Today we’d like to introduce you to Roman Sobus.
Roman, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am a Chicago based photographer specializing in live performance photography. After bringing a camera to a performance in 1972, I was instantly hooked. I knew it was special and had to do it again! With a bit of practice, better equipment and some darkroom skills, doors began to open for me. It was a less restrictive time and it was not unusual for me to have a one on one with an artist. It was also an amazing time for the music industry with artists willing to explore new areas of creativity and to this day I feel privileged to have had a peek at that world.
My interest in photography dates back to when I was a child. Both my maternal grandfather and mother were photographers in my native Poland. I remember developed rolls of film hanging in the darkroom and Mum developing prints after a shoot in the glow of the reddish amber safelight, the sight of an image appearing on the paper in the tray of fluid. It was just magical.
By the age of ten, I already had my own camera, by 14 a makeshift darkroom in the basement. I knew I was limited only by the amount of film I had available. Photographing performances ultimately fulfilled me.
As things would have it, life intervened and after ten years and thousands of images I pretty much gave up on photography. The time away and the crazy hours put tremendous stress on my marriage. More traditional needs replaced my personal wants. Fast forward almost four decades, with my family responsibilities fulfilled, I found myself testing the waters again. Having more time than ever before, a very understanding and supportive spouse I have picked up the camera again and went into the unknown.
I have not completely cut ties with my roots. Over the past year I have returned to using vintage film cameras in both 35mm and medium format sizes. Clients love the “feel” of the analog images and once they know that I offer that service, we will usually do some the old school way.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I consider myself more of a journalist rather than an artist, wanting to capture the moment rather than create it. I see a lot of image manipulation in performance photography (and photography in general) today. Access to digital filters or photographing through various add-on optical devices distort reality. The most memorable images of the greats like Jim Marshall, Bob Gruen, or Mick Rock are straight-on and not manipulated shots. I strive to work along those lines capturing the moment, not altering it. I realize that I can only dream to ever be anywhere as good as Marshall or the others I mentioned, but using their work as a bar forces me to strive higher!
I also feel very strongly about trust between the photographer and subject. There are always moments from a fast paced shoot where my subject does not look their best. I delete those during the editing process. Post a photo that makes someone look bad and they will never forget!
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Access! As I mentioned earlier, when I first began photographing performances, I was able to stay in the photo pit for the duration of the performance, request backstage access to meet the artists and develop some sort of professional relationship with them. Today, the access to photographers is limited to the first three songs after which cameras must be put away. There were instances where photographers were escorted out of the venue after the photo session
On the plus side, technology has made it easier to capture a large number of acceptable images in a short time. I would still love to photograph the full show! Even more, to have access to some of the off-stage moments that ultimately define the artist.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
A selection of my images can be found on my website. I also keep an online presence on Instagram and Facebook. My images have appeared in both print and online publications in the US and Europe. A number of my photos are part of “Women of the Blues: A Coast-to-Coast-Collection” Exhibit.
Being relatively new to the digital realm, I encourage folks to critique my images, offer advice or contact me to collaborate on projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.romansobus.net/
- Phone: +1 773-297-9117
- Email: Roman.sobus@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romansobus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roman.sobus
Image Credit:
Photos: (c) 2018 Roman Sobus Photography
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