I’m not much of a list person.
A. I’m not good at listing things
B. I usually lose any paper with a list written on it moments after its been written.
With that said, for an unexplained reason I do wanna say/list/think few things about the past year.
I’m gonna share it here on my blog,(what’s a more appropriate place than here really?)
It’s kind of nice to look over a year of your life and see what happened and changed. Especially, when it’s a great year where I feel I accomplished so much. The last reason I wanna write this “list thing” is that people tell me I never ever really share, especially not in the cyber realm so… here-I-go!!!
I’m gonna do this fast, not over-think it and just see what happens!
My last year’s Resolution was:
*Buying a professional camera.
*Moving to a wonderful apartment in Brooklyn.
*Start shooting for my favorite music blog.
*Shooting live music that I love as much as I possibly can.
*Work hard, then realize it’s not enough, and work even harder.
*Meet bunch of new people.
*reevaluate relationships with old friends.
What of it came true?
ALL OF IT!!!
I can’t even believe it sometimes, but the minute I decided to take my future and fait in my own hands, things just started to happen. It’s the first year where I actually said it out loud; What I’m not happy about and what I want and even what I don’t want. And then,I just made it all happen somehow. Don’t ask me how, I’m not even really sure, but I did.
The first show I shot this year:
Butthole Surfers. I was actually on tour with Gogol Bordello and was about to shoot them but my (brand new) camera broke the minute the band hit the stage the night before new years.
(I blame the camera but it was actually me who didn’t figure out how to use it yet-read the manual people-read the manual!!!)
I had to go back to New York and was lucky enough to convince the nice people at Photo Tech (I highly recommend them, if you ever need any camera repair or cleaning- 212.673.8400), to repair it -same day- and it was ready for New Year’s eve!!!!! Was a total change of plan but Butthole Surfers were so fantastic that night, and I got great shots so I didn’t feel too bad about the whole thing (my pocket however, totally did).
Gibby Haynes of Butholle Surfers on New Year’s Eve 2011 (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved) For the full set on Flickr Click HERE
Last show I shot this year:
Gogol Bordello. This time I did it right!!!!
Eugen Hütz of Gogol Bordello New Years Eve 2012 (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved) For the full set on Brooklyn Vegan click HERE
My favorite moments this year:
*Buying a new lens
*Spending the first night (and every next night) in my new apt. Yes, I now live in Heaven, New York 11211
*Realizing I absolutely control my new camera and not the opposite!!
-It took a lot of practice and some black shots but I never pushed it back to Automatic settings (and yes,shutter priority mode IS automatic settings God Dammit!!)
In fact, anything on your dial that is not M is automatic settings.
Nothing makes me more angry than lazy people and bad songs.
least favorite moments:
*realizing I was hurting people I really love cause trusting is not easy. Especially when you were born in a county that is always in a state of war.
*”Breaking up” with my best friend/sister Hagitfor a week cause we were both stubborn and stupid. We figured it all out once we stopped being little bitches, and I do believe this fight actually made me realizing things (see above).
But,it sure wasn’t fun. After all, we can’t really do much without each other and automatically dialing your best friend cause you’re used to doing it 20 times a day and then reminding yourself you’re not talking, almost feels like drunk dialing. Or maybe was it?? nevermind… NEXT!! The big miss of the year:
The Big Miss of the year
I was supposed to shoot portraits of Jane’s Addiction in Pensacola, Florida. I was with the band back- stage and already set up the shot when manager decided to cancel the whole thing since the band was already late to go on stage. Jane’s were on tour and we never got to reschedule the shoot.
I did get great shots of them live and since that’s what I’m REALLY all about, I guess it wasn’t the end of the world. I did manage to get a shot of the rehearsal space backstage while setting up the camera for the shoot. I call it Jane’s without Jane’s portrait. This shot makes me laugh overtime I look at it.
I do however have the feeling I will get to shoot these portraits someday, don’t you?
Jane’s without Jane’s. Pensacola, Florida. (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved)
Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction, Pensacola Florida. (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved). For the full set of photos on Flickr click HERE
The Big Hit of the year:
Shooting Sir Paul McCartney and then watching the rest of the show from the best seat in the house while all my photo gear safely watched by yankee stadium security. (Thanks Brooklyn Vegan!!!)
Also, as a special bonus Sir McCartney did “The Nigh Before” for the first time ever-live which, whomever knows me, knows it’s one of my favorite Beatles songs of all times.
Sir Paul McCartney at the Yankee Stadium. Pure night of bliss. (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved) for the full set on Flickr Click HERE
Favorite compliment :
“I was more impressed watching you shooting the band than the band itself”
Worst compliment:
“Your photos are so good it makes me wanna smash my camera against the wall”
Favorite shows to shoot this year: (click on the band for full flickr set)
The big 4 (Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth)
Brett Anderson of Suede at their only us show since their reunion last year. I’ve only been waiting for this for 15 years!! (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved). For the full set on Flickr, Click HERE
Shows I wish I shot this year:
LCD Soundsystem at MSG
Something I’m really happy about:
I got the Chance to shoot legendary Blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin few months before his passing. He was playing a show with the greatest Elvis Costello and the whole experience was touching and quite intense. Elvis, now has the portrait I took of Hubert and him at that show, hanging at his London office.
Elvis Costello and Hubert Sumlin backstage at the Wellmont Theatre in NJ just few months before Sumlin’s sad passing. (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved) For the Full set (with photos of Elvis and Hubert playing togther on stage) on Flickr. Click HERE
Things I’m really sad about:
Amy Winehouse
Best album of the year:
PJ Harvey- Let England Shake
PJ Harvey live at Coachella Festival in California. (©photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin . All rights reseved) For the full set on Flickr click HERE
Worst album of the year:
Taylor Swift- Speak now (it actually came out in 2010 but it’s so bad that it lingered thorough another year)
OK, I think it’s time to wrap this list up. I wrote so much and it wasn’t that bad. Actually, it was kind of fun. Feels weird to write about myself like this but its almost therapeutic.
So, sum up this year. It was a pretty amazing one. I’ve grown and learned so much. I accomplished a lot in short time and the most important thing- I had so much fun. Of course it wasn’t all bed of roses, but the tough times kinda made me appreciate the good times, and there were so many of them. I’m proud of myself for going for what I wanted without taking no for an answer and I know it’s just the beginning but it’s a damn good start.
So the only question left to be asked I suppose is:
2012, what’s your new year’s resolution?
Well..I’ll tell you but then I’ll have to kill you. We all know that if I’ll say it out loud it just won’t come true. So hold tight till 2013. Then, I can spill it all out.
Life is short. Enjoy you’re 2012! Have a great new year everybody!!
