I mentioned Neil Zlozower previously. Neil is my super-wacky, X-neighbor that is also a really established rock photographer. Since I started putting more energy into photography, Neil has invited me more often to come into his studio and hang around while he shoots.
Yesterday he shot the bass player for the band Filter, Phil Buckman. During this shoot I learned about professional lighting and also about working with a concept. I always grow when I work with Neil. He has this very specific way of handling people that simply cannot be taught in class. He MAKES people perform and gets exactly what is needed from the subjects. This is something I am working towards, being a better director.
The shoot took about three hours and after seeing the shots, I think it turned out pretty great. I look forward to seeing the Hartke add when it hits magazine stands.
After we finished looking at the photos, I put away the lighting equipment and walked around the studio. I am always so blown away when I see all of the iconic photos that I have only seen before in magazines. Yesterday one image stood out. It was of a super young Tom Petty, sitting in fetal position near a stack of records. I knew I had seen this image previously. "Did you take this," I asked Neil (some of the images in his studio are from his other famous photographer friends) "Yeah Barker, that's Tom Petty." He says sarcastically as he knows that some of his subjects are either before my time or our of my musical repertoire.
I laughed, "I know Neil." No one is too young for Tom Petty.
