One of my goals of 2018 was to improve as a photographer. There were many, many shots hampered by blurry arms and lighting misjudgments, but I did enjoy revisiting a few concert photos from some memorable shows. Here are my favorite concert photos of the year:
Play On, Philly! West Philly Porchfest, 6/2/18
I am most happy with my photos of the West Philly Porchfest. The outdoor festival presented the opportunity to capture artists on the unique stage of rowhouse porches. This picture does not show the force of the Play On, Philly! ensemble. They could be heard from blocks away, overpowering other acts as the talented young artists showed off their skills.
Bitters & Rye, West Philly Porchfest Porch, 6/2/18
As a wannabe photographer, this photo is everything that I wish I could do better. The idea was there, but the execution was less than perfect. The side view of jazz outfit Bitters & Rye may not have been the best framed photo, but the picture taken from an alleyway reminded me to be aggressive. Standing in the middle and snapping photos provides okay results, but not the most interesting ones.
Elton John, Wells Fargo Center 9/12/18
The ultimate challenge to photograph. If the long distance from my vantage point was not enough, Elton John’s sequins presented their own difficulties. I like this photo because it shows the singer during an encore where he was showered with appreciation by fans during his farewell tour.
Christine and the Queens, WXPN’s Free at Noon 11/2/18
Christine and the Queens were the most difficult to photograph. The first dance-oriented act that I tried to snap pictures of were everything that I wanted to see as a fan, but their routines were tough to capture. I was fortunate enough to take photos of the band from WXPN’s intimate World Café venue. I love this snapshot because it shows the resolve of Héloïse Letissier and her backup dancers.
The War on Drugs, Tower Theater 12/21/18
Since I last saw them in 2015, The War on Drugs have really upped their lighting game. This photo shows off the band’s breathtaking lighting from their gig at Upper Darby’s Tower Theater as a part of the Drug-cember concert series.
The War on Drugs, Tower Theater 12/21/18
There are a few concert photos from this show that I enjoyed sorting through, but this picture of Adam Granduciel is my favorite. The smoky stage effects gave a classic feel to the band’s last show of the year.
Long After Dark 
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