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How do you get your pictures at shows?
Soverns: I like to pretend I’m invisible at shows that I shoot because to me, invisibility is a goal of any great photographer. You need to dress in all black like the ninja. After getting the shots I need, I throw down a smoke capsule and vanish into the night. Actually, I wear a stupid blue knitted hat and I'm usually in the crowd trying not to get knocked over.

What do you want viewers to get out of your pics?
My goal with live music photography is to make it look like it was the best show ever. I try to capture the energy of the performers and the audience. It requires some timing and being in the right place at the right time. I want the viewer to think, “Hey, that looks like a really fun show. Why didn't I go?"

What’s your process? Bequeath unto me.
Beer in one hand, camera in the other.

What is the photographer’s version of a guitar solo? Cause you play guitar too, right?
I've played in some punk bands, not a lot of solos happen. Being a musician is a lot different than being a music photographer. A guitar solo is kind of your moment to shine and showcase your style and ability in front of a crowd. It's a performance, whereas a photographer is behind the lens trying to stay out of everyone's way. The photographer is not the guitar solo, their photos prove that it happened.

How does your playing music affect your taking pictures of music?
I guess it helps with the timing and also because I have experience as a musician, I know how to stay out of the performer’s way and not unplug their shit on accident.

What settings do you use?
I learned on film cameras and shoot in manual mode. I don't know what the little flower setting is supposed to do. I rarely photograph a flower. My camera wasn't that great in low light so I use a flash most of the time. Sometimes I drag the shutter to capture the stage lighting and ambient light and the flash freezes the action. Generally speaking, I shoot at 800 iso, which requires less light from the flash, at an aperture of eight or so. The shutter speed depends on the amount of stage lights at the venue. I make manual adjustments to the flash and shutter speed from there.

How often do you photograph people with their clothes off? How often do people take their clothes off and ask you to take their picture? Do you use the flower setting for those shots?
No, that’s the deflower setting.

Friday, June 18th at Upper Playground, Rabid Child Images is putting on an exhibition called ‘In the Grime Light’ featuring Soverns’ pictures of Seattle hip hop. There will be a street BBQ and DJ Sets by DJ Swervewon, DJ 100 Proof, and DJ Radjaw. 4730 University Way Northeast.

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Ever get caught in a mosh pit with expensive gear that wasn't made for moshing?
I’ve shot a lot of high energy shows in small spaces and anything can happen. Most people are cool and are having fun but there are accidents. I had to tape the on camera flash down with duct tape after my camera was punched at a show and I've definitely had my camera covered in beer and other things quite a few times.

You’re a 'live shot' specialist. Is this something you set out to do? Or did it come about naturally?
I was drawn to music photography because I've always been in bands myself. When I started hearing some of Seattle's underground hip hop, I saw a lot of potential and the music was and is very fun. The shows are really fun too. I started taking photos of bands performing and I enjoyed it. I do like shooting promo pics and editorial portraits too. I like it all really, but shooting shows at small venues has it's own thing. It's almost like trying to "find" pictures. You know they are there, everywhere around you. I’m constantly moving and looking around, watching the performers. Basically trying to guess where the next shot might be.

What's your favorite camera to use?
That is a tough one. I love medium format cameras and if I were rich I'd always shoot with a Hasselblad. They’re so rugged they can be used as a weapon if anyone in the crowd gets too rough. I had a Nikon d80 and it was all I really could afford at the time. It was stolen at Sasquatch and currently I don't have a camera at all. Probably the most practical camera for me would be a Nikon d300 or something else that is good for low light situations. Canons are great too but I'm not very familiar with them.

What are some of the best shows you've photographed?
Last year's Go! Machine at The Crocodile had to be one of the best shows for me as a photographer. There were so many great hip hop acts that gave amazing performances and the crowd was really into it. I think everyone had a blast. Shooting 2 Live Crew at Nectar was another good one. Getting to shoot 2 Live Crew isn't something that happens everyday.

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