Steve Miller Band in Concert [Large Images Warning]

[DwightMcCann]

I am moved into our new house. Have only found half my stuff. Shot this a week and a half ago and am just getting to it. Since then I shot a benefit with four local latino bands and ZZ Top (pictures in the pipeline.) This concert was boring so I left halfway through ... during the boring half. Apparently just as I stepped out the door he really lighted the place up with the stuff he is famous for doing. So, I have purchased fitted sound attentuating earplugs so that I can stay longer at these concerts rather than leaving to save my hearing. Anyway, here's the collage:

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ChumashCollages/SMCollage-1000.jpg

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/SteveMiller0922205/SM7397-1000.jpg

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/SteveMiller0922205/SM7435-1000.JPG

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/SteveMiller0922205/SM7612-1000.jpg

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/SteveMiller0922205/SM7676-1000.JPG

There are a few more on my website at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/SteveMiller092205.htm. I don't think is my best work but some may be big fans.

[René Damkot]

Decent shots. Looks a bit boring though, like you said. Not very much 'alive'. Maybe it's Steve Millers age ;) y the way, how did you expose the last shot? Manual I guess? (My 1D2 freaks out on Av in situations like that)

[BottomBracket]

Great shots as usual Dwight! Seems they have aged gracefully and mellowed.

[mikegoat]

Geez Dwight, who haven't you photographed. I will bring you along on some of my missions if I can join you for one of yours! PS. I found a new in the box 24 1.4L on Ebay and snagged it this AM! saved about $300...

[DwightMcCann]

Rene, I spot meter and bracket ... in fact, when I get a nostril above the waterline I will be setting the bracketing to five exposures rather than three used by default and will likely use 2/3 and 4/3 over and under exposures. I also chimp constantly and use the exposure compensation even with the bracketing based on the histogram and burnout warning areas.

Thanks, Bottom, and yes, most of the performers I get to shoot are "old" and most have mellowed at least a little. :-)

Mike, I have a long list yet to shoot! I'm doing Seal on Friday night. But the rest of the month only includes a poker tournament and a boxing match. Next month I only know about Merle Haggard and Marco Antonio Sais at this point.

Also, unfortunately cameras are a HUGE issue at the casino and there is no way. I get accosted almost every time I shoot there by guards who don't know me or people trying to "warn" me about how tense the casino is about cameras. HOWEVER, I also shoot at the Maverick Saloon(s) [under the Maverick Saloon Project on my website] and I'd love to take you there ... although the lighting is that marginal intimate club style! Great news about that 24mm ... was it a one item deal or from a store with a bunch? Getting the price under $1000 would be a real winner. I just realized that I bought the 85mm f1.8 but there is an f1.2 version that I wish I had gotten instead ... I may try to exchange it as it is from B&H ... I'll have to see if there are any opinions about the f1.2 version.

[René Damkot]

Dwight; there's a 85/1.2L for sale on FM forums right now. About the quality there's quite a lot on POTN and also an interesting thread here (http://forums.robgalbraith.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=366061&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1&nt=4)

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks, Rene, I'll go see although I just sent B&H a note about exchanging ... guess they'd let me exchange for a 24mm or a 135mm, eh? :-)

[malla1962]

NIce shots.:D

[rklepper]

Wow, what great shots. I love Steve Miller. Saw him several times in the 70's. Thanks so much for sharing.

[BlueTit]

Great shots as usual. I would be happy to be taking shots like your "not my best", anytime. You get to shoot some great acts.

[DwightMcCann]

Doc, thanks!

BlueTit, thank you ... getting to shoot great acts isn't the same getting great shots I'm afraid. Besides, when I am shooting I am not hearing and only seeing the shapes and light not the talent. As most who shoot live performance will tell you, it's not really very glamorous ... which is not to say that I am unhappy accumulating a portfolio of world class talent. And, truth to tell, I like jazz and classical quartets! :-)

[BlueTit]

Doc, thanks!

BlueTit, thank you ... getting to shoot great acts isn't the same getting great shots I'm afraid. Besides, when I am shooting I am not hearing and only seeing the shapes and light not the talent. As most who shoot live performance will tell you, it's not really very glamorous ... which is not to say that I am unhappy accumulating a portfolio of world class talent. And, truth to tell, I like jazz and classical quartets! :-)

Hi Dwight

I meant that your shots were great, that I would be happy to have taken shots as good as the ones you described as not your best.

I hear what your saying about only seeing the the shapes and not the talent. The noise of these guys from in front of stage is incredible.

Daragh

[DwightMcCann]

Daragh, I thought that was what you meant and I thank you, although sometimes I cannot tell which thing a person means so I answer a little oddly I guess. As for the volume, I now have fitted earplugs that are supposed to be -25dB ... we'll see how they work on Friday night.

[SurfKahakai]

Hey Dwight,
Judging by its size in your collage, I'm going to guess #2 is your favorite? I really like that one...might just be because it's missing the neon look some of the others have.

[DwightMcCann]

Surf, yes, it was favorite by far ... looked "real" (the most like he really looked), the light wasn't bad, and I sorta liked the hair-light and lighter object to the right. But I didn't get anything that really popped, and I like those, too. :-)

[elTwitcho]

Buying earplugs so you can better enjoy the concert... only a photographer, man ;)

I like these shots. Not a Steve Miller Band fan myself but I really like the tonal range and contrast of your shots. The blacks are black and the lighter colors come out nice and bright without looking overprocessed one bit, something I occasionally have trouble with. The rim lighting on the first shot (after the colage) really works for me too.

[RockSlut]

Buying earplugs so you can better enjoy the concert... only a photographer, man ;)

Most of my muso friends do the same. Earplugs do not remove all the sound, in fact, I find that I get a much clearer representation of the sound with earplugs in. When I'm shooting, I am often right up against the speaker stacks.

Since part of the reason that I (and presumably Dwight and all the other rock'n'roll photographers) do it is for a love of both the music and photography it will mean that we are able to continue to enjoy bothfor a long time. The two days of ringing ears after a big concert is not cool!

[DwightMcCann]

Yes, the earplugs I have are Etymotic Research "musicians custom earplugs" ER25. The attenuators are removable/replaceable (there are three attenuation levels available) and can even be replaced with earphone plugins although those are very pricey!