Single image Narrative - Shoot 1

I chose *RiffRaff based in Middlesbroughs Medicine bar as the setting for my single image narrative. Its the longest running and most authentic house music event in the area. Set over three areas,a basement club affectionately known as the dungeon, a plush bar on street level and a covered terrace where smokers congregate as to not be outside the front of the venue. Of most interest is the dungeon as this is,as they say, where the magic happens. Like a womb of throbbing bass lines engulfed mostly in flashing lights and a plethora of smoke. Inhibitions run lower as you descend deeper into the night.

For their own promotion i presented a set of around 75 images. Some of groups of people and others of varying styles from long exposures to DJ action shots and candid shots of the crowd lost in the moment. On this particular evening the group HVOB were playing live in a corner of the dungeon which gave more permanent light than normal,I had more time to compose and experiment a little.

Tribal instincts to be a part of a collective and feel we belong is something I find fascinating..whether its on a football terrace where everyone sings together or in the basement of a nightclub intoxicated with the aid of loud speakers. The push,or the point when the collective is achieved is not easy to capture away from the obvious. Everyone raising their arms or shouting in unison always reminds me of a tv camera doing a fly by at the front of a concert,when people see the camera they immediately change into a screaming smiling parody of themselves.

So here is the set i chose from for the single image narrative. I thought at first it would be quite easy to choose one with such a simple aim. The narrative is that its a good thing we do this,clubbing in this form . Dancing to music is something we all do and enjoy. Its not so easy to choose one that says all that and not just going with your favorite image for any number of other reasons.