Athfest 2009

A woman dances to Deaf Judges at The Morton Theater on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

Athfest to the uninitiated is a three-day music festival smack dab in the middle of Athens, Georgia that features a ton of bands from the Athens scene and nearby areas. Most of them, you haven't heard of unless you're a supporter of local music or a loyal reader of Jordan Steppe.

Photographically, its really like shooting fish in a barrel. This was my second time in three years; i was at the College World Series last year. Unlike most concerts these days, it is not "three-songs-and-out." You could shoot as long as you wanted, no restrictions on flash and if you were ballsy enough, even shoot from the stage. There's a small army of kids from UGA and other scene followers who are getting the same concert photos over and over.

Me? I want something different. I can stand at the front of a barricade with an 80-200 and get the same thing they do. As always, I want something different, something creative. Thats the one thing, the one lesson above all that you should take away from concert photography -> Whats the next shot I can get? How much cooler can i make it?

Since i only photographed one day (Friday), I went all out. Busted out the pole cam with the fisheye and tried to make the most creative photos you can make in 100-degree-heat. It was disappointing to see the main-stage acts not have much stage energy but it was hot and easily 105 degrees on the stage. Completely understandable. I shot 3 bands on the main stage - The Empties, Twin Tigers (whom sounded great) and Dead Confederate (Looks like DC should be seen indoors in a club based on their stage lighting) and Tealvox over on the second stage. Tealvox was pretty good for a high school band and had a really nice, tight sound. After all that, it was time to walk back, edit for the daily and eat before hitting the evening shows.



Matthew Rain of Twin Tigers plays during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Taylor Patterson, left, shoots her friend Erin Dunn with bubbles during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Codey Stalvey of Tealvox plays during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

Many, many thanks to The Ice Cream Man for the Ice Cream.

After half a hamburger from the Grill - the heat had zapped my appetite - I walked down to the heavily air-conditioned 40-Watt Club to catch some evening bands. The All Night Drug Prowling Wolves took the stage and blew me away. I enjoyed them live and actually bought a CD. Saw Dexter Romweber Duo play and then walked up the street to see We Versus the Shark play their last show ever. Morton Theater was running behind so I caught Deaf Judges first - Think Beastie Boys, circa 1983 - and the theater had a smoke machine running which looked fantastic to go along with the stage lights.



Ben Thrower dances with Denise Medow while All Night Drug Prowling Wolves perform during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Tom Cheshire of All Night Drug Prowling Wolves is seen in a multiple-exposure photo while performing at the 40 Watt during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Deaf Judges perform at the Morton Theater during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



People dance while Deaf Judges perform during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Dexter Romweber is reflected in a mirror at the 40 Watt during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Marlow Sanchez of All Night Drug Prowling Wolves performs during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (Polecam, rear curtain, on camera flash. Needs some work. Needs slower shutter speed.)



We Versus the Shark performs their last show during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Guitarist Samantha Paulsen plays as We Versus the Shark performs their last show during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (I bought coffee from Sam for two years)



Drummer Scott Smith strips to his boxers before performing as We Versus the Shark performs their last show during AthFest on Friday, June 26, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (I've never seen anyone who comes as close to "Animal" from "The Muppet Show" before seeing this)

Parting thoughts: Artists- Put your name on your website so i know who you are. If they're not identified in the photos, it's because you aren't identified on your website and I can't find out at 2 AM.