MartynJJ

Being one of those who photographs at events I'd like to put on record my own ethos on the topic. First and foremost for me, is the absolute need to respect the venue and the people who are attending. This respect is given on the night and in the images I end up choosing to display. I don't photograph for the sake of it. I do it as a way of given something back to a movement I am passionate about. People go to events to hear music and to express that emotional connection on the dance floor. The dance floor is not a place for a person with a camera, its for people who want to dance. I always get permission from the venue promoters and I appreciate it when they allow me to take image and if they actively let the room know there is a photographer in attendance, so no surprises. If individuals don't wish to have a photo taken, a quiet word is always respected. I'm not difficult to spot to be honest. I always have my facebook page at the ready so I can share the sort of work I produce and it generally puts a lot of people at ease. I have a decent camera and a remote flash gun so I have learnt to be as unobtrusive as possible given what I have to hand. Shoot from the sidelines and in short bursts. I never strobe the flash, there is no need and I never wander around with a bloody big spotlight constantly lighting up the environment as I witnessed last week at an event. I try and get to events where a few people already know me and can vouch for me as both a person and in terms of what I do. A few personal sponsors at a venue is helpful in case of any questions or concerns. I do this because it's a movement I love and have been involved in for many years. I want to portray the scene and the people who make up the scene in the best possible light, in a way that is respectful to the music, the personal emotions a good night generates and to the people who attend. If I ever thought that I was not contributing to an event in a positive way then the camera goes away. I have learnt the hard way to judge a room and the mood. If I'm instinctively not enjoying a night, then I know that will not come through in the images. I have worked hard to forge a strong and positive relationship with the scene and I value and guard my personal reputation a strongly as possible. I'm not a professional photographer, the images I take I hope reflect my passion for the scene and I hope that my images portray that same emotional connection for others who view them. I don't sell my images or make any money from what I do. And I don't publish images for the sake of it. Each image is carefully processed and assessed. If I have any doubts about an image, it doesn't go public. If I publish crap, I will eventually lose any respect and integrity for what I am trying to do. I really don't want to be an arsehole with a camera who turns up to annoy people and spoil their night or event. I'm plenty enough of an arsehole in other aspects of my life As a shameless plug my work can be viewed at my Facebook page linked below. I hope that you can take a few moments to take a look and be assured that there are a few of us out there that are really trying to put something a little more positive back into a scene we love and enjoy as much as everyone who has contributed to this discussion. https://www.facebook.com/souledonsoul/ Peace, Love and Respect Martyn

Mitch Ryder - blew all my misgivings away as I wasn't sure what to expect when announced last year. A consummate professional and a class act on stage. Very privileged to have witnessed a great performance. I spent a couple of hours in the main hall photographing the sound check in the morning and he made sure Snake Davis and the Suspicions knew exactly what he did and didn't want on the night.

One of my senior managers dropped by yesterday and the conversation went along the lines of. "hey Martyn, I've heard you're into northern soul?" to which I proudly affirmed but knew straight away what was coming...."So you go out at weekends wearing baggie trousers and patches on vests and stuff?" And it's precisely at these moments that I despair and despise all at the same time as I try and explain what really draws me to this movement. The music and the dance culture. Only to be asked "so you dont wear baggie trousers then?" I dont KOKO!!, I dont KTF!!, I dont badge up and I sure as hell hate being referred to as a "soulie!!" (that one single term really does grate on me). I'm a 53 year old bloke who happens to like a lot of 60's and 70's American soul music amongst a variety of eclectic musical tastes

No ... Quadrophenia is a crock of shite This isn't

It wasn't meant to come across that way and apologies if that's the way it seemed. But I fail to understand why anyone wouldn't want to have a quick chat or a polite word if something was bothering them. I go to events like everyone else to enjoy the vibrancy of the scene, enjoy great music and share in the overall experience with like minded people. I'm not asking anyone to put themselves out for my benefit and am not so far up my own arse to ever expect anyone to do so (though I can get a fair way up there when I need to ).

This is a bit of a difficult one for me personally due to the type of images I like to present, those being of the individual lost in that moment, that really captures and portrays the essence of where we all go to when that tune hit's our ears and the only thing we can think about is hitting the floor and losing ourselves in a personal moment. As soon as I ask permission, or indeed if anyone see's a camera pointed at them they will either pose or move away. In either case I have failed personally because I have clearly imposed on their moment and it's gone both for them and for me. At the end of the day people go to events to dance, not to be photographed and as I have said before on numerous occasions that is always respected Thankfully though these days most event goers know me or of me and tend to trust me to do a good job which helps to negate the voyeuristic guilt complex I have about not asking direct permission. I can count on one hand the number of times where I've had problems and in most cases the individuals were invariably caught in a time and a place they shouldn't be or with someone they shouldn't have been with. No hassle for me, the images just get taken down and they were with no fuss or question from me. KGH Blackbrun is a funny one though as twice there I had two individuals really lose it with me so it's an event I dont take in anymore. One individual effed and jeffed at me even though I wasn't taking any photos at the time, he just saw my camera and went off on one. The second was some ex pro footballer who wanted to take me to court for violating his image rights!! it must be something they put in the drinks at that place ;-) And I'd wager a fiver that I can even make Toad and Ninja look good given the opportunity :-)

