Gyroscope at the Rosemount

[Brad_T]

Gyroscope are a heavy indie band from Australia and headlined the West Australian Music Industry (WAMI) Festival held here last week. Myself and my partner in crime took loads of photos from the whole week (some of which I might post later), however these are of Gyroscope at the Rosemount Hotel on Saturday Night. They are taken with Canon 350D, ISO 1600, Mostly using aperture priority with the lens (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM) close to being wide open. The band were very energetic on stage, making it difficult to compose and frame clear shots. These are a few from the night. The rest are up at http://www.livemphotography.com.

Any C+C welcomed.

(1)
http://www.livemphotography.com/photos/gyroscope/2006-02-25/001.jpg
(2)
http://www.livemphotography.com/photos/gyroscope/2006-02-25/002.jpg
(3)
http://www.livemphotography.com/photos/gyroscope/2006-02-25/004.jpg
(4)
http://www.livemphotography.com/photos/gyroscope/2006-02-25/009.jpg
(5)
http://www.livemphotography.com/photos/gyroscope/2006-02-25/006.jpg

[Steve Parr]

I'd ike to see some wider composition. As far as I know, I could be looking at four keyboard players and a dancer (#2). Widen the shots a bit to include their instruments.

I really like the coloring in #3, and the overall exposure in #1. I'm guessing the cat in #1 is a guitar player. That'd be a killer shot if the instrument was also in the frame...

[earplugsrequired]

Thanks Steve for posting first!

I was trying to figure out what to say. Head shots are okay if it's a singer that doesn't play an instrument and doesn't use his hands either but other than that, the shots will tend to be boring no matter how good of a shot it is technically.. In the description of the band you wrote " The band were very energetic on stage" - these don't really portray that either. I know some venues when you don't have passes, barricade etc it makes it very difficult to get the shots that include guitars, etc but without those things people lose interest very quickly. I love tight cropped shots. It's what most people know me for although lately I've been shooting wider. Even so, if it's a guitar player the guitar should be there. It's like shooting the drummer without his drums! He's just a nobody then..

[René Damkot]

Agree with the above comments. Aside from that: I like #1 and #3

[Brad_T]

Thanks for posting guys. I really appreciate the C+C. In regards to the upclose shots (explanation, I'm not getting defensive), I only took one lens (70-300) and taking shots from the back of the room was disastrous (and from the middle impossible as there were so many people, and a lot of dancing happening), so these ones are from in front of the crowd barrier. Which means of course even 70mm is reasonably close. I am getting a 50mm prime lens to add to the arsenal so hopefully that will aid in future situations like this. I also have a 24-85 so I should probably take that to shows also.

An extra photo to show about as far out as I could get when standing directly infront of stage, other side of the (fairly small venue, crowd barrier very close to stage).

(6)
http://www.livemphotography.com/photos/gyroscope/2006-02-25/011.jpg

Anyway thanks for replying. Does anyone have any suggestions on how they would better capture the energy of these guys, given what I've described?

[earplugsrequired]

Thanks for posting guys. I really appreciate the C+C. In regards to the upclose shots (explanation, I'm not getting defensive), I only took one lens (70-300) and taking shots from the back of the room was disastrous (and from the middle impossible as there were so many people, and a lot of dancing happening), so these ones are from in front of the crowd barrier. Which means of course even 70mm is reasonably close. I am getting a 50mm prime lens to add to the arsenal so hopefully that will aid in future situations like this. I also have a 24-85 so I should probably take that to shows also.

An extra photo to show about as far out as I could get when standing directly infront of stage, other side of the (fairly small venue, crowd barrier very close to stage).


Anyway thanks for replying. Does anyone have any suggestions on how they would better capture the energy of these guys, given what I've described?

Brad,
I used to use my 70 - 200 all the time in front of the barricade and i still do at times. it just makes me be able to stand on one end of the stage and shoot across the stage. I have a 2.8 so I'm allowing more light in. Being that you are in front of the crowd you have the ability to move around, take advantage of it. I hate when there isn't a barricade. I'm too spoiled now.

By the way the photos are, it looks like the band doesn't have energy at all. They look like they just stand and sing.. Did you get shots of them away from the mics just playing?

[RockSlut]

Hi Brad, I agree with the above comments about composition.

One gear related comment is that fast prime lenses absolutely rock. You'll find the 50mm f/1.8 to be an excellent choice. However, perhaps also consider a fast standard zoom for your arsenal such as a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 or the Sigma or Canon 24-70 f/2.8. They provide excellent versatility in a concert environment while providing pretty consistently good shutterspeeds. The only issue with the f/2.8s is that in really awful conditions (like most small gigs) they are likely to be not quite fast enough.

[DwightMcCann]

Geez, everybody got here before me! Wait, wait, nope, Eric hasn't commented yet. Anyway, I, too, concur with the experts!

[taygull]

Geez, everybody got here before me! Wait, wait, nope, Eric hasn't commented yet. Anyway, I, too, concur with the experts!

I concur as well...only because I'm not good enought to say anything other than that!:lol: