Nick Beggs

Nick Beggs isn’t just a musician—he’s a presence. Capturing him live isn’t about nailing the perfect frame, it’s about riding the wave of his performance and locking it into a split second. I took this shot during one of those dense, layered passages where the light is moody and the mix is full. He stood immersed in the music, double-neck bass cradled like a weapon or a relic, commanding and concentrated.

Technically, this photo walks a tightrope. Stage lighting can be merciless—strong contrasts, saturated colours, and constant shifts. I went for a low ISO to preserve detail, knowing I’d have to push shadows in post. The main light hit his hair and shoulders with a silvery highlight, while the rest of his form slipped into darkness. It wasn’t an accident. That uneven illumination helps tell the story of a man half in shadow, half in spotlight—just like his music: refined, intellectual, yet visceral.

The framing is tight because this isn’t a portrait of a person; it’s a portrait of action. Every hand, every string, every reflection off the drum kit in the background is part of the composition. There’s a physicality to his playing that I wanted to respect—he bends the instrument to his will, and the photo had to do the same with the light.