Pepe Aguilar in Concert, April 20th, 2006 [Large Images Warning]

[DwightMcCann]

The casino is bringing in more and more Latin performers: they sell out quickly, the crowds are warm and responsive, there are fewer rowdy patrons and they probably spend more money while they are there on such things as meals, hotels and gambling. I have previously shot and exhibited Marco Antonios Solis and Juanes here and both were very easy. Pepe Aguilar has much tighter rules about shooting and his lighting and smoke leave a lot to be desired. It is interesting to shoot these artists as I don't understand a word of commentary or song.

So, without further rambling, here's Pepe:

#1 The background, if it is not obvious, is a stylized Mexican flag.
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/ChumashCollages/PepeAguilarCollage-1000.jpg

#2
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/PepeAguilar04202006/PA3288-1000.JPG

#3
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/PepeAguilar04202006/PA5520-1000.JPG

#4
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/PepeAguilar04202006/PA5580-1000.JPG

#5
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/PepeAguilar04202006/PA3349-1000.JPG

There are eleven more on my website at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/PepeAguilar04202006.htm for your listening pleasure. My next concert will be Sin Bandera although I am starting a new Project for Nashville to You so there may be other images mixed in over the next few months.

[narlus]

#4 shows incredible control of DoF...nicely done. i like the last one too, w/ the spotlights.

[DwightMcCann]

Narlus, thank you for taking the time to look and comment! Those close ups with the 300mm f/2.8 are my specialty mostly because I love them and few others shoot this sort of image. Sometimes the DOF is a little narrow but so long as the near eye is sharp I am satisfied.

In the one last with spotlights I actually selected Pepe's upper body and applied some curves to bring the contrast up a notch, but as you can see there was a lot of swirling smoke around him.

[taygull]

#3 is just fantastic, that one should be on an album cover.

Very nice shots all around, so what were your limits on this shoot?

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks, Chris. I need to come down to Texas and shoot with you.

The limit was first two songs and they weren't very long. He kept his sombrero in his hand the whole time.

#6
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/PepeAguilar04202006/PA3259-1000.JPG

[taygull]

Thanks, Chris. I need to come down to Texas and shoot with you.

The limit was first two songs and they weren't very long. He kept his sombrero in his hand the whole time.


I would not know what to do if I had to capture everything in just two songs. The nice thing about a small venue and smaller act is they will let you do whatever you want. The band..as you may notice in the 100 Springs shot is the crowd was so full I just could not do much down in front.

Ya'll come anytime, I'm hoping in another month to really try and find some better venue's to shoot at.

The other thing I guess I need to do is find a magazine, newspaper, or on-line magazine to shoot for. I think that could get me into some of the better venues?

[DwightMcCann]

Yes, yup, ya' and Right! :-)

[René Damkot]

Wow! A two song limit? That's rather ridiculous... I can't imagine covering a concert in two songs. Just currious: Were there things you feel you missed because of this restriction?
Nice images nevertheless....
*Large* somberero. Be glad he didn't actually wear it :rolleyes:

[taygull]

OH...nice touch on the background!

[DwightMcCann]

Rene, yes, somewhat strange and for no apparent reason except Pepe had his own person shooting continuously the whole night. Yes, I missed a number of potentially stunning shots where they would light up the whole line of guitar players that you can see standing on the scaffolding along the back in #5. Also didn't have time to shoot the rest of the band on the stage floor including the two lovely backup singers. Yup, significant stuff not to mention the wider array of lighting effects over the course of the performance. But, I am a pimple on the butt of progress compared to all the problems and issues that arise, and it is my boss that seems to almost offer shortened periods ... I often think that if I could interface with the tour managers that they would allow back/side shooting for much longer as they sometimes do when I get a chance to chat with them. But, I get paid the same no matter what happens and I do seem to always get a moderately good result ... but it would be so much better, sigh.

Chris, they were big time into the smoke and red/green lights. :-)