Photographing the Music Scene in OKC
I grew up in OKC. Almost every weekend when I was in high school was spent hanging out with friends, watching bands play live. Never one to spend hundreds of dollars to see a concert in an arena (aside from Elton John, who was totally worth it), I love a smaller venue. The crowd, the intimacy, the vibe… it’s just better. Even in my 40’s now, you won’t catch me in a seat during a show. You may catch me with my camera in hand though. Being able to combine my love of music and photography is something I could have only dreamed about as a teenager. I never had much talent playing an instrument, so it feels good to still be able to take an active role in the scene using the abilities I do have.
When I was younger, I spent so much time at places like the Green Door. Yeah, it was small, the light was terrible, the sound not much better, and let’s not even talk about the bathrooms. But they had so many good bands come through there and the shows were always incredible. It’s amazing to me that after all these years, that same spirit is still alive at 89th Street. In fact, it’s only gotten better. After a few remodels over the years, the space has been improved dramatically. The layout has changed, the sound system is much better than what it was back then, and most importantly for a photographer, the lighting is great for a small venue. For someone new to live music photography, this is a great place to start.
Looking into the crowd as Tulsa band Cliffdiver plays at 89th Street.
The best part of a smaller venue is a feeling of connection that I just don’t get in a stadium or arena. You actually feel like you’re not just watching a band play, but you are an active participant in the show. The band isn’t a spec in the distance, everyone is on their feet, and you can feel the energy from every corner of the room. You may have that sensation if you’re fortunate enough to get to stand close to the stage in a stadium show, but the person in section 423 isn’t having the same experience. And a smaller venue doesn’t mean it has to be a tiny place with standing room only and couple hundred people or less. Some of my favorite shows have been at places like Tower Theatre, Diamond Ballroom, or more recently, Beer City Music Hall. With crowds of up to 500-1500 people, they’re still small enough to feel intimate and allow for the band to interact with the crowd on a more personal level. These also make for great venue to photograph. A lot more thought goes into the lighting which not only contributes to my enjoyment as a fan, but it makes the photos from a show just that much more impressive. Sound quality is important, sure, but what’s that old saying about a picture? It’s worth a thousand lyrics… or something like that.
Tiny Moving Parts playing at Beer City Music Hall
Some may ask if taking photos at a live show diminishes the experience at all. For me, it’s quite the opposite. If I love the band, I still get to enjoy the music while getting some awesome photos to share. Win-win. If the band playing is something I’m not really into, it’s still rewarding to capture shots of the band and their fans. And who knows, sometimes you walk into a show thinking it’s not going to be your scene and you walk out with a whole new appreciation for the artist. Time spent watching live music or taking photos is never time wasted. If I can do both… you do the math.
