Interview with Charlie Raven

Hi Charlie! Tell us about yourself in two sentences - who are you?

Hi, I'm Charlie, based on the south coast of the UK. Whilst my current Picfair uploads may not fully demonstrate it, I specialise in music based photography, most notably concerts and festivals. I have commissions from various outlets, publications, venues, and festivals, having travelled as far as Thailand to cover a festival recently. I love music and photography and just feel privileged to be able to take photos of some of the biggest names in the business, as well as continually discovering new talent.

QWhat's the weirdest situation you've found yourself in while taking a photograph?

AMany of the festivals I cover are full of weird but equally fantastic characters, there was one Glastonbury however where I found myself at one point in the middle of the biggest game of twister I could ever imagine, and then witnessing the construction of 'welliehenge' emerging from the mud.

QWhat do you shoot on? What's your favourite set up?

AI'm firmly in the Canon camp and love my Canon 15mm fisheye, both on full frame and cropped sensors, it can add that extra wow factor to wide festival and concert shots. Saying that, my current workhorse concert set up includes a Canon 5D mk3, 7D mk2, 24-70 f2.8L II and 70-200 f2.8 IS II. For extra low light situations I'll revert to the 50mm f1.4.

QWhat's your number one tip for an aspiring photographer?

AAside from learning how to use your camera to the best of its abilities, perseverance and self belief, never give up. Use any criticism constructively, and respect all professionals you will undoubtedly come into contact with.