I've seen the film. It's a very fine example of British film work, well worthy of the accolades it's receiving. Elaine and her team have done a great job of really trying to recreate the look and feel of the times and I would imagine all of us in some way will be able to relate to the journey the two young men are on having discovered Northern Soul for the first time, irrespective of when we personally first came to the movement. It's not a documentary and shouldn't be anticipated as such, it's a piece of fiction. But even so the attention to detail is evident in every scene. So get out there, see it and enjoy it. It's a film that truly deserves to do well. and will undoubtedly transfer you to a place and a time in your own heart and youth where you lived for the weekend x

Even as paying punters, the event organisers reserve the right to ask us to leave if we misbehave and reserve the right not to sell us tickets in or ban us from their events. So I'm not so arrogant to assume I have any more privilege simply because I purchase a ticket. Hence I consider myself as their guest even if you dont. and irrespective of whether I take a camera along or not. And for the record I always pay at the door or buy tickets like any other event goer

I'm there with the permission of the event organisers so if you have any problems with that then you should take it up with them. At the end of the day we are there as their guests. As I'm not a mind reader then I rely on your goodwill and good nature to point out if you object to being photographed. it's not hard and its not rocket science surely??

From the perspective of one who "snaps" I always ask the permission of the event organiser. It's their event. I always appreciate it if organisers make it known to the event goers that I'm around. If I do take a photo of someone who doesn't wish to be shot then I will delete on request and in front of them so they can be assured the image is gone. Similarly if I post an image and the subject objects, it's taken down straight away. No if's, buts or maybes. I try to be as respectful to the event goers as possible, never intrude on the dancefloor, never shove a camera in someones face and never blind them in a flood of flash or burst of strobe. Not required. A simple shot with a short flash then leave it be for a while before going again. I really cant stand it when someone gets bathed in a pool of light for a few minutes with a camera phone while they are trying to dance. I only ever post what I consider to be my absolute best shots in public. I have been to events and shot a load and not published anything. I set myself very high standards. Posting 100 images of the mundane does not do my reputation or integrity any good whatsoever and I need the trust of every event goer involved to be allowed to do my thing as discretely and respectfully as possible. I want to portray you and the event in the best possible light. I also employ my partner as my editor in chief and run each image past her to verify it's suitable to show, she has a good eye and is a good check point for me. Unfortunately with the abundance of technology these days far too many people are able to take images and post them out there without much imagination, creativity or thought behind what they are trying to achieve and that saddens me. But I can only control what I do. And what I do is my passion, it's my hobby, it's totally non commercial and it's my way of giving something back to a music scene that I love so dearly. If you see me around and your not comfortable, just a pleasant hello, a chat and a handshake is all it takes to put your mind at rest or to ask me not to take your image. I dont need threatening verbally or physically and there is no need to "smash" my kit. For anyone remotely interested my work can be viewed here and of course your feedback is most welcome :-) https://www.facebook.com/souledonsoul www.souledonsoul.com

I think the sound issue is more to do with the acoustics of Kings Hall and the sound system they were using. It did distract from what was otherwise a very good film. Saw the Avenger parked outside, took me back to the days when I passed my test do used to borrow my father in laws motor to rag around in when he was too drunk to use it. Good times

Sounds similar to the Black Bee experience up here in Manchester. A late soul night in the city center getting a good crowd of young blood in, many of whom have become regulars. They dont have the rules and baggage many of the elder set carry and it makes for a refreshing and energy filled Friday night. The only thing that stands is no drinks on the dance floor and by and large it gets policed well by the clientele themselves. Go for it, you'd be surprised how many young people are out there looking for something new and different. Good luck :-)

Have to say it's been a great year for me. A lot by design cos I was 50 in January and wanted to make sure we got out and about to as many different events as time would allow and we did. Indulged myself in my photographing the scene as best I can and made lot's of friends along the way. By a chance conversation at Lowton in February I found myself working with the youngsters in the North West preparing for filming with Elaine Constantines film project every Thursday night. They aint actors, they aint trained dancers they're a refreshing bunch of fine young people with a desire and passion for the scene that burns as brightly within them as it does with us then and now. And as an added bonus I spent 5 days working on a film set which was an experience in itself and one that will live with me forever. Went to a Northern Soul wedding, went to good events, went to one or two frankly piss poor events and learnt what I like and don't like. 2013 will be a very different roadtrip of events but thats for next year. Got me a northern soul tattoo and crossed that Rubicon. Oh and I did dance once or twice but you'd need to be quick to catch that If I had to sum 2012 up in an image then I'd offer this. Two young men dancing to Jimmy Bo Horn "I Just Can't Speak" Its' written all over their faces Have a wonderful Christmas and may 2013 bring you health, happiness, good fortune and a little bit of wealth Martyn xxx www.souledonsoul.com

I love coming across great threads like this every once in a while a joy to read Burning "fooking" Bush, always had a bit of a soft spot for this as it reminds me of Sunday nights at Gedling Miners welfare (Notts) in the late 70's where the floor was shared with the punks, teds and rockers in the evening. Each "tribe" would get two 30 minute sessions by the resident DJ and when this came on we knew it was our turn to own the floor for a wee while. Boch to "fooking" Bach, now there's a tune that brings out the irrational hatred in me, hate it to the very core of my being and then some

Find your own way Terry and if a venue aint doing it for you fella, find another. There's plenty to go at if you are able to spread your wings a bit. I'm lining up one or two new venues to visit next year and get off the beaten track a little bit. Quite a decent one up Chesterfiled way i've been to a couple of times, you should check it out