Recent "gig" shoot - would love some feedback/crit

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/22/2006 12:33:56 AM · #1

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 00:41:41.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

02/22/2006 04:54:24 AM · #2

Hey Jason,
your gig photography is coming along!
I hope you don't mind my critiquing your photos harshly, I think you can still make them much better.
1: None of the photos really knocks me out, you need to capture much more dynamic moments of real chemistry. The second photo is the most impressive because of his pose, but his eyes are shut and you can't see his mouth, which detracts for me. Wait until there's a special look in the eyes, then snap... it's all about the eyes.
2: The microphone is in the way of the face far too much... you need to either find a better position to shoot from or you need to wait for him to turn round. It's much better when you can see the singer's face. I realise this particular singer looks like he holds his microphone right up to his mouth a lot, but you have to wait for a moment when he takes it away.
3: The exposures aren't good, most underexposed and some over exposed. It looks like the lighting was tough to work with. I can't believe these guys didn't let you use flash. Most bands don't have a problem with it if I ask them. Get a sync cord, put the flash in your left hand and bounce it off the ceiling.
4: I think your photos could benefit with a wider angle lens.
5: The white balance seems a bit off on most of them. Spend some time in PS adjusting the colour levels on each shot until they look more pleasing.
6: Composition... I don't look at any of them and go 'wow, love the composition there'. Remember that everything in the background is part of your shot. Don't centre everything! Put the subject at the edge of your shot looking in. You've kinda done this with a couple, but it would work much better if they were right at the edge.

Good luck, and remember all the points from our old Music Photography Mentorship thread!
Bob

goc

Apple iPhone 4

02/22/2006 10:57:27 AM · #3

wow, this is what i call FEEDBACK/CRITIQUE :-)
good work both of you ... LOL
i actually like the photos but i'm not an expert

peace

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

02/22/2006 11:50:40 AM · #4

"I hope you don't mind my critiquing your photos harshly, I think you can still make them much better. "

Not at all Bobster....not at alll

Originally posted by "BobsterLobster":

2: The microphone is in the way of the face far too much...

Yeah, this particular singer, although one of my favorite bands, his style is such that the microphone is essentially glued to his face for the entirety.

These were my attempts to compensate and come from a different angle:

Originally posted by "BobsterLobster":

3: The exposures aren't good, most underexposed and some over exposed. It looks like the lighting was tough to work with. I can't believe these guys didn't let you use flash.

They would of let me, though I know a lot of places don't really like the flash so I've been trying to build up my skills without the use of a flash.

4: I think your photos could benefit with a wider angle lens. [/quote]

This was one of my first shoots using my 28-75mm as well as my 12-24. I had some more wide angle shots but the exposures were off, too much motion blur. Even still, some are pretty wide. This one below I was probably about 24" from the singer.

Originally posted by "BobsterLobster":

5: The white balance seems a bit off on most of them. Spend some time in PS adjusting the colour levels on each shot until they look more pleasing.

This is an area I am DEFINITELY struggling on, and could use a bit of help with. Not quite sure where I need to be ending up at. I find that I can de-saturate the reds and that helps reduce some blurr but at the same time I'm worried that I am losing to much vibrancy.

So if you've got any time to help I'd truly appreciate it. Perhaps you can take these two and show me where I should be bringing them to?

Once again, thanks so much for the strong critique, yup....I can take it. And I agree a fair bit too. Although I feel I got some half-decent shots, I was truly hoping to get a few more stellar ones and do feel as if I missed that goal.

Originally posted by "gooc":

i actually like the photos but i'm not an expert

Thanks gooc, and yes, I think many will feel that they're pretty decent. However, my goal is to become a semi-professional band photographer. And Bobster knows this, and hence he's being very critical to help mold me, grow me, sharpen me, and chisel me. So right now, my gig photography is decent but it's got to excel.

:)

But the good thing, it's improving....though sometimes it's 2-steps forward 1-step back. Er wait, this is a photography forum. That's 2 f-stops open and one f-stop closed. ;)

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/22/2006 11:56:49 AM · #5

Not a pro, not even into gig photography but my first thought even before I read Bobster's comments was the obstruction of the mouth - I think it's almost even more important than the eyes actually - one can convey a lot of raw emotion in a shot of a singer with their eyes shut in concentration if one can just see their mouth...

Eyes open is even better of course but... it's the lack of mouth that is the biggest weakness for me.

They are still pretty good though!

CreativeFlyPhoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/22/2006 12:19:32 PM · #6

my first question would be what lens and settings are you using ... i shoot bands pretty frequently and yes .. it's hard to get the white balance set right and all - but you want to make sure your shutter speed and fstop are set first .. white balance could be played with in PS or what not ...

not trying to take away from your photos at all and i am no professional ... yet :) ... but here is a link of some of my gig photography online - maybe to get some ideas of composition and such ...
i'm addicted to it .. i could shoot shows every night if i didnt have to be at work the next morning :)

//www.pbase.com/photosbyayme/concert_photography

i mainly used my 50mm 1.8 lens for Leonard Brothers and Afterglow Radio that i can remember off hand ... feel free to PM me if you want more specifics

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/22/2006 12:30:45 PM · #7

Using the following lenses:

Tokina 12-24mm f/4
Canon 50mm f/1.8II
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

Usually using f-stop wide open, occasionally a notch closed. ISO is usually between 800-3200. This shot I endeavored to avoid the 3200 as much as possible.

The venue is a very small venu. As for the microphone in the mouth, the lead singer of the band I was shooting pretty much keeps the mic on the mouth 24/7.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

02/22/2006 03:56:32 PM · #8

Hey Jason, I did a VERY quick bit of colour balancing on one of the photos you asked for...
1stly a quick adjustment of each RGB level
2ndly some colour balancing
3rdly some saturation adjustments on individual colours.

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro for Canon

02/22/2006 04:51:47 PM · #9

Thank you Bobster...

igoofry

Canon EOS-30D

02/22/2006 04:59:34 PM · #10

My first comment is how much I have enjoyed reading this thread.

theSaj asked for feedback and BobsterLobster gave him very constructive criticism. Along with a few other helpful comments. This is the way it's supposed to be.

That said, I like the shots you have. I agree with the color balance, but I would also be careful with corrections. It looks like some of the stage lighting had color gels. Sometimes when those hit the subject, it can make for a very interesting picture. It's kind of hard to tell from these though. A little wider angle might help.

The other suggestion I would have would be to get more of the band in the pictures. Even if you are focusing on the singer or lead guitar, it adds depth to the shot to have the band in the background.

Just my simple $.02 worth.