Way back in the day I went to a Neil Diamond concert at Maple Leaf Gardens and people were snapping pics like crazy. There were about 25,ooo people and I think everyone had a camera! And this was PRE-digital and phone cameras!
lol
His shows are huge events and the energy level is amazing. After about 4 songs he walked to the front of the stage and had the house lights turned on. He then invited everyone to take pics - even those on the different seating levels to come down to the stage area and take as many pics as they wanted and then they could put the cameras away and enjoy the show without worrying about getting a 'perfect' shot. The cameras didn't bother him because his light show was extraordinary..so he sang a couple of songs with the house lights on and people snapping pics. He posed and danced and seemed like he was having quite a lot of fun with the whole thing. When it was done he thanked everyone for coming and now that the picture taking was over we could all get into the music and really let loose. The sing-alongs and clap alongs and standing and dancing was incredible. Everyone was happy with the pics they got and enjoyed one of the best shows I've ever attended. I saw two others at later dates over the years but nothing was like that night. And I got some fabulous shots from my floor level aisle seat and then up front during the photo session.
Photos at concerts are akin to snapping pics at family functions - they are an integral part of our lives/history. - photos and music are precious mementoes that are part of the experience.
Next to looking at photos of my kids I must say the photos of concerts I've attended bring me great joy. Along with the pics of those who have attended with me the whole concert event is relived every time I open the photo album.
And I can almost forget the annoyance of having someone near me singing along..almost.
lol
Not sharing those photos with people who would like to see them is as much a crime as a sing-along!
