BLACKRAPID SPOTLIGHT: The Tinfoil Biter

Music & Concert Photography

The Tinfoil Biter, aka Ms. Pit Goblin, spawned in Japan, now lairing in the Big Apple stomping from venue to venue to capture one of the most visceral human experiences there is: concerts. She strives to push out work that breathes – alive with the same pulse she feels in the pit. She defines concerts as a celebration of life, and her work as a love letter to the artists, the fans and all involved to make it
happen.

Do You Have a Good Tip for Us?

I cannot stress enough how important it is – at least for me – to enjoy the show and soak it all in. Let that excitement linger in your heart when you’re selecting and editing. You’ll often find me headbanging and yelling in the pit; some might call it unprofessional (fair enough, haha), but it is essential for me to anchor how the music made me feel – then translate that into photography.

Also, master your editing skills – it’s another chance to inject your perspective, emotion, and aesthetics and I consider it just as crucial as the shooting itself.

Shoot at Your Own Risk

I had the pleasure of photographing a BMX and skateboarding festival called SwampFest in Florida. As wild as it sounds, the last thing you should worry about is riders crashing into you off the ramp. What you need to focus on is the fireworks being thrown at you! Not just the kiddie-sized ones, but full-blown commercial rockets flying out of nowhere. You’ve got maybe five seconds to run for your life.

One year, they got me good – burned my neck and went deaf in my right ear for a couple of days! What fun that was – and I don’t say that ironically.

What’s In Your Bag?

• My trusted camera twins: SONY a1 (x 2)
• Lenses: SONY 12–24mm f/2.8 GM, SONY 24–
  70mm f/2.8 GM II, SONY 70–200mm GM OSS II
• Plus a 1.4x teleconverter.
• Godox V1S
• Two backup batteries
• Earplugs
• ICEBREAKER mints (essential!)
• And last but not least – my at-least-a-decade-old (!!!!!) and brand-spanking-new BLACKRAPID Double harnesses.

Follow The Tinfoil Biter

• Instagram – instagram.com/thetinfoilbiter
• Website – thetinfoilbiter.com