Brian Setzer at the Chumash Casino Resort [Large Images Warning]

[DwightMcCann]

I shot Brian Setzer's Christmas Extravaganza on the 23rd. I had not heard of him but he apparently has quite a following. I was only allowed the first three songs but managed a couple of good images. So, without further ado, here is the collage:

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


A few more:

http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/BrianSetzer12232005/BrianSerzer5879-1000.JPG


http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/BrianSetzer12232005/BrianSetzer5933-1000.JPG


http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/BrianSetzer12232005/BrianSetzer5957-1000.JPG


http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/BrianSetzer12232005/BrianSetzer6174-1000.JPG


There are a few more of Brian's show on my website at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/BrianSetzer12232005.htm.

[BottomBracket]

Dwight, I think his older brother Alka is more popular :) Seriously, Setzer was originally from the band Stray Cats, right? Great pics as usual, though the last two do not seem as sharp as your previous shoots. Maybe it's because you stayed for only three songs? Why the three song limit anyway?

I like the 4th shot best. Nothing like a bit of flare to infuse character into the photo.

[DwightMcCann]

Yes, Stray Cats. :-) The flare is totally artificial ... I don't own a lens that flares, sigh!

The guesses as to the three song rule are in my Q&A in Talking About Photography ... they are lengthy but I think ought to be inapplicable to me at the casino, but they appear to be 'One Size Fits All!'.

As for sharpness, I think I shied away a bit on that because it enhanced his wrinkles in an unflattering way.

I have Little Anthony and the Imperials in the pipeline!

[blueapril]

Beautiful shots....I like his socks. :)

[Zepher]

Great shots Dwight.
He is showing his age. I used to listem to them in the early 80's (man, that makes me sound so old too. :D )

[jopfin]

Great shots Dwight, love the second to last one. My kids still listen to the "Stray Cat Strut" all the time...................Joe

[Steve Parr]

Man, that cat's gettin' old.

I used to see him play with Stray Cats in bars on Long Island back in the late 70's. We all thought they were nuts, what with their 50's hairdo's and rockabilly music and such.

Setzer still remains as one of my "stand out" concerts that I've attended. Man, that guy can play.

Real nice shots, Dwight, as always...

Steve

[Maureen Souza]

Great shots, Dwight. Wow, I think we are all getting old.

[DwightMcCann]

Geez, you guys actually know who he is ... sigh, I guess my casino gig is my education, eh? :-)

[grego]

Nice shots Dwight. Barely come to this forum, so its a nice change for the new year. :)

Didn't even know Setzer still performs. :lol:

Dwight, I think his older brother Alka is more popular :) Seriously, Setzer was originally from the band Stray Cats, right? Great pics as usual, though the last two do not seem as sharp as your previous shoots. Maybe it's because you stayed for only three songs? Why the three song limit anyway?


That 2-3 song limit blows, but they think a shot can be made at any time rather than catching a moment which can occur at any time during a concert.

[zacker]

MY GOD has Brian gotten OLD!!!! Holy ***k! He was lead singer / guitar player in the 80's Rock-a-billy band "The Stry Cats" Had a couple of big hits then faded away. then some time later, he resurfaces with this big band/rock thing and is doind pretty good again, although not a main stream act anymore, he's still having a pretty good amount of success with this one.Its great to see the stars from the past getting back out there and ripping it up again.Although, I have to admit, Back in the 80's, I thought the Stray Cats sucked and were corney...Oh well, I guess songs about fighting, drinking and violence against the system were a tad more interesting... Tsk, Tsk, tsk... youth....?
-zacker-

[justchris]

Nice stuff Dwight. Brian looks great, and is a wonderful musician and arranger. The shot with the added flare is fantastic - it really captures the essence of the Brian Setzer 'brand', and in this sense you've done a great service to your client. I hope to break into concert photography soon with my new 350D and if I can capture anything close to this I could honestly die a happy man at 27.

[Alan Neilson]

Nice shots, along with the others on your web site, it is a shame about the three song rule, but seems fairly standard at gig venues. Just when they are getting warmed up and you could get some really good shots of the performance you get moved out of the pit! still such is life.

