Capping off their Alive/35 Tour, KISS stormed the Sprint Center in Kansas City in an a bombastic, over the top performance that had the arena rocking full-tilt, with nary a butt in any of the 20,000 seats.
Photographer’s Notes:
Hands down, one of the most fun and exhilarating concerts to photograph in 2009. After 35-years, KISS proved to this music photographer that they still have one of the most fun rock shows filling arenas on the globe.
KISS was flat out fun to photograph. It’s truly one of the few shows where I’ve felt that the band was basically attacking the photographers in the photo pit with a constant stream of mugging. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the remaining original members of the band, were particularly playful for the cameras.
Even with over half a dozen photographers in the pit, the band seemed intent to make sure absolutely everyone got at least a frame of eye contact, a finger-point, or an outstretched tongue thrust their way – and sometimes all three at once. KISS is one band that did everything in its power to deliver to the photographers in the time allotted, as far as I’m concerned. Of course, with only two songs to shoot, all of this posturing was as incredibly welcome as it was fun and entertaining to shoot.
If anything, the band’s constant mugging for photographers and fans during the first two songs made it a little challenging to get more “candid” shots of the band when members weren’t hamming it up for me. This is a fine problem to have, if you ask me.
I photographed this concert with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 for a large part of the set, with the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 and Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 filling in as supplemental lenses. The stage was tall enough that 24mm was quite good for all but the few instances when Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Tommy Thayer all came to the front of the stage to rock out.
End Notes:
If you’re a music photographer, you owe it to yourself to photograph KISS before you hang up your camera.’Nuff said.
This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 10:08 pm and is filed under Music Photography and tagged with 2009, alive 35, concert photographer, gene simmons, images, kiss, music photographer, paul stanley, photos, tour. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Welcome to ishootshows.com, the premier site for music photography featuring daily concert coverage, portrait features, and photo advice from professional music photographer Todd Owyoung.
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My name is Todd, and I love the rock show. My work has appeared in publications such as Rolling Stone, SPIN, the New York Times, Alternative Press, Metal Hammer, Entertainment Weekly, and Billboard Magazine. I'm available for worldwide travel for editorial and commercial assignments.
wow. just…wow.
Thanks for the comment, Alexandra. That was pretty much my reaction as I walked out of the photo pit after the end of the third song.
Fantastic set, Todd. Kiss were my favourite band in my teen years (the logo is still carved into the end of my parents’ upright piano), but I skipped this tour since it wasn’t the original 4. Glad to hear they still put on a great show, and I especially like the shots of Gene.
But holy crap do they use a lot of picks!
Hey Doug, thanks for the comment. Yeah, the guys were handing out guitar picks like candy to the fans. Pretty cool.
It would have been amazing to photograph all of the original members, but 2 out of 4? I’ll still take it.
Hey Todd,
Looks like there was a ton of light. How low did you go with your ISO?
Hi Clayton,
There was generally plenty of light – I went as low as ISO 1000, but this was conservative.
Great stuff as always! I shot them a month ago, and my jaw is still hanging to the floor.
Hi Matt,
Yeah, one of the most fun shows of the year, that’s for sure. It was a rush working the pit for this show – never a dull moment.
man i really need to get myself some 2.8’s!! awesome shots pal!
Thanks, Figue. Though, for a show this bright, f/2.8 lenses weren’t strictly necessary, but they did help, as I kept my shutter speed rather high.
Firstly, amazing as usual. Secondly…
Holy white light, Batman. That couldn’t have hurt the fun factor for the shoot, either – looks like you were able to keep the ISO low and still crank the shutter.
Hey Jason,
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, it was basically all white light, all the time. There was one segment where there was colored backlighting, but even then the band members were lit with spotlights.
great stuff man … and man paul really loved you didn’t he :)
Thanks for that comment, Corey. I don’t really think Paul gave me any favoritism, really – I just happened to catch my “fair” share of the posing.
This is an amazing set, Todd.
Thanks for the comment, Amy.
Crackin shots
so sad that i missed out on shooting them…they reakly have a ridiculous stage production, cant get much bigger
Hey Dan,
Hope you get to photograph KISS next time around. Yeah, the production of this gig certainly didn’t hurt from a photographer’s point of view. Sure, the stage could have been a bit lower, but aside from that, the band certainly worked it for the press.
Man, how do you follow that?!!!
I’m just moving into this area of photography and my first gig was visually exciting. Everything is downhill from there!
