Bill Everett, Bass. San Jose, California. January 12, 2013. © Copyright 2014 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Principal double-bass Bill Everett practices backstage at a concert of the Symphony Silicon Valley
This photograph of principal double-bassist Bill Everett practicing backstage at a concert of the Symphony Silicon Valley is among my favorites so far from my three-year project photographing professional classical musicians. During this project I have extensive access to the performers and backstage areas, and I’m attending many rehearsals and concerts – so many and over such a long period that I am able to develop personal relationships with the musicians, find and use interesting little bits of stage lighting that others might miss, and learn to see and photograph elements of the musicians’ work that others might miss.
As I have worked the rehearsal and performance halls I have gradually learned a lot about subtle lighting opportunities in the backstage areas. I know keep an eye out for people who wander into this prime light spots, and when I see them there I quickly take advantage of the opportunity. Bill had, likely with no conscious thought, located himself directly between a backstage work light and essentially cast a vertical spotlight on him and his instrument. I stood nearby with a medium long lens and was able to make several photographs of him as he focused his attention on a bit of music from the performance.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | 500px.com | LinkedIn | Email
Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.