I’m back in photography

I’m back in photography


Well I guess I can say this is part two of my nostalgic blog (here is part one). After making pictures at  Deine Lakaien in Planetarium Bochum it was now time to go back to concert venue’s again. The lighting will be completely different just like the crowd. So like the old days let’s go in the photopit!

It’s almost strange to  think that it was over a decade that I have been in the photopit. But maybe it was the magic of Bochum still in my head or the nostalgic theme of the Veljanov tour that made that time hasn’t past. There where a lot of trusted faces that also makes it more comfortable to make pictures. Like Marcus Testory was also 2008 when I have had him in front of my camera for a report “a day with Chamber.”


While the concert in Oberhausen felt like just old school with the type of hall and the dancing people. Berlin felt really special to me. Being there thinking of the cd presentation of Porta Macedonia 16 years ago. The interview with Alexander at Summer Darkness festival in Utrecht 15 years. Celebrating 25 years Secrets of the Silver Tongue and this all on the day that 35 years ago the Berlin wall fell.


Berlin was a evening not just being nostalgic but also one of breaking my own walls that I build up. Walls that I build up to hide my grief and lost vision on where the heart takes you. It was like a coming home again. I guess just to pet my ego maybe I felt the “Anton Corbijn” of the evening and Alexander Veljanov is  for me like what’s Bono for Anton Corbijn.  That one person in front of you camera  that somehow works like magic and always let’s you be on your best.

We will see what the future brings.

Photoseries:
Pictures of Oberhausen 2024
Pictures of Berlin 2024

Leave behind what needs to be left behind
Embrace the sun and touch the sky
Sometimes when we think it’s the end
It’s just the beginning

Helene Smits

Veljanov & Die Kammer – Peter Edel Kulturzentrum Berlin (DE) 7-11-2024

Veljanov & Die Kammer – Peter Edel Kulturzentrum Berlin (DE) 7-11-2024

What a great time to be back in Berlin. The first and last time I made concert pictures in Berlin was 2008. It was a 26h visit to Berlin including drive. That was to the cd presentation of Veljanov Porta Macedonia album. So now after to lang ago back to Berlin and nog with was an upgraded trip of 60h or in short words nice weekend away. The atmosphere was great and Die Kammer was a great party again to warm up the venue. The evening was a nice celibration of Veljanov Secrets of the Silver Tongue. This nostalgic tour and specially Berlin really brought me back to 2008.

Veljanov

Die Kammer

Deine Lakaien – Zeiss Planetarium Bochum 12-10-2024

Deine Lakaien – Zeiss Planetarium Bochum 12-10-2024

A magical evening in a small outerspace dream setting. The concert was in a small magical setting. One almost impossible to capture on film. But it tried and if you get the chance to go then go. Just to let yourself drift away underneath the stars.


Also thank you to Gerold Smits for helping with the editing.
Pictures copyright Helene Smits