[kenyc]

Yes, Stray Cats. :-) The flare is totally artificial ... I don't own a lens that flares, sigh!

The guesses as to the three song rule are in my Q&A in Talking About Photography ... they are lengthy but I think ought to be inapplicable to me at the casino, but they appear to be 'One Size Fits All!'.

As for sharpness, I think I shied away a bit on that because it enhanced his wrinkles in an unflattering way.

I have Little Anthony and the Imperials in the pipeline!

I was just about to say, wow he's starting to show his age, kind of you to "soften" it. :)

I guess he's turned that 50's thing into a career, as they say do what you love.....

Great shots as usual Dwight.

KAC

[DwightMcCann]

Nice shots Dwight. Barely come to this forum, so its a nice change for the new year. :)

Didn't even know Setzer still performs. :lol:



That 2-3 song limit blows, but they think a shot can be made at any time rather than catching a moment which can occur at any time during a concert.

You didn't he still performed and I didn't know who he was! :cool: You are certainly correct about timing ... on the acts that I can shoot freely the whole time I often (but not always) capture some really stunning stuff.;)

[DwightMcCann]

MY GOD has Brian gotten OLD!!!! Holy ***k! He was lead singer / guitar player in the 80's Rock-a-billy band "The Stry Cats" Had a couple of big hits then faded away. then some time later, he resurfaces with this big band/rock thing and is doind pretty good again, although not a main stream act anymore, he's still having a pretty good amount of success with this one.Its great to see the stars from the past getting back out there and ripping it up again.Although, I have to admit, Back in the 80's, I thought the Stray Cats sucked and were corney...Oh well, I guess songs about fighting, drinking and violence against the system were a tad more interesting... Tsk, Tsk, tsk... youth....?
-zacker-

Wow, another knowledgeable listener ... I'm astonished at how many folks know this guy ... although he clearly knows how to put on a show. I left after the three songs to return to my wife (who couldn't come) and daughter. Yes, Zacker, if you look through my website of the Chumash Casino you will see almost exclusively "older" performers! :cry:

[DwightMcCann]

Chris, Alan, Kenny, I thank you all! And everyone knows it is OK to go to my website and copy these images, right? They make great computer wallpaper ... especially the collages (with my name on them!) And you can edit them. And if you sell them just be sure to send me a few bucks! Anyone seriously interested could also probably talk me into sending a 1-2 MB jpeg suitable for printing ... the collages actually run about 5-6 MB. Hopefully I will soon have a logo to stamp on all the images.

[kenyc]

Hey, off-topic, but how is that new printer working out? I'm still considering getting the Epson R2400 but haven't quite convinced myself to let go of the funds. :)

KAC

[DwightMcCann]

I am still exploring it ... I am very busy so I have not spent much time yet ... the prints are very nice but I want to experiment with profiles ... also want to experiment with aRGB as I now only shoot sRGB ... too much processing in RAW. Also, it is hugely expensive ... at $85 each the eight cartridges run over $700 with tax! I also have a brand new computer I built for about $3000 and haven't plugged it in since I brought it home, sigh. So much to do, so little time.

[wu_wei0]

Oh man! Now I expected Tom JOnes to look his age, but Brian, what happened to you? I raised my kids to Stray Cats (and many others)- always enjoyed the energy to his sound both then and when he started doing the big band stuff.
Dwight, your shots are great! Even made the "old man" still look lively!
~wu

[DwightMcCann]

I am sorry, Wu_gelina, but there is little I can do for these men. However, the all time winner is Loretta Lynn ... I spent an hour removing chins on each of her images before I published. Remember, Grasshopper, everyone ages except you and me.;)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Gosh, I'm only 21 and I know full well who Brian is. Love it. He's one talented man.

[txdude35]

Great shots, as usual.
The Stray Cats are one of the bands I never saw but wanted to. As you saw, the guy is full of energy.
Keep em coming.

[wu_wei0]

I think you made them look pretty good for "FOG"s (old friend and his buddies had a local band-- F.O.G.-- Fat old Guys) Thank goodness regular folks are allowed some aging without people being so shocked! Of course, we shall never worry of such matters for ah, yes-- we are forever young! although sometimes I wish I had a good photoshop person to get me ready to meet the day!

