In Front of the Front Row

In Front of the Front Row tells the story of how one photographer learned the way to turn his photographic skill into a free access pass to just about any rock concert that he wanted to attend. It contains all the information that you need to follow in his footsteps and become a successful music journalist.The book uses actual examples and incidents to give the reader tips using first hand information about how to communicate with publicists and record company personnel that act as the gate keepers.

The book is comprised of both interesting and emotionally charged episodes along with technical information about lighting, lenses, camera settings and important tips about how to avoid making costly mistakes. At the same time there are examples of correspondence with publicists, record companies and publications that can be used as templates for your own correspondence requests for entrance to concerts and the publication of your work.

There are examples of how to request credentials from a publication if your name doesn't appear on the masthead. There is also an appendix of website links to published images, articles and interviews along with another containing hard copy scans from magazines, newspapers and books of published photographs, articles and interviews you can use as examples.

Chapters discuss the finances of concert photography from a realistic perspective detailing how much it will cost in time and expenses such as gas and parking as well as how to estimate what your time is worth. It gives real proven examples of how to recoup your expenses to at least break even and even purchase some new equipment.

Artists included as examples are Steve Miller, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Alanis Morissette, Rage Against the Machine, Sheryl Crow, Dishwalla, U2, P.J. Harvey, White Zombie, Filter, The Scorpions, Alice Cooper, Shawn Colvin, Freedy Johnston, Spirit, Jo Jo Gunn, Larry Norman, The Black Keys, The Black Crowes, Chris Robinson, Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, Hot Tuna, Wavy Gravy, John Fahey and Country Joe McDonald to name some.