Chris Chameleon doing his Monki Punk thing... All pics taken by and courtesy of Sean Brand.
Oppikoppi usually flies past in a blur of colours and smells and impressions… This year though, one particular experience stood out and stuck in my head. Sean Brand’s outdoor photography exhibition, titled En ek kan nie ophou kyk nie. A collection of spectacular photos capturing the essence of a variety of South African musicians in action on stage, it was just a taster of the main project: a glossy, full-colour coffee-table book packed full of pics that will enthrall even the most jaded music fan – or musician, for that matter. I caught up with Sean and got him to fill in some blanks…
The first photo I ever took was of the sky…the shutter went off accidentally. I was fourteen years old.
I realised that photography was something I wanted to do when I saw a photograph of Fracoise Hardy in the LP cover of the movie soundtrack for Grand Prix. She looked so angry and so sexy… I thought the photographer must have been brave to take her picture.
Photographing bands is the most logical thing in my universe. I can sense when something is about to happen – there is absolute order in rock ‘n roll – even in the anarchy during a Fokof show.
The biggest challenge with band/ live music photography is capturing the essence so vividly that the viewer can hear the music… sure, the lighting can be near impossible, but if you can see it, you can shoot it.
My most treasured memory is of two photographs I didn’t take…poignant rock ‘n roll moments so beautiful but ultimately private… I’m NOT paparazzi!
Catching the mood...
The photograph I’m proudest of is any picture that inspires good in anyone who sees it… whether it is of them or just something that moves them.
Sometimes people forget that photography can be the simplest way of describing the most complex situation or emotion… but fortunately many photographers capture these moments instinctively and help us understand ourselves better through such images.
The biggest obstacle when taking photos is preconceptions.
The weirdest moment I’ve ever had taking pictures was standing backstage with Justin Kruger (Van Coke Kartel) at Volume Rock Fest II, Potch 2009 and a music fan insisted I autograph the drumstick he caught (from Justin). I said “I’m nobody, dude, but he insisted: “Jy’s mos die ou van “Ek like my steak gaar” (Jack Parow performed Die Vraagstuk that night with Heuwels Fantatsties)… Justin just said: “…teken die fokken ding”.
En ek kan nie ophou kyk nie...
The most photogenic band/muso out there is never the same band – I see the real beauty of the creative essence in rock musicians as the aspect most pleasing in pictures… so fakers NEVER look good, no matter how pretty they arrange pixels on my sensor.
I’m most in awe of Gustav Klimt and Jack White. I’m inspired by simplicity and passion.
The idea for En ek kan nie ophou kyk nie struck when Herman Pretorius and I were chatting backstage at an MK shoot. We were going to colab on it, but unfortunately we lost him too soon… I would have loved his input and vast knowledge… not to mention his off-the-wall sense of fun and humour!
I also enjoy photographing in infrared.
Other projects I’m working on includes a book on infrared pictures and I’m also working on giving longer answers during interviews…haha.
Five basic tips for people who want to take up photography:
Get a camera… you’ll need one.
Have an opinion.
Delete the word “different” from your vocabulary.
Look at lots of pictures… all the time; and decide what you want to say with your images.
Be good at it… it helps to listen to music while shooting and editing!
If there's one book you've got to get your hands on...
People would never guess that I’m actually hoping to turn professional.
Besides photography, I’m also interested in cameras.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is “Fuck the concern and feel the width” – Raymond Arenstein, architect and mentor.
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