I was in Paris in July at Fnac Live Festival, watching Angus and Julia Stone when I noticed their photographer. Interested in what he shot that night, and in his other photography, I found him on Instagram. James' photographs are raw and lively. Here's what he had to say in our interview:
Who are you?
I’m a man in limbo. Somewhere between an adult and a child. And I’m a photographer, somewhere between a professional and a joke.
Where is home?
I still call Australia home. Sydney, Australia.
What's your favourite song at the moment?
Get Your Shirt by Underworld & Iggy Pop. It’s a wild co-lab that works better than expected.
What's your favourite movie?
Tough question, I don’t think I have one. As far as new movies go I liked Moonlight and Good Time. That’s such an unanswerable question for me.
Three important things in your life…
The people I share my life with, freedom and personal progression.
How did your interest in photography begin? And how did it develop from there?
My mum took interesting photos and we had albums about the house as kids. Being somewhat isolated I probably looked at the photo albums more than what’s normal.
Through my teens I took photos of mates that I ran with and it gradually grew from there. I wasn’t terribly good at much else so it was easy to focus on what I was interested in and not hopeless at.
What cameras do you use, and why shoot on film?
A Canon digital for jobs that require an immediate turn around or my Contax G2 if I want to take a photo that I like. Why film, it looks better. Simple.
What bands have you worked with? How did you start touring with bands? What are the best and worst parts of being on the road?
I’ve worked with a bunch of bands. Angus & Julia Stone, Kasabian, DMAs, The Delta Riggs, Bad//Dreems, Graveyard etc. etc. etc.
I got started by using the resources I had at my disposal to increase my value to a band I love. I invited them to the photo studio I worked at for some photos, they accepted my request and soon after asked me to come on the road.
As long as you’re not an asshole you make friends with other bands running in the same circles. Over time I built a repertoire and a reputation and bands start employing me to do it.
The worst part of being on the road is being tired and missing loved ones but it’s so quickly forgotten when thinking about the positives. Getting to see some places I’d maybe never get to myself and meeting and forming friendships with some really great people. And getting photos of things. Expand your mind haha.
What makes a good shot in the music industry?
You know how they say, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’? I agree with that in saying that I might love a shot that someone else doesn’t understand and vice versa. What I do think makes an undeniable shot that pleases everyone is getting a unique angle that doesn’t look familiar, coupled with some true raw emotion and pleasing light. If you can nail all three of those factors no one can deny that it’s a shot. But what I think is a good shot is creating something new. Which is surprisingly difficult.
Where have you travelled to? Where has been your favourite?
I recently got back from a long and large UK/EU tour that took me all over. I loved Istanbul and Egypt was somewhere i’ll never forget. Switzerland also has an unrivalled level of postcard beauty that you can’t get used to. Everywhere is good, as long as you find guru spots to eat.
Tell us about some of your favourite shots...
I was in London for about 10 days before I left for the Angus & Julia Stone UK/EU tour.
My cousin lives there so we were hanging out and carrying on, but when he was at work I'd go on little adventures. Naturally being away from home, everything looks interesting so I shot a bunch of film that I had to sit on until I finished the tour, 6 weeks later. Some photos you remember taking and can’t wait to see how they turn out but others you shoot and carry on without too much thought. I remember taking this and thinking it was cool that the roads were relatively empty and the suit was running. When I got the film back it immediately struck me as a shot that I love and that I’m proud to have taken. I showed my girlfriend and I’m not sure that she gets it and maybe no-one else does either. But I love this shot so now you have to look at it too.
Another day in London, I met up with my cousin after work and
went to a pub for dinner. I’d had a few beers so totally forget I took this
until the film came back.
I remember taking shots of random shit while walking up the
street so probably had my settings dialled in for the light outside when,
from inside the pub, I saw this vape monster exhale a ripper.
I think I got it just in time. Not many people vape in
Australia, it’s somewhat of a novelty, even a joke but I did notice it was no
joke in the UK and across Europe. Everyone is making plumes.
I don’t know much about it but presume it’s somewhat healthier
than cigarettes which makes me like this photo more as although there is the
technology to date the picture, it’s shot through the ‘VEG’ sign on the
window. All signs point to a healthier life, am I right?
The first show of the tour always means you’re full of energy
and ready, anxious even, to get the ball rolling.
We were at a festival called Best Kept Secret in Holland and I found an angle that I liked until someone put a fan in front of me.
I could still see through the fan and thought if I shot fast
enough it’d freeze the blades and I could see through the gaps.
This one landed right. It still contains all the elements I wanted to show from the angle. Angus, the tree line, the big crowd and even
the boat wheels that’s on the from of Angus’s organ. Pleased with it.
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See more of James on his Instagram, @thejamesadams
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