ZZ Top in Concert [Large Images Warning]

[DwightMcCann]

Shot ZZ Top on the 29th at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, a place many of you know by now! First two songs only, but they were long songs. Had to sign a form but I think this exhibit falls within the scope of acceptable use. Should I receive a cease and desist order I will certainly remove my images. However, their manager with whom I worked was extremely nice, accommodating, helpful and permitted me total latitude within the constraints. On the other hand, it was not my kind of music, so I left shortly after shooting. I hope the ZZ Top fans appreciate these images:

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

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop09292005/ZZ7848-1000.jpg

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop09292005/ZZ7879-1000.JPG

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop09292005/ZZ7978-1000.JPG

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop09292005/ZZ8131-1000.JPG

There are several more, including some very close head shots, on my website at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/ZZTop09292005.htm. I shot Seal the night before last and those images are coming! As my .sig says, please feel free to critique and/or rework the images and all questions are welcome. Oh, anybody know the names of these boys?

[malla1962]

Superb shots.:D:D

[rabidmoose171]

Very sweet...

I cant wait til my beard gets that long:D

[gmen]

Amazing....amazing.... number four just has to be the ZZ Top shot... stonkerama ;)

---- Gav

[DxHatchback]

holy crap

by far, the best concert shots ever

not only are these well lit, they are friggin' sharp

[DwightMcCann]

Thank you all. I like the new avatar, DX, and all it takes to make 'em sharp is hitting that 'sharpen' button enough times ... right? Eh? :rolleyes: But, weren't all the previous concerts sharp too? :confused:

[JMAS]

Stunning photos, Dwigth! Very sharp and translating energy.

I think the names are Frank Beard (Drumer); Billy Gibbons (guitar and funny cap); Dusty Hill (bass).

Now I'm hearing "Sharp Dressed Man" in my head. ;)

[ACDCROCKS]

Nice shots, I wish I could get credentials for that, could you tell me how ( trickpic1326@sbcglobal.net) :) . Did you try the "b" setting on your camera?

[Croasdail]

Dwight..... love the reflection of the drums in Frank Beard's (thanks Jmas) glasses... it's like your looking being able to see what he's seeing. There have been plenty of reflection shots, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't... this does for me. Cheers.

[Metalphotographer]

Incredible photos as usual. I completely understand leaving after you got your shots, I do that quite often myself :)

[DwightMcCann]

Jaime, thanks ... they sure selected strange outfits for themselves as their trademark.

ACDC, it's not credentials ... I am employed by the casino to shoot all their events ... a substantial burden, but they pay me well! No, I didn't try 'B' ... I was under a two songs restriction and have to ensure that I get the money makers before foolin' around.

[DwightMcCann]

Croas, yes, I know to look for reflections now ... I did a real nice one of a keyboardist not long ago that was classic. I wish I could remember if I shot this with my 300mm f2.8 ... I use it a lot at these things but don't always get to it ... when they see that puppy they really tend to smile at me ... and then I get to see what's stuck between their teeth! But it gives razor sharp images hand held ... and up close!

Metal, yes, but I now have fitted Etymotic ear plugs so I can stay if I like the show ... I would still have left this one ... they were great if you love Rock n' Roll, but I am a jazz/blues/bluegrass/country/classical/folk kind of guy! I hate rap and can barely tolerate RnR :-)

[rklepper]

Great shots. I really liked ZZ Tops earlier material, but not their later material. Thanks for sharing.

[mikegoat]

These may be your best. Straighten number 4 though,please...You are cataloguing some of the greatest acts in Rock.

[René Damkot]

Nice, as usual. Not exactely 'Sharp dressed men' IMO :D

[andydajo]

Great shots.

[rickydiver]

Dwight these are superb razor sharp (as your work is) shots. The one of the drummer is the one for me 1st class.
Ricky

[Nidz]

Nice shots there. I think the lightning is great. Well done.

[Blue Deuce]

These might be the best I have seen you post and no I am not a big ZZ fan.

Why do these acts implement a 2 or 3 song rule ?

[Leorooster]

Dwight, these are great shots as always. I love the colors and the liveliness of your shots. Thanks for sharing!

[MDJAK]

I just attended the Paul McCartney concert, followed by the U2 concert, both in the world's most famous arena. As a fan, I might add. Only wish I was good enough to take shots like those posted here, and be able to make a living doing it.

I own a pair of Zeiss 10x40 BGA binoculars, which I purchased in 1982. Other than my wife, I've held on to nothing that long. Besides watching the performers through them, I always look for you (as in the generic you) and spotted "you" both concerts. Yes, I see what you and others mean by limited access, both as to where you can stand and the number of songs you can shoot for. Seems a bit limiting to me, as the video cameras are all over the place.

