"The Shot": Ellis Paul, Sunday, April 24, 2016

(Danger Will Robinson: Since this blog is primarily about things creative, and I am being so creative in other areas I've been neglectful of being creative with this blog, I'm going to use my other creative endeavors more to be creative here.)

Ellis Paul in Concert. Copyright 2016 Charles Black & Eye Guess Photography. I gave myself permission, to use this photo. All others must ask.

Photographers great and not so great, are always hoping for "The Shot". It's an image that even before you trip the shutter, you realize is going to say something special, or at least look cooler than anything else you do at that time.

For a concert photographer, The Shot can do a few different things. In some cases, it epitomizes the atmosphere of the concert that it might be the only one needed to make people wish they'd been there. Or, it might be one that presents the performer in a way that sums up his or her talent and style in a single image. Then at times it's an image that does the opposite, stripping away the stage persona and revealing a side of the performer not often seen.

This is that sort of shot.

Ellis Paul is a great singer/songwriter who is usually very congenial and outgoing on stage. He connects very well with the audience, and it shows in how much the audience appreciates his performances. Sometimes though, all performers have moments when they sort of disconnect from the show and tap into something the audience can't see, some etherial place where the musician's chosen Muse resides.

When that moment happens, it seems the audience disappears for an instant as the musician connects with the Power that feeds his soul and drives his music. This is Ellis Paul in that moment.