When you mix raw talent, a dark underground setting, and a high-energy song, you get something special. I recently had the opportunity to capture behind-the-scenes moments for South African musician and songwriter Gareth James during the filming of his latest music video, Poison. This wasn’t just any shoot—it was a high-energy, late-night session that pushed creativity, endurance, and my caffeine tolerance to the limit.
The Artist & Project
Gareth James is no stranger to the music scene. A winner at the South African CMA and the recipient of the “Performance of the Year” award at the Texas Sounds CMA 2024, Gareth’s latest song, Poison, brings a deep yet upbeat energy. The music video, filmed by my good friend Noulen Basson from Wredekloof, was set to match the song’s gritty and moody vibe.
My role? Capture behind-the-scenes footage for social media reels and take stills that showcased the intensity and emotion of the shoot. Oh, and also to function on minimal sleep like some kind of photography zombie the next day.
The Location & Setting
The shoot took place in a secret underground parking garage in Bellville. (I’d tell you where exactly, but then it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?) The dimly lit, industrial setting was the perfect backdrop to reflect the song’s tone—gritty, urban, and atmospheric.
Shooting at night added an extra layer of drama, with the artificial lighting bouncing off the concrete, creating dynamic shadows and depth.
The Vibe: Casual Meets Street Grit
With a raw, street-style feel, the shoot was all about capturing the essence of Poison—dark yet pulsating with energy. Gareth and his band brought an authentic edge to the visuals, blending casual performance elements with an urban aesthetic. Plus, nothing screams ‘edgy’ like jamming out in an empty parking garage at midnight.
Challenges & Late-Night Hustle
Shooting in an open parking garage came with its fair share of challenges. Managing lighting in such a vast space meant playing with angles and shadows to create depth without losing detail.
The biggest challenge, however, was endurance—setting up on a Sunday evening, shooting until late, and wrapping up around 1 AM before heading home for just four hours of sleep before work the next morning. If you’ve ever tried to edit photos while half-asleep, you’ll understand the struggle.
But when you're passionate about what you do, the exhaustion is just part of the journey. (Also, shoutout to coffee for making all of this possible.)
Memorable Moments
The first few takes started off a bit stiff—understandable when getting into the groove of a new performance. But once the music was blasting and the band fully immersed in the energy of the song, the atmosphere completely shifted.
The raw enthusiasm, unfiltered emotions, and pure adrenaline made for some epic moments that I was able to capture on camera. Also, fun fact: music sounds amazing in an underground parking lot. Who needs a concert hall when you have acoustics like that?
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention Noulen’s filming technique. While I was hustling between shots, manually adjusting angles, and avoiding stray cables, Noulen was effortlessly gliding around on a Segway like some kind of high-tech ninja. If only I had thought of that—next time, I’m showing up on rollerblades.
Gear & Approach
For behind-the-scenes stills, I used my Canon R8 with a 50mm f/1.4 USM lens—no flash, just embracing the ambient lighting to maintain the moody aesthetic. For video, I relied on my iPhone 16 Pro, stabilized with a DJI gimbal to ensure smooth and cinematic motion. The combination allowed me to capture the essence of the shoot without interfering with the main production. Basically, I was a ninja—silent, unseen, but capturing everything.
Unique Styles of the Canon R8 & iPhone 16 Pro
- Canon R8 & 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens: This setup is perfect for creating cinematic, high-quality images with a dreamy depth of field. The wide aperture allowed me to capture stunning low-light shots without needing artificial light, preserving the raw and moody feel of the shoot. It also excels in isolating subjects with beautiful background blur, making each shot feel intentional and artistic.
- iPhone 16 Pro with DJI Gimbal: The iPhone’s computational photography capabilities worked wonders for video, balancing exposure in tricky lighting conditions. Its advanced HDR processing ensured details were preserved even in harsh contrasts. Paired with the gimbal, it delivered smooth, professional-looking behind-the-scenes footage, making it an ideal setup for dynamic, quick captures while staying mobile.
Final Thoughts
Despite the late hours and lighting challenges, this shoot was an unforgettable experience. Seeing Gareth and his band bring Poison to life in such a unique setting was inspiring, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it. The final results? A set of captivating behind-the-scenes stills and reels that truly showcase the energy of the night.
Gareth was beyond happy with the photos and footage, which makes all the late nights and creative effort worth it. Can’t wait to see the final music video hit the screens soon!
Want to Connect?
Here’s where you can find us online if you want to check out more of our work, collaborations, or just say hi (we’re friendly, promise!):
📸 Leon van Eeden (Photography & BTS Content)
🎥 Noulen Basson (Videographer, Wredekloof)
🎶 Gareth James (Musician & Songwriter)
For more behind-the-scenes stories, follow me on social media and keep an eye on my website for upcoming projects. If you’re looking for professional photography for your next creative venture, let’s chat!
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