Ellen Doherty

When it Hits, You Feel No Pain

Ellen Doherty
January 16, 2012
Filed in: photostories

I love getting lost in the crowd, and photographing peoples' reactions to music - this girl was ecstatic when I song she knew came on.

Bristol loves bass. I could make a book entirely of "Gunfingers" the hand action that has become synonymous with Dubstep and Drum and Bass.

Its harder to catch girls unaware than boys. They all seem to be pre-programmed to spot a photographer and pull the 'Facebook Pout' - ruining any potentially interesting photograph.

These guys had really got into character - half naked, painted gold - they slithered around the club. I love it when someone bites their lip.. its what I do when I'm dancing to music I love.

Glastonbury Festival has to be one of the most famous music events in the world, and its right here on my doorstep. The whoie city makes a pilgramage. I loved this guy for his stillness..He was and oasis of calm in the crowd, which would seem at odds with his appearance.

Again at Glastonbury. This guy had worked hard to get to the front of the crowd, and waited for hours to see this band - He looks so serious. Bands should always remember how much fans invest in them. Not financially, but with their souls.

This girl danced like no-one was watching. I saw her a few times out and about, she always made me smile. Her sass and attitude was enviable.

These girls were having the time of their lives. Thats what I love about shooting crowds.. when you get to observe people playing, loving, screaming, leaping in the air. All things that do not happen enough in everyday life, if you ask me.

This was a Dub session - I could barely see through the skunk smoke in the air. My back is against a speaker stack and the bass is making my eyeballs vibrate. This is where I am happiest.

'Motion' is a skatepark by day and a rave warehouse by night. I've recently been trying to shoot wider crowd shots and isolate a few people in the crowd. This is an early attempt at that.

Drum and Bass is a big thing here - Dubstep was massive for a few years, but the craziest parties are usually Dn'B. Bristol takes it raving culture seriously.

It might seem odd, but I think I've seen music make people bigger than they really are.

When you are outside of it, the crowd looks terrifying. When you are inside of it, its like being held up by many hands

This was early in the night, but this guy was ready. He cut his own path, and didnt need to wait for back up. Music was all he needed.

Sometimes you need to get close. Sometimes, you cant help it.

The concentration on peoples' faces makes me smile. Sometimes I feel like I am intruding slightly on peoples private moments - but I'm doing so with respect.

The more coloured lights the better. I love drawing with the ambient.. light trails and music may be a cliche but I'm not quite bored of it yet.

The Kiss.

Wearing your sunglasses indoors. It usually means I'm not going to photograph you, but I kinda like this girls swag.

Create Your Photo Story

 

Sponsors

IGVP Blog

A Peace of my Mind: Odeh Muhawesh

May 08, 2012

Odeh Muhawesh spent the first 18 years of his life living in Jordan and now lives…
Read more »


Project Prompter #5 - Touch

May 01, 2012

From January to June 2012 we're offering the chance to hone your skills, contribute…
Read more »


A Peace of my Mind: Fred and Judy Baron

April 27, 2012

Fred and Judy Baron are survivors of Nazi death camps in World War II. They met after…
Read more »


1644 Rating: 3.3/5 (12 votes cast)

+COMMENTS


More about this Photo Story

Bristol, UK. After dark, this city has a beating heart of bass. We congregate in warehouses, clubs with sticky floors and overflowing toilets, dive bars in the trendy part of town. The soundsystem is king. Drawn like moths to a flame, night after night after night. The bass calls. We follow. You can be alone in a room of a thousand sweating bodies. Be thrown together closer than the closest of friends. Move as one with the vibrations that pummel your body. Many faces, one heart. This is where I find you - when the music drops and you are lost for a second in a world of your own.

Learn more about: Ellen Doherty

I am a freelance photographer, currently living and working in Bristol UK. Much of my work involves music; I shoot a lot of gigs, festivals and clubs for local and national press. I am also an aspiring humanitarian photographer. I have been lucky enough to spend some time in South East Africa, and the experiences I've had there whilst working for a non-profit have re-directed my photographic ambitions towards combining my passions for image making and international development.

View Ellen Doherty's Profile ›