David McClister Photography: The B Sides

The Avett Brothers for Garden & Gun magazine

2011-01-25T23:30:00.000-06:00

Sacramento, CA

2011-01-13T01:08:00.000-06:00

Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

2010-12-30T22:12:00.002-06:00

I remember Ryan playing me a few tracks in his bedroom just before we left to do the photo session. I'd always liked Whiskeytown, but this, this was something even better. More personal, more honest, more stripped to the core. The session itself was intense, and one of the most satisfying times I've ever had with a camera. When I think about that day, I think of what joy it is to work with an artist who enjoys bouncing ideas back and forth during a session - the best way to shoot.

Demolition Derby - Lebanon, TN

2010-12-11T10:34:00.005-06:00

Jamey Johnson for GQ Magazine

2010-11-29T21:37:00.000-06:00

Kyle Turley for Inked magazine

2010-11-26T10:43:00.004-06:00

Found Photograph of the Day - 'Mary Rose'

2010-11-26T10:33:00.000-06:00

David Rawlings & Gillian Welch

2010-08-18T18:32:00.004-05:00

I was going thru my archives, doing some updating to my website when I came across this shot. It was taken at Bonnaroo in 2007. I think the festival changed ownership the following year, which was a bummer, because in 07 I was allowed to sit in the pits as long as I wanted, waiting for the right moment. John Paul Jones of Led Zep came onstage a few minutes later. I'm going to add an image from their session to my site later tonight. If it had been 09, I would have missed it, as the new ownership of the festival went to the first 3 song rule. I still don't understand that rule...too many great moments being missed.

Found Photograph of the Day - "August"

2010-08-17T23:21:00.001-05:00

Tri County Boxing - Greenfield, TN

2010-01-31T11:07:00.005-06:00

Last Monday night I spent a few hours with Jeff Hansen at his boxing gym in Greenfield, TN (pop 2200). Jeff, a former professional boxer, works with a handful of young men every Monday - Friday, putting them through several hours of boxing drills and sparring sessions. They work out of a space just off of Main Street, behind the town's shuttered movie theater and empty storefronts, in a space that was primarily food joints of one kind or another since it was first built in the 1930s. The space was donated by a father of one of the young boxers, and cleaned up and converted by Jeff and the boys almost three years ago now. It's a small space, even on this night for the four boxers moving from one training area to the next, but there's hope that the space next door (also owned by the father) will be opened up to them in the near future. That would allow them to put in a permanent sparring ring to be used all year round, especially during the cold months like this January night.

Many of the young men have been in trouble in one way or another, and like many boxing gyms across the country, the gym offers them a sense of community, a sense of order and discipline in their lives, and a sense of reward and accomplishment - not too mention a great outlet for energy that might be used in a not so constructive way.

2009-12-01T22:40:00.003-06:00

A promo card image from El Dia de los Muertos series that will be posted on my website in the next day or so.

TIWF Wrestling Action

2009-12-01T17:41:00.005-06:00

It's been really hard to narrow this down to a presentable level (even on a blog). I shot over 1300 images that night (last Saturday). I've spent the past few days going over the images, making an edit, narrowing it down even further, then finally deciding on the two sequences I've posted. There's some nice singles and short sequences from the other matches that night, but I didn't want to make this blog solely wrestling posts, so two sequences it is. I think they'll give you a good feel for the night at hand - and as I said before, it was a good one.

Wrestling Portraits, TIWF, Trenton, TN

2009-11-23T19:30:00.005-06:00

I've been working on my book on independent wrestling in the South for almost a year now, and though I've been forced to take time away from it this past six weeks due to travel and work, this past weekend's event in Trenton, TN made me realize how much fun I have had doing this series - in meeting those involved and hearing their stories, and in the action and unpredictability of the events themselves. This past Saturday night's TIWF event was one of the best ones I've been to yet. Action pics from the ring to follow. Thanks to Rodney Howard and Devon Day for having me out and being such great hosts.

Back to the Blog, Part Two

2009-11-23T19:11:00.003-06:00

Er...uh...been awhile huh? I can only blame the large gap in postings to shooting an awful lot (personal work, personal work, personal work, with some interesting assignments along the way), directing a music video in another country (Lady Antebellum 'Need You Now'), traveling (San Francisco and Mexico) and launching a new website, plus sending out a large promo mailing in late October.

I was kidding when I started that last sentence, but having re-read it, and then actually thought about all that's happened between the last posting and now, well I guess I have been pretty busy after all.

