... On film

As Duran Duran gets ready to go on tour in less than one month, fans are debating how and whether to take photos. While I have always been partial to actually watching the show, the visual focus of blogs means I'll be bringing a camera along.

Fans on the Duran Duran Message Board seem to agree that point-and-shoot cameras, and of course, cellphones are allowed in even at shows for which tickets say there is no photography allowed. Before the prevalence of smartphones, venues were pickier about allowing cameras. Having stood in a long line after a concert to collect my camera in the past, I would bring a disposable camera and hope for the best.

Simon Le Bon collected cash from the crowd during "Skin Trade" on the 2001 tour.
(Disposable camera photo by Karen Duran.)

When I had a camera with, I got a few good shots at Duran shows over the years. But I have always focused on the writing side of things, so I have detailed notes from concerts from which I have no photos.

Now, I still focus on the words, while my husband takes care of the pictures. We brought our Canon to shoot the Duran show at Red Rocks last year and will have it with us again at the shows this year.

Red Rocks photos by Christopher Windle.

A note: Live Nation is promoting Duran shows on the coming tour. If my recent experience with Live Nation is any indication, expect to go through some strict preshow security. Lines were like anything I have seen when I saw Black Sabbath in January. The security guards blamed it on Ozzy. Maybe Duran will be more lenient.