Warped Tour 2018: A Tale From The Photo Pit

The Final First Day of an Era

BLACK VEIL BRIDES -Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

BLACK VEIL BRIDES -Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate this thing called Warped Tour. This tour has a very special place in my heart. It was my first TRUE credentialed show circa 2011. I had just graduated high school two weeks before. I still carry the wristband in my wallet to this day to remind me how far I’ve come in this crazy world of photography. When I found out that this was its last year as a cross country tour, I knew I had to shoot it. I HAD to.

MAYDAY PARADE -Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

MAYDAY PARADE -Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

The tour kicked off Jun 21 in Pomona, CA – the same place I shot my first Warped Tour! I grabbed my photo wristband and ticket and then hopped in line. Doors didn’t open for another 45 minutes. Why was I there so early? Ah, any Warped vet knows the set times are different each day for every band. And those times are not announced until the day of. One does not simply have their day planned like most other festivals. If you miss the first hour, you could risk missing someone you really wanted to shoot, no matter how big or small.

ISSUES-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

ISSUES-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

Once inside, I grabbed a paper schedule and a Sharpie. Let the plans begin. It made me happy to see that there were three bands on the lineup that I also photographed my first Warped. For nostalgias sake, I knew I had to be in the pit for them. My day started at the main stage with the band, ISSUES. In 2011, Issues front man Tyler Carter was fronting WOE, IS ME on the iconic Hurly Bubble Stage. Yes, things had changed but from a side stage to the main stage in just a few years is quite the accomplishment!

KNUCKLE PUCK-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

KNUCKLE PUCK-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

Once Issues was done, it was on to KNUCKLE PUCK, MAYDAY PARADE and REAL FRIENDS. While shooting each band, I had a few things to keep in mind. The biggest was the location of the sun in relation to the stage. Yes, outdoor lighting is great, but it can be just as challenging, especially when shooting in the early afternoon. The sun is at its highest point in the sky at that time of the day meaning harsh shadows and bright exposure spots. I had to keep reminding myself to keep an eye on my exposures as I was shooting each act in case that pesky sun was shining too bright.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

The most challenging set of the day was for MOTIONLESS IN WHITE. If you’re not familiar with the band, they perform adorned in black and white stage make up. Normally I’d be all for the theatrics, however the sun was shining directly onto the stage. This mean it was going to be more challenging to get a correct exposure to capture the “skin tones” of the band while not either blasting out whites or having the backgrounds appear as a dark abyss. In a perfect world, I’d have time to adjust for each shot, or to just move the sun. I decided the best way to go about it was to adjust as needed until I found that middle line exposure.

THE MAINE-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

THE MAINE-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

Back to the main stage for one of my personal favorites, THE MAINE! It was late afternoon, which gave me more even lighting and less worry about the location of the sun. After The Maine it was time for THE USED. I have been DYING to shoot The Used. Their set time fell during the wonderful “golden hour”- what more could I ask for?! To round out the night were two other bands that I captured during my first Warped – the ever so energetic 3OH!3 and BLACK VEIL BRIDES.

3OH!3-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

3OH!3-Warped Tour 2018/Pomona; photo Lauren Ratkowski

I could sit here and pour my heart out about the meaning of Warped Tour to me personally and to the world of music, but we’d all be here for a very long time. It broke my heart to know as I left that night, I was leaving Warped behind me as I knew it. I had four great years visiting Warped. I was able to meet some of my favorite bands, made countless memories, and beyond. But the thing I am most grateful for is Warped giving me a chance, a platform, to start my music photography journey. I wouldn’t change one sweaty, hot, dirty moment I spent on those black tops. Suppose I’ll keep it simple. Thank you, Warped for everything.