And considering what a strange year it's been for virtually every freelancer I know, no matter what discipline they're in, that's a good feeling. Or a relief. Or both.

It's always nice in November to be getting calls about January.

I'm going to start posting here in a minute, from a personal shoot this past weekend. Then maybe start backtracking to try and fill in the gap between the last Spinal Tap posting and today.

I doubt that I will post more than once a month in the future. The beauty of my new website is the ability for me to post and edit new work immediately. This blog was started as a stop-gap measure to show new work while I was still on my old site. I may use this site as more of an in-depth look at personal work series, or purely for outtakes, or as a personal rant site (none of those yet, though the Old Navy mannequin ads have got to go - as do the Coors Lite spots with the coaching clips. Lame, all of em).

Stay tuned

Spinal Tap for The Guardian (UK)

2009-07-22T15:06:00.005-05:00

Photographed in Baltimore MD for The Guardian (UK) Weekend Magazine's cover story on Spinal Tap (Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest).

Portraits from Bonnaroo 2009

2009-06-23T11:32:00.004-05:00

SWF Wrestling (Tullahoma) - Yukon Jack benefit

2009-06-20T18:22:00.010-05:00

Another recent night of shooting for my series on independent wrestling in the South...this night was particularly inspired, as all proceeds from the night went towards helping out local wrestling icon Yukon Jack and his bum knees and ankles. Locals brought baked goods and other items for an auctioneer to sell off before the night's first match (the cakes were hard to pass up, but so were the homemade brownies). Probably because of the spirit in the air, the night had the most intense series of matches I've seen so far. The duo, Southern Justice, in particular, left me speechless.

8th Annual Full Moon Tattoo & Horror Festival

2009-06-20T14:27:00.006-05:00

Special thanks to Ben Dixon at Full Moon Tattoo for letting me come out to his recent festival and set up in a little side alley and loiter and ask a few brave souls to come sit for a portrait. Met a lot of new friends, heard a lot of great stories and saw some really beautiful art work. Also a special thanks to artist extraordinaire Sheila B for hooking me up with Ben and for coming out and lending a hand. Muchas gracias Senorita B.

Sam Bush for Sugar Hill Records

2009-06-05T00:08:00.005-05:00

Photographed today (Thursday, June 4) at the Belcourt Theatre, Nashville.

The best storyteller I've ever met. Period.

Who knew there were Bluegrass Groupies? That's not a band name (though it's not half bad), there were actual groupies that hung out backstage at bluegrass shows and festivals back in the day. Now THAT's a photo series I would like to have documented...maybe there's a film in there. Or at least a short documentary? The big swooped hair, the horn rimmed glasses, the flower print dresses. John Waters?

Brad Paisley & Kevin Jonas for Rolling Stone

2009-06-03T22:03:00.002-05:00

Had a great time today photographing Brad & Kevin for a story in Rolling Stone magazine. Both have new projects coming out and mega tours to follow. I had worked with Brad before, shooting a packaging photo shoot in Palmdale CA a couple of years ago, so I knew he would be a lot of fun to work with. Wasn't sure what to expect from Kevin, but he was a total pro from the minute he walked into the room.

I always do research on the people I'm assigned to photograph so was curious what Kevin would be like.

I knew he went by his middle name, that he was also called K2, that he played lead guitar in the band with his brothers, and that his weapon of choice was a Gibson Les Paul (Wikipedia). When it came time to do the photos, he whipped out a brand new guitar that Gibson had just given him for this new tour. Wish I could post some pics so you can check it out. Brad and he both took turns giving it a spin. Get a load of this, you can turn a knob on the guitar to adjust it to the type of music you'll be playing, and then like magic, you can watch as it tunes itself.

Guitar techs beware.

Photos to follow in a few weeks or so

Mandy Barnett in Always...Patsy Cline

2009-06-02T00:15:00.004-05:00

Taken backstage at the Ryman Auditorium and the upstairs lounge of Robert's Western World, between closing performances on Saturday, May 23, 2009.

Stadium Inn portraits

2009-05-30T13:11:00.003-05:00

Rastlin at The Stadium Inn

2009-05-30T12:51:00.005-05:00

My neighbor's dog, Copper, and I have a little routine worked out. Pretty simple really. She sees/hears me pull up, then lumbers over, tail wagging, a big smile on her face. Yes, it's treat time. I keep a stash on the front dash of my Element. So after returning from The Stadium Inn last night, she bursts through the bushes and into our driveway, waiting for her nightcap.

