IBIS MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
IBIS MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
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Where do musicians and creatives need to be in the climate change era? One of the most interesting questions regarding music is does it instigate social change, or simply ride the political waves, amplifying or cashing in on social topics?
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My photography's a small part of the story of street arts in Brisbane & South East QLD from 2006 leading up to 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Street music is at times seen as news-worthy but usually more peripheral. I've photographed a vast range of musicians and music genres, incl. jazz whose history began on the street - 19th century cotton fields, streets of New Orleans, marching bands, street bars, and paddle steamers - protesting share cropping and slavery, civil rights. 21st century music is now about survival - financial pressures on small music venues and smaller events, AI music, Spotify, copyright. The 'big' music stages, online 'influencing' and chart success are seen as the goal, however, as you can see from photos on this site, that isn't entirely true. National libraries tell our histories using street photos given the context they provide.
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As a young musician, I played my first street gig 1977, my first Brisbane Festival 1980 ('Warana' street parade), toured Australia & NZ altho struggling with my health 1998 I gave up playing in bands. 2006 like many engaged by the new social media age I was going to gigs again, looking for something to do, bought a camera. I learnt music photography on the street.. at festivals and workshops from others who'd photographed Slim Dusty, The Stones, Hendrix... over the years I have photographed at all levels from Grammy winning acts to community events & volunteers. I have a special interest in working with musicians with disabilities, as I've dealt with my own chronic health challenges.
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Street arts & ibis birds have coexisted in Australian coastal towns since the 1970s as native ibis birds migrate from inland Australia searching for water and food, a climate change story. Ibis are beautiful birds as well as scavengers. 'Bin turkeys' .. memes .. There's that. The beauty in local street arts and harder side: surviving. As this photo portfolio shows, this is a transient scene. Some performers here for decades, others passing through. If you see a photo here with you in it and want a copy or removed, email ibismusicphotography@gmail.com.
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thanks, Tim.
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Main Photo: Tones And I, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, QLD 6 October 2018
Background: Regurgitator, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 7 April 2018