Are the Loretta shots here? Or on your Web? Love to see 'em. Met her once many many (many) years ago.

~wu(_gelina) LOL :D

[DwightMcCann]

Wu, all the shots posted here are actually links from my website ... the Loretta Lynn images are here (http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/LorettaLynn05122005.htm).

I'm off to bed ... see everyone tomorrow! :D

[wu_wei0]

Wow, Dwight! Fab job!! Now that's what I need in the mornings.
I hadn't made it through all your pages since, as I mentioned, I was most interested in the film project. The more Iook, the more I like.

~wu

[G3Hawaii]

Great shots!
What lens? What settings?

[bikerider]

Cool shots of a top musician Dwight, I've been a Stray Cats fan since 'the beginning' lol, great to see him still rockin'.
Roger.

[DwightMcCann]

G3, the EXIF data is in the images. The headshot of Brian was 300mm f/2.8L IS with a 1.4TC for 420mm that was handheld ... the others are more self explanatory by EXIF. If you don't have it, go to the Opanda website and get their free browser EXIF readers. And thank you.

Thanks, Roger.

Wu_gelina, there are a lot of images sitting out there and more to come! :-) I got most of the way through Little Anthony and the Imperials last night after helping Mark figure out bracketing on his 1DsMarkII ... and I, of course, learned something new that I had wanted to use ... so much synergy here!

[Steve Parr]

I believe in reincarnation.

When I die, I'd like to come back as Dwight McCann...

Steve

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks, Steve, but don't forget the 59 years of agony that preceded this recent success.

[wu_wei0]

Wu_gelina, there are a lot of images sitting out there and more to come! :-) . . . Oh I spent a while during the night browsing there when I was unable to sleep.

Dwight--The Willie ones were absolutely superb! Gotta love that Willie.

My former long haired warrior poet and I went to see him on a lark a few years ago. IT was all around the best concert I have experienced (although marilyn manson was really close).
The people were fab- so cool to see so many different types of people all enjoying the same music and being good to each other.
Near the end, we got to go to the front row and man it got Good- the old gospels were rockin-- and Willie looked at me and winked! ROFL I was elated!! screaming Willieeee just like a teenager at the hottest new rock star! YOur pics brought back some good memories.

Will look a little more tonight. I feel another sleepless night coming on.

~Wu_gelina

[DwightMcCann]

At the Willie concert I sat in a front seat next to two dear "old lady" tribal members who I enjoy immensely at many concerts. Near the end, with folks allowed to the front of the stage, Willie took off his bandana and tossed it to the crowd, right next to me. Some younger sprite grabbed it pretty violently, and in the process a second, inner, Texas Star bandana flipped out, hit me on my face and dropped to the floor ... totally unnoticed by anyone but me. I leaned down and picked it up ... thought for a second about keeping it ... then realized that I didn't really care, was being paid well to shoot the concert, had the seat only by the grace of coincidence and these ladies are always happy to help me in any way they can ... so I gave the bandana to one of them explaining how I found it. She was thrilled ... hard to beat that feeling!

I'm still recommending romance.;)

[MDJAK]

Dwight, as always, your work is a pleasure to look at.

One quick question arising from my upbringing in Da Bronx, New Yawk.

I've read your explanation and understand the general rule at concerts regarding the three song rule.

Here's my question. What if you just ignored it? I mean, you are working for the venue. The security guards/bouncers, if there are any, must know you. Do bands like Setzer's (and I really like his music) actually travel with big, burly dudes who are going to take you by the scruff of your neck and toss you out?

When these bands come into town, is there really a sitdown where the rules are laid down? What if you just played dumb, no offense intended?

Go ahead, shoot me down. Remember what part of New Yawk my query springs.

MD "whose camera does not have the highly enviable frame rate of Dwight's" Jack

[wu_wei0]

What a lovely story!
For some reason the security was still pretty stiff when we went down front. one of my profs and his wife slipped off their bands and we slipped them on, were checked and walked on down. NO bandanas at our concert but I almost wrestled a young man for one of the picks willie tossed. lol

Hey- I still think you have a magnificent recommendation but I also understand that you have to have a willing partner for that. otherwise isn't it narcisism-- or maybe something else?? ;) :eek: :lol: :o !!

