In the last four years, Carl has been to more than 500 gigs and photographed international acts, including the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Madness, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Simple Minds and Elvis Costello.

“The thing was when I left school, I didn’t want to be a tradesman at all. I always wanted to do something in the music industry,” Carl said.

“When all the kids had grown and after I separated from the Mrs, I wondered what to do.

“I went back to photography, which I had liked since I was six, and thought about how I could link that to music. I put the two together and that was it.”

Carl had taught himself the basics of photography and did an online course before completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Bendigo’s La Trobe University. He is now working on his PhD.

“Once I started on music photography, I thought I had better do it properly,” he said.

“I started photographing small gigs at pubs but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be at huge gigs. When I look at some of the photos I can't believe it.

“When I used to do photography as a kid it was all film, so I had to get a grasp on new technology and once I got that I thought I can take great pictures and see what happens from there.”

For people wondering whether they should throw in their day job and focus on a passion, Carl said life is too short to wonder.

“Whatever your passion is, go see what you can do about it. If you think you can do it, start doing it,” he said.

“Don’t sit back because no one’s going to bring it to you. You have got to get out there and give it a go. If it doesn’t work, you’ve not lost anything.”