Gig Photography Part - 1

[Alpha_7]

Hey All,

It's been a while since I've actively posted any shots for review and critique, mostly because I've been flat out at work and just in life in general. I have squeezed some much needed photography in, and I've actually been trying something new for me which is low light (bad light) gig photography.

These shots are from Mountains Band called Playjerise a personal favourite, these were taken at their new album launch. I shot using the 24-70 2.8 and D700, and really pushed the ISO up there to get the shots.









Gallery can be found here

[Raskill]

Nice mate. Good to see the D700 performing well in such low light. I havent tried mine yet in such extreme conditions, so your images are a good indicator. Can I ask why you limited yourself to a 2.8 lens? Limited room to move? I wonder how it would 1.4 or 1.8 would go on it?

I really like the B&W conversions, they have a timeless feel to them. All gig shots should be like this, could be taken this week or 40 years ago in a bar in Liverpool.

Nice work!

[Alpha_7]

On this particular occasion I had the 24-70 for reach early in the night, the headline band came one and I was stuck at the very front, good place to be, but my gear was at the back with Katie.
Another Gig I shot just recently brought the bag with me to the front, and tried, D700 with 50 1.4, 24-70 2.8 and also with a gelled SB-800 on a SC-29. I'll post a few from that night in part 2.

[Big V]

The black and whites are great, have that magazine feel about them..

[Glen]

Craig also a fan of your B&W here

[kitchenwench]

I absolutely love that first image! Did you shoot it in b+w or was it a pp conversion?

[goodallphotography]

Love gig shots and these have a nice feel to them.

[hark40]

Not having shot gigs, but having shot orchestras I understand the great difficulty such photography presents to the photographer. Have not looked at your gallery yet (have to go to work!!), but these shots are very well done. B&W conversions are very nicely done and quite effective. The first colour shot (the two singers) has some blown highlights (mainly off the guitar and the rear guitar players pants) and although to me they distract a bit from the image I know there is not much that can be done about them and it still is an effective shot. The only other comment to make is that all four photos are from the same side of the stage. It sounds like you could not move around much, but, if covering an "event" a bit of variety in the shots never goes astray.

Never could use a flash with an orchestra and had to use the stage lighting and white balance was always a challenge (never mind the fact that the players wore black as well and the music was white so nailing the exposure for them was a real PITA!!!!) Well done, and looking forward to Pt 2.

Mark P.

[kab]

Great shots mate. Particularly like the 1st and 3rd. You've really captured the vibe.

I usually don't do this sort of thing, but I photographed a gig last week also. It was very difficult, so I can appreciate what you've done here. Will post up some pics soon also. It's almost as if the lighting guy deliberately works against you.

[gstark]

It's almost as if the lighting guy deliberately works against you.

They do.

And ususally, the sound guy is a frustrated guitarist with little knowledge of what the concept of "balanced sound" might mean.