When things go wrong...

REM performed in Tallinn today and I was supposed to go shoot them. With new Pentax *ist DS digital SLR that I was supposed to get for loan from a local camera store. Yes, I did make it to the show and I got my shots but with my trusted Minolta Maxxum 7. It turned out that this store was no longer open 24 hours (can you imagine a photo store that is opened 24 hours?). They had just closed, I couldn't get my camera, I didn't have my own camera with me (how stupid is that), I didn't have any spare film at home and was unsure where I could get film this late in the evening. Did I mention I was running late for the show by that time?

Took the tram to downtown, found one open store, got 3 rolls of film (Kodak T-Max 3200 and Fujifilm X-tra 800), ran home, grabbed my camera and took a taxy to the venue. Was late 5 minutes but still made it just in time to join other snappers.

REM frontman Michael Stipe. Foto (C) Siim Teller

I was never a big fan of REM but they are a great live band. Of course when you're fighting for the best place, changing lenses (I have fixed focus lenses), trying to get a good composition while monitoring shutter speeds in constantly changing lightning and moving subjects is pretty demanding. But it gives you a nice buzz. If you have an opportunity to shoot some performances I can strongly recomment it. It helps if you have some association with a newspaper, music magazine or website because it gives you necessary credentials. If you don't have this then start with smaller venues, young bands and performers. It'll give you the chance to see if you like it at all and it also gives the chance to grow with the band.