Like a Blister in the Sun…Oahu 2013

January 28, 2013 by elisa sherman

Ok, so not a blister, per se, but a bit of bright sun to burst through the winter blues, with images full of solar flare and whatnot – that was what the ol’ sensor captured on the big 5d2…

But, it wasn’t just the big camera, in fact it was mostly the little iPhone that got the biggest workout – because…yep, it’s the camera with me…

Actually, I made a point not to take the bigger camera with me for most of my vacation – it was a birthday break, turning 40 in the tropics – a time to relax, take in the rays, drinks some tropical beverages, just to relax. Relalxing means, not obsessing over getting all the spectaular shots… Perhaps this sounds counter intuitive – but I can be, a bit obsessive with my clickage. I want to capture all the pretty.

I actually thought about this for a bit – the images that would or would not be captured whilst I was in the tropics. I wanted both, not to be obsessed, but to be able to get some image trophies to bring home…

So, I scheduled a tour – specifically a photography tour. Alex Wilson runs Oahu Photography tours – and has earned the top spot on the activity list on Trip Advisor – I concur(ponders – Alex, do you need to franchise out – the Big Island perhaps?! – only partially kidding, lol).

Given the schedule I had of family and friends meeting me on the island – I felt like I could only spare a half day – so I chose the Sunrise tour - and it was spectacular – I got my photo on, fed the beast as it were, and my trusty iPhone was able to satisfy me for most of the rest of the 9 days. I only cracked out the big cam again on the 2 trips up to North Shore (the wild seas warranted it), and a few shots out at Haunama… I also chose to shoot primarily with my 15mm fisheye – which I think worked out well. I have really fallen in love with it. Playing with the bend, the flare, the wide angle – a great creative lens and creative image partner.

First – with my iphone, instagram was my friend…posting friend & family pics easily to facebook, and pretty seascapey phone pix to my tumblr. Several of the fun phone pix – here -

And, of course, solar flare most often in sharp focus…big cam shots – about eighty percent from the photo tour – thanks again, Alex!

~full gallery archive slideshow~

Aloha & Mahalo, Hawaii – until next time…

2012 Year in Review: Ponderings & Pics

January 1, 2013 by elisa sherman

2012, it’s been an interesting year. In previous years, this blog, the year in review, has focused on concert images, but like everything else, we have evolved, changed, and my focus has altered…

For one, my photography has found a role within my life that is decidely less serious. I am a fan of images, first… An image maker, creating what has inspired or crossed my path.

Some music images have continued to make their way to my sensor, through the lenses…along with some gorgeous seascapes, glorious crystalline ice bergs, and a reappreciation for the fact,that it isn’t he camera you have, rather the camera you have with you, be it the 5d2 or my iPhone.

After all, the phone camera, you have, likely, with you all the time, so when an image appears by happenstance, in front of you, snap…the ultimate snapshot device as it were…

I have several this year, around town, on vacation, it is, image making at will, unplanned, and uncontrived – perhaps of quality, perhaps, just pure fun. Digital has made image capturing, the recording of pixels, a matter of course for pretty much everyone. And as a fan of images, I do not pretend to be above that fray…

More fun snaps can be seen on my tumblr…

Of course, the big heavy mark II got many a click, and as of a week or so ago, finally a sensor cleaning…

Some of my favorite images, landscape, life and beyond, not excluding music…

And with that, 2012 images are but a pixelated record in time…Adieu.

Noise for the Needy 2012

June 16, 2012 by elisa sherman

This year as I was going to be out of town the second week of June – I thought I was going to miss the annual charity music festival – Noise for the Needy…after having shot it every year since 2008…but they had a couple of early show dates – so I was able to squeeze this one in – at Neumos, headlined by The Thermals, with Little Cuts, and Tacocat. To reminisce on years past check out – 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 blogs.

This year – as always, the images show what a great cause, what fun, and what is so cool about this event – the people & the music. Enjoy…

Full Gallery -

Noise for the Needy 2012 @ Neumos 6-2-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman

The folks at Northwest Folklife festival 2012 5-26-2012

May 28, 2012 by elisa sherman

So I went down to folklife festival this year – not sure I have been before? Anywho, many I know are over at Sasquatch this weekend…others out of town on vacation…

But it was a gorgeous weekend in Seattle – so if you were here – it was a great time to get out and enjoy something local – ergo, I did. I was supposed to find a friend that was playing there – but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out where…the place was teaming – bunches of Seattlites were there – running around the fountain, consuming the fair food, lazing in the sun, taking in the music on the stages, and street performers of all types (music and otherwise) along all the walkways…It was fabulous – a perfect seattle day (and weekend) to be out at Seattle Center taking in the bliss.

