Orchestrating Chaos: Recording Studio Photography

I recently had the opportunity to photograph my friend Andrew recording with a band at Hear Hear in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Walking into a working studio in full swing was awesome. The space told its own story through the details scattered throughout.

Across the tables were strewn coffee cups, paper towels, a chessboard, random notes scribbled on pieces of paper, and various other artifacts of the creative process. The recording room was filled with guitars, random synths, and beautifully organized stacks of cables of all different varieties. I wanted to capture the beauty of a space actively in use and allow the environment itself to tell the story of artists utilizing everything at their disposal to make art.

I was particularly drawn to the tape-to-tape reels and the room recording microphone. I knew Andrew is quite the talented musician, but seeing him work alongside other skilled recording artists let me see a bit of his creative mind in action.

B&W

Color

One note about the photography: I was thrilled to discover windows into the space covered with markings and notes. These scribbles on the glass perfectly matched the organized chaos of the recording studio itself. I decided to shoot through the glass to incorporate these elements, though I still can't decide whether I prefer the shots focused on the writing on the glass or those focused on the room with the glass writings out of focus.

The space was relatively dark with only ceiling lights for illumination, but I think the shoot turned out quite well. Excited to continue photographing; finding creative ways to capture the spaces I encounter.