My first attempt at Club photography

09/29/2004 08:36:21 PM · #1

I have some friends in a band and their second night of playing in front of an audience was last night. I decided this would be a good time to get out and try my hand at club photography. There are actually two bands that played. These shots are a little of both.

My friends band Ital Influence.

Chops and the Dread Nots

Comments and Critiques are always welcome. That's Irie Mon!!!

Message edited by author 2004-09-29 20:39:45.

09/29/2004 08:55:16 PM · #2

These are actualy very good, club shots are really tough because the balance between flash and stage lights is hard to reach. Really good work.

here is one from my RL job (I'm a lighting Designer for tours)
less dynamic than yours since it was taken during a soudcheck.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D

09/29/2004 10:23:57 PM · #3

Thanks Gil P!!

No less dynamic! It has some great ligthing. The club I was at didn't have very good lighting. It was also very small. This looks spacious. I like it.

I didn't use a flash, obviously. But I hardly ever do.

dcano

Nikon D100

09/29/2004 10:27:48 PM · #4

Great shots Martin. I really want to give this type of photography a try. I hope I do as well as you did.
dc

lykofos

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/29/2004 10:47:23 PM · #5

Nice photos. They turned out really well. Gil hit it right on, the lighting is constantly shifting in a concert making it a lot more difficult. I actually run the website for my housemates band. Here are some of the pictures I took awhile back (with my old A40): Dark Martyr Concert at Rosebud.

Originally posted by Gil P:

here is one from my RL job (I'm a lighting Designer for tours) less dynamic than yours since it was taken during a soudcheck.

Cool, that was actually a hobby of mine! I did a 1.5yr internship/part time job, in my spare time (few nights a week) while going to college. I worked as Sound and Lighting Engineer (mixing the monitors and programming the lighting board) at a local concert venue near the University. Mainly local punk/metal/goth bands, but on the weekends national acts were hosted (Union Underground, Danzig, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Cannibal Corpse, In Flames etc.).

I listen to this type of music and was shocked when I worked with my first few "big" bands. I was suprised how fast the "star-struck" feeling wore off, probably because I was totally focused on getting the job done right. By the 3rd and 4th big shows, I wasn't even looking at them as rockstars, but as casual/professional clients paying to get a job done.

Most of those guys are really down to earth when you talk to them normally and are not a crazed fan looking for an autograph. It was definitely a cool learning experience.

Message edited by author 2004-09-29 22:48:37.

09/29/2004 11:36:36 PM · #6

Originally posted by dcano:

Great shots Martin. I really want to give this type of photography a try. I hope I do as well as you did.
dc

Thanks dc,

It was a fun experience. I met all of the band members afterwards and shared the photos with them from the back of my camera. They were all thanking me for taking the pictures and of course wanted to get some copies. If you make it fun, it will work out.

Originally posted by lykofos:

Thanks Michael,

It WAS a little difficult to get the exposure just right. I didn't want to use flash cause I hate shadows and I liked the lights they did have. I wanted to capture those colors.
Your shots are very nice! And now that you have the Rebel, you should get back out there and catch some more.

Cheers....Martin

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/30/2004 10:43:37 AM · #7

The main idea if your doing band shots, is to try and get your shots during soundcheck, if the lighting guy is not programming or focusing, you ask him to set all backlights and floor lights @ 100% and all front lights (NO SPECIALS) @ 60%, this will give you plenty of Gack to grab in each shot... the idead of getting the big stage vibe is to have a wide angle and a lot of background visuals.

this is a "Big" stage:

Not Rock and roll..but large non the less..this was a F22 @ 2secs... this way I could eliminate the models walking around.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

09/30/2004 10:49:00 AM · #8

Hey Gil...that wasn't Fashion Week in Toronto by any chance, was it?
My wife had a few pieces in the student portion of the show in the courtyard on Wednesday...

09/30/2004 11:00:36 AM · #9

No, this was shot in Montreal. @ Metropolis.

09/30/2004 11:55:46 AM · #10

I guess maybe my thread title was a little off. I actually was trying to capture the presence and emotion of the band members themselves while capturing the lighting.

While your "Big" Stage shot is very well done concerning lights, I feel it lacks the human element. Not that that is a bad thing. I think this shot has excellent exposure, lighting, and composition.

Most of my photos up to now have been landscapes, macros, flowers....etc.
Lacking any human interaction whatsoever. I am now trying, like others on this site, to get more involved with other people and to capture them and their expressions/emotions.

That is where I would like comments or critiques on these images.

Thanks to BKerr for the comment about the drummer.

Originally posted by BKerr:

Love the feeling in the drummers eyes.

That is more of what I was looking for, along with tips from those who have done this type of shoot before, on how to improve them.

09/30/2004 04:51:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by MWitt:

Oh My no, I'm totally sorry for the quasi Hijack, I totaly get what your intent was, and I think your shots are far better than my own on that regard But when people look at concert shots, they do want to see the "grandeur" of things..it's a bit contradictory but close-ups are great when they are part of a group of shots, some of which representing the "big" of the gid. Again, I seriously think your emotion shots are top notch.

09/30/2004 07:20:00 PM · #12

I'm just curious as to why nobody else will comment on my photos?

[sarcasm]I guess they are just soooooo goood that nobody can offer any suggestions to improve them![/sarcasm] ( : Or maybe they are just SHIT!

Sure would have been nice to hear from some of the "Great ones" like jmsetzler, or kevinriggs, or sonifo, or kiwiness or ........ I could go on and on!

Am I an Asshole? Do I not participate enough to deserve feedback from some of the people that have been around for awhile? I'd sure like to know. It's not too often that I ask for feedback, but it seems like when I do, its very sparse. I guess I'm feeling a little neglected. I need a hug!!!! Where's Laurielblack when I need her?