Step into the light

Wow!
Tri-X at 3200 laser-grain show from Jupiter!
In-f**king-credible!!!

Sam Beam of Iron and Wine shot during Calexico and Iron and Wine's soundcheck for their London Forum gig in April 2006. Shot on a Voigtlander Bessaflex TM, with Kodak Tri-X film rated at 3200. Lens used was a Soviet-era Jupiter-9 85/2.

Sam walked in front of the projection coming from the sound-desk during soundcheck. I was taking photos near the drum kit. I saw his outline picked out in this unearthly light and had enough time to shoot three or four pics before he moved.

This worked even better than I hoped. Interested to hear other people's views.

This print is available to buy as a limited edition handprint, printed at one of London's best labs. Please mail me via Flickr or at stephendowling@yahoo.com for details.

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Comments

< Prev 1 2 Next >

(133 comments)

Devesh Uba says:

This is a great picture . you are so good at it Stephen .
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

annabelletexter says:

love the surrounding light! very cool!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Krasnyi Fotoapparat says:

!!! Crickey that's good!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

KiwiBirch says:

fantastic!, looks like a still from a tour doco
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Seqqat says:

Wow, very cool. By the way, Calexico really is a terrific band !
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

stoneth says:

very cool
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

clarky clark says:

Never really got into Calexico but this shot is fantastic.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

thisisbrian says:

Freakin awesome man!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

steena says:

Amazing shot. Good eye and great timing.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

RBWright says:

Yup, there ya go. Terrific effect. The rays of the projection source make this particuarly interesting. Never get it with stage lighting.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

mickeydonoghue says:

Very impressive and the fact you have 20 cameras. Have fun
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Andrew McKenna says:

Beautiful photo.. I've always wanted to try a shot like this and you've got this one absolutely spot on.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

eddie-g says:

Great shot of an awesome musician...just right.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

brianwallace has moved (see profile) [deleted] says:

simply amazing shot
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Turket [deleted] says:

so Pro!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Beautiful Heartache says:

I just came across your work through a search for Cuba tags, and am simply stunned by your work--the Cuba shots are breathless, but this....wow.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

mfshadow says:

This is amazing. I am inspired to improve my own band gig shots!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Mardellina says:

wonderful picture and light effects!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

damonhendrix says:

This is an absolutely beautiful moment.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

bjosefowicz says:

I love when the lights work out just right during concerts or sound checks!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Pat Rioux says:

Iron & Wine & Calexico are 2 of my favorite bands...I've been in China for the last 6 months, and missed any opportunity of seeing the concerts they made together...China was not on the tour either :)
Amazing shot of Sam Beam...it's from the back, but totally spot him with his beard! Really Nice!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Damon Green says:

That is incredible. Love it. Love it. Love it.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

AttilaNagy says:

nice mood
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

My Dragonfly says:

What a great shot of Sam!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

PhilWestcott says:

i love this image, way to go!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

gtmcknight says:

Great photo! We featured it at
blog.podbop.org/archives/2006/10/23/visual_st imulation/
linking back to here and giving proper credit. Hope you don't mind.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Rebecca Key says:

omg that is sooooo cool

--
Seen in your Calexico & Iron and Wine set. (?)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

treyguinn says:

Love the shot and love the band. Well done!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

dr.snitch says:

Congrats on this capture. Truly amazing!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

dr.snitch says:

A Big Fave
You are invited to add this image to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Please tag this photo with ABigFave when you add it to the pool.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Buck Lewis says:

This is an incredible photograph!
Very dificult capture with a film camera.
Plus a very talented musician to top it off!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

CrispyMo says:

Beautiful picture! Great band too!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Flying Fin says:

great perspective! fabulous bandw! instant fave ...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Daniel (d'Soleil) says:

Outstanding shot. A Fav.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

JurjenL says:

this is so cool. nice capture of mr. beam's beard.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

midnite owl says:

this is really really nice, and i love iron&wine
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Damiao Santana says:

Mooonster!!! Wow!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

popinac says:

great work
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

beaire says:

lovely.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

rockphotog says:

Just lovely!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

August G says:

damn, that's some fine light, it's picked out all the essential elements, mic, guitar, and beard.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

mark benney says:

This is a beautiful shot - and it wouldn't be as good if you'd tried to art direct it, because it is clearly spontaneous and not staged.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

*mort [deleted] says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Light Club, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

0zzie says:

This image seen in the
Decisive Moments... Classics in B&W
Pool
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

singlecoated says:

No wonder it's in favorites, it's a striking shot, from top to bottom and left to right. Great to find more people devoted to film.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Samuli Ikäheimo says:

this is just.. amazing.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

squarerootofnine says:

unreal. very, very impressive image.

