Ami Barwell: Rock’n’Photo

Remember Cameron Crow’s movie “Almost famous” (it’s about an American high-school boy who was commissioned by Rolling Stone magazine to write a story about a rock band and accompany it on their concert tour)? Well, if the director decided to make the film’s sequel, he might give the main part to Ami Barwell, a music photographer from England. Just like the boy from the movie, Ami travels together with rock’n’roll bands, photographing musicians both on the stage and behind it.

Ami Barwell has been into photography for over 10 years, and all this time rock’n’roll is her main subject. In Ami’s own words, a good photograph should have feeling, depth, emotion. I think you will see that her photographs are just about that. You know, when I looked through Ami’s works on her website, a clear thought came to my mind – rock’n’roll is alive! Even though it may be a trite phrase, but it’s true to me. And hopefully, to you too. I don’t believe to Guns ad Roses who sing:”Whatever happened to sex drugs n’ rock n’ roll? Now we just have AIDS crack and techno” – it’s not that bad at all!

I hope you will agree with me after reading the exciting interview. Ami tells what it means to be a music photographer and her photographs tell what it means to be a rock-n-rolla. So enjoy your read and don’t forget to leave a comment!

I’m feeling good thanks… it’s been a really busy few weeks – Last week I had a big album cover shoot and a photo-shoot at a recording studio, I’ve also been on tour with the Levellers doing a tour photo-documentary, and in the past few days photographed the New York Dolls and the Michael Monroe band. No rest for the wicked!

I’d always carried a camera around with me, from as far back as I can remember – Photographing friends, family, loved-ones, travels; documenting my life I suppose. I’ve also always been a huge music lover and have grown up being surrounded by great music. My Dad used to be a folk musician and my Brother has always been in bands, so shooting the things and people I loved slowly progressed into rock ‘n’ roll photography. Going to gigs all the time and hanging out with bands, it was just natural to take my camera along and document it all.

I find that some younger, newer bands tend to be far more arrogant, selfish and egotistical than the well-respected rock gurus. It’s probably why many newer bands don’t seem to have that longevity, in my opinion, it’s the same as most things in life – you don’t really get anywhere by being an arsehole.

It’s not just a job it’s an adventure, I get to do what I absolutely love, get paid for it, and meet some amazing people along the way. I feel very lucky.

The worst part is going through a dry-spell, sometimes I can go months without a shoot… that’s financially tough and I also hate not working. It’s can also be highly stressful at times and ridiculously long hours.

My Thom Yorke shot is special to me as I haven’t seen a photograph of him smiling before. Also my Black Rebel Motorcycle Club photo of the smoky guitar, that’s extremely special as I toured with them for so long and it completely sums up the whole feel, sound, mood and atmosphere of a really great band. It was also taken on a very eventful, emotional and generally pretty messed-up day… the fact that that roll of film even survived, is a miracle in itself!

My job is to watch and capture, but of course I get into the whole whirl of it. Spending weeks on a tour bus, waking up and going straight to the pub, living in such close proximity, you can’t really avoid it. I love going on tours with bands, it’s great fun and the more time I spend with a band, the more I get to know them, the more they trust me, the better the photographs I get.

A photograph is art when it has feeling, depth, when it makes one think, when it is more than just a ‘snap’. When editing my work I look at each photograph and think “does it stand out on it’s own?”, if the answer is “no” then for me, it’s not good enough. I’m an extreme perfectionist with my work.

Equipment isn’t such an important part, it’s more about knowing how to use your equipment and knowing what result you’re looking for. I’m strictly a film user, I hate digital photos with a passion – to me, digital cameras have killed a huge part of photography and taken away it’s art form. I use an old 1960’s manual 35mm with many different lenses, depending on the shoot.

No, I didn’t study psychology! I get on with most people, I’m a nice person and have a twisted sense of humour. I get on so well with musicians and creative people as we tend to think the same and have the same interests, lifestyles and passions. I’m actually quite shy and think I intrigue a lot of people.

I play the guitar and drums, sometimes I think I’d like to be in a band but I’m probably far too shy, which may be why I hide behind my camera!

I’d visit an early 1900’s death row American prison and photograph the inmates – the pain, remorse, hatred, romance, sadistic nastiness – everything in their eyes.

No, I say just follow your heart, be passionate, find your own style and techniques and most importantly – don’t listen to anyone else.

Don’t miss a chance to get to know more about the art of Ami Barwell:

Website: Ami Barwell. Rock’N’Roll Photographer

All photos copyright © Ami Barwell. Reproduced on this page with permission.
Photos can’t be reproduced or used without prior agreement from the photographer.