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View Full Version : First Concert Pics - Merlefest (5 pics)

UNCTEP
30th of April 2006 (Sun), 20:34
Spent the day at Merlefest, which is a 4 day music festival held in Wilkesboro NC. Never tried taking photos at a concert (most I've been to do not allow cameras). I'm sure these could be better, but here are a few I was pleased with for my first try. I have decided that the portable tents some of the stages and vendors were set up under make for horrible backgrounds...

All were shot handheld with the 20D and the 200mm f/2.8L

The Cottars
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/UNCTEP/Cottars1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/UNCTEP/Cottars2.jpg

The Tony Rice Unit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/UNCTEP/TRUnit1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/UNCTEP/TRUnit2.jpg

And, Doc Watson (the festival is named for Doc's son Merle, who died several years ago... in case anyone wanted to know)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/UNCTEP/Doc.jpg
DwightMcCann
30th of April 2006 (Sun), 22:56
Overall they are pretty good ... for some reason they look a bit soft. But you did a grand job of getting faces and instruments.
mdm
30th of April 2006 (Sun), 23:16
Great shots. The last one looks a little out of focus.
René Damkot
1st of May 2006 (Mon), 05:00
I like #4 and 5. On the others the BG is too distracting to me. (biggest problem with festivals during the day IMO)
Pity #5 is front focussed.
Switzer
2nd of May 2006 (Tue), 21:29
Great photos.. and yes I also find the last one a little soft.. .but so what Doc is a pretty relaxed guy.. just say its not soft hes old and his skin is loose:D
Nidz
3rd of May 2006 (Wed), 03:29
I think #2 seems a little cluttered and hard to see what's going on. Maybe too many layers of depth in the picture make it a little busy. I think it was the angle you took the photo on. Maybe it's a bit tightly cropped for my liking. #3 I don't realy like to see people's backs much. I think this was another taken from the wrong position I guess. #3 is good. #4 seems a little soft in some parts, especially for the equipment you were using. I hope i'm not being too much of a harsh critic, just what I think when I look at them.
UNCTEP
3rd of May 2006 (Wed), 18:32
No problems on the harsh critique - we're here to learn, right? I agree they could have been better, but this was my first attempt at this type of photography. I'm not terribly disappointed with the results, but I agree there's loads of room for improvement. There's always next year's festival!

As far as the photos appearing soft - any thoughts as to what would cause this? I had the camera in Av mode for the entire day... lighting issues maybe? I would think the 200mm 2.8L would have been sharper...

Thanks for all the comments thus far!
René Damkot
4th of May 2006 (Thu), 06:17
Last photo is focussed on the back of the microphone, not the person. Probabely the AF sensor covered that as well, and found it nice and contrasty ;)
rklepper
4th of May 2006 (Thu), 09:16
I like the photos. Even though Doc is soft in the last one it is a nice photo. I love Doc Watson and my Dad took me to see Doc and Merle in the 1970's. I have always wanted to go to this, but it is always right before final exams and I can never get away. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope to see more.