And so I did…camera in hand. I decided to focus on the life over the stages – if that makes sense. From the kids running around, folks lazing under the sun, street performers doing whatever they do, playing for tips, etc…it was perfection, this day.

Take a look -

Full set gallery archive from the day

Northwest Folklife Festival 2012 5-26-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman

honeyhoney at the Neptune Theatre, 4-29-2012

May 1, 2012 by elisa sherman

So, it’s been a while since I shot some music – since January actually…ironically, it was last at the Neptune – where I shot Concrete Blonde… Anywho – it’s been 2 months since I’ve even last picked up a camera…so when I got an email asking to sub in and cover the opener at the Neptune last Sunday – I figured, why not – my shutter finger could use a work out. So I did – honeyhoney opened the show on Sunday – take a look.

Assignement gallery -
http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1754/honeyhoney-in-seattle/

Some of my faves -

honeyhoney perform April 29th, 2012 on the "Billy Jack" tour at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, Washington (Elisa Sherman)

honeyhoney at the Neptune Theatre 4-29-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman

2011: Year in Review Concert Images

December 10, 2011 by elisa sherman

2011 has been an interesting year for me…For a multitude of reasons, I have shot less shows. That said, I hope I still continued to hone my craft, and clarify my style. I like to say, my style is to target those “in between” moments, that capture the joy, peace, bliss of the moments in their performances. Do my images look like everyone elses – I hope not! Are they the best music images? Hardly. But they are what I see…hope you enjoy the view! My selections of the year are here:

Some of my particular faves ~

Images from the Lifehouse show early this year, are some of my favorites – especially of Ben Carey – he is perfection to photograph – he is the perfect dirty rock star guitarist – you realize I’m not being literal – just honest, he’s not beautiful but he is – does that make sense? The lead singer of Lifehouse, yes, is technically pretty good looking – but Ben is the one that kept pulling the lens over and giving it. He’s also pretty cool – bumped into him a late during Pajama night decked out in his bathrobe on the VH1 Best Cruise Ever, but that’s another tale to tell!

Ben Carey of Lifehouse performs on March 5, 2011 in support of "Smoke and Mirrors"at the Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington (Elisa Sherman)

More recently – there was the spectacular night that was put on by husband wife duo – Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer…Their show was stunningly fun to watch, take in, and yes photograph. One of the best parts of the night, was when Amanda invited dancers out, and lined them up to deliver birthday kisses – lucky man.

Stepping back in the year a bit, was the Noise for the Needy shows…I have shot them since 2008. It’s a fun way to give back to the community doing what I can do pretty easily. This image – was of Claire England of Bright Futures at Chop Suey – wearing, you aren’t mistaken – that’s a Justin Beiber tshirt – priceless!

This next photo is a fave simply because I love the color, and the swishy-ness of it – it is what it is, and I like it. The girls are 2 of the 3 singers for a brand new band (in one of their first shows), called The Pytons – they hired me to shoot 3 of their shows, and they are all spectacular people – my hats off to them, and I wish them much success and good music.

And while I didn’t shoot many shows this year, I did bring this whole full circle by finally officially shooting INXS – the band that inspired me to do this thing amongst the swirling lights, hot rock stars, and whatnot…It was what would seem their last tour with Canadian lead singer, JD Fortune, who won the spot back in 2005 on the show Rock Star: INXS – which also can be credited with my inpsiration for getting into this game, rather later in life than the youngins (in my thirties, lol)…So JD, even though you hid from me for most of the 3 songs I got to shoot you, this one’s for you…for always being that Rock Star on stage every time I saw you, being friendly and cheeky offstage, one upping my friend about the temperment of her pug whilst playing poker, and being so lovely backstage when I got invited to shoot the fan winners with the band this go round. JD – you are a rock star. INXS, I wish you the best in your next ventures. And to 2011, it was a good year.

