The Unstoppable Art of Capturing Live Music’s Essence
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global music industry faced an existential crisis. Live performances—once the lifeblood of artists and audiences alike—were abruptly silenced. As venues closed and crowds vanished, the industry scrambled for alternatives. Streaming platforms like Instagram Live and Verzuz emerged as temporary lifelines, transforming intimate performances into digital spectacles. Yet, beneath the surface of this technological shift, a deeper question lingered: Could the soul of live music ever be fully replicated by algorithms?
For South Africa’s music photographers, the answer was a resounding no. While AI-generated imagery and synthetic content flooded the digital landscape, these artists—rooted in tradition, ethics, and emotional connection—proved that their craft was irreplaceable. Their work wasn’t just about capturing moments; it was about preserving culture, building trust with artists, and immortalizing the raw, unfiltered humanity of live performance.
A Moment That Changed Everything: From Consultant to Lens
Lerato Pakade’s journey into photography began unexpectedly, during a chance encounter at a Bitches Brew show in Johannesburg’s Braamfontein district. The trio—Zoë Modiga, Titi Luzipo, and Spha Mdlalose—had captivated her, and in a moment of inspiration, she snapped a photograph of Luzipo. “I took this picture of Titi, and literally, I just said it. I was like, I’m putting this here to keep myself accountable. Kanti, I was casting a spell,” Pakade recalled in an interview with OkayAfrica.
That single image became a turning point. A few months later, she found herself at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, an experience she described as “like bootcamp”—a grueling two-week marathon of rehearsals, jam sessions, and performances. It was there, amidst the chaos and creativity, that she made a decision: after this contract, this is what I’m going to do.
Makhanda held a special significance for Pakade. It was the city where she earned her honors degree in Economics, where her parents met, and where she was conceived. “Being in Makhanda is peace for me. It’s a holy place for me. It’s not a coincidence,” she affirmed. The festival’s intensity—both physically and emotionally—fueled her resolve. One unforgettable moment stood out: capturing Mbuso Khoza mid-performance, his head bowed in prayer. “I was right underneath the stage, crying. I will never forget that,” she said. “That photo represents how I was feeling at the time—and it’s why I lead with the heart first.”
Three Decades of Capturing Jazz’s Soul: Siphiwe Mhlambi’s Legacy
While Pakade’s path was relatively recent, Siphiwe Mhlambi has spent over three decades documenting South Africa’s jazz scene—a journey that began during the darkest days of apartheid. For Mhlambi, photography wasn’t just a profession; it was an act of resistance and solace.
“Jazz gave me so much solace,” he reflected. “It gave me freedom; it gave me an opportunity to see myself, to create, and to see something from start to end.” His archive includes legendary figures like Nduduzo Makhathini, Linda Sikhakhane, Judith Sephuma, and Hugh Masekela, each photograph a testament to the resilience of Black South African artists.
Mhlambi’s latest exhibition, held during the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March, featured large-scale prints alongside his mentee, Arthur Dlamini. The show was a celebration of his enduring craft, proving that even in an era of digital reproduction, human connection and artistic integrity remain irreplaceable.
The Power of the Image: Sinazo Notho’s Vision for Culture Preservation
Sinazo Notho, a producer at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), understands the transformative power of imagery better than most. Her work involves curating visuals that don’t just accompany interviews—they elevate them, giving audiences a deeper emotional investment in the stories being told.
“Images help people see what is being spoken about,” she explained. “Photographers have a way of capturing the soul of a moment that stays with you. You become curious about what was happening at the time the image was taken, and now you want to listen to the interview because you think there will be a moment when the conversation brings the images to life.”
Notho emphasizes that photography isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about context, honesty, and narrative. “Without photography, culture is invisible,” she argued. “As a producer, if I get both the imagery and the story right, I don’t just make a show. I create something people will send to their kids one day and say, ‘This is where we come from.’“
Her words underscore a critical truth: photography is the bridge between the past and the future, between the artist and the audience, between the raw and the remembered.
The Unwritten Rules: Respect, Etiquette, and the Human Touch
What sets South Africa’s music photographers apart isn’t just their technical skill—it’s their deep respect for the artists they document. Pakade, in particular, speaks passionately about the etiquette of the craft, a code she believes is often overlooked in the rush for the perfect shot.
“We try to stay as far away from that as possible, but there’s also a reason why practice becomes established,” she said. “Firstly, you’re an audience member like everybody else. There’s something about respecting the appointment that other people have with the music—whether it’s visually, that I’m not in your way.”
She recalled moments where photographers invaded performers’ space, their clicking cameras disrupting the flow of a performance. “It’s even in how we approach the musicians on stage,” she noted. “Firstly, it matters just to greet, even if you don’t know them. We’re not just there to extract; we’re saying: you guys are here for a thing, I’m also here for a thing, to be a witness.“
Pakade described a “masculine energy” in photography—one defined by capture, dominance, and intrusion. But the best photographers, she argued, transcend that. They build relationships, earn trust, and know when to step back, when to listen, and when to let a moment breathe.
“There are moments where musicians are so vulnerable on stage,” she explained. “Sometimes the silence is more important than your shot. When you’re in that, the last thing you want to hear is a click. The musician is doing a thing that you have to respect.”
AI vs. Humanity: Why the Soul of Music Remains Untouchable
In an era where generative AI can produce hyper-realistic images in seconds, the question of whether photography is still relevant has become increasingly urgent. Can an algorithm ever replicate the emotional depth, cultural context, and human connection that a photographer like Pakade or Mhlambi brings to their work?
Pakade’s response is clear: “There’s also choices you make—when to look and when to look away. There are moments where musicians are so vulnerable on stage. It’s a quiet thing, and it’s an emotion thing.”
AI may generate images, but it cannot understand the subtle nuances of a performer’s expression, the weight of a moment, or the unspoken chemistry between artist and audience. “The last thing you want to hear is a click,” Pakade said. “Sometimes they’re vulnerable in ways where you’re like, I’m glad I’m here to witness it, but I’m gonna let you have this private moment in public.“
This is the human soul of photography—something no algorithm can replicate.
The Future of Music Photography: A Call to Preserve the Unseen
As the music industry continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: the best moments in live performance are those that defy easy replication. Whether it’s the raw energy of a jazz club in Cape Town, the emotional intensity of a festival performance, or the quiet vulnerability of an artist mid-set, these experiences are fleeting, and photography is their only true immortalization.
South Africa’s music photographers—from the seasoned veterans like Mhlambi to the rising stars like Pakade—are more than just artists. They are culture keepers, storytellers, and witnesses to history. In a world where AI threatens to homogenize creativity, their work stands as a testament to the enduring power of human connection.
Lerato Pakade capturing a moment at a live performance, embodying the balance between artistry and respect.
A collage of Siphiwe Mhlambi’s iconic jazz photography, showcasing decades of cultural preservation.
The historic Bitches Brew venue in Johannesburg, where Lerato Pakade’s journey into photography began.
Lerato Pakade at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, where her passion for photography was solidified.
Siphiwe Mhlambi’s large-scale exhibition prints at the Cape Town Jazz Festival, blending art and legacy.
A candid shot of Mbuso Khoza during a performance, illustrating the emotional depth photographers strive to capture.
Photographers in action at a live concert, demonstrating the etiquette and respect that define their craft.
