IBIS MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
​What is our music as we head further into the climate change century? One of the most interesting questions: does music instigate change, or more often ride media waves, amplifying or trying to cash in on social trends?
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My photography's a small part of the story of street arts in Brisbane & South East QLD starting 2006 & leading up to 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Street arts is at times seen as news-worthy but usually more low key. I've photographed a vast range of musicians and genres, incl. that broad area, jazz, whose history began on the street - 19th century cotton fields, streets of New Orleans, marching bands, street bars, paddle steamers - protesting share cropping & slavery, civil rights. 21st century's theme is survival - climate change, financial pressures on music venues and events, AI, 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. 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 photography on the street.. at festivals and workshops from others who'd photographed Slim Dusty, The Stones, Hendrix... and with the kindness of some of the finest Griffith University music lecturers was encouraged to pick up an instrument again and play, even just at my local church or in my studio. 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 on my pages with you in it and want a copy or it 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