PHOTO SERIES

In the Intimacy of A Concert

An incredible opportunity for great shots

I had the opportunity to attend a great concert of traditional Cretan music organized at Gaïdaros, Vamos, in December 2023, with the musicians Gianni Chinos (song, guitar and Cretan luthe) and Alexandro Ieronimidis (song, Cretan luthe and lyra).

Knowing the musicians allowed me to take free photographs from any place I wanted. It was an incredible opportunity. It pushed me to dare to look for new ways of framing and to try out other types of photography playing with all the surrounding elements.

This is what I want to share with you.

The concert took place in the most famous bar in the town. You can feel the atmosphere of well-being as soon as your foot treads the threshold. My approach was to make black and white photographs to bring out the special atmosphere without being distracted by the colors.

The number of posters on the walls shows how much the place has been living with various events. Some tables are still available. The concert is in preparation. The smoke from the coffee on the bar, waiting to be served, adds a pleasant aroma.

Being here before allows me to attend the preparation of the concert: sound tuning tests, mixer settings, and rehearsal. I feel free to place my camera wherever I want. The mood is relaxed. The musicians take time and have a drink.

Playing with contrast is fun. I also enjoy playing with the materials: glass and wood. Glass from the window or drinking glass. Wood from the chairs, and of course from instruments.

Even though the musicians don’t seem perturbed by my presence, I try to make myself small. I quietly move to choose which frame is the most interesting, which focus tells something different, and which light is better.

More than framing, capturing their expressions is magical: a wink, a laugh, all that reveals their complicity. This moment is perfect for living their emotion.

The concert is about to start, people are taking their seats, and I’m trying to find a place so as not to disturb anyone. That’s it! By opening the concert, the first song immediately sends shivers down your spine, as the musicians are so inhabited by these traditional songs.

The expression of the singing musicians is so lovely and strong. I stay in a position to try to capture the moment when emotion is at its peak.

I’m also fascinated by the Cretan Lyra. There is something sensual about this instrument: the smooth shape that makes us want to touch it, its details through which we can imagine the manufacturing steps, its white lines that contrast with the wood, the powder of rosin deposited on the Lyra’s neck, and so on.

The tables are filling up more and more, to the point where the waiters come and add more tables after moving a few. My movements become more limited, and I try to vary the framing from my seat by zooming more or less.

Even in the same position, you can obtain captivating and varied photos.

The atmosphere is joyful, even festive. Everyone sings and dances, and the waiters join in. I would have loved to immortalize these moments of happiness among the people present, but copyright restrictions prevented me from doing so.

Basically, I don’t think anyone would say anything, but in the absence of their consent, I’m looking for shots from behind.

I must find the right balance with light because I’m facing the window. Focusing on the drinks enables me to create a more subdued atmosphere.

This concert was an exceptional moment for two reasons:

First, it enabled me to experiment with another way to take photographs by giving me a different subject. I’d never photographed a concert, and sharing this intimacy with the musicians was magical.

Then, the pleasure of taking photos allowed me to experience something profound in my expatriation experience, which I’ve written about in the story below.

Thank you for reading!