More hardcore concerts

[Digitalwave]

Got some more shots from Friday night.

1
http://www.stasisproductions.com/gallery/albums/album12/IMG_2262.jpg

2
http://www.stasisproductions.com/gallery/albums/album12/IMG_2272.jpg

3
http://www.stasisproductions.com/gallery/albums/album13/IMG_2396.jpg

4
http://www.stasisproductions.com/gallery/albums/album13/IMG_2384.jpg

5
http://www.stasisproductions.com/gallery/albums/album13/IMG_2378.jpg

[Diminished29]

Its my undstanding that the majority condeem this sort of photography (light streaking, blur), however, its the majority that don't listen to nor understand what really goes on at these underground shows-- caged, violent, eurphoric noise is what I like to refer to it as at times...I do however, and think you have displayed it well, good job!

[René Damkot]

I like #1 and #3. Maybe a bit more contrast in #1 and a *bit* tighter cropping in 3? Then they'ld be great.

[Digitalwave]

I think I am going to re-edit #1, because I was having troubles with the color profile. His skin looks really dull.

Diminished, I agree that this type of photography is frowned upon, and maybe it is for good reason. BUT, I like this type of shot, and more importantly, this is the type of shot both bands were seeking with these shoots. So its win-win :)

Thanks for the comments.

[DwightMcCann]

Just saw a thread by Word with some of these "shutter drag" types in B&W to very good effect!

[Digitalwave]

Do you have a link? I'd love to see them.

[DwightMcCann]

Well, geez, it would have been very easy to find! :-) But it was easy for me, too, so here you go: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=154860

[Digitalwave]

I'm sorry, I took a quick glance through the forum and didn't see anything from word :oops:

[word]

nice shots, 3 & 5 are my favorites. got to love pile ons.
glad there's someone else on the forum who takes similar pictures since i know this type of photography is sometimes looked down upon.

good work.

[Digitalwave]

Thanks word! I know it's frowned upon, but when it is what the client asks for I'm not complaining because they are a ton of fun!

[DwightMcCann]

Hey, we don't frown upon it, exactly ... we just think that it is not technically excellent and usually expect that one or two such shots are plenty. If you can get crisp, well composed and captured shots and choose to always take shutter drag images we can accept that even though we may not be particularly impressed. And if "that's what the band wants" because that's all they've ever seen, then we probably won't be impressed by that either. However, as I read the comments above I didn't see anything negative and did see some positive so I'm guessing we're starting to get educated! :-)

[Digitalwave]

Thanks Dwight! I do value all opinions so I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my thread :D

[DwightMcCann]

Digit ... if you follow my comments on my own work you will find that in my heart of hearts that I think anyone with the same equipment and access could do as well as I do. OTOH, I wish guys would work a little harder to get technically excellent images as I think they are the best in the long run. Like new photographers, new bands often don't expect very much and are pleased with anything they see ... the real test is whether they like them so much that they are ponying up the bucks! :-)

Oh, how about commenting on my humble images of The Spinners?

[Digitalwave]

My main issue is in the small clubs and bars that up and coming bands play in, its very very hard to achieve technically excellent shots because of the shear lack of light. I'm saving up right now to buy a couple fast primes and a 580EX to help out, but for now my f/2.8 lenses and popup flash are the best I can do to battle extremely poor lighting.

I feel bad critiqueing shots that I know I couldn't achieve, but I will give your thread a reply anyways :)

By the way, if you are interested in seeing my other set of shutter drag pics from a different show this week, here's the thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=153256

[word]

i like this type of shooting but i could easily see why some might not. i dont prefer it over other types but like digital said, most people/bands like it so thats what i take. i have no problem with it though.

[DwightMcCann]

Already saw them and commented! :-) Word, if this is all they can get for free they don't have any choice, eh? Are they paying for it?

[deedas]

These pictures capture the energy of these types of shows very well. Great job.

[Digitalwave]

Thank you deedas.

[corterlifecrisis]

with the peleng, do you just stick it around f/8 and go to town?
or do you focus for every shot?

i saw your other pics, just wondering
nice shots

[goatee]

Great shots - no, they wouldn't be suitable for shooting many performers, but they capture the atmosphere perfectly (music on my iPod ranges from Beethoven, and Big Band music, to Pantera and System of A Down)

[goatee]

In fact, having the shutter drag means that you capture the colours from the lights - if you just blitzed the scene with a 580EX, it would lose all atmosphere - fast primes is definitely the route to take, as you get to choose to shutter drag, or more or less freeze the action.

[Digitalwave]

with the peleng, do you just stick it around f/8 and go to town?
or do you focus for every shot?

i saw your other pics, just wondering
nice shots

f/8 or f/5.6, it depends. I like to keep the shutter around 1/5. The lens is sharpest at "M" focus no matter if the subject is up close or 10 feet away, so I just set it there.

[kmb]

I've been thingking about this shutter dragging thing for some time, never tried it though. Here are my thoughts:
- To me, when the light streaks come from the performers' movements this technique works very well (the other IMHO not so good alrternative way being that the static light sources are used to paint streaks). That's why I think the pictures in the other thread linked above (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=154860) work so well. If I'll try this technique, I'll try to make sure I won't get streaks from anything other than the performers' clothes and instruments, and I'll try to hold the camera still so that the streaks will be created by performers movements, not the camera's. Does anybody agree with me here?
- I agree with the Photo.net article (http://www.photo.net/learn/concerts/mirarchi/concer_4.htm) that there probably are bands who will not appreciate "clean and static" shots. Of course, you'll have to think about what sort of music the performers will play, and then choose the technique you'll going to use.

[Jackovas]

Very nice work here. I love the angles and perspective. What lens did you use for these? Both 2.8's? I love the wide angle.

PS. Ive added you as friend on Myspace.

[Digitalwave]

All of these were with my Peleng 8mm set at f/8. I saw your message, I messaged you back before I saw this thread so you can disregard it :)

[The22oz]

Are those all straight edge kids ?? Nice shots ... Im not a huge fan of streaky shots though ... any pit shots ?

[Digitalwave]

I don't think any of them are straight edge. The venue was a bar. Under 21 = you get X's on your hands.

[ACDCROCKS]

I like all of your shots, adds a lot electricity to them

[Digitalwave]

Thank you!