The Mars Volta

So it was Tuesday and I was ridiculously excited because not only did The Mars Volta's album, "The Bedlam in Goliath" come out, but they were playing at Soma here in San Diego that night. Luckily we were able to get a photo credential. 

When I got there around 7PM, the line was wrapped completely behind the building. After walking past all the fans that had been their since early that morning, I had to hassle my way into actually getting in. Apparently the paper was supposed to have purchased a ticket and they would allow me to have a photo pass. Whatever. I just think they wanted to save face because they were sold out and didn't want to show they did have a few tickets left. 

Anyway, the show was insane. I got to shoot the first 10 minutes of their two and a half hour set. Needless to say its two days later and my ears are still ringing. 

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is the mastermind behind the music. He is the composer and lead guitarist. I loved the way this shot turned out in black and white. I bumped up the contrast a bit and it just seemed to "pop."

The new drummer Thomas Pridgen is too good. He comes from a gospel background, be he could one of the best drummers out there. After their second song, "Viscera Eyes," he ripped off a two minute drum solo with Omar and Cedric just smiling and the crowd going crazy. This guy was a beast for two and a half hours. If I were to play like him, I couldn't last 30 seconds.

I liked this shot because of the silhouette and the light through the drums. I think it looks better because all you see are Pridgen's dreds.

I loved the faces that keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens was making. 

And of course there is lead vocalist and other half of the brain's of The Mars Volta, Cedric Bixlar Zavala. His voice was really good live. With the way he belts out all the falsetto note on TMV's albums, I did not know how well it would sound live. I should eat my words because he sounded too good. He definitely puts on a show, jumping and swinging the microphone and stand, climbing on the double-stacks, trying to mess up Omar's guitar solo's, and throwing Pridgen's symbols around like they were toys.

Cedric moves too quick to catch him in a really nice frame dancing or running around. The lights for the first few songs were somewhat conservative so it was pretty difficult to stop the action. I did what I could, and this shot was taken when I had moved to the right of the stage in order to watch the rest of the show after my ten minutes was up.

All in all it was an awesome show. Its taken me since Tuesday night to find time to write in my blog. Classes and work haven't given me time. I was so happy that I could get to cover my favorite band for The Daily Aztec. The Mars Volta are definitely a band that you have to see live. I cannot really describe with photos or words what it is like. I wish I had more time than just ten minutes. It was basically one song and then the 5 minutes of ambience/breakdown of the song. I wish I was upfront when they played faced paced intense songs. I think my favorite from the night was "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" from "Deloused in the Comatorium" or "Goliath" from "The Bedlam in Goliath."

Can't wait to see them again. The new album is great.

A Busy Saturday

I had to get up early (8AM is early) this morning to shoot women's tennis. I actually enjoy shooting tennis; its somewhat fast-paced and you have a lot of access to try different angles. The women had a double header, and I got to shoot their match against UC Riverside. 

There was some really nice light in the morning. It was fairly soft and I like this image below where the backlighting looks pretty nice for a change. I was just glad I could get out today and shoot since it is going to rain the next few days.

Well after waiting around and shooting the singles to get images of the women that did not play in the doubles matches, I headed over to Cox Arena for the men's basketball game. I love the fact that they are having an afternoon game. I hate getting out late at the 7PM games. It was going to be a good game, and SDSU needed to win coming off a close loss to BYU earlier this week. 

I tried out using a remote for the first time this year. I placed it on the baseline with a 16-35 on my 40D. Liveview was really really helpful in this situation! I liked the results, however there really wasn't any big dunks or anything exciting that happened in the game. UNLV hit a ton of 3 pointers in the 2nd half when they were on offense the side my remote was on. Next home game I am going to put a remote in the rafters shooting down at the rim. I did not have very much time since I had to run from tennis to Cox Arena, and of course I had to indulge in the free Papa Johns pizza. 

Anyway, I liked this look, and I will definitely try it again. Unfortunately I was a bit too concerned about the remote and messing around with the Pocket Wizard and didn't focus on getting some of the shots.

It came down to the last second, and they hit a three pointer with just over 11 seconds left. We had a couple of chances, but we just couldn't hit.

Freshman Billy White walks off the court dejected after almost pulling off the comeback.

Well I am shooting The Mars Volta (my favorite band, they are awesome) on Tuesday at Soma, the day their new album comes out. I am super excited, I wish we covered more concert stuff at the Daily Aztec. I should have a few of those shots up later that night. 

Getting Started

Well, I just got my website going (still in the works). Just getting back to school and I am not looking forward to this semester. Anyway, just trying to figure out how this blog thing works. I am totally new to all this, but it is time I start marketing myself.