FL Shooting Star: TroyConstable

Fri 21st Aug, 2009 in Features

For this edition of FL Shooting Stars, we’re turning the focus on photographer Troy Constable – MystifyMe. With a talent for capturing a range of – œperformance artists’ artists, from Lamb Of God to Pink, Troy has developed an extensive portfolio. We threw the man a few questions about his craft.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Music has always been my passion (listening to it that is as I can’t play any instruments) ever since I was 12 years old. I would always stay up late to watch the music clips on rage and tape the 8 hr shows on a 4 hr long play video cassette so I didn’t miss any new stuff or even older stuff I wasn’t familiar with.

Once I started going to gigs and started seeing photos of gigs I’d been to, by the likes of Bob King and Tony Mott, I began to buy live photos. I didn’t own a camera until only four years ago – I bought one to take with me on the INXS tour, as I was seeing about six shows with the new singer JD Fortune. I was so unhappy with my shots that I bought some off e-bay from the show I was at, and then asked the seller what I did wrong. He said nothing and that I just didn’t have a good enough camera. So once he told me that I bought a much better point and shoot camera that could take clear photos. I was then hooked and forever going to gigs to shoot my favourite bands from the crowd.

What drew you to the world of music photography?

Well once I bought that better camera, I started to take some really awesome pictures that amazed my friends when I told them I had taken them from 10 rows back in the mosh pit. I decided that my new found passion for music photography was only going to grow, and I knew from then on it was going to be my dream to shoot from the photo pit at Acera Arena. So, I decided to buy an SLR, and within weeks started getting gigs with FasterLouder and an agency that gets me access to live shows, and red carpets.

What is the best gig you’ve shot?

I’d probably have to say the Pussycat Dolls – and no I’m not a fan and it’s not because they’re hot girls haha – it’s just because I took some of my best shots ever. And the lights were amazing so my shots were all so sharp and clear and I captured some of the best poses ever. Considering it was only a two song limit rather than the usual three – I was very impressed with my results.

What is the worst gig you’ve shot?

It would have to be Sound Relief. The day started great, I got some kick ass photos of Coldplay and Wolfmother, but then half way through Taylor Swift my camera died and I missed all the rest of the bands including Jet, The Presets and Eskimo Joe. I was so upset I went home as i couldn’t stand there and watch everyone else shoot the show while I sat there wishing I was still shooting.

Tip for aspiring photographers?

Don’t assume you need to have the best camera body or the most expensive lenses to get great results, if you work hard enough at gigs and practice lots you will be getting as good a shots, if not better, as the more experienced photographers with all the pro gear. You just have to shoot as many shots as you can, and think about what sort of shot you want to create. There is no point just pointing and shooting, after a while it becomes second nature to know when to shoot and when not -like intuition.

And understand the basics of your camera like F stop, ISO, and shutter speed as once you teach yourself to shoot in manual mode you will always remember what you taught yourself – as I’m self taught myself.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT TROY’S FAVOURITE SHOTS HERE.