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

so you must be the journo from the local rag then Coops ?? lol missing you on Facebook my friend, gutted when I saw you had finally gone for a while

I quite like Don Varner these days, mainly because it's one of those songs that takes me back to a time, a place and a certain atmosphere and point in time. Musically not the best tune in the world but it has one of those time travel effects on me

Definately did a couple of Assembly Rooms nighters about 79. Never did Kings Hall but did frequent my favorite nighter of the day which was Derby Tiffs, much loved and missed to this day for me

Unsavoury fellows at Soul events? I thought we were all paragons of honesty, trust and virtue the vast majority of event goers really enjoy seing themselves and the scene painted in a very positive light and why not thats what I try to portray in each image and it's my way of hopefully giving something back to the scene. Mind you I do tend to find there are different attitudes at venues, different attitudes in regions and different attitudes across the scene in general. In northern soul circles you really have to be a lot more sensetive to each person because the whole attitude to the music and dance is often taken very seriously. But you shoot a Jazz Funk gig and you get mobbed with event goers literally throwing themselves at the lens to be snapped

As mentioned I always ask permission of the event organiser before taking images and at the end of the day, you and I are there as their paying guests. Any subsequent issues should then be taken directly with them. Generally if a venue is open to members of the public and is deemed to be a public event then it's reasonable to assume we are in a public place. There are instances where venues will explicitly state no photography on their premises and in those instances it's always wise to double check. That doesn't mean to say we should be rude, arrogant or disrespectful when shooting and like I say I am happy to discuss and avoid people who don't want their images taken for whatever reason. Please can you clarify the context of proffesional photographer?

becasue we can't read minds because we can't read minds and we do actually quite like chatting with you

Well I stumbled across this thread purely by chance and guess I should respond as I'm one of the camera culprits doing the rounds at the moment Firstly I must thank everyone who has tolerated me, put up with me, allowed me and welcomed me to take images over the years. I am always concious that having a camera pointed in your direction can amount to a significant invasion of privacy, even in the most public of places and even more so if it's a big in your face piece of kit. My ethos is always to respect the individual throughout the entire process. Thats from pointing the camera and firing the shot to the post processing and final publishing. It is not in my interests to alienate or offend the people I snap and I never publish what I believe to be unflattering or distasteful images, not least because my own integrity and reputation is on the line and I do want to be welcomed back warmly. I first picked up a camera and started taking images about 3 years ago. I was using a fairly basic camera at the time, and put some images up here. I got some really motivational feedback from Coops and my partner suggested that the current scene needs documenting in some way shape or form and so began my Northern Soul obsession. Many of you dance, many collect rare and wonderful vinyl, a few DJ and entertain, many more trade and sell merchandise, I take photographs. Whenever I go to an event I always get permission from the organiser to take photo's, whether it's a local club night or a big weekender. If it's an event that I go to regularly and I know the crowd then not a problem by and large. An event that I'm not familiar with I will usually take stock for an hour and try and figure how the crowd is and get a feel for the general vibe of the place. I'll then go and do a few test shots and again just check the reaction. If I feel I'm in a good place then off we go. If I'm not in a good place then the camera will go away and thats it. I recently left a big all nighter early doors after forking out £30 to get in because nothing was happening for me with no images. I always try and shoot from the sidelines. The dancefloor is for dancing on so why would you tolerate a bloke with a camera running loose around the place. In my early days I did move around the floor a couple of times but a few choice swear words soon made me realise the boundaries and ground rules I have been asked from time to time not to take a persons shot and that is always respected. And I will always run through my images with them so they can be sure that any shots I may have taken can be deleted there and then. However if that person is in a place they should not be for whatever reason then they should think about their behaviour given the number of mobile phones, compact camera's etc around and about. And being in a public place, or a place frequented by large amounts of the public really does preclude a right to assumed privacy. Sympathy and empathy only extends so far. My images get posted up in 3 places, Facebook, Flickr and on the appropriate events listing on Soul Source. I will not tolerate any comments on any of my images if they are percieved to be derogatory, harrasing or bullying in anyway. I do wish Facebook would do more with their privacy controls but thankfully there is a 3rd party plug in coming soon which may help. I am not a commercial or professional photographer so do not do this to make any money. I have a perfectly good and well paid job. I do stick a logo on my work to differentiate it and confirm it's copyright. I also make my work available to the event organisers if it helps to publicise their events and I do also offer work for sale, mainly to those individuals who want to have an image of themselves in print. My reason again is to provide them with a really first class high quality print without a huge logo splattered all over it But coming back to the reason why do I do it. It's far more than just taking a few shots at dayers and nighters. It's about capturing the emotion and energy thats generated at each and every event by each individual going there. It's about grabbing that candid emmotion, stealing the piece of soul and capturing it for an eternity. It's about knowing the music in your own head, dancing with the camera and anticipating the moment there will be a twist, a drop, a spin or a facial expression so wonderful and lost in the moment. And getting the shot off once. You may think you are old, fat and sweaty at 6am in the morning but there is something both real and beautiful. Us 40 and 50 plus's are meant to be tucked up in bed at 6 am, not staying up dancing and singing until the Sun rises. If that's not worth capturing, if that essence of spirit that is so fundamental to us all in our world of Northern Soul is not worth celebration then what exactly are we doing. Always with respect, humilty and your goodwill Martyn x

