Spinal Tap then.

Spinal Tap now.

The mutton chops are going a little greyer, but that’s about all that’s changed!

Live Earth happened yesterday. Eight concerts in eight different locations to bring awareness about global warming.

All Live Earth venues will be designed and constructed by a team of sustainability engineers who will address the environmental and energy management challenges of each concert site, as well as the operations of sponsors, partners and other Live Earth affiliates. Each venue will not only be designed to maintain a minimum environmental impact, but will showcase the latest state-of-the-art energy efficiency, on-site power generation, and sustainable facilities management practices.

I’d be really interested to see how they’re cutting down their own carbon footprint. Using LED technology for lighting is just one small part. LED’s still use power though and how about the sound systems? There’s no funky LED power saving audio technology about. Then there’s trucking equipment and artists to venues, audience and staff travelling to and from site, broadcast requirements for power and movement, etc etc.

I’d like to see published statistics about what factors were taken into account and what kind of energy was saved, compared to say a standard concert taking place.

What do you do if you have Lionel Richie on stage singing at a private concert?
Well, if you’re me, you watch a couple of songs and then fall asleep! Not even big status celebs do it for me nowadays. Although he did sound amazing!

I’ve just read a fantastic tutorial on Concert, Stage and Low Light Photography over at photo.net.

I plan to do some concert and low light photography this evening at a band night i’m involved with. Reading the above has suggested a few more ways to approach taking photos, which i’m looking forward to trying.

My usual approach is to use a flash unit, which normally destroys any lighting state present on stage, something i’m never too enthused about as it takes away from the atmosphere of the shot.
Tomorrow I’ll be posting some of the photos i take this evening, so you’ll get a chance to see if my new found ways look any better!