Robert Lundberg Takes His Camera on an Upstate Journey

Robert Lundberg is an artist that has been enticing our eyes for the past year and a half. The New York-by-way-of-Boston native has been increasingly finding his niche as he quickly makes his way throughout the East Coast, which has found him shooting in upstate New York. From Peekskill to Kingston, to Bethel, Woodstock and beyond, Lundberg goes where ever his eye and spirit takes him. As he continues his intriguing series, Uncontaminated Sound, which breaks the boundaries of celebrity and civilian, Lundberg has captured the likes of Sinbad, Louie Anderson,The National, The Love Language and more, all up north. We had the pleasure of catching up with noteworthy and up-and-coming legend Robert Lundberg for another brilliant interview that takes us into his magical world, below.

Recently you have been taking photos in the upper New York region As you continue your work with Uncontaminated Sound, What differences in experience do you find between shooting in bigger cities, and shooting in more suburban or rural areas?

Well the aspects experience wise regarding larger cities vs more rural venues are at first glance obvious, though make a huge deal regarding photographic results particularly regarding backstage shots. So, lets start with big cities; the number one difference in larger venues is access control, which in general is pretty tight, however, it’s even more so within the bigger named venues/cities. Then when one gains said commodity, one has to attempt to communicate with multiple layers of representatives venue and performer side, along with security personnel as well. Thus with all these people, there’s naturally some mis-communication; for example informing security that I’ve been given access to shoot a performer, or a manager may say the performer has been severely delayed or cannot make the shoot. There have been times when I’ve been at the venue and a shoot falls through. One has to be prepared to wait, act on the fly, and expect things to rapidly change with regards to bigger city shoots, flexibility and fast thinking are key.

Now inversely, as if Alice’s looking glass shooting backstage in more suburban based venues is like night and day compared to bigger city venues. In general there are lighter levels of personnel hierarchy, a smaller entourage, and much less chaos paired with pressure that comes attached to large scale performances. Which is great, one has more time with the subject allowing the photographer to build a better rapport with the performer/artist, resulting in hopefully a more organic, intimate, and honest photograph.

Late last year saw you shooting the likes of Sinbad, Louie Anderson, both huge name is in the comedy field. How were you able to link up with those artists? Also what venues did you shoot them at , and what was that like?

True legends and all around good people, well basically we reached out to their people and pitched them the concept of Uncontaminated Sound, along with a few samples, and link to my site rlundberg.com (shameless plug).

Well it’s always a building up of excitement (for me at least) with performers well particularly with comedians I've noticed that they generally don't need to arrive until a few minutes before going on stage, unlike bands whom have sound check. So things sometimes don't go as planned such with Louie in which I was supposed to have shot him prior to performing at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in the museum, however, apparently Louie flew into Newark International then in turn had to commute all the way up to Bethel, NY on a slightly precariously snowy day. We arrived early and had to wait hours for word on his arrival, in the end we ended up shooting him post show in which he was gracious enough to allow me a few mins & shots, even though he hadn’t ate dinner. But that’s what I love about this stuff, the variables the unknowns and making things work on the fly, its what I thrive on, one must be flexible and open minded.

Sinbad conversely was a completely different situation, I was fortunate to have had about 45 mins backstage in which he had me laughing most of the time, along with being a much easier commute to The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill, NY. After shooting, I was lucky enough to enjoy two hours of an epic comedic performance thus wrapping up a magical night and a great shoot.

Louie Anderson at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center, Bethel, NY

(Copyright Robert Lundberg 2018)

Known for shooting a good amount of musicians for the series, how did you get started bringing it into the comedic and actor field?

That’s a good question, it kind of happened organically. I think the initial concept of Uncontaminated Sound was at first in my mind solely focused on musical artists, since at the time I was mostly documenting musical performances. However, as my field work grew, as my interactions and interests developed, I asked myself what if we applied the same principles and rules that have applied to Uncontaminated Sound with respect to documenting musicians to other types of artists whom interact with audience and stage. What fascinates me, which has driven the series further is capturing the soul of the person be it musician, comedian, or actor. Uncontaminated is basically a study of individuals of whom made the conscious decision to giving themselves to public scrutiny (ie the entertainer). Thus, attempting to break down the walls of idolization through intimate photographs, we recognize the humanity of all performers.

What has been your favorite town and venue so far to shoot upstate?

It’s hard to say or label a single favorite town, since during my travels I’ve discovered towns that hold their own unique features, energy, and people. However, Woodstock stands out in my eye for its energy, beauty, and for the venue Colony. Colony, reminds one of a scene from an old Western, it’s space is small but intimate making a audience member keep seated along a row of tables dotted with candles. There is a secondary balcony level, in which persons whom desire a new perspective can observe the show in comfort. Additionally, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, in Bethel, NY was a special venue for two reasons: I had the opportunity to shoot Louie Anderson there, secondly it is there on those hollowed grounds where the original Woodstock Music Festival took place.

What would you say the advantages are of shooting artists and comedians in venues that are a little north from the bigger cities? Is there any difference in vibe?

It’s funny how physical space can effect a persons vibrations, for example a dark dreary type of space will bring down an individuals energy, conversely a large white space with large windows will allow a sense of peace. Applying this observation to: is there any difference in vibe, from my experiences so far yes when comparing the energies of performers within the context of small versus town big town venues. Digging deeper, the advantage of shooting a non pressured, relaxed performer who’s not been thrown into the chaotic energy of a bigger city show equates to a more humanistic portrait of the artist, thus delving into what I strive to obtain with the lens.

Who are some of your dream notable figures to capture this year?

Hmm, always a bit of a difficult question, though currently I have a few emails out into the universe to certain subjects who’d certainly be would cool to document. However, don’t want to jinx anything…so I’ll keep mum on the matter. Though, I don’t know I’d like to keep expanding my breath of work in the comedic, actor, as well as fine artists realms. Not to dance around the issue, I’d rather shoot first, while taking questions later.

Find more of Robert Lundberg's work online:

http://rlundberg.com
https://www.instagram.com/unco...