Working: How to Photograph a Hardcore Punk Show

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3.9 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2024

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, host June Thomas talks to Jim Saah, a photographer who documented D.C.’s legendary hardcore punk scene in the 1980’s and 90’s. In the interview, Jim explains how he fell in love with punk music in high school and soon started photographing bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi. He also discusses the chaotic environments he had to work in, and he explains how certain punk rock conventions—like simple lighting and the practice of allowing pretty much anyone to hop on stage—allowed him to snap memorable and action-packed photos. His photo collection is called In My Eyes, and you can follow him on Instagram @jimsaah. After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the differences between using digital and analogue tools. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jim explains why the D.C. punk scene was different from other punk scenes in the U.S. He also talks about some of his favorite photography collections. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Most of you aren't just listening right now. You're driving, cleaning and even exercising.
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0:37.4	between June 2022 and May 2023. Potential savings will vary. Discount's not available in all states and situations. A lot of my friends at the time would say leave your camera at home just come and
1:02.4	dance and enjoy the show.
1:04.0	But I wasn't not enjoying the show when I was taking pictures
1:08.0	and the times that I did leave my camera at home,
1:11.0	I kind of felt like I had always regretted, you know?
1:17.0	Welcome back to Working. I'm your host Ronald Young Jr.
1:21.0	And I'm your other host, June Thomas.
1:24.0	June Thomas, it's wonderful to be here with you once again.
1:28.0	Tell me whose voice was that do we hear at the top of the show?
1:31.0	That Ronald was Jim Saw. Jim is a photographer who specializes in
1:35.5	capturing live musical performances particularly from the Washington DC punk scene.
1:41.5	Ooh this is of interest to me as a DMV resident. So I know why I want to hear from Jim, but why do you want to speak to Jim right now?
1:50.0	Well, a couple of years ago, Jim published a book that showcased some of the concert images he took between 1982 and 1997.
2:01.0	And that book, in my eyes, sold out really quickly, but it has just been reissued.
2:06.4	I was really curious to hear about that scene, and especially to talk to a photojournalist who is still working today
2:14.8	about how much the profession has changed in the last 40 years and in short the answer is a lot.
	...

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