BoltThrower @ Atak (56k warning!)

[René Damkot]

Death Metal band BoltThrower did a gig in Atak, Enschede recently. Here's some pictures:
Light was crappy as usual, hard blue spot on the singer (wearing a white shirt :rolleyes: ), sides of the stage in the dark.
Also lots of smoke and movement. Nice gig, even though I'm not into metal much.

Starting with support act Nightrage:

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt038.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt050.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt086.jpg
Support act Necrophagist ft. Cousin It:
http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt146.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt155.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt214.jpg

And BoltThrower:
http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt266.jpg

Flyin' High:
http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt447.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt490.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt350.jpg

Standing in the pit almost gave me a black eye, and did get me a thick lip (1D2 is quite hard when smacked into your mouth :rolleyes: ) but it also got me these images:
http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt440.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt441.jpg

http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt425.jpg

And finally the band shot:
http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/image/rhd20060104bolt587.jpg
This one could have been better, but the band called it quits after about 2 minutes....
Ah well.
For those interested: Link to the complete series (http://www.moonglade.net/%7Erene/060104BoltThrower/index.html)

[DwightMcCann]

Very nice. I notice that the closer you get the softer the images. Also, you have IPTC data but the EXIF is gone. And the "band shot" looks a bit soft. But the colors are great and the it is very interesting to see the wider shots taken from behind the audience to see the tight compact nature of the venue. I will defintely have to try club shooting at some point.

[jfrancho]

The shots from the pit make me feel like I'm standing in your shoes. Nice job here. Love the 'Cousin It' shot. I have a few of these, too - see here (http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/44951106-L.jpg).

[Michaelmjc]

Did pretty good, the lighting looks like it was just awful there.

[René Damkot]

Thanks all!
@Dwight: I have to look into that: EXIF is supposed to be there...

Pictures are made with:
first band: 50; 28; 20;
second band: 20; 28; 28;
BoltThrower: 100;28;50;20;28;28; (groupshot) 28
Shuttertimes between 1/20 and 1/1000 or thereabouts, ISO 1600, f/2 to f/2.8
(bandshot f/4 @ 1/6s ISO 800)
I seem to like my 28mm :D
The closer the softer? Have to look into that. My 100mm is repaired and now almost like new (tiny scratch in rear element), the 50 has seen better days (declining contrast because of 'cleaning' scratches on the front. The 20mm and 28mm are like new. If any lens would be soft, it had to be the 50. (35 still in need of repair; beer again)
I did apply some local contrast 'boost' (USM 15%; 50; 0) to some shots, to 'look through the smoke'. Maybe that's it?
Bandshot was softened in PS (partly transparant overlay layer), and has movement.
Also, I layed back on the overall sharpening a bit, because I feel I 'oversharpened' in the past.... Maybe need to find the middle way ;)

@jfrancho: Hey, that's his brother ;) Nice

@Michaelmjc: What was awfull about the light wasn't the low amount (used to that), but the *very* high contrast (even relatively speaking) between singer and rest of the band.

[bikerider]

Lovely work Rene.......no need to say more!
Roger.

[Nidz]

Haha all i can say is RAAAAWWWWWWW..

lol Seriosly good photos you have there. Convey's the style of music. I think the last one almost good enough for them to put int he back of there cd or poster had the DOF been a little longer.

[René Damkot]

Thanks all! There are a few more concerts 'in the pipeline' I'll post them if it's decent, once I have a few workflow issues resolved. (New verrsion of iView crashing for no reason whatsoever)

[Steve Parr]

#7 and #13 do it for me; real nice job.

One of the things I'm always cognizant of is where I am, in relation to other people, when I'm shooting. I'm really not all too interested in catchiing the back of my 20D in my teeth.

And I agree that the last shot is a bit soft, and the DOF could've been improved.

All in all, though, I'd be happy with such an outing...

Steve