Working for Guardian at Glastonbury Festival

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/27/2005 06:53:44 PM · #1

Well, I just got back from the mudfest, and am waiting for my other half to get out of the bath!
What an incredible experience, working in a portocabin with the Guardian Online team, updating the website with up-to-the-date photos and news.
The competition was fierce, there could be up to as many as 50 photographers in the pit, especially for bands such as Coldplay and White Stripes, and the holding hands moment with Bob Geldof was amazing, especially the paparazzi scrum afterwards.
You can see all my photos on the Guardian website in the Glastonbury 2005 section, you can see a link to it on the main page... //www.Guardian.co.uk
Most of the photos I took are accredited to me, and they are dotted all over the Glastonbury coverage... but the best place to see the photos are the 3 days in pictures, and the A-Z gallery.
Some of the links are a bit patchy at the moment, but I've been told the problems will get fixed in the next few days. Although you can click on the photo for a larger version, it's still tiny... their requirements are 300 longest width, or 350 longest height which is rather small. They also use odd image ratios of 100x100 or 100x200 for some of their news stories which can be quite challenging after having composed shots in the usual way.
I worked damn hard, in fact everyone was rather bemused by my hard work and enthusiasm, especially when everyone was miserable and p****d off by all the mud. I averaged about 4 hours sleep a night, and just took photos pretty much non-stop.
I can still sell the photos on (editorial only), so I have a portfolio now of bands such as Coldplay, White Stripes, The Killers, The Others, New Order, Basement Jaxx, Garbage, Van Morrison, and others I can't remember off the top of my head, together with loads of great festival shots.
I must thank DPChallenge, as there's no way I could have got to this stage without this site. When the editor gives me an assignment to get a particular photo, it's the experience from this site that makes me go out of my way to get something special that will hopefully rise above all the other coverage of the same thing. And all the great advice and feedback on my photography has really helped me to grow as a photographer. I've really come on a long way since my first baby steps here 2 years ago.
What a privilige to have a backstage pass for the festival, 150,000 people were there at the peak of Saturday night, and 500,000 people try to get tickets each year. I'm going to really enjoy doing more of these kinds of events in the future.
I'll post some more decently sized photos here in the next few days,
Cheers guys,
Bob

Message edited by author 2005-07-03 09:27:45.

e301

06/27/2005 07:00:30 PM · #2

You work hard Bob, and there's no substitute for that; with, of course, the pre-requisite of some considerable talent - but it's the hard work that gets you places. Really pleased that things are happening for you.

e

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/27/2005 07:10:32 PM · #3

Good man! Are they/you covering V? I'm camping there this time round again.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/27/2005 07:55:35 PM · #4

this is absolutely awesome, bob!!! damn good news, glad to hear it! keep it up!!!

here's a link

Message edited by author 2005-06-27 19:58:08.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2005 07:07:54 AM · #5

Many thanks!
Also see...
In pictures: Day One
Day Two
Day Three

The Blog: //blogs.guardian.co.uk/culturevulture/archives/glastonbury_2005/index.html

And other news items such as this one involving Bob Geldof: //www.guardian.co.uk/arts/glastonbury2005/story/0,15865,1514773,00.html

There are more dotted about, but I'll try and get all the photos in one place within the next few days.

davidx76

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

06/28/2005 07:35:01 AM · #6

Excellent photos, glad you enjoyed yourself too! Particularly like the photos of the crowds - some great moments & expressions captured!

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/28/2005 07:36:24 AM · #7

Bob,

I am so f$#@ing impressed with what you have done, I will be back in England from 1st August and would like to a) buy you a beer and b) get some tips and advice :)

What you have achieved since turning pro is an inspiration to us all, and as a fellow Englishman that also started with a Panasonic I'd be honoured to follow your lead.

Darren

Firsty

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

06/28/2005 07:55:21 AM · #8

love the Shirley Manson photo :)

PeterC

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/28/2005 09:52:03 AM · #9

Bob
Absolutley brilliant shot's seems to me your name is everywhere, your effort seems well worth it good luck as this should really show people how good you are.
Pete

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

06/29/2005 05:57:18 PM · #10

I've put them all in one place now on my own site using the DPC standard of 640 pixels. Please note that many of the photos that were used by The Guardian would not have passed the basic editing rules!

//www.glastonburyphotographs.co.uk/

Please let me know which ones you like!

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

06/29/2005 06:03:26 PM · #11

Bob
I am glad you linked the three days separately as I couldn't find the link from the guardian online homepage.

AMAZING photos - even in those conditions - weather, crowds, excitement, deadlines - you took shot after shot of well exposed, nicely composed, energy-filled, exciting and intriguing images. What a range!

They must be delighted with the results.

Any feedback from them and any word on future work?

bpickard

Fujifilm FinePix S3000

06/29/2005 06:07:23 PM · #12

'yellow mohican' and, especially, the portrait of Geldof looking down.....that shot is absolutely stunning with his wild hair and pristine shirt framing his weary expression beautifully. It's been very interesting shadowing your work over the past weekend. Keep us up to date with future projects. Ben

06/29/2005 06:14:12 PM · #13

Thanks,
the feedback was very very positive... I was up against the cream of the photojournalists and gig photographers, and I came good. I'm sure if they need a photographer in the future I'll be on their list.

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

06/29/2005 06:25:55 PM · #14

Man, what an experience that msut have been !

Your photos are just awesome, and your I think you did just as good as the cream of the crop photographers.

Congrats man !

tomlewis1980

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/29/2005 06:42:46 PM · #15

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

I'm sure if they need a photographer in the future I'll be on their list.

Looking through your shots I would hope so, some great photos that really seem to capture the mood of the event, thanks for sharing them with us.

Good luck for the future!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/02/2005 07:51:46 PM · #16

I've just put some of the band shots in my DPC portfolio, seeing as many of the bands just played Live8. There are also shots of Geldof in there.

Message edited by author 2005-07-02 23:32:55.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

07/02/2005 08:01:05 PM · #17

Superb coverage of the festival, bands and performers. You truely are an inspiration Bob!

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/02/2005 09:02:44 PM · #18

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

I'm sure if they need a photographer in the future I'll be on their list.

NO DOUBT!!! freakin awesome work, bob!