Made some $$$!! - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/16/2011 02:13:34 AM · #1

Landed my first gig tonight!
I printed some photos and had a friend who owns a tattoo parlor hang them, well I didn't sell any yet, but a local band hired me tonight to shoot them playing at a local bar.

I was so nervous having never shot in that type of light/atmosphere, but I think I got some good ones and already got the $150!

I'll post them the keepers tomorrow, when I am less hung over ;)
Hopefully they look just as good sober...

IAmEliKatz

Nikon D5

10/16/2011 02:33:50 AM · #2

w00t! Congrats!

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/16/2011 02:59:00 AM · #3

Way to go, Leo!

Originally posted by sinistral_leo:

Hopefully they look just as good sober...

*fingers crossed* ;-)

amsterdamman

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/16/2011 06:41:13 AM · #4

Sweet! Congrats on the first Gig! Event coverage and live capture are the best ways to use a camera, I hope you get much more work!

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

10/16/2011 06:47:36 AM · #5

Good un, hope you post the results.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/16/2011 07:43:38 AM · #6

you did well there, here in sheffield or in uk at every gig theres 2-5 photographers, and i mean proper photographers with big dslr setups etc 5d d7000

bands have a choice of shots and most shoot for free magazines and blogs etc

im an ex roadie done 3-5 month tours national and international and have a recording studio/venue with some friends so know lots of bands and muso's

get all the work you can hehe

o2bskating

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/16/2011 09:14:24 AM · #7

congrats! sounds fun

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/16/2011 10:20:17 AM · #8

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

im an ex roadie done 3-5 month tours national and international and have a recording studio/venue with some friends so know lots of bands and muso's

Off topic, but I have to ask...Do you know Ace Finchum? He's an old classmate of mine and seems to be well known in the music industry in the UK.

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

10/16/2011 10:43:50 AM · #9

Ace Finchum ....... well I,m sure he lives next door to Giles Bertenshaw

10/16/2011 10:44:57 AM · #10

nope, sorry mate toured with a few us bands OK GO, the films..., and some others got out of the big tours 4 years ago when the ex got pregnant.

used to and still do some days here and there for arctic monkeys, now just do local bands as favours to mates etc. one of my best mates still does monkeys and nick cave and the bad seeds

did a gig last year for my mates band supporting the pixies which was a nice experience hehe :)

Message edited by author 2011-10-16 10:45:54.

10/16/2011 01:02:29 PM · #11

OK, edited and posted.

Not too bad. (Although I am still hung over...)

Message edited by author 2012-01-29 16:31:29.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/16/2011 08:21:52 PM · #12

Guess nobody has facebook here??? Or they are just terrible pictures...

o2bskating

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/16/2011 08:40:50 PM · #13

ooh nice job but then again i'm not one to tell you good or bad cause i kinda suk
that guy with the fro hair...u really should tell him to do sumthin with it it's kinda scarry

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/16/2011 08:49:02 PM · #14

Originally posted by o2bskating:

ooh nice job but then again i'm not one to tell you good or bad cause i kinda suk
that guy with the fro hair...u really should tell him to do sumthin with it it's kinda scarry

He was quite the character! It was a lot of fun doing this! I learned a ton on the fly last night, so hopefully next time I can hone in the skills.

o2bskating

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/16/2011 08:51:06 PM · #15

last time i shot a band was like 5 years ago and i used the stage lighting and no flash those were some kewl pix

snaffles

Nikon D7100

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

10/16/2011 09:41:33 PM · #16

Good work Leo! Are you allowed to post pix to show us?

ETA: Oh duhh, skipped some posts and there's the linky...

Message edited by author 2011-10-16 21:42:26.

fldave

Pentax K5II

10/16/2011 10:36:55 PM · #17

Very nice images, Mike. I like the POV and angles you shot at.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/16/2011 10:39:25 PM · #18

Originally posted by fldave:

Very nice images, Mike. I like the POV and angles you shot at.

Thank you Dave!
Working with a high ISO because of the low light was nerve racking. And the "primary" colored spotlights wreaked havoc on my WB.

MattO

Nikon D4

10/16/2011 10:52:11 PM · #19

Can I give an honest opinion of the photos or do you not have skin thick enough to handle it?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/16/2011 10:57:57 PM · #20

Originally posted by MattO:

Can I give an honest opinion of the photos or do you not have skin thick enough to handle it?

Go for it, I can't improve if everyone sugar coats it...
Keep in mind, it was my first experience in shooting in that environment...

Message edited by author 2011-10-16 22:59:02.

