Liverpool Photographer

For much of summer 2009 I’m doing an ongoing project of photography from backstage at the Tower Ballroom Blackpool. Rather than go the usual photoblog route of a different image each day, I chose to go with more of a documentary style to provide the viewer with an insight into the workings of a show. You’ll find lot’s of images of dancers/showgirls, musicians, technical staff, the paraphernalia of a show and of course the building itself.

Wandering around the Tower Ballroom you are treated to an amazing example of period architecture, with an incredible ornate ceiling and chandeliers that can be lowered to the floor for cleaning. Above the stage is the inscription “Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear” from Shakespeare’s poem, Venus and Adonis.

You have to be careful though in your wanderings, one wrong turn and you could end up in the Queens box!

Recently I started to use off camera flash combined with my Canon 35mm 1.4 for my backstage photography. I’m really liking this combo, I feel I’m getting images with a lot more contrast and punch, plus the wider angle is forcing me to get in much closer. A more powerful flash is next on the agenda I think?