Bruce Springsten ©Danny Clinch, shown at The Morrison Hotel Gallery

Make no mistake, getting a great shot of musicians consistently from the pits, takes anticipation, skill, speed, tech knowledge, and location.
When the rest of us leave the pit after the 3 songs we’re allowed to shoot, that’s when Danny Clinch comes in to shoot.
His years of high quality work, and relationships have earned him the right.

The story is not about the performance photography, however. It’s about the portraits.

Danny Clinch is able to build a rapport, a comfort zone, and dialogue with the famous who rock our worlds.
As you can see by the photograph of Bruce Springsteen above, there is an ease apparent in the image and a personal revelation from Springsteen, that only comes from trust. Yep, trust of the person behind the lens, who may be mere inches away.

Danny Clinch @ Morrison Hotel

His new book, “Still Moving”, with a companion exhibition at The Morrison Hotel Gallery, gathers the intimate portraits and pre/post performance photographs of the best musicians of our time.

Bruce Springsteen has written the forward, and the pages of praise and respect from the Boss, will give you some insight on how Danny Clinch has gotten access to the inner workings of musicians lives.
With over 200 images, full bleed, you get the sense that he is friends with all of these people.
Imagine your good friend that you hang out with all the time, is an amazing photographer and has documented personal moments in your life. He shows that here x 200 friends!

Today at The Morrison Hotel Gallery, Mr. Clinch signed a ton of books from fans and engaged them all. It was easy to see how his gentle, personal approach with everyone,this is a photographer who loves what he does, and does what he loves.

I’ll admit I do have one complaint:
One of my constant issues with photobooks, is when great images are split between 2 pages and vital parts are put into the gutter.Either make the image smaller or the book bigger.

One of my favorite images of his, is the shot of Bob Dylan in the Ambassador Hotel in LA.
As he tells it, an assistant was sent out to get some newspapers so Dylan had some “business” (action or prop) to deal with for the photo. Dylan chose the Spanish newspaper.
It was split in 2 in the book.
Here is the full image-

Bob Dylan © Danny Clinch

If you are a music fan, an aspiring rock photographer, portrait photographer, or just like a good photo book, you will be buying this book. AND if you are in NYC, visit the gallery and see some of Danny Clinch books, plus some incredibly well priced original prints. Books/Prints and more from other shooters, as well. Shop now for the holidays.
Seriously.