MICHAEL MONROE photo: Lauren Ratkowski
Nothing screams rock-n-roll more than watching a teased haired, flame-leg pants wearing front man parade around a stage while wielding a red saxophone and a harmonica all during one single performance. Wait, I lied. It is more significant considering that I was photographing all of this inside the famous Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip. I was photographing Finland’s Michael Monroe, former lead of glam rock outfit Hanoi Rocks.
Arriving at the venue after the show had already started, I immediately tried to find a decent spot to photograph from. The venue was already half filled, so there were not many great places left. I opted for the right side of the stage, set up my camera, and waited.
A moment after the show began, I knew I would be photographing some full energy performers. I was happy about this, but I was not so happy about the lighting. I’ve never shot at the Whiskey before, so I had no idea what I was really getting myself into. After trying a few different settings, I found my happy place. After all, I didn’t have the advantage of shooting from the comfort of a photo pit. I was shooting from the crowd, which meant I was also battling hands and phones being raised into the air at unpredictable times.
Typically if the lighting is going to change during a set, it’s going to happen after the first song. That didn’t happen this time. I knew I had to try and get closer if I was going to get anything good. I weighed my options in what was now a fully packed room. The only real open spot was about two feet from me next to a steel support beam.
This spot was better than what I started with, but I found myself pressed up against the beam, shooting around whichever side was better at the time. It was certainly one of the more odd shooting conditions I’ve ever been in.
I can honestly say I was a little worried when I’d check my LCD screen to see how the shots were coming every once and awhile. But I was happy to leave the venue with some images that at least captured the energy and great performance that Michael Monroe displayed.