She sits on command, eyes sparkling, nose working. I extend my hand, treat flush in my palm. Wait, what the hell is this smell she thinks. She starts sniffing around my pants leg. Up, down, all over. This is very strange, she thinks. Where in God's name have you been that smells like a combination of vomit and urine. Wait til you see the photos I tell her. She pulls back, not sure if she still wants a treat with such an odor in her nose. Finally, after a few clean deep inhales, she comes forward again and snags the treat and makes a mad dash back through the bushes and to her perch on my neighbor's front door step.

Never has a dog worked so hard for so little.

NWA - Seymour, TN

2009-05-29T12:59:00.005-05:00

Part of my book series on the small independent wrestling shows here in the South. This was not the first one I visited, but was the first in East Tennessee. Seymour is between Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mtns Natl Park. This was on a Tuesday night last month, on my way back from scouting locations for a Dolly Parton cover shoot (editorial) in Pigeon Forge. Many more to follow...

Back to the Blog

2009-05-28T15:54:00.003-05:00

I'm going to blame the delay between posts to being busy, which is true. Between editorial assignments and personal work I've been fortunate enough to have one shoot after another for several months now. I have a quiet week this week so it's been good to work on some self promotion pieces (also overdue - I'm a month behind my 2009 self promotion schedule I made for myself in January) and to sort through the sessions I've been downloading and backing up ad nauseam.

Inspired by Diane Arbus and her notebooks and personal project lists, I made a list in January of all the projects/essays I had been jotting down on loose scraps of paper, notecards, junk mail and notebooks. I approached it with a gung ho enthusiasm as if I only had one year to complete the list. Obviously that wasn't practical, but it was a great starting off point. It would be great to explore (or to at least begin) at least half of the list, which stands 15 projects deep at the moment.

I just wanna shoot shoot shoot. I've never felt the enthusiasm and excitement for photography that I'm feeling right now.

I began the first one on my list a few months ago. It's a peculiar thing when you begin a photo essay, where you start. The first location you choose can dictate whether you go forward or not - whether you are excited about the prospects for the project or immediately bored. Sometimes you get lucky, as you find out later on. The first location might end up being the best of the bunch (like in my Dirt Track Series. Duck River was the most interesting track of all the tracks I visited that summer - and the most unpredictable and dangerous. They allowed alcohol in the pit area. Need I say more?).

Just another thought too -- have always been a big fan of Danny Lyon's work. Recently read a profile on him in the NY Times and was really inspired by it -- by his words, approach, philosophy, etc.

I find that I'm more inspired by reading about photographers these days than by their actual work. What inspired them, what they had to go through, what was going on at that moment when they snapped the shutter, etc. Lyon's words inspired me even more.

Pics, etc to follow. Feedback greatly appreciated.

-DMc

Nashville Roller Girls

2009-03-19T13:11:00.003-05:00

From my Roller Derby Girls series...taken before this past weekends Nashville-Tampa bout.

Justin Townes Earle

2009-03-19T13:04:00.003-05:00

Lot of great new music so far in 09 - U2, Neko Case and Justin Townes Earle just to name a few.

Check out Earle's new disc Midnight at the Movies - great stuff.

More Derby Girls...

2009-01-27T12:03:00.004-06:00

Some more Derby Girl photos from my portrait series on the teams here in the South. Hope to have the entire revised Derby portfolios, Dirt Track, Fan Fair and Music Documentary folders up in the next couple of weeks.

What I'm listening to...

2008-12-19T01:00:00.002-06:00

After watching the film a few weeks ago and rediscovering Joy Division, early Bowie and the raw beauty that is Anton Corbijn's work.

Levon Helm at the Ryman

2008-12-19T00:45:00.004-06:00

These are from his show in September. The Americana Music Association was kind enough to give me an all access pass and to set me free to shoot whatever caught my eye backstage. Irony of all ironies, I had just gotten my new digital camera that week but chose to shoot film that night instead. The lab misprocessed the film. Most of it was muck. I managed to save a few that weren't too far gone. Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Billy Bob Thornton and the kind kind Levon Helm.

LeAnn Rimes - What I Cannot Change

2008-12-07T23:34:00.003-06:00

Congrats to LeAnn on her Grammy nomination for Best Country Female Vocal Performance for What I Cannot Change.

The nomination just confirms what a lot of us knew all along -- it's an incredible song with an even more incredible performance. Wish we had gotten the green light to go ahead with the video -- we had the concept, the shoot dates, etc all set to go. It would have been the perfect compliment to Nothin Better to Do.

