This weekend I visited the Tote during the evening on both Saturday and Sunday. I largely was not able to commit as much time as I had previously hoped due to various commitments, but this made me more inclined to make the most of my opportunities whilst I had the time during the gig. The Saturday night gig I made just in time for the headline act of the night – Sydney post-punk band Mere Women.

The main bandroom was pretty well packed, so it was ample opportunity to take as many photos as I could within a short space of time. I felt a little awkward at first due to my flash being extremely bright, and I was worried as such that it might lead the content of the photos in the sense that I might end up capturing people in a less naturalistic way, being more obtrusive in the process. However after taking a few photos I began to become more comfortable. I mostly captured pictures from behind the crowd, capturing the bodies in space. I also managed to take a few shots in the open area outside the main bandroom.

The Sunday evening gigs were a little more challenging to shoot. For one, the gig was an open one and in the smaller room of the Tote, meaning that there were fewer people and in open light. This made it much more difficult to not be intrusive on people and draw attention to myself. I had to be much quicker and much more incisive in taking my shots. Further, I had to leave after only 45 minutes of being there as I had other commitments. These factors made me feel a little rushed as such, and as a result I don’t know how well I actually captured the essence of the gigs on that day.

I’m excited to get the results back though. I’ve sent them off to be scanned today and I shall receive them in the next day or two to pull the final edit together.