I love looking at your work. Can you give us the exif data on those shots?

mark

[DwightMcCann]

RK, thank you.

Mike, I can't believe that I didn't notice that tilt!!! Leveling the images is a constant for me as I have a strong tendency to "lean" ... can't believe I missed it! I'll try to fix it tonight! And thanks for reminding me of my duty as a historian ... which is one of the tasks for which my work is done at the casino.

Rene, 'sharp' is in the eye of the beholder, but I can tell you that those outfits make them sweat like pigs! If you take the link to my website exhibit and look at the one that is a head shot of the guy in the bowler hat you can see he is already dripping ... and this is in the first two songs!

Andy, thank you.

Ricky, yes, I was VERY fortunate to get a good shot of the drummer ... they are often very obscured. At my other venues, where I can do whatever I want, I often move to the back or side, on stage, to get a clear shot at the drummer ... they are much less appreciated than lead guitars but in many ways more essential.

Nidz, the lighting is as good as it gets ... if it weren't, all you guys wouldn't keep complimenting me!

Blue, thank you. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the response to these ZZ Top images ... I thought they were blah (I would never let that adversely affect my work, of course) and all had the same look to them. And Lime Green, ugh!

Leo, thank you. I will take the opportunity to reiterate that I have found the Chumash Casino Resort to be absolutely top notch: fantastic lighting, miraculous sound, highly competent, friendly and professional technical staff, amazing management who make everyone feel respected and appreciated, the tribal members who have all leaned over backwards to support me whether by holding a lens and giving me a seat in the front row or speaking on my behalf to others, and even the partons ... the casino entertainment simply draws a very high quality clientele. Nuf' said.

MDJAK, thank you ... I think the images contain the EXIF data. I just looked at the drummer picture data and sure enough, 300mm, 1/200th, f2.8, ISO 1000!

As a reminder, as my .sig says, please feel free to play with the images and repost here if you wish. As Mike pointed out, these are historical images of some note and we should all enjoy them.

[Belmondo]

Hey, Dwight:

Will you be photographing Merle Haggard when he shows up there?

If so, please use lots of guassian blur before you post the shots here. He's one ugly guy.:lol:

BTW, we have a couple guys here in the the desert that look like they could be with ZZ Top. You can usually find them (and their shopping carts) lounging in whatever shade they can find.

[DwightMcCann]

Belmondo! Yes, assuming no unpleasant surprises, I will be photographing Merle. I thought my pictures made it obvious that I only have a 'sharpen' button on my computer! 'Blur' is for those who shoot in clubs! :-) So, are you coming up to see Merle?

I quite agreement about the ZZ boys ... I would bet that they got stuck with that "look" early on and simply don't dare change it. The one with knobby hat has terrible skin (see head shot on my website) and I can't imagine that the outfit helps. I failed to mention that they both were very cooperative ... several times each, when they saw me shooting, they looked right at me, smiled and added a little extra bounce! Unusual for big talent to be so accommodating ... I'm guessing that in real life they are pretty good guys!

[DwightMcCann]

Croasdail, I ran across that other reflection image:

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/Lowriders072905/RockyPadilla3457-1000.jpg

[Croasdail]

very cool......

[ssim]

Great work. I would love to go to one of their concerts.

[BottomBracket]

I've waited a while for these pics, and they don't disappoint. Great sharp pics of sharp dressed men, Dwight!

[Dave_G]

excellent

beard-tastic!

as Gavin says, number 4 is the classic ZZ shot.

brilliant work Dwight.

[DwightMcCann]

SSim, it was, well, er, ah, um, LOUD! :-)

Bottom, thanks! I think there are a lot more fans out there than I would have expected ... this is probably the most appreciated of any of my Chumash Casino Resort postings.

Dave_G, very clever and thanks. I wish I had time to straighten that shot!:-)

[900spg]

I'm impressed. The best concert photos I've seen yet.

[daclozer]

Hey Dwight, I think I hate you !!! j/k Not only do you get to see some of the greats, but you get to photograph them as well !!! You are definitley THE MAN !!!

[DwightMcCann]

900, that's quite a complement!

da, haven't heard from you in a Loooonnnnng time. I have no problem with being hated, so let it all hang out! :-) After all, I get to shoot all these folks and get paid for the privilege. Going to try to shoot Drew Carey group doing comedy tomorrow night and Merle Haggard in a couple of weeks. The list is endless with lots of names you know (although I frequently don't.)