Taken on 17th January, 2009 in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. Nikon D90, Exposure 0.4, Aperture f/13.0, Focal Length 18mm, ISO Speed 3200. Show on Flickr.

Having spent a few days alone in the city, meeting up with a good friend was a welcome change.

I made my way out to Sunnyside, Queens and spent the evening in Maggie Mae's where Steve was playing a gig. I hadn't seen him since a couple of years ago in Barcelona so it was good to catch up.

I had plenty of opportunity during his set to practice some live music photography (I could do with a bit more of that practice). As the evening wore on and the Guinness settled in I became freer with the camera, I wasn't afraid to get close in on subjects or even get in the way if I thought I'd get a good angle. There are definite lessons to be learned from that drunken inhibition which hopefully I can learn to apply to even sober photography.

This picture is later in the night with Steve and I crowded into the back of the car carrying all his equipment back home. It's neither carefully composed nor elaborately executed. It's simply a snap; and perhaps a hint towards a more candid and informal approach that could bring energy to more of my photography.