Northern Roll, event photography, New Dock, Leeds
Last year, I had a message the night before the Northern Roll event asking if I could photograph the roller disco. I don't usually take on last-minute jobs, but since I was looking after my kids, I thought, 'Why not?'
I photographed the kids roller skating, but I won't post the pictures here as they're kids, and I'm always cautious. I also had to take my kids home after the session, so I had a quick rush back to the outskirts of Huddersfield and headed back for the main event.
I arrived back, and the first thing I noticed was that everything had gone dark. As a photographer, darkness is the last thing you want to see when photographing roller skaters who are going fast. It's certainly not ideal conditions. However, I never let these things get the best of me, and I've got enough tools in my brain to work things out. I set up about five flashes around the entire venue (which is a massive space) and tried my best not to get run over or get in people's way.
Once I had worked out my lighting, I could start photographing. The Northern Roll is fascinating for someone who isn't in the scene. I first noticed small groups of people performing some dance moves, so I started photographing them. Then, I saw individuals doing their dance, and I would focus on these. People came dressed in their best disco outfits, skated around, and had a great time. I tried to capture all of this in my pictures.
The music was pumping, people were loving it, and I was taking lots of pictures.
Later in the evening, there was a section where the top skaters would skate around the rink as fast as they could. I managed not to get run over (although it was close), but it was fascinating.
If you've never been to the Northern Roll, then you should go; it looks like an enjoyable night.
Here is just a small selection of the hundreds of pictures that I took that evening. For more information, check out the Northern Roll.
If you have a fun event that you'd like me to photograph, please get in touch.
