A few weeks ago the guys over at Quint Magazine contacted me about featuring my work in their next issue which would be known as their music issue. I flipped through a few copies of the magazine and really liked what they were doing so I agreed and today the magazine hit the shelves. Currently the magazine is only available in Dubai (stocked in all Virgin Megastores) but is also available to read for free online.
I answered a few questions about what it is like working as a music photographer here in London and you can read all about it from page 56 of issue 12. Read it for free here. The rest of the magazine is very cool too so give it a full read. I feel really grateful for this so “thanks guys”.
My friends from Zebra and Giraffe are endorsed by Fender and have just become a featured artist on their site. They used a bunch of my photos of the guys and it looks really cool so check it out here.
At the end of last year I had a photo shoot with the boys of Zebra and Giraffe while I was out in South Africa and it was really good working with them and hearing stories of their progress.
They have just had 5 of their tracks remixed by Cenzo Townshend which they are currently releasing as an EP in the USA and the UK. Check these guys out, they are one of the most exciting bands I know because they are so dedicated and I’ve heard a few of the demo’s they are working on for their next album and its going to be a killer one.
They used a few photos for the EP and the marketing of it.
I had a really good photo shoot with the band Zebra and Giraffe during December in South Africa and as always it was a pleasure working with them. We shot at a dam during mid day so the sun was as strong as it could be so thank goodness for sun glasses and Profoto-7b kits to fill in.
I was assisted by my buddy Ravi Panchia who’s work is definitely worth checking out and my dad came and joined in to take some behind the scene shots (“Thanks dad”) so I thought I would get a few of these up as well as a photo or two from the shoot. You can see more of these on my music photography blog.
My friends Byron contacted me today to tell me that some of my Zebra and Giraffe photographs are available as desktop downloads on the Coke Fest website and I thought that I would post them on here. They are 1280 x 1024 pixels so click on the thumbnail to open up the larger size and then save as you please.
I just arrived back from the Kruger National Park (photographs up shortly) and I had the best time ever with my misses.
We have received some amazing feedback for the Zebra and Giraffe – Oxymoron music video that we created and I thought that I would post the video up for you have a look at. The quality is really not that good on this version so if you have DSL, please follow THIS LINK and then click to see the high quality version (bottom right of video).
Today is a super exciting day for myself as the music video for Zebra and Giraffes 3rd single, Oxymoron, is released. The video was created by myself, Alan Shenton and Greg (band creator and frontman).
Basically the video was photographed by myself at 5 and 10 frames per second using the Nikon D3 DSLR and then the 39 000+ photographs were narrowed down and about 15 000 of them were individually graded and then edited at Melon Videos resulting in a FULL HD music video with a “jolty” feel to match the song (which I have to admit has grown on me more and more even though I was already a fan).
The press release as well as the music video itself is available to view on the Zebra and Giraffe website so PLEASE do yourself a favour and check it out and let us know what you think.
I cannot wait for this to hit television. For now, I have added a few photographs below from the videos itself. I will be enjoying shooting photographs in the bush so I apologize if I am quiet during this week.
Yesterday I worked as the DOP (Director of Photography) for the new Zebra and Giraffe music video for their song Oxymoron. I think the stuff we did really is amazing and think that it will look incredible when it’s finished but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to get it done.
Anyway, I shot some still portraits of each of the band members during scene change and think that they came out really awesome. They are super different and dirty but that is how I wanted them to be.
Hope you well and all having a good week. I am feeling sick with flu so I am going to sleep now.
I shot this the other day when the boys from Zebra and Giraffe playing live in Hatfield. The lighting was not so good from a photo point of view and it was starting to rain so I never shot that many but I do like this one because you can see a bit of the crowd.
Ok, so my friends from Zebra and Giraffe played on Saturday night too and that is the main reason why I went to Tempos. I have shot with these guys so much before and witnessed many of the hours they have worked on their project and it’s crazy that I haven’t been able to get to one of their shows until now (but that is what work does).
Anyway, the show was really cool and I have to admit that I think I am going to become a Zebra and Giraffegroupie, not only cause they are friends but because they really are good at what they do. I think the album is good but I think their live show kills that album and makes it looks small. It just puts things into perspective for me and makes me want to listen to the album more and more so that I can sing along at their next show.
I really had fun shooting photographs by moving the smoke machine and getting in everyone’s face and just actually taking over the stage. The pics came out really good I think so that’s always exciting for me. These are just a few of them. Please let me know what you think.
Do yourself a favour and go watch them. I know you will enjoy it.
Wow, I am getting really good at this. So many blogs in so little time. I should get a back tap here. Haha.
Shot these with Alan, Andrew and Jane from Cassette on the roof of SABC during sunset last night. Was super hard to get up there so props to Grant for making a plan.
I watched Life Through A Lens (about Annie Leibovitz) about a month ago and it really is inspirational. I found myself rethinking so many of the shoots I have done in the passed and wondering how I could have shot them differently. I got married almost 3 weeks ago and decided to take a break away from shooting photographs while we were on honeymoon. At the time I cannot say that I was happy cause I saw SO much stuff that I could have photographed but I did a lot of thinking while we were away and now that I am back I am SUPER excited to photograph more and just put some of my ideas into action. One of the most important things I realized is that I don’t always need huge budget and crazy lighting and props to make a good photograph but rather just my camera and the will to shoot.
This is all a really long story but basically yesterday I went to shoot the guys (and a girl) from the band Cassette as they are recording in studio. I shot everything with just my camera and lens. I tried to capture what it was like there and how it was all going on in a documentary type of way as apposed to trying to create shots that aren’t really real if that makes sense.