MattO

Nikon D4

10/16/2011 11:27:47 PM · #21

Originally posted by sinistral_leo:

Originally posted by MattO:
Can I give an honest opinion of the photos or do you not have skin thick enough to handle it?

Go for it, I can't improve if everyone sugar coats it...
Keep in mind, it was my first experience in shooting in that environment...

OK first off the harsh direct flash detracts from the atmosphere that bands play in, the lighting is terrible at these places, but that is what they love. Either get rid of the flash and get a fast lens, or go off camera and gel the flashes to match the lighting.

While some of the angles are nice, the up the nose shots aren't flattering at all. Some of the edits to me just say I'm trying to cover up a bad photo. The "glamour look" edit just doesn't work. In fact the photo is pretty scary looking and not very flattering of the young lady in it.

Overall a good start, but would I as a photographer be happy with handing over those photos with a $150 invoice? Nope sure wouldn't.

10/17/2011 05:50:03 AM · #22

Thanks MattO,

I had a Omnibounce on the flash with an attempt to avoid the harsh light, it was angled up at the black ceiling, but you're right, it didn't really work. Later on in the night I ditched the flash and just shot slower, hence the motion in some of the shots (or the dark ones).

The "glamour look" was an edit of an outtake, (did you see that one?) it was VERY unflattering, she looked dead, but I posted it is as sort of an advertisement, (before and after) What is so bad about the "glamour" one? I thought it came out pretty good.

The $150 includes a band shot, which I didn't do yet and a "expert edit" style posterboard. They were sold after seeing my "Fugly Sperm" shot ;-)

10/17/2011 07:41:21 AM · #23

From my "Inbox", Looks like "they" like them, so I'm happy.

"Awesome shots, dude! You really went above what we expected! thanks again"

"Man, you rock. Those pics make us look like we sound better than we probably do. I like how some of your shots are from way down, making it look like we are up on a stage, larger than life. Great job!"

"I am the girl who is in the shot where it looks like the singer is singing to me, I love that shot! I would be interested in purchasing a copy"

"My girlfirend is the one that you did the glamour to, she was so releived when the edit cameout"

"you really captured the intensity"

10/17/2011 08:19:08 AM · #24

i shoot a lot of gigs not saying im any good but i try and match what i see on the camera to what my eyes are seeing so i usally shoot with my 550ex on manual at 1/128th power pointing straight up or slightly forward in a brick arch(our venue)

or i point it forward on the close to setting, slightly below level. or i'll use the built in flash defuser in the vertical position and rotate the flash through 180 so if i lowered it to 90 degree it would be poiting at me not the lens if you get me.

usually shoots with 16-35/28-70 or sometimes if its abig venue the 70-200 2.8's or the 1.8 50 is a cracking gig lens, normally at 1000-3200 iso depending on how dark it is, some venues a re so dark you cant even see to focus.

usually focus on front man/woman.(trust me having worked for bands they get upset if they are not in the limelight, its why they are at the front lol) then do detail shots, drummer etc bass and guitar then some detial shots power chords or power stances etc.

if you know the band its a lot easier and if you can get back stage etc but keep out hte way of us working hehe, sound checks are great to get a feel for the band and to get some detail shots when no one else is around. and i get some great shots in the dressing room or backstage area as you spend more time there waiting for the gig so get some good candid and warm up shots.

drummers are always good for motion blur and rocking out hehe

i always have ear plugs, no fun standing in front of a PA or guitar amp taking photos, a little mag light and plenty of cleaning clothes as if its a busy gig or a good gig there will be alot of bodily fluids or beer flyin around. i once worked a gig, bigish 5000 people went out on to line check etc and someone threw a plastic pint pot with urine in it on stage missed me but got a pedal board, rather annoyed and I did the come on gesture to 5000 people. big mistake!!! abou 20 pints of various liquid came flying at the stage and me..... people get to the front and dont want to move. suffered a few direct hits straight into amp head etc from 50 feet or more and one gig we lost a Â£100k mixing desk to a guy who deliberately threw his pint on it, tour manager and security dragged him on stage infront of 800 people and said sorry gig is over because this guy threw his pint over the desk, he was almost lynched. we handed him ver to the police and got done with criminal damage had him clear as day on cctv just throw it like he was watering a garden etc...

you need to tell that drummer that kylie esq clip on is seriously not rock and roll!!!!!!! needs a flexible vocal mic.

here are some of my gigs/music shots from this year like i say im no expert

//www.flickr.com/photos/cyberprop/sets/72157627789284447/

Message edited by author 2011-10-17 08:27:32.