Finding the Shot in the Crowd

David Barmer’s entry into photography didn’t come from years of art classes or a long creative lineage. “In high school, I needed an elective, and I picked a photography class,” he says, almost casually. His art teacher, Ms. Davis, changed everything. She was passionate, generous with gear, and deeply invested in getting students excited about the medium. “I don’t know what she’s doing now, but I really appreciate her.” That single class became the foundation for everything that followed.

Outside of that classroom, photography wasn’t something David had formally explored. No other art classes. No long list of influencers he lists off. Which makes his work feel even more instinctual. When asked how he chooses images after a show, he’s honest. “I kinda wing it.” He studies other photographers, not to replicate their work, but to push against it. He looks for moments that feel different. Simply put, something cool. His concert photos are a display of energy, motion, and the feeling of being there.

That instinct doesn’t mean he isn’t critical of himself. When reviewing his work, David looks closely at composition and focus. Live intense environments like concerts move fast, and he’s aware of the moments that slip past. Sometimes that artist isn’t fully in focus. Sometimes the set design could have been incorporated a bit more. He notices the small details and files them away for the next gig.