band in pub shots - C&C please!

mervifwdc

Hi,

I've been taking a few band shots recently, and I'd like some feedback on how they are working out. Some are with natural light, some with flash to the side.

#1


#2


#3


#4


Note, #4 is in the same venue, but a different gig.

Merv.

Morlar

I think the b/w ones are stronger. The 1st one is great the only prob is the guy on the left has a mike covering his face. Everything else on that one - tones, contrast etc is spot on. What camera/lens/settings did you use ? The 2nd one is very strong as well - I like the level of graininess. The third - focus and detail is brilliant, could only be improved with a bit more light on the face (maybe a touch of photoshop there ?). The colour one just doesnt work for me. Considering the lighting was probably crap - they came out very well imo.

antifuse

On the last one, the bassist totally looks like a robot to me. Weird. I quite like the third one, but Morlar gae a much more eloquent critique than I ever could

mervifwdc

Thanks!

Yeah, the first 2 guys were never photographed before, and never sat back a little from the mike, made it tricky. I've got some where the mike was even worse, with mike shadow over the guys face. On a live shot, I think it sort of adds character? Point taken though!

The first shot was a 24-70 2.8 at 70mm. All others were either 50mm 1.4 or 85 1.8. All shot with a 5D and either 1600 or 3200 ISO.

This one:

is with the 50mm at f8 to try get a decent DOF to take in the 2 guys. I dont like it, as I'd prefer at least 1 part of the shot to be good, but they wanted a couple with both of them in it.

Thanks Guys! I'm used to being on FM, but it's nice to have local comments as they are a bit more "real world" for the Irish scene. I cannot believe I did'nt know about this board till now!

Merv.


Merv.

Morlar

Sorry - whats FM ? Is that fotomakers ?

mervifwdc

www.fredmiranda.com

loads and loads of photogs hang out there, with forums per subject area - sport, people, wedding etc. Also good review sections and what not.

Very good, but 90% american, so they dont appreciate the concept of things like crappy lighting, small dingy pubs with low lighting. On the other hand, some of the threads are really good, with serious detail on how stuff works (eos flash, levels in photoshop etc).

Dont want to sound like an Ad, but i've learnt a lot from it. I like this board as it's more like the sort of stuff I'm into myself. (I dont often need to debate the merrits of an ef 400 2.8 with or without a 1.4 extender.....) :-)

Merv.

Morlar

Cool - Cheers for the info.

Fajitas!

B&W are definitly stronger, but I'd reccommend going for some different angles, like shooting from under etc...Might be a bit hard without a wide angle lens, but certinally worth it if you can get the shot!