ION INDIE MAGAZINE January 2015, Volume 8 | Page 67

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Please take a little time to check into the music and art programs of your individual school districts. Many
of these are in danger of being eliminated by federal and state budget cuts, or viewed as superfluous wastes
of time and money. Japan, Singapore, China, Belgium and Czechoslovakia hold the arts in high esteem,
make provisions for music and art and integrate the performing arts into their everyday lives. In many cases,
parents are of the opinion that music and art classes are an easy grade attempt to avoid math and science
classes—or they view them as of lesser importance than sports. Please attend school functions and vote at
the ballot box for the future of our school music and art programs, of which this journalist is a product.
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JEN PEZZO is a professional photographer who contributes her work regularly to ION INDIE MAGAZINE. In
this column, she shares her real world proven techniques with aspiring photographers:
 Take as many photos as you can--notice
everything. Small details are important.
Understand composition.
 Study the work of successful
photographers, learn to take photos with
and without flash in low light settings.
 Practice, practice, practice. Make friends,
network and share.
Regarding photographing a live performance, Jen
advises to get to the location early, so you can get
a prime spot. Be careful not to be distracting to
the band or the audience—wear dark clothing and
try not to block the audience’s view for very long.
Be considerate and avoid using flash
photography—it is distracting to both the
performers and the audience. Use stage lighting
to your advantage. Use high ISO setting in the
absence of a flash.
Focus on the motion of the band onstage, the ambience of the venue and the audience. See JEN PEZZO’S
work at: www.jenpezzo.com