As told to CL Photo Editor Joeff Davis by concert photographer — and podiatrist — Dr. Perry Julien before performing foot surgery:
"This photograph was taken during Ludacris' set at Music Midtown. He performed Saturday afternoon. I shot every band at Music Midtown. In addition to shooting for Creative Loafing, for some acts I was also shooting for the festival, so that gave me unprecedented access. Normally I get to shoot the first three songs from the pit [ed. the area in front of the stage where photographers normally shoot from], but during Ludacris' set I was able to photograph the show onstage from the side of the stage.
"From this vantage point you naturally become part of the show. To be able to experience 50,000 people focused towards you is truly indescribable. In this situation it is very different from being in the pit, because in the pit you're facing the stage and when you are on the stage you are facing the crowd.
"Since you are hearing the music from the stage monitors, you pretty much get perfect sound. What was surprising during the whole festival [was] there were very few crowd surfers. And this was one of the few times someone was above the level of the crowds. When I shot the photograph I did not realize what a great photo I had. But when editing at 1 a.m. after Music Midtown ended I realized this really captured what the audience was feeling."
Check out CL's Music Midtown photo gallery
Check out CL's reviews of Music Midtown day 1 review and day 2 review
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