Words and Light

Elvis lives.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Dames Aflame showgirl dancer Tracy Sacan dances with Elvis impersonator Robby Dean off-stage as the band Kingsized performs "Polk Salad Annie" on-stage during the Elvis Royale show at Variety Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.

I had my doubts, when I was assigned to photograph an Elvis tribute concert on Friday night. How would I tell one “Elvis” from another? Aren’t tribute bands stereotypically notorious for being… well, not-so-good? Would this be just another concert where I’m ushered from the lobby to the pit to photograph three songs, and then booted out?

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dames Aflame showgirl dancers Rebecca Crawford and Beth Del Mero wait offstage for their cue before dancing alongside Kingsized band singer Mike Geier during "CC Rider" the first number of the Elvis Royale show at Variety Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.

Turns out, I had no need to worry about any of the above. There weren’t too many Elvis impersonators, the band and dancers put on a great show and — a first for me — I had complete backstage access.

One of the organizers, Shannon, even told me I could get on-stage during the performance.

“You can even get up to here,” she said, directing to a wide expanse of the front edge of the stage with her foot. “We don’t mind if the crowd sees you. It’s okay!”

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Left to right) Elijah Maris, 11, and Miguel Trivino wait to go on-stage with other Elvis-dressed audience members during one of the final numbers in the Elvis Royale show at Variety Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.

Coincidentally, the three photos I have chosen to blog here were a) taken on the side of the stage or backstage and b) taken with a flash. I try to avoid popping out the flash, but I knew I needed it for these shots — and I love the way they came out. True, they may not be technically perfect, but that’s okay. I figured if I had to use my flash, I might as well have fun with it (hence, the ghosting in the first photo). So, I did.

To view actual performance photos — and the rest of the select shots I transmitted — you ought to take a look at the full photo gallery.

As I briefly mentioned in my previous post, Friday the 13th was not kind to me. But it sure did end well.