Music through the Lens: The changing position of photographers in the South African music scene Fig i.1: Fokofpolisiekar with music photographers in the first few rows. Oppikoppi [Northam], 2016 © Lourens Smit Photography. by: Lionel Potgieter u12006816 Supervisor: Dr. Jimmy Pieterse October 2019 A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MSocSci Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology University of Pretoria Faculty of Humanities Declaration of originality University of Pretoria The Department of Anthropology and Archaeology places great emphasis upon integrity and ethical conduct in the preparation of all written work submitted for academic evaluation. While academic staff teach you about referencing techniques and how to avoid plagiarism, you too have a responsibility in this regard. If you are at any stage uncertain as to what is required, you should speak to your lecturer before any written work is submitted. You are guilty of plagiarism if you copy something from another author’s work (e.g. a book, an article or a website) without acknowledging the source and pass it off as your own. In effect you are stealing something that belongs to someone else. This is not only the case when you copy work word-for-word (verbatim), but also when you submit someone else’s work in a slightly altered form (paraphrase) or use a line of argument without acknowledging it. You are not allowed to use work previously produced by another student. You are also not allowed to let anybody copy your work with the intention of passing if off as his/her work. Students who commit plagiarism will not be given any credit for plagiarised work. The matter may also be referred to the Disciplinary Committee (Students) for a ruling. Plagiarism is regarded as a serious contravention of the University’s rules and can lead to expulsion from the University. The declaration which follows must accompany all written work submitted while you are a student of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology. No written work will be accepted unless the declaration has been completed and attached. Full names of student: Lukas Johannes Lionel Potgieter Student number: u12006816 Topic of work: Music through the Lens: The changing position of photographers in the South African music scene Declaration 1. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this dissertation (e.g. essay, report, project, assignment, dissertation, thesis, etc) is my own original work. Where other people’s work has been used (either from a printed source, Internet or any other source), this has been properly acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. 3. I have not used work previously produced by another student or any other person to hand in as my own. 4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. Signature: . Page | 1 Acknowledgements: I always thought of acknowledgement pages as a bit tacky and cliché. I now realise that my preconception was based on naivety, and have since left my presumptuous nature far behind. For if it was not for the overwhelming love and support of my family, friends, supervisors and fellow post- graduate students, I am not sure that I would have been able to finish what I started. I would like to thank Finn, Jake and BMO for reminding me to always make some time for adventure. I also need to thank the Nike advertisement and Shia LeBeouf for motivating me by screaming at me to “just do it!”. Writing this research report forced me back on my knees, crying, feeling stupid and poor. My supervisor always consoled these anxieties by stating that the life of a post-graduate student is about feeling dumb and poor, and although it was not what I wanted to hear, I have to admit that the entire experience was humbling. For that I would like to thank Dr Jimmy Pieterse and Prof Fraser McNeill, who steered me towards a path of enlightenment. The fact of the matter is, that I was not prepared for this massive undertaking, but I do not think anyone really is when they start out. It is only half-way through the writing process that you can start to establish a definitive writing style, and by that time it already feels too late. But I want to take this moment to address post-graduate students all over to reassure them that a Masters degree is supposed to be difficult and challenging, but it is possible to finish. Just put your head down and believe in the words you are writing, because in a discipline like Anthropology, your research topic will be unique and that is something to be proud of and get excited about. To my family, you have been the pillars on which I could always rely to lift me back up. My father is the most industrious person I know, who always worked long, gruelling hours in the mines just to give his children a better opportunity. For that, I am forever grateful and will not squander the privileges you have granted us. My father was also the person that incubated my passion for music by exposing us to the world of Rock music in my formative years. He raised us on the music of Queen, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. Bless his heart for doing so. My dad bought me a guitar when I was twelve, but never complained that I never picked it up until I was sixteen. Since then, I have fallen even deeper in love with music, the way it was composed and the ideas behind the music and lyrics. To my mother, my anchor and endless source of unconditional love, I do not know how to start thanking you for everything you have done for me over the years, but I can only say that I will make you proud of your son. Lastly, to my brother Lucius, you are the calm to my storm and have helped me in more ways than you can imagine. I cannot think of anyone that would have stayed up with me all those long nights when I was writing. You were the only person that knew exactly what was going on in my research study even when you know nothing of the discipline. I will cherish those late-nights and hope I can extend a helping hand with the book you are writing. I know it will be a phenomenal book and I cannot wait to read it. Page | 2 To my friends and colleagues - Jeanie Blackbeard, Belinda Lippert, Anrie James, Brandon Bodenstein and Alicia Galloway – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support. You believed in me when I could not, and lamented me when I started doubting myself. If it was not for your support and motivation, I would have gotten lost in a haze of theory, confusion and apathy. Also, to the many creatures that lived in student communes with me, you showed me that Pretoria is full of weird and wonderful people, who creep out from under their rocks to celebrate music and camaraderie at music festivals. Long live Bernoldus Niemand’s Snor city, awe. Lastly, I would like to thank my research participants, who I consider to be the underappreciated artists of the South African live music industry. Even after I did the research, I still cannot conceptualise how you are able to take such awe-inspiring photographs and I still cannot replicate your art, even though you showed me how. I think the life of a music photographer is an adventure, but I am also aware of the countless obstacles you face to legitimise yourself. I sincerely hope that I have portrayed your stories accurately and done them justice. I also want to single out Erin Crous for organising my media accreditation for Oppikoppi 2018. It was an experience I could never forget. My final acknowledge has to go to the man that sparked my curiosity for the professional world of music photography, Lourens Smit. Although it was by chance that you moved into our commune, you have changed my life for the better and taught me how to observe and analyse a live music show as a performance. It changes the way I think about the music industry, and music in general. Without music photographers, we, the fans, would not have a means to reminisce and experience second-hand live music shows-and-festivals. Love, peace and music Lionel ***** Page | 3 Table of Content Acknowledgements: ................................................................................................................. 2 Prologue: Introduction to the professional world of music photography ................................. 6 Meeting a professional music photographer .......................................................................... 9 Chapter 1: Building an ethnographic report ........................................................................... 15 Study objective, theory and research questions ................................................................... 16 Methodology, context and ethics ......................................................................................... 21 Chapter Outline .................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 2: Photographers of musicians and producers of a band’s image ............................ 30 The roles of photographers and musicians during and after a show .................................... 31 Building social and professional relationships with musicians ........................................... 41 Negotiating relationships of mutual benefit and reciprocity ................................................ 52 Chapter 3: Social media platforms ........................................................................................