Amen to that :-). i've had the pleasure to be involved with the Rumworth Dance sessions with Brent since late January this year and every thursday my ears have been onslaught to the strains of Duke bloody Browner as we now call him. But for that, there was a plus side and thats a 3 day crew pass for filming weekend. Started off on Friday assembling all the dancers at KGH and getting them through costume fitting and make up. About lunchtime I was asked to man the studio at the rear and take all the shots of the dancers and actors in their costumes for cataloging purposes. I took in excess of 300 images. The wardrobe team have done an excellent job amassing a huge variety of clobber. I haven't seen as many pairs of Solatios since....well probably since 1975. Finally got home at 9pm. Saturday was another early start, assembling at 8. Everyone into costumes and up in the main hall by 10 and then the young extras arrived and a few closed scene shots were run. Then the public arrived. I must admit to being worried that being sat around for so long would be a problem but everyone to a tee was well behaved and patient. Dissappeared off for lunch about 3.30 and came back to a room absolutely rocking during Richard's lunchtime set. You could feel the release of pent up energy in the air, it was palpable. Then onto more of the main crowd shoots. Went home after the main filming abolsutely knackered and ready for....another early start on Sunday. So Sunday comes, same scenario, landing at 8. Sunday was a more intense session focussed around dialogue, so we spent a lot if time making sure any aches, pains and strains were being taken care of. Being on the floor we had a pretty good view at times of what the camera was picking up through Elaine's monitor and if nothing else she has got the cinematography absolutely spot on. We are going to be in for a real visual treat when the film is released. There was one particular moment on Sunday in a dance scene with a move so good, captured so well, and delivered by one of the lead actors it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and most of those around me I'm sure judging by the reaction in the room. I have no doubt that Elaine will do her absolute best to make this film as faithful a reproduction of the Northern Soul scene as she possibly can. Our shared story is in good hands :-)

Posted on behalf of the Film Production Team Blackburn Confirmation Emails.. We've had some messages about people not receiving a confirmation about Blackburn. We have now emailed everyone we've had a registration from so please check your spam folders. If you haven't had anything maybe we don't have the right email address for you? In which case it would be best to re-register. You can click on the link below to go straight to the registration form. The registration will be closing tonight, Tuesday the 31st at midnight. Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you all there! https://northernsoul...-soul-the-film/

The Pull Of Prestatyn My first venture back into the soul scene happened in March 2009. After much convincing by my mate Jarv I felt it was time to dip a toe back into the soul scene which had lain dormant in my life for a good few years. So he convinced me and in turn I convinced my partner Jill that this would be a great thing to do. Now at the time Jill had never experienced the soul scene though she was aware of it through my recounting of my tales of youth long gone. So getting Jill to agree to put her young daughter into the care of her parents for a couple of nights took some effort but eventually commitment was made and we journeyed our way down to the North Wales seaside town on a cold and grey Friday afternoon. I was full of anticipation. We only knew a few people if any, would Jill enjoy it or would we come away wishing we had done something else instead. We spent two days locked away from the rest of the world in a capsule of great music and fantastic people. Music poured out of every nook and cranny. In the main rooms, from the radio, and from the open doors and windows of neighbouring chalets. It seeped into every pore and into my very being. I fell in love with the Rich Red Redemption Room in particular. I bought myself a T shirt with a badge. Why oh why I do not know, baggy trousers and cloth badges are not me at all so it's sits in my wardrobe rarely worn. I'm not a big subscriber to a soul or mod uniform but that's just me. But being able to meander through the record stalls and clothing and memorabilia stalls was a new experience to me. We slept on the most uncomfortable beds known to man, crashing out in the early hours of the morning. We enjoyed having a big dirty fry up breakfast on Saturday to cure our hangovers then meandering into the main room to listen to the live acts rehearsing. This is still my favourite part of the event, what a way to enjoy your food and chill a little after 4 hours sleep. I took photos on a little camera and Jill whispered to me "you know what Martyn, someone needs to document this now before it's all gone forever". With those words began a love affair with my camera and my own undying obsession of trying to capture every moment and to show everyone on this modern day scene of ours just how wonderful it is, captured in time forever. Party time on Saturday night with live bands and by 4 am Sunday morning we hit our beds ready for a 10am start home on Sunday. We left Sunday morning, waved goodbye to Jarv and Tracie and Carn and left them to a further day's fun. On the way home we sat in silent contemplation for a while, a massive comedown was in the air. That weekend we both shared and experienced something special and we knew it. The great sense of envy, knowing there was another day to go and we couldn't share it or enjoy it was just about unbearable and at that moment we vowed to go on our new journey into soul together. And we have ever since. Pontins at Prestatyn Sands may not be the most luxurious venue in the world, there may be better "quality" weekenders out there as I heard mention lately. But that depends on how you define quality and what you're looking for. But for me Prestatyn will always hold a special place in my heart and be the best weekender in the calendar. Well done to John Poole for dogged persistence in getting this one back on the map. You can bet your bottom dollar we will be there. Prestatyn Here We Come