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In the late 1980s, I worked at Sub Pop records in Seattle in a variety of roles, including as a photographer. One night, I attended a concert to see Nirvana, the label’s latest signed band, but I was not impressed and did not take any photos. However, my opinion quickly changed when I listened to their debut album, Bleach. At the next concert I attended, the band had transformed into a high-energy performance and I was amazed. From then on, I spent years taking photos of the band, capturing thousands of images. The band was familiar with my work even before I knew them, so I believe they had trust in me from the beginning. This was also the case with other grunge bands I photographed; I was just a regular local, not an outsider from a big city.
The city of Seattle was known for its energetic crowds. While we were lively and engaged, we never crossed the line into aggression. To me, incorporating the audience into my photographs felt like a natural extension of the cathartic exchange between musicians and their followers.
Although I am often described as a “people photographer”, I consider myself an introvert. However, this was also true for Kurt. On stage, we both became more open and comfortable: it was the one place where we could truly express ourselves and forget about everything else. This is how I felt when I was up there with my camera. My style of photography is very flexible and spontaneous and I enjoyed being heavily involved, sometimes even dancing while taking photos. Bands also appreciated this aspect of my work.
This photograph was captured during a Nirvana performance in Washington in 1990 and it was quite chaotic. There were numerous individuals jumping off the stage and a lot of energy from the crowd. I was positioned next to the speaker on the stage’s left side, when suddenly the guy beside me climbed up on top of the amplifier. He began to dance on his knees, provoking the audience. I grabbed his pant leg and urged him not to do it, as I was worried he could get hurt. However, he didn’t listen to me, so I decided to prepare for the shot instead. I had my Nikon FE2 camera with a 24mm lens and always used an off-camera flash connected by cable. I aimed my focus towards where I thought he would land and held the flash above my head. Just as I predicted, two seconds later he leaped off the amplifier and I managed to capture one shot. He jumped with full force and miraculously, the audience was able to catch him.
This photo has become a symbol, and I do not need to downplay its significance. It captures not just a moment in music, but also in our culture. Each person is completely immersed in the music in their own unique way. Interestingly, two of my dear friends who are now in a committed relationship are also captured in this photo, just a few yards apart, but they didn’t meet until two years later. I find that incredible.
This picture captures a happy time in my life. I had complete freedom while capturing these images. Most of my assignments at the time involved static and uninteresting poses, so I ventured out to capture live performances because I felt that would truly be my artistic expression and withstand the test of time. It was a period of great creativity as the bands I photographed also had no restrictions. We were able to collaborate and try new things.
Capturing images of Nirvana from such an early stage, I witnessed Kurt in his shy, reserved state in the corner, then saw him transform into this iconic rock deity. It was quite ridiculous, and clearly everything unfolded far too quickly. However, my photos are not focused on the band or Cobain himself, but rather on the essence of the music. I aimed to capture its true spirit through these photographs. Images like this serve as a reminder of why Nirvana held such significance in the beginning: their music and their impelling performances.
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Charles Peterson’s CV
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Born: Longview, Washington, 1964.
Graduated:
Education: Completed Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Washington
Inspirations: “Garry Winogrand, Larry Fink, Werner Bischof”
Highlight: “Being on a rock photography panel alongside the renowned Jim Marshall.”
I am often reminded to take more memorial photos.
Valuable advice: “Slightly bend your knees, react quickly, check your surroundings, and remain relaxed.”
Source: theguardian.com
