But, first, the background ...
On 23rd May 2013, I was lucky enough to secure a pair of tickets for Leonard's Birmingham show, which was to take place a few months later, on 8th September. Not just any tickets. Front row tickets! This was all thanks to Jarkko's efforts in organising the presale to members of this Forum.
The concert and experience were as you can imagine. Better than you can imagine. Better than I could have imagined, even after previously attending enough Cohen concerts to cause minor domestic disagreements with my very patient wife
I tempted fate, and my better judgement, deciding to take my camera to the stadium. I wanted to capture the moment, but I didn't want any hassle, so was fully up-front with security. After some friendly negotiations, I was allowed to take 'just' my camera with a 'small' lens. I had to leave my camera bag, spare battery, spare memory card and a 'big' lens behind. I was more than happy with this compromise.
I took some photos. I was very aware that I could annoy fellow fans behind me, so only took shots at the end of a song (during the first half), or (a lot) towards the end of the concert, when we were all on out feet (“Let My People Dance”).
Whatever the rights and wrongs about fans taking photographs at a concert, Leonard didn't object. He was gracious enough to recognise me at the end of the show. Unfortunately, I was so excited I didn't capture the exact moment, but it's forever in my memory. I was first and foremost a fan, photographing the moment was not important.
The initial edits of my photos were somewhat clumsy, and the originals sat within my archives until about a month ago. My passion is attending live music, particularly photographing live music, and there was little in the way to satisfy my needs during the harsh Covid winter months in Coventry, England. I decided to revisit my original images. I realised they were decent, maybe because I had a very simple lens, and I was able to operate my camera without thinking about any adjustments, and fully appreciate the concert 'in person', not as a photographer. I also realised that I was in a pretty unique position as a fan, with a very good camera, photographing a Cohen concert from the front row. I spent the Christmas holidays re-editing and 'tidying' them up.
Here is the result, set to one of my favourite Cohen songs. Again, thank you Jarkko for allowing me to obtain my front row seats! It was a special night, but you all know that ....
https://youtu.be/716V8JCDiz8
Happy New Year,
Eugene.
