Unusual Opportunity...

[Steve Parr]

Next week, I'm going to have a pretty special opportunity to shoot some rather amazing musicians over four days. The four day event is known as Primal Twang (http://primaltwang.com/index.html).

This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to shoot some of the reharsals for the show:

Dan Crary, one of the driving forces behind the event:

http://onstagephotography.com/images/hugecrary01.jpg


Bassist Jeff Pakarek, during a brief break in the music:

http://onstagephotography.com/images/hugebassist01.jpg


This is simply one of the finest musicians in the world, Dennis Caplinger. Among many others, Dennis has recorded and/or toured with the likes of Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, and Nickel Creek. His movie and television credits include "Back To The Future III" and HBO's "Deadwood":

http://onstagephotography.com/images/hugecaplinger01.jpg


This is Jon Walmsley, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer. He's worked with many notable artists including Richard Marx, Brian Setzer, The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Gregg Allman, Merle Haggard, Roy Acuff, and John Mayall. He was also Jason on "The Waltons":

http://onstagephotography.com/images/hugejohn01.jpg


Finally, this is jazz guitarists Peter Sprague, one of the featured performers:

http://onstagephotography.com/images/hugesprague02.jpg


I'm going to have free reign to shoot the dress rehearsal on Wednesday night from anywhere in the venue, and from designated areas (although pretty liberal) during each performance Thursday through Sunday. Among the featured performers is Grammy winning Texas-based guitarist Eric Johnson. I'm really looking forward to shooting him, and there will be no three-song limit to deal with.

I'll be sure to post some shots after the shows...

[Jim G]

Nice shots... I love that Jeff guy's hair in the second one, that's cool :p

[johnstoy]

Great Opp. it is. Your warmup shots look pretty good already...show us newbeees/hobbyists how it is supposed to be done...
Looking forward to seeing some results....(go get'em, knock em dead, kick ass, and all that jazz.)

John

[taygull]

Great news Steve, I'd love to just listen in on the practice sessions...I bet that is a treat.

[Steve Parr]

Great Opp. it is. Your warmup shots look pretty good already...show us newbeees/hobbyists how it is supposed to be done...
Looking forward to seeing some results....(go get'em, knock em dead, kick ass, and all that jazz.)

John

Well, a lot of the photos I get on Wednesday are going to be shots I wouldn't normally get when shooting a concert. The promoter wants me to get on stage and take some shots, which will be a first for me. The shots from the actual performances will be more along the lines of "standard" concert shots.

I neglected to mention what this whole thing is about: It's a theatrical presentation of the history of the guitar. The concept is kinda' cool, and they've certainly got some top players taking part. Click on the Primal Twang link above to get a better idea of what it is...

[Steve Parr]

Great news Steve, I'd love to just listen in on the practice sessions...I bet that is a treat.

It was pretty cool, certainly. I'm looking forward to the dress rehearsal.

I've also been asked to shoot after the shows, when the participants retire to one of the local watering holes, as well as being asked to shoot the wrap party Sunday evening. I've agreed not to post those shots, though...

[johnstoy]

Apparently these studies of the instrument happen at various places....Mine old school friend conducts the Violin Symposiums annually at Yale....You guys are the pro photogs...this kind of stuff might interest you on a local level, in Dallas or So. Cal., you know what I mean...:cool:

John Stoy

Mine Equip. (all Canon): 30D Body, 50mm 1.4 USM, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 not USM kit stock, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Telezoom, 75-300mm 4.0-5.6 Telezoom, RS-80N3, several tripods, mono pod, no flash yet, dozens of filters/close up lenses.

[DwightMcCann]

A marvelous opportunity! I see you are mastering that 20D! :-) I would consider getting in a little tighter as not only would you lose a bit of the dead space but also blur the backgrounds a bit more. Without EXIF I can't tell exactly what you are doing.

So, how come you didn't invite me to come be your assistant? :-) j/k, I wouldn't have time anyway, sigh, but it looks like a very rare opportunity.

[Steve Parr]

A marvelous opportunity! I see you are mastering that 20D! :-) I would consider getting in a little tighter as not only would you lose a bit of the dead space but also blur the backgrounds a bit more. Without EXIF I can't tell exactly what you are doing.

That's something I intend to do at the dress rehearsal on Wednesday. As I said, I'll be able to get on the stage, which is something I normally wouldn't have the chance to do. I'll make sure the performers are cool with it, though, before I do that...

So, how come you didn't invite me to come be your assistant? :-) j/k, I wouldn't have time anyway, sigh, but it looks like a very rare opportunity.

Hehehehe... I was actually thinking of inviting Chris (Taygull). He's from Texas, so I'd lay a bet he's an Eric Johnson fan. But, then, I'd have to feed the guy...

:lol:

[DwightMcCann]

Yeah, he's always trying to get out here. I've got Dwight Yoakam and Kenny Rogers in my schedule this month and next and expect I will hear from him! :-)

[Steve Parr]

Yeah, he's always trying to get out here. I've got Dwight Yoakam and Kenny Rogers in my schedule this month and next and expect I will hear from him! :-)

Dwight Yoakum??

