No Fears - Band shots - CC Please.

[LastLine]

Hey all, a friend of mine's been working in a band with some of his students as a part time project and I've been doing some photography for their website (www.nofears.co.uk - something simple I knocked up in iWeb on the Mac)

Just wanted some opinions on the photography - feel free to browse the rest of the site though :)

If you want to edit, go for it, but please, post it and tell me what you've actually done in it so I can learn :)
http://web.mac.com/mrclarke/iWeb/Junk/Photos_files/IMG_3254.jpg

http://web.mac.com/mrclarke/iWeb/Junk/Photos_files/IMG_3272.jpg

http://web.mac.com/mrclarke/iWeb/Junk/Photos_files/IMG_3279.jpg

http://web.mac.com/mrclarke/iWeb/Junk/Photos_files/IMG_3268.jpg

http://web.mac.com/mrclarke/iWeb/Junk/Photos_files/IMG_3440_2.jpg

I'm aware of some focus issues in a couple of them, but how does the composition work in those ones? :)
EDIT: If the pics are a bit big let me know and I'll try and find a way to reduce them - appear ok on my screen though :)

[René Damkot]

On #1 the movement is nice. I would've cropped of the top and left, to loose the guitar and bass necks. Cute.
I'ld try to use the faster lenses more, and set ISO to 1600. Avoid the flash. It kills the mood here.
On the last two the microphone stand is in the way. I hate those things...

[LastLine]

Yeah, the first four were done on a 28-70 f2.8 wide open I believe with the flash set to 17mm dispersed. The last one was done in a different venue without flash, but pumped up to 1600. I'm experimenting with what works and what doesn't at the minute, I'm happy with the results on the whole but enjoying the chance to play.

[DwightMcCann]

Well, the kids look young so I would take care in posting their images without consent. You might try a tripod ... yes, I know it is a pain but vastly improves the images. I like the lighting and the odd crop on the last one. I agree with Rene about the guitar necks in the first ... you don't want to crop them off the end if you've got the rest, but just sticking in from the side simply doesn't work. Nice looking kids and band and generally super pictures.

[LastLine]

Yeah kids are yyoung but I work closely with the band and their families on the website and have permission to post :-)

Thanks for the advice. The tripod was considered but the place was that busy that ultimately I just couldn't find the room for it on the day :(

[René Damkot]

Why not try a monopod? Works wonders (almost as good as IS ;))

[LastLine]

Hm interesting idea, I've tried them in the past but never found them particularly easy to use - any advice on them?

[René Damkot]

I use a manfrotto Carbon-One. Sometimes with a ballhead (still need to get a decent, not too heavy one) and without a ballhead with my 80-200L. Just long enough to allow me to shoot over a crowd (can't look in the VF without a step-up)
I've got (reasonably) sharp images at 1/30 with my 80-200L (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/image/rhd20060428r_on_r0060.jpg) around 160mm, and down to 1/6th with my 20mm (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0010.htm).
Sometimes, with luck, half a second is do-able (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/060508Amphion/source/image/rhd20060508amph0022.jpg) :p
Sure, in all of these cases a tripod would have worked both better and easier, but there was no room for one...

[LastLine]

Think when I'm out next (June 8th I think it is...don't have time to check the site to find out right now) that I'll try the monopod :)

For interests sake what do people think to the movement in the pictures? The first one in particular I can't make my mind up if I love it or hate it :S

[René Damkot]

Mostly, I don't mind if the band is moving, but I do mind when I'm moving... (camera shake). I like the first one: It's a bit 'dreamy' because of the blur...

[LastLine]

Yeah see that's always been my main thought on it but I keep flip flopping on it somehow :-P

I've decided sat looking at them though that I don't like number 4 anymore ;)

[pup]

I love my monopod

Nice shots though :]

[DwightMcCann]

It is OK to be of two minds about one of your images! I get away with using a [big] tripod because I am part of the venue staff where I shoot ... it actually doesn't give me any more access than the other photographers at the casino but I am so familiar with the venue that I know exactly what I can do and where there will be space.

[LastLine]

Yeah see the place where the first 4 pictures were taken were a Working Mens Club style venue where there really wasn't much space to play with (and I felt rude taking a great big tripod in front of the crowd gathered.) I think next time hte mono's definitely on the list of kit to take :)

[LastLine]

Sorry I know the pics have dissapeared but they're all available at No Fears official site www.nofears.co.uk

Just in case anyone stumbles across this later.

EDIT: Sorry meant to edit not post new.