So I somehow managed to score a photo pass to U2. It was pretty cool being lead underneath the stadium, through security and underneath the awesome Vertigo ellipse stage. I actually got to walk underneath it.
We were placed right at the front of the pod endy bit of the ellipse in front of Bono as he arrived on stage. I actually was standing right beneath him as he twirled about with the Aussie flag. Unfortunately I was too nervous to gain any sort of composure and my shots are not the best. In fact I took much better shots from the crowd up in Brisbane.
However for me it wasn’t about getting the best shots, I wasn’t doing it for any publication other than the Australian U2 blog and seeing as I run that, I only had myself to answer to. I have dreamed of being in the pit at a U2 show for the last 5 years since seeing them on the Elevation tour.
I didn’t have a big fancy pro shooter lens, I didn’t push my way around to get the best shot, I did get rained on and freak out when my camera was being poured on, however I had a blast there in the middle of it all. The fans talking to me, screaming out to take their photo, the atmosphere, the smoke, the lights, and my camera…it was quite the experience. I’ve shot in pits before but never anything like this.
On this U2 tour, lyptonvillage.org is focusing on the fans and their touring around with the band. I’ve met so many amazing people so far from Brisbane to Sydney. I’ve started uploading photos from the first 3 shows of fans doing what they do best on a U2 tour. The gallery already has quite a few shots, so keep coming back for updates. If you find me at a show or I ask you to pose, please do so!
The main gallery has shots from the pit on Night 1 in Sydney and shots from the crowd in Brisbane.
Its been an amazing ride so far. I’m half way through it and don’t want it to end. So far I need to thank so many great people …Lisa and Nev and all the Macphisto crew, Carly, Katie, Steph and Craig who looked after me in the heat on Saturday’s line up, Belinda and Tania, Daniel and Michael.
p.s. I met Adam Clayton today. Piccie soon:P
5 responses so far ↓
1 Fabian // Nov 14, 2006 at 8:24 pm
Top shots. Glad you had a ball!
2 Dan // Nov 14, 2006 at 9:08 pm
Wasn’t it a blast! It doesn’t get much better than that.
3 Belinda // Nov 15, 2006 at 7:36 am
OMG were famous!!1! You mentioned me on the web!! lol
Thank you. It was lovely to finally meet you too. I’m sooo glad you got into the pit. What a dream that would be.
Please keep posting your pics, blurry or not, I still love your pics. You are a brilliant photographer, Manda.
Many of my pics are blurry as I was dancing at the same time. As the guy in the photo shop said “They don’t make a camera with a dance mode yet” :lmao:
Fab. I’m still trying to come down and my last concert was Saturday. What a high, what a,,, umm, I’m posting this in the wrong place, aren’t I? I should post this in the forum. lol.
beli
4 James // Nov 15, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Yeah excellent shots Amanda! I like that bloggers are watermarking these shots since they awesome.
5 Amanda // Nov 15, 2006 at 5:20 pm
You like that we watermakr them or that we think our own shots are awesome?
Im doing it only because Ive seen how many thousands of photos there have been of the U2 shows around since Vertigo started and because I know they then get used on sites/bootlegs etc
I dont worry about my other band shots but U2 are MINE.
It was absolutely awesome, although Monday night was even better.
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