My First Rave Photography

[Miliux]

I took some shots of rave party last week. I was crazy to take my D70 but in the end it was worth it. I was a photojournalist volunteering for In The Mix community. Despite the job, i had a great time. Took photos when i was tired of dancing. Surprised that so many were keen to be photographed!

I am a raver myself. Listening to techno/trance genres for several years. Just the sophistication of how it is presented fascinates me.


I used ISO 1600 with Nikkor 24-120VR. VR mode really did help me a lot in low light situations.

Here are some photos I took.

[cyanide]

Hi nexxus - thanks for sharing these. Any good DJs that night??

Hehe - I looked at these shots and thought: 1- early in night; 2 - late in night; 3 - mid-night... then I realised the EXIF info was retained... lol, well, looks like a good night, wherever...

Some comments, if you don't mind? (from the perspective of a very amateur photographer but fellow trance-lover, who used to be involved in parties...)

1 - I really like the colours, shame the dance floor is not a bit busier. Tighter cropping could perhaps help convey a busier atmosphere.

2 - Good as it is if you want to show a party towards the end of the night. If looking for a more energetic shot: lasers are well-defined, again perhaps crop tighter, to cut out the post-party detritus?

3- Again, tighter crop would be good, IMHO - if you need to keep the frame ratio, perhaps focussing more on the LHS of the photo? These shots are accurate for someone who's been there, but for others, to convey a real "in-the-moment" dance floor image, I think you have to cut out anything extraneous, such as excess ceiling and floor.

4- I like this shot - would be even better if he had something more "DJ-ish" in his hands, ie record or CD.

5- They look like good people to party with. Other than that, sorry, but aesthetically / photographically an unspectacular shot. Perhaps more relevant if you know them? (I have many shots like that )

6- Could do with a little post-processing, mainly for the girl on the right? Just some unflattering and distracting shiny patches which detract from the photo - otherwise, a good atmosphere shot.

Hope you don't mind these comments - as I said, they come more from a punter's point of view, than a photographer's.

Cheers.

[dooda]

Great shots. They convey good atmosphere etc. I think your VR really paid off on this night.

[Miliux]

Cyanide,

I know what ya mean. These photos are meant to be viewed by general public because it's posted on a public forum. The org told me to post some happy snaps just to give it a 'general' feel.

There are around a dozen DJs on that night. Here are the lineups:

2100 - 2200: Phase One vs The Higgler
2200 - 2300: Team Rocket
2300 - 0000: Ctrix vs Crystal + MC Whiskey
0000 - 0015: Alienation
0015 - 0130: Brooklyn Bounce - DJ Bonebreaker (Germany)
0130 - 0230: Fenix vs Suae
0230 - 0330: DJ Impact (UK)
0330 - 0500: Matrix vs Spank vs Flipside (extended 90 minute hardstyle battle supreme)
0500 - 0600: The Bag on Boys! (Oky vs Buggin vs Exile)
0600 - 0700: Aladdin vs Tom-E


The music were okay, not the best line up however. Went to Two Tribes two weeks ago and they had Prodigy, Rank 1, Pee Wee Ferris, Grandmaster Flash, Kid Kenobi, Mark Dynamix and so on.

Oh well. Great night overall.

[Nnnnsic]

I like the first, the third, and the last pic.

And I think I went to school with the girl on the left in that last pic.

[Miliux]

And I think I went to school with the girl on the left in that last pic.

Geez...I never knew you're so young! Ya must be around my age right? 18...

[Nnnnsic]

I'm 21. We'd be the youngest members here if we didn't have a 12 yr old on here. Lol.

And damn, I wouldn't have taken my D70 to a rave...

[Miliux]

I'm 21. We'd be the youngest members here if we didn't have a 12 yr old on here. Lol.

And damn, I wouldn't have taken my D70 to a rave...

I was so hesitant to take my D70. First my camera bag looked too big. Then I thought we're not aloud to take photos at shows. So I wrapped my D70 with a towel and shoved it inside a back-sack. Yes...I felt bad inside.

In the end I was aloud because I'm the member of the press. Woop!

[Hybrid]

Cool shots Nexxus I don't mind a bit of techno/trance myself... The lighting effects in raves has always been interesting to me from a photographic point of view but it's not the sort of place you'd take a camera like the D70 - good job

Cyanide makes really good points and I agree with what he says, particularly about going in closer to give more atmosphere...

I wonder what the average age of forum members here is... I'm 22...

[Mr Rotty]

I'm 34 and a retired raver. Went to my first on in the early 90's before most people knew what they were.

[Catcha]

Great shots, I'm also an avid raver as well when I get chance.

The first shot is pretty good lacks people but thats about it......

The laser shots on the second are cool, shame its in b/w not sure if that was on purpose or not.............

Those Ministry of sounds in Europe are ones to watch, there laser effects are jaw droppers, and to capture that effect would be cool

Top Shots keep them rolling

[Nnnnsic]

Maybe us youngin's should organise mini-meets at raves... lol.

[jdear]

Im quite impressed with the level of noise even at 1600!

JD

[Catcha]

Maybe us youngin's should organise mini-meets at raves... lol.

Would be a great idea.. If I was a bit closer I would take up the idea.....