"The Odd Couple" -female version, by Neil Simon (56k warning)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

This was a performance I was booked for about a week ago, and it was a great "play", I guess you'd say. They were mostly pro's, and were very very good. I'd never seen the female version, and didn't know one was even written until I got the call for this. You know the original characters, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. Well, these two are Florence and Olive; same last names. It's my first "performance" gig, and my first low light event, other than weddings. The sole performer (for me) that night was the 5D and 70-200L IS, except for the group shot. That was the 24-70L. I'm extremely happy with them, and so was the man I took them for (owner of the theatre, and a fellow photographer). He said he wanted them all "black and white, maybe with some sepia". He also wanted a bit of grain, which you can only really see in the prints, but it worked for him. Here's some of my favorites:

Flo and one of the Spaniards:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/StaringoffwithFlo.jpg

One of Olive's poker buddies, smoking:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/Smoke.jpg

Olive on the phone:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/Oliveonthephone.jpg

Flo, sick of cleaning up after Olive and her friends:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/Florenceapronandspoon.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/dontknow.jpg

Olive, rubbing Flo's shoulders because she's upset about her ex husband:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/distraughtmassage-1.jpg

Olive's friends, carrying dramatic ol' Flo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/CarryingFlo.jpg

The Cast:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/remulac/Oddcouplecast.jpg

The man liked these so much, he said I could photograph every event there from now on. I'm the "Official Theatre Photographer". :eek:

[SuzyView]

No flash? Wow, those are sharp! Where did you sit? Which theater was it? I love local theater. It's great upstate. And you said you weren't talented. :)

Edit: Did you use a monopod?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Nope, no flash. It's the Waverly Opera House. Just a little joint. Like 50 or more seats is all, but they're always packed and people asking for more. There's just no way to expand, or he would. I was standing for most of it (to be over the heads), and like I said, ISO 1250 for the whole thing. Aps ranged from 2.8 to 4, and I believe 8 for the group.

Nope...don't own a monopod. Took about 300 shots, all handheld. :eek: I'm a big boy! :lol:

[PalmBayFlo]

Love those shots Ronald! And in b&w it makes them appear to be from the 1930's or 1940's...cool!

[René Damkot]

I like 'em. Only thing I don't like is the difference in tone; one is more blueish, one more sepia. Make that more even, and you're set. Congrats on the 'job'!

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Yeah, I posted up one wrong version. The others are all identically toned. Thanks.

[livewire-photography.com]

Im loving the smoking one, absolutly brilliant!
James...

[Dimitry]

Congrats on a job well done. Was this done as a favour for a friend or payed gig?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Initially, as a favor. He was just going to pay me for prints (fair, no?). However, when he saw the results, he pulled out his wallet. :lol: Basically once every 5 weeks or so they have an event. I'll be fairly busy.

[DwightMcCann]

Superb images and glad he's paying as you deserve it. That toning thing really threw me off, too. :-)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

That toning thing really threw me off, too. :-)

Fixed. ;-)

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. I'm extremely pleased with the results.

[DwightMcCann]

Hehehe, with that fixed my eyes have unsquinted and I notice that every image except the last leans to the left, some worse than others, but there are no real verticals ... I do the same thing when shooting at the casino, every image unless I make a huge effort to correct my holding technique.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Odd as this may sound, I think I need to get the grip for my 5D. I think it was the fact that I was in portrait most of the time, and without a grip (and I'm not flexible by any stretch), my right hand will subconsciously pull to the right, making the images pull to the left. I think the grip will help. Time to return that new ipod. :rolleyes:

[Mandragora]

these are spectacular!!

im an electrician for a small off-broad house and every time the photographer comes in they make me bump all the lights up so the shots come out bright/"clean". they do, but anything interesting that the designer might have put in is automatically lost. all shadow gone, any drama missing.

really nice work!!

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I didn't ask for a thing here, and with my 70-200L IS and 1250 ISO (would have happily gone higher), I didn't have to. It was a lot of fun to shoot. Gave me a nice challenge that I hadn't experienced before, and I learned a few things. Can't wait to do it again.



...'course...the money doesn't hurt. :lol:

[SuzyView]

Congrats on the job, Ronald. That is sure a good way to get some culture on a regular basis. :)

[Permagrin]

Well, I missed this thread when it was first posted. Fantastic shots. Looking forward to seeing your continuing "theatre" thread...

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I am too, peregrin. Thanks for the comments. In a couple weeks, I'll have some from Jekyll and Hyde. Should be interesting. It will no doubt prompt my purchase of the 135L, as the light will be even lower in the upcoming show, and I was barely getting shutter speeds, and would just as soon stay away from 1600+.

[Steve Parr]

Hey Ron, nice to see some work from you.

Nice job...