Seven Days : Day four

Contacting newspapers is a tough game! Not one of the ten or so that I contacted yesterday has even bothered to reply - Maybe their email servers have me blocked! darn it all.. I shall try and try again...

Why am I trying to get in touch with a newspaper? well, I want to find out what it takes to become a "news gatherer" for my local rag, that way, I can apply for a UK press card, no? We found out yesterday that it actually takes a hell of a lot to be granted a UK Press card and that I'll probably miss out on getting one anyways.. That's OK, at least I will have tried.

Phil emailed me once more with a small piece that a colleague of his pointed out...

"Whilst chatting with a colleague about your project he pointed out that many music events have a cap on the number of photographers. It’s often an arbitrary number and is sometimes dictated by the headline act’s management as part of their deal with the venue. The PR that control the access will always try to get the most publicity they can and will have a pecking order of photographers and agencies. Many PR people like preview instead of review pieces. Once the band has been to your town on tour, there is little need for the pictures when you can’t control the review. These days it’s all about control – information and image"

So, today I'll continue to attempt getting in touch with venues that I like - I quite like o2's Indigo - A great venue for live music, if a bit stark... I was there recently for a Chick Corea gig, I took along my Ixus and managed to take a couple of shots...



I did see a young woman wandering around with an SLR, I also saw a guy being ushered out for using a video camera - right up at the stage (What did he think would happen, honestly!) ... So, today I'll get in touch with indigo and maybe Brixton academy - another cracking venue, and see what they say about obtaining accreditation at a gig...

I found a brilliant list of local newspapers here I will choose a couple and use them to "test the water" ... Maybe I also need to contact a bands management to see what they say about "getting into the fray" at a concert... How the hell does one get in touch with a band manager?!... (Actually, I have a cunning plan)

Well, Lets keep day four short and sweet!!... Oh, I **may** have accreditation to shoot on the runway at the Redbull AirRace live, from London tomorrow!... Now that would be outstanding!! - Maybe I should take a recorder to get some feedback from other official photographers... Maybe?...

Peace Out...

Sime