Band photography... - DPChallenge Forums

09/22/2008 08:44:00 AM · #1

Ill post it later, I don't have access to flickr at work and its on there. Its a total cliche cheeseball shot, but man it looked neat in print haha.

09/21/2008 12:27:19 PM · #2

Which photos ended up in the Mag? I want to see them, Congrats!

Edit to add: I had not seen that Rock N Roll Confidential page, but those are AWESOME! I am still giggling.

Message edited by author 2008-09-21 12:29:44.

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

09/15/2008 12:00:25 PM · #3

Since this thread got bumped, the photos I took of this band ended up in Hails & Horns magazine (part of the AMP Magazine family)

Kareed

Sony DSLR-A700

09/15/2008 10:41:39 AM · #4

Okay, so i kinda sorta did a shoot with them yesterday.
I hung out with them while they practiced so i got a taste of what they were like (really good idea, highly recomend doing it) then they were like "okay lets go take some pics" we drive to a cemetary, (not the one i was planning on using, couldnt pull the truck up close so i couldnt use the generator or lights) it was still a little light out so it wasnt to bad, but i had to bump the ISO up a little more then i wanted, but its a metal band so grainy is fine. But yea, they all hung out around a monument thing and i pretty much took snapshots for 10 minutes, then we left. i was kinda pissed off, but they had their girls there and they all had to be home, so i kinda understand.

I now have multiple phone numbers of the band then just the one guys, so im gonna call them up and say that we need to get a time, where they have nothing else going on, and we need to sit down and discuss ideas, and then shoot.

You really have to be in charge of the band, cause they really have no idea what goes into getting good photographs, il post some results in a day or two when i get a chance.

Kareed

Sony DSLR-A700

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical ED High Magnification Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

09/11/2008 10:41:16 AM · #5

I was asked to take pictures for a heavy metal screamo band.
But im more of an alternative rock fan, so i can't think of anything really that heavy.

I talked to them, and the one they want is in a cemetary, which could be cool, im thinking like after dark with those halogen shop lights might be dramatic/cool.

Oh, and they also said they WANT some cliche shots. so that should be fun right?
the only problem is we live in a fairly rural/suburban area, so there aren't really any gritty streets or alleyways. =/

Any ideas?

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

08/14/2007 06:03:50 PM · #6

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by ajdelaware:
How would that work with a band with a girl in it? 2 knit hats and a well placed scarf?

Maybe she's the only one normally dressed?

The two hats and a scarf idea works too.

Or you can muck around with poses like this. But aim to have the guys a bit lower in the front (for obvious reasons!!) And have her dressed completely different to the guys....example...nekkid/non-nekkid....casual/formal....etc!!

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

08/14/2007 04:35:01 PM · #7

Originally posted by ajdelaware:

How would that work with a band with a girl in it? 2 knit hats and a well placed scarf?

Maybe she's the only one normally dressed?

The two hats and a scarf idea works too.

justamistere

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/14/2007 04:30:47 PM · #8

Originally posted by ajdelaware:

I wanan try stuff with some fire, definitely. Whats the best way to go about it? Make the fire outside, of course, photograph on a black background, and then just superimpose it where I need it?

Yeah, that works, experiment with it. I'll post one I did like that. I shot a biker on at night with a flash, making the background almost totally dark, then put a layer of resized/positioned copies of fire. I actually made a huge wood fire in a BBQ stan on a pedestal, in the park. I took large black or white foam boards propped up with a park picknic table nearby.

Some small live fires in the foreground at the live shot would make the fake background bonfire look more real.

No, I'm not a pyromaniac. Think of one of the four Elements, as backgrounds, water/ice are cool, too.

Message edited by author 2007-08-14 16:34:26.

08/14/2007 04:16:09 PM · #9

Do a motley crue, and put them in leather poor gas on them and light them on fire. (do not attempt for real) lol

08/14/2007 04:16:07 PM · #10

How would that work with a band with a girl in it? 2 knit hats and a well placed scarf?

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

08/14/2007 03:52:40 PM · #11

I'm thinking the Red Hot Chili Pepper's infamous habit for performing while only wearing a sock. and not on their feet.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/14/2007 03:45:58 PM · #12

I wanan try stuff with some fire, definitely. Whats the best way to go about it? Make the fire outside, of course, photograph on a black background, and then just superimpose it where I need it?

justamistere

Nikon D3s

08/14/2007 03:43:28 PM · #13

Here are some "crazy" ideas to mix-n-match:

If the band's name is "My Turn To Win". I could see a giant "Wheel of fortune" style wheel. On the wheel could be a well built girl with the letters "WIN" on her sweatshirt. A Girl model, whether real or exagerated makeup. The wheel could be just an angled "Merry-go-round" with pegs. Drive by carnivals have them. And you could rent almost any prop these days.

On the wheel can be all the members in assorted poses. They could each have a "Fork" in their hands, in a variety of gestures, with them.
Just give each one a fork and see how creative they can be. A fork can be a friend or a weapon. They could all have wads of money stuck on the forks and ketchup on the handles.

Some "Fire" around the wheel is a nice additive. I've actually created big campfires (outdoors) to photograph with a green or black. These were to be used for backgrounds of composites. Fire implying a "Hot" band and maybe it's the audiences turn to win, by listening to them.

