30 Seconds to Mars delivers an incredible headlining set to a sold a crowd while challenging this photographer in every way imaginable. Commensurate with their 2005 hit “The Kill”, shooting 30 Seconds To Mars can be labelled the same for a live music photographer.
While opening act Mutemath allowed pit shooting for the first 3, headliner 30STM preferred photographers shoot from behind the soundboard. Generally not a problem. Adding to the pressure was the media outlet for the assignment had interviewed the band hours prior and a solid live shot was required for a feature on the group. Again, generally not a problem.
This night however would prove to spiral downward quickly. Behind the soundboard puts the photographers in a small public 4 foot wide area flanked in front by security gates and security staff and in back by the largest and most active bar in the venue. Given it was a sold out show and general admission to boot – this is the spot where the late arrivals pack it in and seem to partake of the bar behind us more than average.
The set began with a few hundred camera CCD’s are in the air before the house lights drop – with Jared Leto appearing silhouetted by bright white lights behind a white curtain. As the curtain dropped, I grabbed a quick shot of drummer Shannon “Don’t Forget The Drummer” Leto as the lighting went to dark with the band taking an atmospheric approach to the first three accented slightly by LED strobes in shades of yellow and blue hues. In the second song Jared Leto appeared to call me out directly while I pressed on to get a single usable shot for the feature. Midway through the third song, I shared unavoidable words with a friendly couple as I politely apologized for them bumping into my 70-200 2.8 and they were not so gracious in acceptance.
Finally and appropriately with 30 seconds remaining in the shoot, Leto paused mid stage in the darkness as I saw a red eye reduction preflash firing from a point and shoot house left and shot a quick 3 frames, grabbing the shot for the feature lit solely by fan activated catch flash.
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Photo #2 of the drummer…superb!!! Loving the icy blue colouring and backlight.
Thanks for sharing Allen,
All the best to you,
Glyn :)
Hi Glyn – Thanks much. This was shoot where a lot of luck and a ton of patience was required to pull it off. Still a blast as always!
-A