So that’s it for the stories – check the list with links to all of the artists featuerd this year, along with the slideshow with several fun images from the year, whether it was Scott Hutchison, my 3rd time out shooting the fabulous Psychedelic Furs, my second time shooting the spectacular that is the Theivery Corporation, or the killer country that is Little Big Town – it was all good. Until next year, adieu…

2011
December –
Pink Martini with the Seattle Symphony

November –
Jason Webley (feat. Amanda Palmer)
Amanda Palmer @ Occupy Seattle
An Evening with Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer
The Bangles

September -
Thievery Corporation

August -
Little Big Town

July -
INXS
Gillian Welch
Owl City
Neko Case
Mat Kearney

June -
Brett Dennen
Noise for the Needy featuring: Akimbo, Wildildlife, Black Queen, Princess, Vultures 2012, Smooth Sailing, Whiskey Tango, What What Now, Brite Futures, Lisa Dank, The Redwood Plan, Fresh Espresso

May -
Psychedelic Furs

April -
Robert Plant

March -
Lifehouse
Joshua Radin
Laura Jansen
Noise for the Needy feat. Kokon Taiko Drummers, Truckasauras, Mad Rad, Junkie XL
Scott Hutchison

February –
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band

January -
Alter Bridge
Amos Lee
Taddy Porter
Like a Storm

2011 Year in Review – Images by Elisa Sherman

Pink Martini welcomes back China Forbes ~ Holiday Show with the Seattle Symphony 12-3-2011

December 8, 2011 by elisa sherman

At the Paramount, this 3rd of December- Pink Martini & friends welcomed back with grand ceremony: Miss China Forbes…What better way than amongst a stage full of the Seattle Symphony? This was my last show of the year, and I didn’t know what to expect – but it was a grand show…

Assignment images: http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1470/2/pink-martini-in-seattle/

Though glorious in full color, I decided to process the final set of the year, in a cool black & white treatment – it somehow fits vibe I think…

Pink Martini with the Seattle Symphony…

Pink Martini perform with the the Seattle Symphony December 3rd, 2011, at their Holiday Show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington (Elisa Sherman)

Full Archive slideshow

Pink Martini Holiday Show with the Seattle Symphony at the Paramount Theatre 12-3-2011 – Images by Elisa Sherman

On the Eleveniest Day Ever: Jason Webley at the Moore 11-11-11

November 14, 2011 by elisa sherman

Twas 11-11-11, the “eleveniest” day ever – and it was a night that belonged to Jason Webley at the Moore. Among a crowd that clearly loved him – with musicians that loved to play, it was a great night of music in Seattle. There is such earnest honesty as he plays – love for music just flows. Truly a treat – as Jason is said to be taking a touring break for an undetermined length of time after this show.

A funny aside, as I awaited the shooting the show, Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman came in and sat a few rows back on the left side…they sat down to watch their friend Jason (whom they’d later join onstage), and the face on the gal that was sitting in front of them, when she realized who was sitting behind her was priceless…

Anywho, assignment photos on SoundSpike – http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1410/jason-webley-in-seattle/

And some of my favorites…

Jason Webley performs at the Moore Theatre, November 11th, 2011 (Elisa Sherman)

Archive Slideshow

Jason Webley at the Moore Theatre 11-11-11 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Thievery Corporation at the Moore Theatre 9-12-2011

September 17, 2011 by elisa sherman

This last week I got to revisit one of the acts I first officially photographed – Thievery Corporation! (2009 images here) Their shows are a whirling spectacular of music, fabulous singers, and incredible musicians.

Assignment photos on Soundspike.com – http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1202/8/thievery_corporation_in_seattle/

Some of my favorite images from the archive here -

Full gallery here -

Thievery Corporation at the Moore Theatre 9-12-2011 – Images by Elisa Sherman

Shootin’ Country: Little Big Town at the Showbox Market 8-22-2011

August 25, 2011 by elisa sherman

Yep, you heard me – country. I shoot pretty much anything, from death metal, rock, singer songwriter, dance/electronic, pop, to yeah, I guess, country. It’s not my first country-ish gig, have shot some alt-country slash americana previously – but it’s not often, and deserves mention.

A big thank you to Little Big Town for being visually fun to shoot – they made me a fan (I’m easy) by simply giving me good image.

Assignment photos on SoundSpike.com – http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1142-little_big_town_in_seattle.html

Some of my favorites