Photographer Dmitri Kotjuh turns his lens from stage to audience

Photographer Dmitri Kotjuh will open an exhibition focused on concert audiences at Türi Cultural Centre on September 3, ERR reported.

The exhibition, titled “With His Back to the Stage”, features 30 photographs of fans, their emotions, visual culture and spontaneous reactions.

While concert photographers typically focus on performers, Kotjuh turns away from the stage to capture the audience members who help create the atmosphere of a live performance.

“People began writing to me, asking me to photograph fans more because they are so interesting to watch. That is how I discovered concert audiences as a very fascinating perspective from which to cover concerts,” Kotjuh said.

Photographing audiences presents its own challenges. While a photographer can prepare to some extent for what happens on stage based on previous concerts, fans’ emotions and reactions emerge spontaneously. The exhibition captures both the visual side of concert culture and moments that must be noticed and recorded immediately.

Kotjuh has photographed concerts since the summer of 2007, documenting several hundred performances in Estonia, elsewhere in the Baltic states and in Scandinavia. His photographs have also appeared repeatedly in international media.

“With His Back to the Stage” will remain open at Türi Cultural Centre until October 17.