Having had a few weeks away from photographing the band, I had moved my attention to the other photo opportunities that had come up. The Port Sunlight Wheelers have now been in touch and so after my less successful session with the band last time, I was starting to think it might be time to move focus to different clubs. I also thought that maybe my expectations of the Brass project should be reigned in. The small pieces of interviewing I had done were starting to not seem relevant or useful. However, I forced myself to go back just so that I could keep up a more positive relationship with the band members, as not everyone present seems keen to have their picture taken and I definitely cannot blame them.
On arrival, Ralph was very pleasant and asked what they could do for me this time. I told him I thought I could grab some images of their memorabilia and he immediately pulled out a large 3 feet square clip frame. It was a collage of images and paper cutouts from a tour the band had performed in 2013. This seemed funny to me, as the room is littered with trophies dating back to the 70’s, a golden framed Lyceum Brass neck tie and even a burgundy v neck jumper with the band logo on the chest. Once I had grabbed some images of the artefacts (and used up the last of a roll of film), I smiled and said hello to a member of the band I’d not spoken to before. He asked how the project was going, with a hint of skepticism. He said how he’d heard Ralph had been sent some photographs but he was yet to see them. I unfortunately only had my phone to show him the first 8 pictures, but his reaction was brilliant. Even the shots I felt might have been somewhat tongue in cheek, or more humours, he seemed to really enjoy. Once I get a positive conversation with someone before hand, it gives me an open pass in my mind to photograph them without questioning myself. This in turn means that anyone in a similar area is under the same state of mind via proxy.
Once the band started to play, I thought about harmony for the first time. I’d never considered it before, but a brass band is made up of entirely monophonic instruments. No one instrument can play a chord, and yet the band together create a mass of chords and harmony, laced with melody. If the project does end up in book form, some key words that could explain the emotion of being in that room, might help a reader to engross themselves into the idea of the band. I haven’t found the right words to say it yet and so this is somewhat muddled.
The lungs create rhythm and power. The mouth produces the vibrations. The hands manipulate the pitch. Each instrument can play only one note at a time, but has no harmonic reference without another. It’s each individual breathing, vibrating and working, all in complete harmony that creates such a breathtaking sound.
Whilst taking the images, I began to be more cut throat with my decisions. This week there were less people in attendance and so I managed to get into spaces I had previously felt were to obtrusive. Some of the musicians that I had specifically wanted to photograph that were more reserved and less forthcoming, were in perfect framing opportunities. I was quick and nonshalant, but got what I’d been waiting for. This was a real break through. I was there for less than an hour and felt I managed to get more evidence of both the club as a historical artefact and the character, musicality and atmosphere of the band.
A J Carlton 