Ray Mortenson - Images of the South Bronx

2008-12-06T12:16:00.002-06:00

An 1983 Ray Mortenson photograph taken in the South Bronx.

Really enjoyed the piece in the NY Times last week about Ray Mortenson's photos taken during an 'I Am Legend' period of NY in the early 80s. Check out the link (if it works) and the other photos from his series. They are part of an exhibit showing at the Museum of the City of New York called 'Broken Glass.' Hope to get a chance to check out this show in person. Some beautiful, haunting images. Would be great to hear him speak with the images as well (giving us the backstory behind each one)...

If you like Mortenson's work, then you may wanna check out the film Downtown 81. It starred the artist Basquiat as a struggling painter and featured him walking around different bombed out sections of NYC around the same time. Would love have seen NY during this period (and to have picked up one of Basquiat's incredible paintings for a few hundred dollars. Unlike Lars, I could never have parted with a Basquiat no matter how much someone offered me).

With the way the economy is going, I may get that chance to see NY (or others) the way they once were...and to buy some cheap art.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/arts/design/01brok.html

Roller Derby Girls, Volume One

2008-11-28T11:11:00.004-06:00

I'm always looking for new projects and opportunities to get up close and personal with people I find interesting, using my camera as an excuse to really LOOK at them and admire them for what would otherwise be awkwardly long periods of time.

The roller derby culture was one that had been on my radar for awhile.

I spent some time this summer driving around the south and attending several different derbys. Like the dirt track series I did, each venue was drastically different and took place on different days of the week/times of the day. Some were on Saturday nights, some were on Sunday afternoons. Some were at roller rinks, others at Lodges. I started out shooting the series in black and white, but initially felt like the images were missing something so I switched to color after the first day of shooting. I revisited these images last week as I started going back through my archives to update my site.

A special thanks to the Hard Knox Rollergirls for hosting me that night (and to Paul Seylar for coming along for the ride and lending a helping hand).

Paolo Nutini

2008-11-27T10:25:00.006-06:00

Sometimes pictures really do say everything. Another one of the stellar performances I got a chance to witness up close and personal at Bonnaroo 07. Amazing voice, great debut record. I think he toured with Amy Winehouse for awhile. Would love to have caught that show.

Yellow Medicine, Controlled Burn, Knockemstiff

2008-11-27T09:55:00.004-06:00

I'm a pretty avid reader, consuming about a book a week. My interests are pretty varied, but I'm especially drawn to crime fiction. I also subscribe to over a dozen magazines (tear sheet references, tax write offs) and usually come across potential new reads that way (though the NY Times Book section is still my favorite way to discover the overlooked or forgotten). One of the cool things about iTunes and Amazon is the People Who Purchased X Also Purchased Y Z link/section. I had just finished Donald Ray Pollock's collection Knockemstiff . It had a blurb from Scott Wolven on the backside of the book. I remembered reading Wolven's collection Controlled Burn. Several of the stories/images had stayed with me a year later. I normally get all of my reads from the library, but I thought, I'm still thinking about these stories, so maybe I oughta go ahead and purchase the book so I can reread them whenever. I searched Amazon and was able to pick up a copy for a couple of bucks. Then I noticed the People Who Purchased link on the bottom. There were several I hadn't seen before. Yellow Medicine was one of them. I picked it up from the Nashville Public Library and it sucked me in and spit me out about three days later. If you like Jim Thompson (especially his masterpiece The Killer Inside Me), then check this out. In fact, check all three of them out. Pollock and Wolven are like modern day versions of David Goodis (another hero of mine).

David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, John Paul Jones at Bonnaroo

2008-11-24T19:01:00.000-06:00

I've set aside the month of December for finishing up a couple of screenplays that have long since been promised delivery and on redesigning my website. I think one of the new 'books' on my site will be dedicated to documentary work. Here are a couple of shots from Bonnaroo 07. Although Manchester, TN is just a short drive south of Nashville, I had actually never been to any of the previous Bonnaroos before getting the call that week and asked to go on assignment for Women's Wear Daily (Thank you Michael Norseng at Esquire for the referral). Discovered a ton of great new music (the Cold War Kids were phenomenal), ran into some old friends and had a chance to catch some magical moments -- on stage, and off. I've probably been lucky enough to have seen Gillian and David play at least a dozen times and I've never been disappointed. Even so, I'd never seen them so on top of their game. Their two songs with John Paul Jones joining in on the fun were pure icing on the cake.