When I saw the King…
Shot with Canon EOS R5 RF50mm F1.8 STM, iso 8000, f/1.8. 1/800
One year ago today I got to catch King Iso live for the first time. In a wild twist of irony that, while both of us are from and grew up in North Omaha, the show I attended was over 1600 miles away in Everett Washington. It was a great show.
My biggest concerns while making photos at a show is that I won't get a chance to actually enjoy the show or get in the way of the event itself, especially since I was not hired to cover the event. Instead of missing the show, I was able to experience it differently. Limiting myself to only using a 50mm prime lens I had to get close to the stage in the crowd, when I caught this moment. One one the major themes in his music is metal health and improving it. In that context seeing him in the light, with a cloud of darkness hanging above him gave this photo more depth than just a performance photo to me.
Shot with Canon EOS R5 RF50mm F1.8 STM, iso 12800, f/1.8. 1/800
What goes often unnoticed and even more so underappreciated are the people who put these shows together. It takes a lot of moving parts to make anything happened as anyone who has put together any event can attest to, taking that up a few levels by putting on a show in multiple cities, with different local artists and venues feels absolutely daunting.
Justin Strawstone of NiceEnough Ent. is a man I have the pleasure of knowing and also the pleasure of working with in the past. Asking him how he does it might be a waste of time, frankly because I'm not sure he even knows how. Watching him that night manage the live performance, putting out proverbial fires not only for that show, but the next, all while keeping the bottom line top of mind was both impressive and matter of fact because of course Justin has it handled.
A fantastic show is on stage in this moment and here he is alone, in the back of the venue, cell phone in hand, handling the decidedly unentertaining end of entertainment.
King Iso and Justin Strawstone continue to collaborate with “Project Be Well” i’d encourage you to support them if you can.
https://officialprojectbewell.com/
Till next time.