Dude, we need to talk!

Seriously, anything coming up on a weekend (when I'm actually in California)?

[DwightMcCann]

These are at the casino and I have no influence there, sigh. Nothing in the queue for Nashville to You at all at present.

[johnstoy]

You guys got me on this one. I've got a Dwight Yoakam PIC with two different lenses up close. Havn't worked it up yet for presentation. I'm just gonna mat and frame it.
I'll get Randy Travis next week with a 50mm 1.4 lens. Keep an eye out for them, I'll post them evenutally.

John

[taygull]

YOU GUYS ARE FREAKIN KILLING ME!

Funny I was conversing with an old friend who is a truck driver, I've always wanted to take an 18 wheeler cross country just to see what it is like. I'd love to cross the Rockies in that perspective. Then the return trip I could take an Amtrak which I have also always wanted to do!

I'd love to plan something like that this winter.

Geez, Dwight and Kenny in the same month!

Kenny was one of the first artist I liked as a kid...it must have been in the mid to late 70's.

Oh and Steve....I DO EAT A LOT!

I've never listened much to Eric Johnson. I don't try new artist very much as I have stuck with listening to what I was trying to learn to play on guitar which was older stuff or just a few of the pop country bands that I dig.

Most people won't admit to liking the pop country stuff but what I like are the great songs, you just can't argue that acts like Brooks and Dunn or Rascall Flatts don't get the best songs with great melodies and lyrics.

[Steve Parr]

Oh and Steve....I DO EAT A LOT!

Hehehehehe... I knew it...

:lol:

[johnstoy]

FYI: Regarding the shooting of Kenny Rogers close up:

Yeah, he's always trying to get out here. I've got Dwight Yoakam and Kenny Rogers in my schedule this month and next and expect I will hear from him! :-)

I saw him right after his cosmetic surgery and he complainted several times at during the first few songs about binoculars used by the audience from the front rows.
He said" Why would any one want to see his face that close?":oops:

PICS were only permitted at mine local venue for the 1st two songs.

Anyway, this San Diego gig is loaded with Pro's...pretty cool....

FYI: (I stayed in Burbank (7 Months) by the studios, there are a lot of night spots in Toluca Lake with the studio musicians doing gigs in the eve.):cool:

John ( in the Poconos of PA)

Mine Equip. (all Canon): 30D Body, 50mm 1.4 USM, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 not USM kit stock, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Telezoom, 75-300mm 4.0-5.6 Telezoom, RS-80N3, several tripods, mono pod, no flash yet, dozens of filters/close up lenses.

[Photodawg1]

I can't think of anyone better to cover this event. CONGRATS!!!

[Steve Parr]

I can't think of anyone better to cover this event. CONGRATS!!!

Well, I certainly hope I live up to that!

[Photodawg1]

Yeah, he's always trying to get out here. I've got Dwight Yoakam and Kenny Rogers in my schedule this month and next and expect I will hear from him! :-)


I love Yoakam! Can't wait to see your shots.

[René Damkot]

#2 and 3 are very nice. The rest is a bit cluttered. Pity, but not something you can control. Curious for the shots of the show.

[Steve Parr]

#2 and 3 are very nice. The rest is a bit cluttered. Pity, but not something you can control. Curious for the shots of the show.

Thanks, Rene.

Actually I was kinda' going for the cluttered look. Rehearsals are so vastly different than performances, and I think the amount of stuff laying around everywhere helps to convey how it's not always as sexy as getting on stage in front of a few thousand screaming fans...

[René Damkot]

how it's not always as sexy as getting on stage in front of a few thousand screaming fans...

Hahaha, true I guess. :lol:

[Steve Parr]

Hahaha, true I guess. :lol:

I'm shooting a dress rehearsal tonight. I suspect that I'll get some shots that aren't nearly as cluttered.

Which is what I'll be goin' for...

:lol:

[johnstoy]

I know, you know, but...are you cheching you flash cards and battery...and bringing extras of each?....

Have a good one...

Later,

John

Mine Equip. (all Canon): 30D Body, 50mm 1.4 USM, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit stock-not USM, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Telezoom, 75-300mm III 4.0-5.6 Telezoom, RS-80N3, several CF SanDisk Ultra II 1.0GB cards, several tripods, mono pod.

[Steve Parr]

I know, you know, but...are you cheching you flash cards and battery...and bringing extras of each?....

Have a good one...

Later,

John

Mine Equip. (all Canon): 30D Body, 50mm 1.4 USM, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit stock-not USM, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Telezoom, 75-300mm III 4.0-5.6 Telezoom, RS-80N3, several CF SanDisk Ultra II 1.0GB cards, several tripods, mono pod.

Oh yeah.

Between me and the other photographer (who I also happen to work with, we've got about 15 gigs of memory, and 12 fully charged batteries. We'll dump photos and recharge batteries every night.

I'm making sure I'm more prepared for this shoot than, probably, any other I've done...