I will endeavor to give your recommendation a try if an opportunity arises.

~Wu_gelina

oh, BTW- my longharied warrior poet mentioned above was 16 years my junior!

[DwightMcCann]

Jack, the person who authorizes my checks would like me to obey the rules. I don't know why. I don't think the talent could do anything about it. It is perhaps just easier all around to have me do so since there always seem to be so many borderline intractable problems significantly larger than the "venue's photographer's access." I really don't have a major problem with it. I can shoot for fifteen minutes and leave for the same price as shooting for 90 minutes! [This does, of course, bypass the issue of 80% or more of the work is post processing.] OTOH, I would get significantly better images if allowed to shoot all night!

[DwightMcCann]

Wu_gelina, didn't Narcissus fly too close to the sun with wax wings and haven't you noticed how many wingless photographers there are!? I think it is a prerequisite among our kind. A partner is nice but does not require a long term relationship ... you've been there, done that, and now have alternatives (that include doing that again!) But we are simply talking about getting your energy level up to get you through a couple of years of back breaking drudgery. Romance! Stay away from the students, however.

[Sledhed]

Awesome job on the collage.

[DwightMcCann]

Chris, thank you very much! They take a long time and my agreement calls for one for each event I shoot. I am currently working on the one for Little Anthony and the Imperials which should debue here in a couple of days.

[MDJAK]

Chris, thank you very much! They take a long time and my agreement calls for one for each event I shoot. I am currently working on the one for Little Anthony and the Imperials which should debue here in a couple of days.

Debue? Oh, you must mean debut. Ya see what that frame rate can do to a guy? It gets your head spinning so fast ...:)

[MDJAK]

Jack, the person who authorizes my checks would like me to obey the rules. I don't know why. I don't think the talent could do anything about it. It is perhaps just easier all around to have me do so since there always seem to be so many borderline intractable problems significantly larger than the "venue's photographer's access." I really don't have a major problem with it. I can shoot for fifteen minutes and leave for the same price as shooting for 90 minutes! [This does, of course, bypass the issue of 80% or more of the work is post processing.] OTOH, I would get significantly better images if allowed to shoot all night!

Understood. Must my slight immaturity showing through in my question. I do try to keep it under control.:)

[DwightMcCann]

Yes, yes, DEBUT! I don't have a spell check extension for Firefox, just the Opanda EXIF reader! :-) If this issue is going to taunt you just get a 1DMII to go with your other body! You really need two bodies anyway ... I'll sign the note to your wife!!!

[wu_wei0]

The winged wonder was Icarus, I believe. ???
Narcisus was the fellow who fell in love with his own reflection (therefore comes narcisistic)
you're right- long term is NOT a prereq! and the drudgery does demand energy. I'm hopeful! now just need to find a willing guinea pig-- er umm partner. :) slim pickin's in Ampooria, however.
No- no students- my LHWP above was another grad student when I was. We decided even that was too complicated but remain fast friends. MAn, did we start some rumors though! lol

~Wu_gelina

[MDJAK]

Yes, yes, DEBUT! I don't have a spell check extension for Firefox, just the Opanda EXIF reader! :-) If this issue is going to taunt you just get a 1DMII to go with your other body! You really need two bodies anyway ... I'll sign the note to your wife!!!

If it was up to my wife, I'd have as many bodies as I wanted, as long as they're not of the female, breathing variety.:) Besides, you know I'm just joshin'.

[DwightMcCann]

Wu, do I appear that ignorant? :-)

Jack, yes, I know! :-)

Boy, am I smiley tonight or what? :-)

[wu_wei0]

Wu, do I appear that ignorant? :-)

Nope!! The only reason I know (or think I know) about N is that I have been accused of such! I must insist I am NOT narcisistic- just supremely self confident sometimes!

Smilin's good for ya!
:D:):lol::D;):cool::cool::cool:

~wu_g

[DwightMcCann]

As I said, "There's a lot of that going around here!" You'll have to get in line since you have way under 1000 posts. :-)