08/14/2007 02:35:21 PM · #14

Scheduling is a bitch. Still in the plans, just trying to get everyone together. (half the band is from PA, half is from NJ, and im in DE)

08/14/2007 02:03:55 PM · #15

How did these band shots come out? I am waiting to see them!

Message edited by author 2007-08-14 14:04:09.

08/07/2007 05:25:51 PM · #16

Do they smoke? If so, smoke in the shot with the right light would be wicked cool.

08/07/2007 12:42:27 PM · #17

Doh. I just remembered - my brother has a bar in his basement, and its so dark and moody (think goodfellas/godfather 1950 italian style decorationg) that I could probably shoot down there. The walls and carpet are all black and a very dark red (like think of a black to dark red gradient) and I would have unlimited time to do it. Only problem would be space, but thats not a big deal.

08/07/2007 12:38:37 PM · #18

A cool pub would work sweet. You could do some really interesting stuff there.

08/07/2007 12:07:07 PM · #19

Good stuff Jason.

And you are right about bands breaking up as soon as you get done hahaha.
I had a band that I shot the cover of their album break up the day after the album came out.

I threw some ideas around with one of the members last night, and she really liked the idea of the whole band eating hotwings (or pizza) and just do a panoramic 360% montage of it. They all love Pizza and Hotwings so it might work well.

So now its really just a matter of planning for that one. After looking at the Joey Lawrence stuff and also the Dave Hill shots, I really want to try to get some solid lighting going on, so Im thinking I might ave to do that one at home and just spice up the backgrounds by either shooting with a seemless white background, and putting in detail later, or see if someone has a friend that works at a pub that we could pull it off in.

08/07/2007 11:57:36 AM · #20

I don't have many great shots of bands I am still learning. They are lots of fun to do, but make sure they all have enough time to shoot. Bands have this idea that they can show up for 10min right before their day job, you will shoot a couple shots and that is that. There will always be one guy who has something he has to do 20 minutes after the shoot starts. Also if you shoot in the winter tell them to bring coats. Bands are like children, they will show up to a shoot in -20 weather wearing a t-shirt and black jeans and want some "nature" shots 30 minutes from the warm car. In this shot, the reason I went with the tones, and the grunge look was because they were bright red from the cold. I had to have them take deep breaths to stop shivering so I could stab a shot or two.

I find that the key is in getting the band to relax and just be normal. You get to know their personality after about an hour and you will find something that will speak to you.

Here are some ideas from my experience that might spark your creativity and help you get into the zone.

1) Identify the front man(woman) and explain to the band that in most of the shots that person will be the center of attention. It sounds silly, but I have been in bands or working with them for 20 years, and I know what goes on behind the scenes. They all want to be in the front even the drummer. Once you establish that it really helps the layouts of your scene. I like to have the front man look at the camera with the rest of the band not. That is just a style thing. Most people like everybody looking at the camera, but I like to draw the attention to the front man.

2) Go by how they dress. Most bands are not as "Hardcore" as they think they are, and they dress accordingly. This one band I did came to the shoot looking a little "trashy" if you know what I mean, so I shot it in a trailer park. They thought they were metal, but they really didn't dress that way.

Conversely, one look at these guys and I took them to the richest part of town and put them in a bench.

3) For more "candid" looking shots tell the band to all go somewhere that they are not, stand there and find something to do. Then shoot while they are moving.

4) This is really just a style thing, but I think the best band shoots are when the band looks bored. I like to pose the band in such a way that the viewer of the photo will be trying to figure out what the heck they are doing there in that scene. I get a lot of negative feedback from this as well, but it is cool to me.

5) When you are needing ideas, look to the bands music. I gravitate towards titles and sometimes try and work with that. They come out cheesy sometimes, but most of the time the band loves shots that speak to one of their songs. This bands myspace song was staring at the sun. I had him throw up a rock and then edited the rest. It is stupid to some, but to the audience that listens to them, they love it.

6) There are always a few "interesting" people in a band. Those are the ones to shoot up close that people will love to look at. Most bands are looking for attention, so focus your shots give them that attention.

Joey Lawrence. Nuff said.

***Best part about shooting bands is there is always bands to shoot. When one breaks up (sometimes before you finish editing photos) 5 more start up. Hope that helps, have fun shooting I want to see your shots for some inspiration when you get them done.***

Message edited by author 2007-08-07 12:01:59.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

08/07/2007 10:24:34 AM · #21

I love those ideas, and to take it one step further, im going to have a brick wall with a train tunnel going through it, but the train derailed, and spilled its cargo...A CUBIC SHIT TON OF URINE!! all over the brick wall!!

lunachicken

Nikon D90

08/07/2007 10:21:07 AM · #22

Hehe on a less cliche note...

Dress em up like various sideshow freaks (if you can come up with props). Strongman with mustache, bearded lady, sword swallower etc..

Stick em in a dog pound cage acting like animals. Or similiarly a vet room (with the stainless steel table) have one of em lookin like they are gettin a shot with the others hovering over.

Or a urine soaked brick wall! Brilliant!