The photographer I have chosen is Martin Sorrondeguy. Sorrondeguy was a prominent member of the hardcore punk scene in Chicago, Illinois while performing with the bands Los Crudos and Limp Wrist. He was also a vocal and active member of the Straight Edge and Queercore scene.
Beyond being a musical and social influence in the many punk scenes around The United States, Sorrondeguy is an active photographer and director. His most recent project - where all the photos have been lifted from - is a photo book titled GET SHOT. Get Shot depicts life in the punk scene over the years from the perspective of Sorrondeguy himself. Having been involved in my own local punk scenes over the past six years, I chose these photos because of their portrayal of a past era I idolize and often romanticize.
The photographer I have chosen to compare and contrast the previous images to is Conte Starfire, and photographer and member of the punk and metal scene in my hometown of Sudbury, Ontario.
Starfire has been an active member of the punk and metal scene and often photographs the shows as a hobby and as documentation. I believe his photos reflect the aura and atmosphere of Sorrondeguy’s as well as chosen to be taken in the first place for similar reasons.
The obvious similarities between these collections of photos is that they are both of local, all-ages punk scenes. They are shot in black and white and depict high energy. They are representations of youth who do not feel they belong in the mainstream culture forced on them, and have searched out and created one for them by them. It is a rejection of the status quo and a hurricane of teen angst and confusing self-reflection.The differences on a technical level are the fact that the photos taken by Starfire are digital, as opposed to the one’s by Sorrondeguy, taken before that technology even existed.
The important aspects of these works are the atmosphere that they capture. The raw energy of the performers on stage. The hectic, intense thrashing done by the crowd. The eccentric outfits and fashion meant to yell at the world who they are. These are the merit of the photographs. They take the amazing and powerful movement that was the hardcore punk scene in America and immortalize it for all the youth that will come after it. That will look up to it and recreate and establish it in their own lives and subcultures.
It is not the technical aspects of these works that are important, it’s the raw energy and feeling of independent culture that they capture. I consider it one of the most important and significant aspects of my life, and these photos are the physical manifestations of these feelings.
