Veteran Sydney rock photographer Bob King curates the Jim Beam Rockography live music photo exhibition launched on Thursday March 17 at the Oxford Arts Factory for a six week run. It will show the best rock pix taken in Australia last year. Over 3000 submissions were posted on to the brand’s music website The Label Behind Live Music, and King took ten days to whittle the shortlist to 20. “There are some terrific shots submitted,” King tells this column. “No doubt about it, rock photography is in good hands with this upcoming talent.” The launch features Melbourne illustrator Ken Taylor and a dj set from the Vines’ guitarist Brad Heald.

An exhibition like this, King adds, comes timely when snappers are given ridiculous contracts by acts. “We’re given three songs and asked to go. Yet people in the audience can take shots of the whole show with their mobiles.” King is in the meantime, putting together a book of his work of the last 40 years, due at the end of the year. His first major shoot was the Beatles in Sydney. Just as well: he tried to join the Post Master General (today’s Telstra) but failed the exam, and told to put on weight when he applied to be a cop. 

A few images are here http://drawingbook.com.au/ken-taylor-jim-beam-rockography