Photographer Perfectly Captures the Exuberant Energy of Nightlife
All images by Char Dodsworth. Used with permission.
I’m of an age where a packed out music venue, filled with exuberant youthelness, no longer holds its charm. That’s not to say the buzz is completely gone, but rather, my body and mind now demand a much more tranquil environment. To soothe the thought of “to be young again,” I turn to photography, and right now there’s a photographer by the name of Char Dodsworth who is giving me all the feelings I need to feel when it comes to enjoying the vibrant music scene.
To take you behind the fourth wall, I spent my youth in night clubs. I did my first DJ set at 15, stood on a crate, and did my last gig at 26, also stood on a crate. Up and down the country I went with my buddies, making new friends and loving the inclusivity of club culture. Now I go to Jazz bars alone and ponder on life - make of that what you will.
The passion for the music scene will always exist within me. It’s where people let go, come together and leave their problems at the door. Dodsworth’s work is a wonderful reflection of that. It’s brimming with a blend of identities, high-energy and that sense that, in this moment, life isn’t all that bad.
She’s a talented musician herself, and an artist who wears her works through her bold tattoos and imaginative makeup. Everything she does - including her photography - seems to be done with meaning and purpose. For that reason I was excited to talk to her about her journey into photography community and what life is like for this beautifully creative butterfly.
Them Frames: Hey Char! How’s life for you? How are things currently going for you creatively?
Char Dodsworth: Hey it’s so sick that you got in touch! I’m feeling loads of gratitude at the moment, I’m really lucky to be able to work my dream job part time and still have the energy to do my photography and play in my band Hinata the rest of the week! As a working class artist I know that’s basically unheard of and certainly won’t last forever so for now I’m pretty blessed.
Creatively, I’m currently doing vintage camcorder videography, photography, graphic design, modelling, merch creating, community creative support groups, writing a new ep and also trying to nurture my body and mind, it’s a lot but it’s my life blood, I feel like I need it to survive. I know it screams unhinged ADHD’er though.
Them Frames: I can almost hear the music when I look at your gig photography. How do you get so much energy in your frames?
Char Dodsworth: I’m not educated in photography at all, unfortunately my high school really pressured me to take an academic route so I’ve had to find my own way when it comes to honing my personal style. The energy comes from me and others dancing our little hearts out, I love how that gets captured in my shots and is noticed by other people and I love light painting with weird exposures and colours.
Them Frames: You're a very talented musician yourself. How does this help shape the way you photograph other artists?
Char Dodsworth: Ta so much! Being part of the grassroots music scene in Leeds has really helped me to build community and make amazing connections which help me capture the culture that’s happening here. When you’re in the grassroots music culture in a city you see the importance and impermanence of the scenes, venues and fleeting moments that you come across.
This shit isn’t just a given, it will fade as fast as it came and be replaced by something new, which is both sad and beautiful all at the same time. When I’m photographing someone with good tunes I’m not sly about how much I love it, I’ll go from not knowing you to being your number one fan in a heartbeat.
Them Frames: What’s your approach? Do you interact with your subjects, do you vibe with the music or do you observe quality and in incognito mode?
Char Dodsworth: This totally depends on the setting! Sometimes I’ll find myself looking at everything through the camera, as a neurodivergent artist it’s much easier for me to engage with my environment with the camera between me and whatever’s going on but I’m also hypersensitive to the energies and the tunes. When I’m shooting a gig I like to be in the crowd being incognito but when I shoot for Re-Action soundsystem at festivals I’m on the stage in my balaclava or behind the decks skanking with my mates!
Them Frames: You have no control over other people attending events - what type of challenges does that bring for you photographically? How do you overcome them?
Char Dodsworth: On one hand you wanna be able to capture a scene in a genuine way where you can show the people who breathe life into these events every month..on the other hand you’re gonna get loose cannons that come into spaces, like pub crawl crews or stag do lads.
Both these utilizations of spaces and communities are important, we need to keep our grassroots culture alive, that’s the priority! We need to do that in both open and exclusive spaces to ensure people are safe but also that our culture is shared and appreciated. It’s a fine balancing act for sure but a “no dickhead policy” is always necessary. If your vibes are nice get in there, if they’re shite get in the bin.
Them Frames: Music, venues, photography, they pump the adrenals! How do you decompress after a gig and get back to balance?
Char Dodsworth: I try not to beat myself up for struggling with burnout or not being able to do things 24/7. I think the hustle culture bullshit is a byproduct of late stage capitalism and I refuse to allow myself to hate myself for not being able to function to the same standard. I decompress through surrounding myself with colourful lighting, candles, incense, plants and self forgiveness.
Them Frames: Please finish this sentence: I need photography in my life because…
Char Dodsworth: Because one day I’ll be able to look back at the moments I captured with pride, to not take it for granted that there was a time and a place for us and it was fantastic. I hope in 50 years someone’s Gran is showing the Grandkids some photos I look of her in the dance.
Photography allows us to create a new sense of reality and to see things in detail without the distractions of the real world and I think that’s such a special thing that I’ll always love about it.
You can see more work from Char Dodsworth by checking out her Instagram and Flickr. To check out Hinata you can head to their Instagram.
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