Focus On…Amanda Rose!

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We’d like to introduce you to a photographer with an penchant for music photography, awesome photos of live events and an incredible VIP pass to some of the most desirable concerts of the year. Meet Amanda Rose…

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work.

This is going to sound cheesy but for as long as I can remember I have wanted to be involved in photography. When I was at college, I never really considered live photography because I didn’t consider it “proper photography”. So, I sort of fell into music photography by accident really.

How long have you been a photographer?

I’ve been a photographer since I was about 15 or 16 years old. I actually used to bunk off school to go and take pictures because I thought there wasn’t much point me sitting in history as I knew what I wanted to do…

Did you go to photography school? If so, which one?

I was very fortunate that my parents were supportive and while I was at school I did do a City and Guilds photography course. After that I went on to do a Btec First and a Btec National at City of Westminster College.

Did you assist? If so, to who?

While I was studying I did some assisting during the holidays which gave me a bit of experience of real life photography. I got a job pretty much after I left college assisting a photographer called Sidney Harris. He had a studio in Holland Park and used to do a lot of still life and product photography as well as social events like weddings etc so it was nice to have that mixture of shooting on location and shooting in a studio. I also learnt black and white processing too.

How would you describe your photographic style?

I try to take quite dynamic and dramatic pictures and show that these are live events that I am shooting. I really hope I capture the energy of the performance because there’s an entire audience behind me who is cheering and screaming and having an amazing time.

Can we see some examples of your work?

 

 

 

 

 

What type of cameras do you shoot with?

In the early to mid nineties I had a manual Minolta SR-T 101 but quickly realized that I needed to have something that operated quicker! So, I invested in a Canon, mainly because, for me, they are a lot lighter than Nikon.

Currently I’m using 5D MK II and 5D MK III cameras while my lenses of choice for doing concerts are 15mm fisheye,  a 24-70mm 2.8L II USM Zoom lens and a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II USM lens.  The fisheye really helps to get the whole stage and atmosphere in, as well as, as much of the band as possible. Again, the MKII lens is also good for getting as much of the artist in, while the USM is great for close ups or in bigger arenas when the photographers have to be very far back from the stage!

What is your favourite editing tool?

I’ve always used Photoshop but recently I have been learning more about Lightroom because I know that it does have a lot of capabilities that the camera or Photoshop doesn’t have, but I’m still trying to get my head around it!

The best part of your job?

I get to stand in front of the front row and see artists that have fantastic live music and performances! Also, photography can be quite a lonely job but I’m lucky that there are often the same photographers in the pit at events and so you do have that little community.

The worst part of your job?

It’s not as glamorous as people think it is, I mean you’re working evenings when everyone else is out having fun! Often at concerts you’re getting crushed by crowd surfers and then by security trying to get them down, you and your equipment gets soaked with beer and It can be hard work.. It’s difficult not knowing what lighting you’re going to have or if the artist is going to be really animated, because you have to make the best of what’s there and you only have the first three songs to do it in!

Do you make time for personal photographic work?

I do try to get outside as much as I can with my camera but I generally take landscapes and wildlife so completely different to my main photography genre.

 

 

 

What advice do you have for any photographer just starting out?

You need to know how to promote and market yourself because it’s not all just talent and technical ability.  If you’re going to be a photographer, for the most part, you are your own business.

What is the best piece of advice YOU have ever been given?

I don’t know. Often we’re given lots of different advice along the way and it’s appropriate for that time, but generally advice is only good if you listen to it and learn from it.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?

I would still do something in the photographic field I think. I think as photographers we’re very lucky that there are so many aspects that we can be involved in from different genres of photography to those avenues outside of taking the pictures like editing and retouching.

Are you a Mac or a PC lover?

PC.

 

 

 

What talent would you most like to have?

I’d like to be as good at business as Richard Branson!

Your favourite film of all time?

This Is Spinal Tap because it’s everything awesome…but I do have a huge soft spot for WALL-E…

What do you love to indulge in?

WALL-E…

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I used to travel a lot and often I’ve thought “I’d love to live here” but there really is no place like home, so I’d probably choose London.

First thing you would do if you won the lottery?

Start travelling again!