- Project
Fontaines D.C – Wildlife Entertainment
Photography Project / Live Music Event / O2 Academy Bournemouth
Capturing live performance
Wildlife Entertainment is the management company for chart-conquering acts like Arctic Monkeys, Travis and Royal Blood. In summer 2021, Wildlife Entertainment invited us to photograph BRIT award-winning Irish post-punk band, Fontaines D.C, during a gig at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth. This was a unique opportunity to capture marketing content for one of the hottest upcoming international groups. With exclusive access to the pit, the area between the stage and the crowd we would have to work fast as we were restricted to just the first three songs.
Wide aperture, contrasting angles
Our challenge was to achieve high-quality images of the band members as they moved around and performed on stage. With lights shining directly into the camera and no flash photography allowed, we used a mirrorless camera with a wide aperture lens to let in as much light as possible to counter these conditions. We also used a two-in-one zoom to enable close-up portraits as well as wide-angle shots. And to ensure we captured every aspect of the performance, we used the side of the stage as a vantage point and took a series of photos from the building’s upper levels.
Achieving clear composition
Through our considered technical approach, we were able to capture the band members with good composition and light contrast. The wide aperture lens and low shutter speed meant we achieved clarity in a low-light environment, without image blurring or distortion. And through the contrasting angles and distances of our shots, we caught the essence and raw energy of the band in this dynamic, vibrant setting.
