Friday, December 25, 2015

Santa's Gimp and the Amazing World (that was) Rock Photography, with Tony Mott.

Photography (that was), what a strange little blog title especially since Mr Tony Mott is still a photographer. Why the "that was"? Well because, digital photography, of course! In the lead up to this event on the 22nd of November 2015 I was reading how Tony took a year off to help look after his newborn twins; and when he took this photography sabbatical he had 182 rock mag clients on file that he sold pictures to. A year later there were just 22, and now only 3 of the original 182 left! Now of course people are as passionate about music as ever, and as passionate about rock photography as ever.. But it's all gone online, it's getting shot-and-shared by amateurs for free; and let me tell you; it's hard to make a living working for free, Q.E.D. this blog.Santa's Gimp? Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
But great Rock 'n' Roll photographer that Tony is, he was not going to launch his A-Z of Rock Photography book on a low note, hell no; it was going to be rock-and-roll all the way with way more than just a nod in the direction of "your momma won't like it" :-) hell no - HELL NO! I ask you, what's wrong with kids today? All signing up for frequent flyer points and all that consumer loyalty shit and a free cup of coffee - You know REBELLION - is still the only cool gig in town - stop nerding, lets get back to ROCKIN'... Scroll on, because here are the players on the night.
Portrait of Tony Mott at his book launch at Leonard Mattis Studio, Surry Hills, Sydney. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Tony Mott at his book launch.
This is it; as it happened, more or less.. The Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography - Tony Mott book launch at Leonard Mattis Studio. Accompanied by, art installations and performances by Lexi Land & Matt Format; DJ Suzie Q; Musician/Guitarist, Simon Rosa; Choreographer, Matthew Gode with Dancers, Erica Stubbs,  Ashleigh Tavares, Shivawn Joubert.
Guests, Tony Mott book launch with the installation and performance of  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Panorama of the installation and performance of  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Black and White portrait detail, Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson,.
Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance.
Colour full length detail, Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson,.
Video screens, detail;  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson,.
Shoes. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Faces. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Detail, videographer with the installation and performance of  Lexi Land "Rattlesnake" performance, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Us and Mick Jagger. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Lace dress, Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Dancers behind wire mesh, blue light. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Phone cameras videoing dancers behind wire mesh, blue light. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Photographing, slash Filming this used to be difficult.. Digital may very well kill us all with convenience..
Kissing the Tony Mott, John Lydon PIL picture. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
With a copy of the BIG BOOK!. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Zimmerman pants suit, street fashion Sydney. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Men's style, male model off-duty, street fashion Sydney. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Photographer cropped by a large mirror, Peter Garrett image. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Matt Format performance in silver foil. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Matt Format performance with fog, B&W image. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson
Rock fans with Tony Mott book at launch party. Tony Mott book launch Alphabet A-Z Rock 'N' Roll Photography. Photo by Kent Johnson

http://www.tonymott.com/
http://leonardmattis.com/blog/leonard-mattis-blog/tony-mott/
http://lexiland.tumblr.com/
http://mattformat.com/

Yes it took me weeks and weeks and well, weeks to get these pictures edited to the point I was happy with; and from such a HUGE selection. It was such a great night and so visually interesting. Hope you enjoy, go buy the book!

Telling Stories in Pictures all over Sydney..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

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