P.D.A. ‘Act III: Wasted Talent’ Album Art
When I first started getting serious as a photographer, I wanted to make a point of shooting the best bands in town. I regularly pestered Matt ‘Lip’ Stevens about shooting…
September 16th, 2009 | Published in Bands, Photography
When I first started getting serious as a photographer, I wanted to make a point of shooting the best bands in town. I regularly pestered Matt ‘Lip’ Stevens about shooting the bands on his label Yeah Siam records. One of them was eclectic and energetic hip hop artist P.D.A. – I thought shooting promo for Anthony Jenkins’ alter-ego would be the capstone to my goal of becoming a top music photographer in the city. “I’d be up there with the giants like Kelly Kerr…” And a few years later, I am no giant, but here we are on the eve of the release of P.D.A.’s third full-length “Act III: Wasted Talent.” (Friday September 18th, Marquee Tulsa, 222 N. Main St, Tulsa, 8:30 show) His sound draws from a wide array of musicial influences, and delivers a great live show. It’s not one to miss.
P.D.A.’s concept for the album art hinged around the double entendre ‘Wasted Talent’ – both people with potential who aren’t living up to it, and literally being ‘wasted’ from a party lifestyle. The mood of the photography needed to feel a touch forboding – the dark side to a party atmosphere. P.D.A. is a graphic artist as well, and designed the album art. Regarding lighting for the cover – a spot light. The vignetting was done in-camera.
Regarding the lighting for the back cover spread below, a spot light on P.D.A., and a diffused light bounced from the ceiling to bring up the ambient levels.
After we wrapped P.D.A.’s shoot, we shot a few portraits of Matt “Lip” Stevens of Fat Lip Entertainment/ Yeah Siam Records.
