Today was a super fun day. I worked with Kristopher Roe which is really exciting for me after only being in London for a short while. Kris is a photographer and amazing singer, song writer and front man of the band The Ataris and he is currently playing some acoustic shows in the UK and through out Europe. Having loved his music since back in the day, I was really overwhelmed and nervous to work with him today but we met up this afternoon and his humbleness made it really easy for me to be calm and besides having a good time taking photographs, it was really good just catching up with him and chatting about photography, music, life and their tour to South Africa in May (yes they are really coming).

Anyway, to cut this long story short, I shot a few portraits while walking around and these are just a few of them as well as some live ones of his show which was really good.

I shot this photo today of Alan playing his acoustic guitar on a roof. My company, Melon Graphics South Africa, just finished his online website blog so check it out at www.alanshenton.co.za

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 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

Self explaining.

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.

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 ….

Still busy sorting through photographs and saw these ones of Pat (excuse me if I am wrong) from the band Unwritten Friday and just remembered how shocked I was seeing him play for the first time. He really has a rad look and such amazing energy playing. Definitely one of my favourite guitarists. Check out their myspace on www.myspace.com/unwrittenfriday

Seeing as I shoot the Tweeds a lot and enjoy working and hanging with them, all the boys sat down and spoke about lighting for a bit. They let me set up the lights the way that I wanted for their show at Zula Bar in Long Street and I shot some photographs of Cheri (Harris Tweed) to show them what it would look like. Anyway, these two photographs were shot with the exact same lighting and camera settings within minutes of each other but just at a totally different angle. Isn’t it crazy how much lighting can effect the way we see things.