Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Darcy.
Matt, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Music and photography became big aspects of my life back around 2009, it’s when I first obtained a DSLR camera and I was booking death metal and hardcore punk concerts around the Boston and Worcester areas. I would take pictures of the bands performing, but aside from some candids, this was all I shot for quite a while.
It wasn’t until 2015 that inspired me to take photos of other subjects and expand into different styles of photography, more specifically landscapes. I found myself in a rut with my life, no motivation, no goals… just lost. I started exploring around the local area more, from city streets to the woodsy areas and started to notice beautiful simplicities of life like how the street lights made the snow glisten at night, rays of light shining through the trees, and the colors of autumn leaves. This lead to bringing my camera with me everywhere to capture those scenes that brought me so much thought and peace of mind.
Since then, I have been taking photography more seriously and started to learn how to take better photos, not only of live performances but of any scene I would come across. With a rejuvenated spirit, I started going to shows constantly again, as well as seeking out more unique and characteristic locations such as abandoned places and majestic mountains.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
There are more than enough things in this world that can bum you out and hold you down. I like to think that the photographs I take capture the better times and happier notions. Taking photos pushes me to experience life, to get out there, do more, go further. It has helped redefine myself and to live a life as full as one could. To capture moments, to capture memories. It’s about documenting life. To say that you were there. To say that I was there. That we existed. Taking hold of grand occasions and appreciating the small things. Memories are fleeting, but if you have a photograph of that moment, detail is preserved and the memory will never be lost.
For the past couple of years, I’ve been traveling around the Northeast region seeking adventure and thrills, usually consisting of enchanting forests, ocean-side views, cascading mountains, and bold cityscapes during the day. At night, I can usually be found at a venue snapping away at bands. The region has such a phenomenal music scene which has afforded me time in front of an array of musical acts such as Slowdive, Cannibal Corpse, Killswitch Engage, and Pig Destroyer. Then, there’s the obscure subject matter like wandering ghost towns, exploring long forgotten hospitals and military bases, and goofy road-side attractions like the world’s tallest filing cabinet.
The better the photograph, the better the memory. Being able to freeze a moment is a special thing. You can perform endless magic with a camera. That allure, that mysticism, will forever keep me shooting.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
While technology is making it easier for almost anyone to take a photo, I feel it puts more responsibility on the photographer to really learn and hone their skills. It’s setting the bar higher in some instances and challenges you to take better, more creative images. I occasionally see people at concerts holding a tablet up in the air trying to take a picture of a band in low light. Sometimes, conditions overpower technology and you need to know your camera/device and what to do in less-than-ideal situations. You can have the newest iPhone or an expensive camera, but if you do not understand the basics like aperture, composition, and ISO, then all that technology is not going to be all that beneficial. Knowledge is power kids. Keep learning, adopt new techniques, study various styles, and experiment often.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Most of my work and select prints can be found on my website, www.bananamasher.com, as well as Instagram and Untappd (@bananamasher).
Later this year, I will be taking part in a music photography exhibit called ‘Images from the Pit’ alongside some of the best gig-shooters on the continent. It will be taking place at Bone Up Brewing in Everett, MA with an opening night and dates to be determined in the near future.
Contact Info:
- Website: bananamasher.com
- Email: matt@bananamasher.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bananamasher/
Image Credit:
Matt Darcy
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