Steve,
What was your first gig, KISS? If so, then yeah, 90% of gigs will be a little more of a snooze. Thanks for your comment.
Amazing set, Todd!!!
Thanks, Valerio.
Fantastic images Todd.
Hi Ian, thanks for the kind words.
Hi Todd,
amazing shots. Seeing Gene in full gear reminds me on the Gene Simmons documentary / soap, where he wonders if he is too fat to fit in his costume and his wife and his kids make a fool out of him.
Your pictures make my day!
Sven
Hi Sven,
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. I think Gene has still got it. It’s true, he didn’t rock out quite as much as Paul Stanley, but I think Gene put on a great show.
Hey Todd!
What were your settings like and did you use flash?
Dave,
I shot 1/250+ around wide open, and no flash was used. Flash is almost never allowed for shows like this.
Good Lord man. I literally don’t think better photos could have been taken. Just… perfect!
When you said “Hands down, one of the most fun and exhilarating concerts to photograph in 2009″, it makes me wonder – has there been a more fulfilling photoshoot in your *entire career*???
Great work as always.
- Jesse
Hi Jesse,
For this year, No Doubt really ranks quite highly for me, so that’s a contender for KISS. There are others as well, but KISS was pretty epic, there’s no doubt about it. Thanks for the kind words.
Oh my god, amazing lights, great exposure. NICE!
Hey Toni, thanks for the kind words.
Hi there Todd,
Killer set of photos, as usual! :)
I shot them last summer at Festival d’Été de Québec, where they played in front of 90 000 people. As you said, every concert photographer has to shoot them one day ! :)
Hey Alex,
Thank you for the comment. Wow, 90,000 fans – now that’s a concert! I’m sure KISS was pretty for the cameras. I’m going to check out your photos from that gig now.
[...] Owyoung is a rock concert photographer who has been shooting amazing photos bands on tour. His latest gallery features stunning photos of a 35 year old KISS playing the Sprint Center in Kansas City as part of [...]
technically good, but what is lacking in concert photography sadly these days is originality…part of the reason that has happened are because of the bands themselves, they have greatly restricted shooting time and where you can shoot and now force fotogs to sign ridiculous waivers about copyright ownership…unfortunately as “nice” as these are they are lacking that certain ’something’ that would make me wanna come back for a second look and stare a while longer
These are my favorite shots of yours that you have ever posted. I hate rights grabs, but I’d sign one for KISS.
Hey T-
Thanks for the comment, nice to hear from you. Even with 7-8 hours of driving total, it was a worth it to photograph these guys. They rocked it. While I’d love to have caught the 1996 reunion, even just Gene and Paul were fantastic.
Amazing photos, Todd! And wow, those are a LOT of picks on that mic stand.
Hey Tanya,
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. Yeah, they had a ton of picks on the stands and taped to the guitars. In hindsight, it would have be fun to get one as a souvenir, but I had my hands full in the photo pit as it was!
Worth the drive is right. I put in 13 hours myself, all worth it for those 10 minutes of pure thrills without a doubt.
Forgot to add that my only 2 regrets were:
1 – completely forgetting about Eric Singer
2 – not grabbing a guitar pick on my way out
Hey Matt,
13 hours and still worth it? I’d probably agree. Yeah, Eric Singer would have been nice, but he was pretty far back, and even 200mm was a small stretch.
I went into this show with my focus narrowed to Gene and Paul, but sometimes those are the breaks. It was pretty hard to pull away from the front of the stage, too, especially when the three guitarists are hamming it up as they were.
[...] Kiss, hier Owyoungs Archiv mit Fotos von… allen. (via Laughing Squid) [...]
Absolutely stunning shots! Wish I’d get sometime my chance to take pictures like those. But if you are “nobody” as a photographer it is very hard to do. Keep up the superb job Todd! Thanks for sharing your tips & shots.
Hi Juha,
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. All I can say is, keep at it. I applied for this show just as myself and http://www.ishootshows.com – I did not have the backing of a huge publication. I shot this show for myself. So, it’s possible for an individual to get into these shows, too! Good luck with your photography.
[...] KISS Konzertfotos [...]
God lovesthat’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!Jomoe – Amen.
Amazing photos Todd, by far some of the best Kiss stuff I have seen. Aside from these being dead on as far as focus and exposure your images have a quality that I cant quite put my finger on, which sets them apart from other photogs stuff and makes them very special and unique. Great to see these!
