Well, my children, Bumbershoot 2011 is in the can. No, not that kind of can (that I know of...perhaps Seattle's largest annual music and arts festival has a delicate constitution, as I do) -- I mean the photos are processed, the Flickr is loaded, the posts are up, the links are linked, and I am done, save for the most important post. I would be utterly remiss to not make note of some of the best things that helped Yours Truly, Vintage (which sounds better than "middle-aged") Photographer and Writer, not only survive three days of a large annual music festival, but produce work I felt good about and that left me with very positive feelings about the entire experience. I hope a few of these tips of the hat might be of use to other concert/event photographers, and/or those of you considering Bumbershoot for 2012. Let's go!
Thank you...well, Bumbershoot Public Relations! The process of asking for and receiving a photo pass was straightforward, and I received notice ahead of the posted deadline, which is really helpful in organizing all the logistics to free me up to attend such a thing. This is so great, for sometimes you make an ask...and it apparently falls into a speedy hole to Hell and you never hear another word. Everything I needed to do to pick up my credentials, what my pass did and did not allow, and what would be available to me in the Press Room (i.e. the McCaw Hall cafe) was clear. Everyone I came into contact with in the Bumbershoot organization was friendly, welcoming, and professional, not only in the Press Room, but everywhere on the grounds. It was so appreciated! And, in not going along with a very unfortunate festival trend, Bumbershoot did not ask me to sign away any of my photography rights in order to be able to shoot the event, which would have been a deal-breaker for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you...Speed Freak V2.0 camera bag by Think Tank! Honestly, I think this one piece of gear made the all the difference in my being able to physically hold up to hauling around many pounds of camera equipment for three long days. I have two other great and stylish camera bags by Epiphanie and Jill-e, the former which I use for regular gigs and the latter a rolling bag to take on planes, but neither were practical for a festival. The Speed Freak amazed me, because it performed better than I ever could have hoped for. The weight of the gear was distributed through a well-padded cross-body strap AND a wide waist belt, taking the bulk off my shoulder and upper back. It was easily adjustable to sit in just the place I wanted it to (midway between right front and hip), held a stunning amount of stuff in a compact bag, and was extremely well-organized. I could easily change lenses, memory cards, and batteries on the fly right from the bag, and rest the camera on top of the bag while it was still around my neck while I was walking. I can't recommend it enough.
(Think Tank photo)
Thank you...Nike Free Run +2 shoes! Don't laugh -- shoes are a big deal with concert photographers! We often stand for hours staking out a stage spot, or like at Bumbershoot, walk miles from stage to stage in the course of a day, and your feet can really get messed up. I got these "neutral" structure shoes to replace my high-structure running shoes to attempt to counteract an injury, and decided to try them at Bumbershoot. Woo hoo! No blisters, no horrible aches; a cool, clean ride for 3 solid days. A miracle.
(Nike photo)
Thank you...Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens! I need to make a little shrine to this lens in my home, and make offerings to it every day. This beautiful piece of glass comes through for me under the worst circumstances, corrects some of my own errors, and delivers such sharp, lovely images. It weighs a hefty 3.28 pounds and costs more than two semesters at the University of Colorado in the '90s, but it's worth every ounce and dime. It could also easily double as a self-defense item. Really. Love that thing.
Thank you...Starbucks BumberFan Insider Lounge! Man, I gotta hand it to Starbucks here, they came through with a lot of caffeinated love for a LOT of Bumbershoot Fans this year! All ya had to do was pre-register with Starbucks BumberFans prior to the event, then head on over to their Lounge, which was directly next to the Starbucks Stage (or the Mural, as Seattlites would know it), check in with a cheery girl holding an iPad, and you got this nice laminate which allowed you and your pre-registered guests to come in and get FREE Starbucks drinks of your choice throughout the festival! And, oh yes, I DID. Despite the heat and the demand, the Starbucks staff were upbeat and delivered the drinks amazingly quickly. The pretty shaded tent featured some cushy seats where you could also recharge your phone and see a little bit of the stage, too.
Thank you...Bumbershoot Platinum & Gold Pass! Months before the festival I decided to bid on a pair of Gold Passes offered at the Strangercrombie charity auction figuring, hey, good cause and good fun, and I actually won them! They were delivered to me a few weeks before the festival and even though I didn't end up using them for their special-access magic to the Mainstage and other venues, I greatly appreciated the Hospitality Lounge, especially on Saturday when MissEight was in tow. Just to be able to sit down on a real chair, eat and drink real (free) food and beverages, go to a really clean quiet bathroom while planning the next band or event to see was remarkably refreshing. If you've got the scratch, pony up for one of these babies next year.
Thank you...Hearos Skull Screws earplugs! Damn right I use earplugs, because there is nothing cool at all about hearing loss. I credit regular use of some form of hearing protection since I was a teen that my ears still function pretty well -- I know many people my age or younger who can't hear for sh*t now because they thought earplugs were nerdy or uncomfortable. These earplugs are my faves: comfy, easy to take in and out, and stand up to seriously loud bands. Say what?
Thank you...Nissan Stainless Steel water bottle! I used this a LOT. This baby was filled with ice water in the morning before I arrived and still had ice in it when I got back home in the late evening. 'Nuff said.
Thank you...to the all the performers and crowd-members of Bumbershoot! Well, how cool were you? Real cool, is what. All these people in one place for all that time with so much going on at once and the vibe remained mellow yet genuinely enthusiastic the entire time. I don't have a single nasty incident to report to you, nor a bum show. There were plants and birds and rocks and things, lots of kids, elders, hipsters, headbangers, city folk, suburbanites, and artists ranging from soul to punk to country to folk to comedy to avant-garde theater and more...and everyone played nice. It's a real tribute to how Bumbershoot is managed and the character of Seattle, and how much music is loved and supported here. Special props to the always-amazing KEXP and the awesome performances broadcast live from their Music Lounge!
And my final and most heartfelt thank you goes to...my fellow Bumbershoot music photographer and writer pals, new and old, whose camaraderie and company was the best thing about the entire festival for me. In what I had experienced in the past as a sometimes overly-competitive and needlessly-nasty field, here was a group of really professional yet fun folks who work hard to make great images and words while supporting the work of their peers. I saw bands that I wouldn't have checked out otherwise, spent hours laughing and chatting rather than reading my phone or dumping photos off my card, and compared gear and techniques. We commiserated when we were all tired, and power-walked like storm troopers in the sun, excited to make the next show. It was such a pleasure to spend time with them, for we all do this same slightly-crazy thing, all for the love of music and trying to capture a bit of it to send to you, our readers in Seattle and all over the world. You guys are the best, and I wrap up Bumbershoot 2011 with lots of warm fuzzies. Success!
THE LINKS (Flickr set links within posts)!
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011: IT BEGINS
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 1.1: KRIS ORLOWSKI, CHAMPAGNE CHAMPAGNE, WAGONS
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 1.2: VALIENT THORR, SHABAZZ PALACES, BEAT CONNECTION
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 1.3: MARCHFOURTH MARCHING BAND, LITTLE DRAGON
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 1.4: TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE, MAVIS STAPLES
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 2.1: DAVILA 666, THEE OH SEES
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 2.2: PAMELA DES BARRES
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 3.1: FITZ & THE TANTRUMS, IAN MOORE & THE LOSSY COILS, SPIDERMAN?
BUMBERSHOOTING 2011, DAY 3.2: CHARLES BRADLEY, SHARON VAN ETTEN, URGE OVERKILL
© Copyright 2008- Marianne Spellman