gig questions-lighting

melekalikimaka

ok just back from a gig, slatterys on capel street, took some shots(i'll post in the morning...not for show and tell, for reference to my questions ).

basically there wasnt great lighting(RED RED and RED) I find it is the worst colour for pictures, its ruins any with a long shutter, I chuck on a bit of flash but doesn't help too much.

any tips on how to get round this lighting issue, its so common in pub venues and its making it hard to take anything decent...

@fajitas- i tried that long shutter/zoom out trick...didn't really work great, the musicans kinda look ghosty, maybe a tip or two on the method.

I know i'm being a bit vague so pics in the morning(really to tired to go down and get the camera)

Fajitas!

I haven't been to Slatterys myself, so not too sure on what the lighting is like down there. Best thing is to throw up a few shots. Try using RAW in future?

Would it be possible to desaturate them and bring up the contrast, might get some more whites in. Otherwise playing around in PS with your colours will be your best bet, if they're totally unusable as they are...

How close were you/what lens were you using for the slow sync/zoom out?

aFlabbyPanda

I had the sample problem last week and I'm expecting the same when shooting at the same venue next week. Is there any filter that will help when taking the shots?

melekalikimaka

well theres the red on they guy in the far right(i know they are great, so critique aside please







this is one of the MANY attempts and the slow sync zoom

Fajitas!

When using the slow sync/zoom, focus on one person, a whole band can make it very messy!

First one isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! Just give it a crop, open up your levels and add more darkness to it. Other than that, the red isn't as bad as some places I've shot.

melekalikimaka

tbh the red in that one isnt the worst...just alot of the other pics are took are so crap i don't wanna even put them up. so darken then levels, thats the best remedy then?

Fajitas!

I know I sent this on to ye on MSN, but just for anyone else, this is what a few minutes can do in PS...

DotOrg

the general gig photographers solution to red light is to either convert to b&w using channel mixer in photoshop or to use wireless flash

the shot below is from whelans when the light was really low and nothing but red light

melekalikimaka

yeah thats all i kept thinking when i was taking them.
"yeah this'll have to go b and w...and this one...and the next"

i just think the band that they are(funk, happy jumpy music). just doesnt work with b/w but i guess ya gotta make do. thanks dot org. and thank fajita, the touched up version looks great