Hey Michael,
Thanks very much for the kind words and feedback, I appreciate it. I had an absolute blast photographing KISS and I hope it shows in the images here.
your best set ever!!
Congratulations Todd!!
Hey Gaisler, thanks for the feedback.
excellent, no words for this work. Impeccable
Hey DeeDee, thanks a lot.
Great set, Todd. I always find it unnerving when the band pays me much mind when it’s in the pity, but it doesn’t look like it phased you in the least.
Had a chuckle when I saw the last shot – he’s got a huge man-boob that almost looks photoshopped in (but of course I know it’s not!)It’s completely the opposite look of the recent demi moore thigh controversy: http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/a-line/demi-moores-w-cover-worst-photoshop-ever/
Thanks to your heads up, will now try and shoot them if they come to town.
Hey Paige,
The amount of attention KISS paid us was definitely unusual, but there was so much commotion that there really wasn’t any time to stop and consider it too much.
If KISS is playing near you, I think it’s definitely worth a drive to see them.
AMAZING!!! I’m sure lady GAGA will be a visual feast as well!
Thanks for the comments, hopefully Gaga will allow me to photograph, though it looks like she isn’t allowing photographers on this tour.
WOW..you’re amazing Todd. I love your works.(you inspired me to learn, I take a really tiny baby step by trying to take photo of my son’s school orchestra concert) :)
Thanks for the kind words, Sinta, I really appreciate it. Good luck with your photography!
hey man! Great great! ur kind of an inspiration! never miss the trigger!! awesome!!
Tell-me please, do you do some postwork?.. photoshop etc.!?
Tks a lot.. continue with your exelent work man!!
Cheers!
Hey Hugo,
Thanks for the kind words. I use photoshop, but generally don’t do much to my images. There usually isn’t the luxury of time. I use Photoshop CS3 and Nikon Capure NX2 to process my images.
ahah tks;)
I usualy shot in studio, advertising and all other stuff… but lately i’ve been doing some concert photos around Portugal, Europe…. and its quite a new experience, it takes all of those steps u’ve talked in your website.. i work with canon.. recenty bougth the 5d mkII, and it’s difficult to get that WOW’light on the photo… that’s why i asked you about the postwork you do… have you seen good concert photography with that camera?
Man sorry to bother you.. i do understand what’s the meaning of the “luxury of time” … and if it’s the case! Merry christmas!!
anything from portugal.. really … just ask!;)
Hugo
have a look at my website (sorry it’s not in english yet!) http://www.tuguitarras.com/
Hey Hugo,
Yes, music photography really does make it difficult in a lot of ways to get that “wow” lighting. Even for a show like this with KISS, the lighting is changing minutely from second to second, with different things flaring up in the background or tweaks to the frontlighting.
Cheers.
[...] photogenic bands come to mind, I think music shooters have to think of KISS, and this fact was only cemented by the Alive/35 tour this year. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, [...]
You had one of the greatest bands to photograph to cap your year off with. Seeing them in Chicago was a thrill, I can’t even imagine what you get standing NEXT to them. I love watching your photography grow Todd, I can’t wait to see you out and about next year.
Hi Devon,
Thanks for the comment – I agree, KISS was a fantastic band to end the year with as the last really big arena show. I really appreciate the support!
Some of the best KISS shots Ive ever seen – and Ive been a fanatical fan for over 30 years.
Well done.
Hi Brenton,
Thanks very much for the kind words, comments like yours are the sort that a music photographer loves to get. I do it for fans like you.
Hi Todd,
Been a KISS fan for 36 (going on 37) years! Seen them everytime they’ve been to my city except the very first time. (I was too young!!) These are some incredible shots! I’ve always wanted to get into “The Pit” to shoot them at a show. Can you give me some pointers on how I can acheive this? Although my equipment isn’t “professional standards”, I have a Rebel xTi with 3 different lenses……I’d love to shoot them for my own personal collection.
Hey Tim,
Thanks for the comment. I know that KISS has certain requirements for photography. With online editorial publications, they require a certain “critical mass,” so that will mean shooting for media outlet that has a fair number of readers. I’d suggest starting to shoot smaller shows now, build your portfolio, and approach publications in your area. By the time KISS are on tour again next year, you should be well on your way. Good luck.
[...] am besten gefallen hat, allein weil ich diese Band wirklich extrem gern mal live sehen würde: Kiss Live.Ein Atemberaubendes [...]