Haven't made a post this month so here is my first. Been pretty busy lately, went to Chicago for a little visit.
I walked around downtown for a couple of days and tried to get some fresh photographs. I didn't really get a lot, but the ones I did get I was happy with.
I went to The Empty Bottle to see The Duke Spirit perform. I had talked to guitarist Luke Ford by email and they remembered me from last time I saw them opening for B.R.M.C. It was their last night in the U.S. before they were heading to Prague to open for R.E.M. for one night. Singer Liela Moss was nice enough to spend most of the afternoon and some time after the show letting me photograph her. She was a natural model coming up with great ideas and poses. I was very happy in the photos I took of her with Polaroid and my Canons. They put on a wicked show as usual but I didn't really get many good concert photos due to low light and a packed house. So we hung out after the show and did a few photos and hopped in the photobooth before I jumped in the car at 2 am and drove the eight hours home. I was slightly tired to say the least. Here are a few shots of Liela.
Next up I shot The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, but I haven't put those photos up yet because a few days later I shot Bruce Springsteen. Didn't know what to expect from this show, it was at the Sprint Center. After I found a parking spot seven stories up and two blocks down I went inside and waited with a few other photographers. We made our way up to the main floor and were told we had to shoot from behind the soundboard, which was about 200 feet back! For sure the farthest I have ever been back for a concert. The other time I shot there was for The Police and Elvis Costello and I got to shoot two songs from in front of the stage. The sound was a bit muddy and all the baby boomers were complaining that about him starting over an hour late. I didn't get the photos I really wanted due to the distance, but better than nothing. Here are a few.
Next up a few days later was the Barack Obama visit to Kansas City. He stopped by on his way to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. It was at the American Airlines overhaul base and was a closed to the public speech. He was there to talk to about 150 AA union workers in a town hall type setting. I was pretty excited to see him in person. And to see the local and national press there to cover him. He didn't disappoint even though it was pretty subdued due to the lack of people. I was about 30 feet back or so and tried to get the best photos I could.
