"Have you ever shot a Flaming Lips show before?" I had just walked into the pit below the stage and had been eyeing a starting spot from which I would shoot the band's entrance when an old, slightly overweight photographer acknowledged my presence. From my experience, shooting events near veteran photographers is never fun. Because they have long white beards, are paid by professional publications, and carry more gear than a junkie, most "experienced/veteran/professional" photographers sit on a very high horse and expect anyone under them (i.e. everyone) to step aside and respect their superiority. But this guy was different. Though he matched the physical profile right down to the pot-belly and the canvas camera vest, this guy had a smile on his face--and it wasn't a hierarchal grin or a smirk of degradation; it was genuine excitement.
"Nope" I said, "first time. Have you?"
"A bunch of times" he replied, with the same look of anticipation on his face, "but it never gets old. You will have a smile across your face the whole time."
