

Pattern and ‘Bone

Pattern and ‘Bone
Fuji xpro2, 52mm, f/2, 1/60s, ISO 6400

I love shooting trombone players at the best of times. Because of the length of the instrument it has a potential for strong diagonals, and from the right angles there’s a lot of different potential shots to be had. But when I saw the pattern on Reut Regev’s dress (playing ‘bone with Hazmat Modine) I knew the potential had just gone up tenfold! This is one of my favourite shots of her that night.

Balinese Bedogol

 

Balinese Bedogol
Fuji xpro-2, 50mm, f/2, 1/110s, ISO 200

Temples and, sometimes, houses in Bali are often protected by guardian statues called Bedogol in Balinese. I loved their fearsome look, their coiffes and the fact that they all carried a mean looking mace in one of their hands. This one (in font of the Petitenget temple) was covered in moss, and added bonus in my book.

Scott’s Profile

Scott’s Profile
Fuji XPRO2, 50mm, f/2, 1/100s, ISO 2500

Scott Henderson is an impressive jazz-rock guitarist who played with (amongst others) Weather Report in his younger days. I saw him live with his trio in Hong Kong last October. I was sitting in the front row which made for great photos, but really hurt my ears it was so loud…

The Faces of Angkor Thom

The Faces of Angkor Thom
Fuji Xpro-2, 50mm, f/2, 1/1500s

The central temple at Angkor Thom is probably the most impressive thing I’ve seen in Cambodia. Other places may have been more majestic or made me feel more like an explorer, but Angkor Thom has a combination of awe-inspiring and mystical. It’s like these faces were universally relevant somehow.