--
Seen in a dicussion of Light Club. (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Christopher An says:

amazing light and silhouette
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

eric.dufresne says:

Best live photo ever!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Anthony !!! says:

amazing position of light
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Catch the dream says:

Fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

MamaLola* says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ╠ 1 year ago- 1 an déjà- Hace 1 año (invited pix only)╣, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

--
Seen on the explore page. (?)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Rod Monkey says:

Absolutely superb!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Juan-Shot!!! says:

es increible como alguien puede crear algo tan hermoso con algo tan insignificante como una camara! Gracias y felicidades
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

MamaLola* says:

We're honored and we thank you for adding this wonderful image to "One Year".
--
Seen in ╠ 1 year ago- 1 an déjà- Hace 1 año (invited pix only)╣ (?)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

digital kid2007 says:

Exceptional
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

tientsin973 says:

breath taking! We need you at out new group 'We love edited photos!'
Please come join! at www.flickr.com/groups/editedphotos/
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

drummerjorge says:

thats awsome man
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

olirza says:

avec ces rayons dlumiére ca rend vraiment bien !:
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

tommartin28 says:

very good
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Sveinung SS says:

Love it.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

whickus says:

damn, this is awesome! nothing else to say.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

Courtney Dressler says:

Sam beam is a god. this is so so so so so amazing!
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

Seila says:

Great title! Amazing image!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

oomingmak22 says:

a Texas legend in the making. great shot.....
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Gurugo says:

Great, I even like the grain...

Your fantastic black and white picture is my winner!
Please add this photo to
flickr.com/groups/bwphotoaward/
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

finofilka says:

(gallery & instructions)[?]
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

rfduck says:

Awesome! The light seems to come right from him.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Randombassist says:

Great shot, the light is fantastic.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Benjamin C says:

Wow!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Mediterraneo says:

Excellent photo!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

with regards says:

Bravo, that's lovely!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

@LO says:

WOW!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

MOVING to flickr.com/people/photographybypaulsutcl [deleted] says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called We love taking photographs, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

brandondean says:

This pic is purely amazing.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Jen Chieh Yao says:

very good
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

danahh says:

Amazing one!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Samantha Lamb says:

how i love sam beam:) great guy:)
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

mr.analog says:

sweet !!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

foshydog says:

Great shot. Isn't that an Archers of Loaf song?
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

ice_cali says:

wonderful work!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Kent Mercurio says:

fantastic capture... love their music as well

--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

elvis fg says:

hi
very beautiful shot!
intense
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Jim Blob Blann says:

I'm glad you snapped a few, almost the shot that never was :) Very good
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

lars the girl says:

this is awesome. I love the rays of light. I'm very glad you got this.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

mb.hwee says:

wow excellent capture, love the lighting!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

ljesmith says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Black & White Excellence, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

gotoandplay says:

This is amazing!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Brian O'Mahony says:

Very cool shot!

Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Mathieu Farcy says:

Awesome shot !
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

mmkager says:

Great music, great shot!!
He's devine?!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

gl0ri says:

So great!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Alejandro S. says:

Really amazing!!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

letsmakeart says:

gotta love some good back lighting (well after you get the shots you need!) I missed out on shooting them this time round sadly!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Carsten Windhorst | FRPAP.COM says:

Really stunning!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

MARTYr Photo says:

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Perhaps, "This image sucks!" But that would be a lie.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

eljustinoid says:

Fabulous photo. Loved it already from the thumbnail!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Mark Waldron says:

This is great, the Jupiter 9 did a great job once you put it in that situation.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

marco annunziata says:

great!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

erdener says:

i thought I would add my compliments to the growing list.
This is really an incredible shot! I'm really impressed with the light flare.
iron & wine is incredible
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Step into the light

Comments

Devesh Uba says:

annabelletexter says:

Krasnyi Fotoapparat says:

KiwiBirch says:

Seqqat says:

stoneth says:

clarky clark says:

thisisbrian says:

steena says:

RBWright says:

mickeydonoghue says:

Andrew McKenna says:

eddie-g says:

brianwallace has moved (see profile) [deleted] says:

Turket [deleted] says:

Beautiful Heartache says:

mfshadow says:

Mardellina says:

damonhendrix says:

bjosefowicz says:

Pat Rioux says:

Damon Green says:

AttilaNagy says:

My Dragonfly says:

PhilWestcott says:

gtmcknight says:

Rebecca Key says:

treyguinn says:

dr.snitch says:

dr.snitch says:

Buck Lewis says:

CrispyMo says:

Flying Fin says:

Daniel (d'Soleil) says:

JurjenL says:

midnite owl says:

Damiao Santana says:

popinac says:

beaire says:

rockphotog says:

August G says:

mark benney says:

*mort [deleted] says:

0zzie says:

singlecoated says:

Samuli Ikäheimo says:

squarerootofnine says:

Christopher An says:

eric.dufresne says:

Anthony !!! says:

Catch the dream says:

*Mama*Lola* says:

Rod Monkey says:

Juan-Shot!!! says:

*Mama*Lola* says:

digital kid2007 says:

tientsin973 says:

drummerjorge says:

olirza says:

tommartin28 says:

Sveinung SS says:

whickus says:

Courtney Dressler says:

*Seila* says:

oomingmak22 says:

Gurugo says:

finofilka says:

rfduck says:

Randombassist says:

Benjamin C says:

Mediterraneo says:

with regards says:

@LO says:

MOVING to flickr.com/people/photographybypaulsutcl [deleted] says:

brandondean says:

Jen Chieh Yao says:

danahh says:

Samantha Lamb says:

MamaLola* says:

MamaLola* says:

Seila says: