News from the Picturedesk

Wow! What an unbelievable 7 weeks on tour! 50,000 miles, 21 cities, 5 continents, 1/2 million fans and 35,000 pictures all in 45 days. The reception in each country blew me away. 50,000 people every night going crazy for Maiden. To witness the mayhem and hysteria as ‘Ed Force One’ landed in each country was an unforgettable experience. Sorry I was unable to update more often but as you can imagine I was busy! Thankfully I managed to edit pictures as I went along. 35,000 RAW files at 35mb a go, is a lot of data. What kept me sane throughout the tour was having SKYWIRE! Still busy now I am back but will put some more shots up soon…I promise!

In Columbia at the minute and off to San Paulo, Brazil at 8am today. Last nights gig was the best of the tour so far. 50,000+ Columbians going crazy for Maiden. Was an incredible sight to behold. The Columbians were so friendly considering it is one of the most dangerous places in the world. Apparently trouble flared up outside with teargas and water canon being used by the police but all I saw was a sea of smiling faces singing every word. We are 4 weeks into the tour now. With India, Australia, Japan, Los Angeles, Mexico, Costo Rico and Columbia now behind us. I remember leaving home on the 29th January and I am starting to feel home sick now – 18 days to go. I have shot over 20,000 images so far! Here are just a few for now.

note my skin tone leans in the direction of lobster. Got fried in Perth whilst shooting the band in front of the plane.

The tour has moved into Japan now, the land of the latest technology. Thanks for the emails regarding the pictures from the Maiden tour which are on-line at www.ironmaiden.com. We are using the latest technology only available in Tokyo called ‘SKYWIRE’. It is the fasted data transfer system which allows us to upload huge amounts of data to the site. Behind the scenes video below. New pictures from Australia uploaded very soon!

…or maybe not! Welcome to the insane streets of Mumbai and probably the greatest tour on the planet. Everything is going great and the plane is behaving! The shows and reception as this tour unfolds has been incredible. First India and now Australia. Sorry it has taken a while to get anything up but everyone is working their socks off to keep the show on the road. I have had little sleep in the last week, uploading shots and editing the pictures. I think I am taking some of the best shots I have ever done of Maiden. The Nikon D3 is just a dream camera to use and everything is now being processed through Adobe Lightroom which I have to say is now my program of choice. You couldn’t ask for a processor more in tune with the traveling photographer. I won’t bore you to death with the geeky stuff but I couldn’t get the job done without it. I have taken over 6000 shots so far and we have only just got past the first week. Would love to share the shots with you but the exclusive stuff goes out for international press and up to www.ironmaiden.com first. Become a member and there is on-line diaries and tour galleries a plenty. Also maiden tv is uploading the first ‘on the road’ videos any day soon.

Before I go I have to big-up Nikon Australia. Had a lens aperture break on my 24-70mm on the way from Melbourne and Nikon had a technician on standby when we landed in Sydney. Fixed it on the spot and sent me on my way a very happy man. Cheers Nikon! Will hopefully catch up with David from Nikon at the show tonight backstage. More updates soon!

Road rage Bombay style – I suspect its not the tuk tuk’s first collision?

Ed Force One in Perth

Sydney Opera House last night.

Flying into the storm on the way from Jakata to Perth.

A fine turnout in India.

Perth stadium. The roof is held up by the air pressure in the building so you have to enter and leave through an airlock. I am not kidding and it was royal pain in the arse! Great show though.

Trans-Am trucking India style. These are the trucks used from Plane to stage, stage to plane.

…and finally! How do you solve your excess baggage issues on check-in at Perth International? Wear everything you own, that’s how! It was 40.c as well.