I am not going to post any of those shots now as I want to give them to the band first before I do. I am going to post these though cause I really like them. Alan is playing for Cassette and during the recording yesterday we decided to venture into the underground areas at SABC and shoot some stuff in there. This is them.
It’s been long since I really blogged properly but I have been super busy with work catching up after a super holiday in Europe with my dad. I played “happy snapper” on holiday and only used my little Lumix camera to shoot photographs which was really strange but fun and relaxing for once.
Anyway, I shot some photographs with the guys from Zebra and Giraffe last night. They are just about to launch their live act as a band and it’s starting to get exciting. I had an idea while on the plane back from the UK of a photo that I wanted to shoot and the guys agreed to let me give it a try. The only problem was that it was SUPER dark and SUPER cold last night so it was a LOT harder to shoot than I had thought. I couldn’t see what I had in my frame and I couldn’t see if the flash units were set at the right setting and so on. I got a few really cool shots though so I guess it was a success. Next time I won’t care about the people sleeping nearby and rather take my generator along to give us some light.
I shot a bunch of photographs at Zebra and Giraffe’s band practice last week but its been really busy here and I am sick again so I haven’t had time to sort through them. I really like this one a lot so it is the only one I have resized quick so that I can post on it. Alan Shenton is my partner in Melon Videos and probably my favourite guitarist purely because I don’t think anyone else could have his passion and experimental drive. Here he is rocking a John Mayer signature Fender Strat.
The boys from Zebra and Giraffe are busy practicing together so that they can have a super live show ready soon. Its going to so good I tell you. I interrupted their practice last night and they really are working hard. The album has just started hitting shelves so be sure to get yourself a copy. Check out their video blog on YouTube by clicking here.
My friends from Cassette are busy working on new material for their next album and I joined them at their secret band room on friday to see how it is coming along. It was good fun as always. A documentary is being made on the process so these are just some photographs of the afternoon I spent with them.
My friends, Bemo and Buddha, were guests on UJ FM last week and Alan and I decided to go along and party with them and obviously shoot photographs. It was super cool and hopefully they will get to do it again.
Haha, this post is going to create laughs. I have been mocked for ages now about still using a PC and after using Alan’s Mac for about an hour I was sold and I bought myself one. This photo is of Alan, Nantz and myself working in my lounge, actually I am lying, it is a photo of us watching the new Muse DVD. Either way, what a work station!
I went to the Coke Fest yesterday with Alan and Claire and it was super fun kicking it with them like it always is. I have named this blog as is because I was the third wheel yesterday but its all good. Always rad when a couple doesn’t make you feel like you are intruding even when you probably are. Good times.
My buddy Alan is playing in the band Cassette for a bit and I went last night to shoot photographs of them playing at the new Mini launch. He’s a proper rocker and they are super fun to watch live.
Ok, so here are just a few photos from our little music hangout session from thursday. Alan and Rob were making music and Juan was just making us laugh and I shot some pictures. Was fun hanging out, work has been TOTALLY crazy and it was a good rest.
My buddy Alan is the raddest guitarist I have ever seen. No one could ever be more excited about guitar than he is. Not just about playing a guitar but everything that comes with them and the way that they are made. It’s amazing and I love speaking to him and seeing him so excited when we do chat. Anyway, he has been refurbishing an original 1963 Fender Strat and I went to his place today just to shoot a few photos for him and to see the guitar. Amazing, it’s old and has been used so much that you can just see and feel that it has some amazing stories behind it.
While I am writing about Alan, I thought I would mention that the two of us have started a sideline motion photography (video) company together and although we are still working on the marketing and stuff, feel free to have a look at the website and wish us good luck. The link is www.melonvideos.co.za
I hope the festive season is already getting you excited and that you are all well. Chat soon, Marcus
My friend Bradley is getting married in less than 2 weeks so we all went to the Vaal Dam this weekend to enjoy some time with him as a bachelor. It rained a WHOLE bunch so I shot some portraits of him and Alan on the porch standing under a light on the wall.
These are a few images I shot of Alan playing with Harris Tweed on saturday night. He reminded me so much of Slash from Guns and Roses (without the funny bushy hair and the smoke in his mouth). I really am enjoying watching this guy play.
My friends from Harris Tweed were one of the opening bands for Fall Out Boy at the show on friday evening. As always they were amazing and it seemed as though everyone there thought the same. I really think they are going to go far and make it HUGE soon. Check them out, watch them live, buy their CD or do something to make sure you get to know of them.
I have been friends with Alan for ages and he really is a guy with such an amazing mind way more mature than his age. He plays guitar for Harris Tweed and every other time that he can. I have been wanting to shoot a photo with him for quite some time now and had an idea in my head but we just haven’t got around to actually doing it. They played with Fall Out Boy at the Dome this passed friday and there was this couch in the Band Room so I shot a few just to pass time and although they aren’t what I was wanting to do, I think they show him quite well. Watch out for him, he has more passion than anyone I have ever known.
It was my buddy, Darryl’s birthday the other night so a few of us went round and had a dessert bash. I took this photo of him saying good bye just as we were leaving. He was beat up about 3 weeks ago by a robber who broke into their house and the guy smashed Darryl’s face a few times with a brick. I am so happy that it has healed well and that he is alright.
Then this photo, I shot on the way home from their house. Alan drove me there and on the way back the lights of the freeway were looking pretty crazy so I shot one freehand shot quick and then was over it. It came out pretty good though. That’s all for now.
I forgot that I shot this photo before I went overseas. I actually shot a few photos like this but I thought I had to put this up now. This is my buddy Alan and he plays for the band Harris Tweed and I love love love watching him play. I like this one ….
