Vince Gill - Live at the Meyerson

[taygull]

Wow, what a difficult shoot. I'll be honest I hated it.

It was not so much being limited to 3 songs, that was plenty. What made it difficult were the angles we could shoot from and the lights.

The Meyerson is one of the top performance halls in the world it is amazing to "watch" a show but is horrible to photograph a show.

The problem is you can only shoot from the sides and the lighting comes from way up high to down low and cast shadows on the eyes. There really was not a place to get a nice straight on shot. I was the only photographer who left the "floor" level and went to the first balcony to get some shots.

The other thing that was bad was the front of the stage was filled with monitors, I just don't understand why these big acts don't use "in ear" monitors 100% of the time. I know at the Opry they use them so it makes a nice view for TV.

The other challenge is Vince sings with his eyes closed 98% of the time. On top of that the rest of the band had almost no lights on them most of the night.

The show was fantastic as I had 2 of the best seats in the house. It is easy to understand why Vince is one of the all time best musicians in the world. He did everything from his old great stuff to new stuff off his new 4 CD release. He did blues, Jazz, and some pretty rockin stuff.

So here you go....

#1
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P0995.jpg

#2
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P0948.jpg

#3
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P1123-1.jpg

#4
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P0832.jpg

#5
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P0825.jpg

#6
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P0809.jpg

#7
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P0714.jpg

#8
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/RM8P1152.jpg

[DwightMcCann]

Ah, yes, several of the numerous difficult issues of shooting in even the best venues! It is very hard to suugest that this shooting is difficult to the club shooters who have no light, but they don't usually have a lot of the things that are problems in the big venues. BTW, they use both ear speakers and monitors and way more of them than are necessary.

So how many other photographers were there? I get limited to three songs and I'm usually the only one there. :-) Welcome to the big leagues, Chris.

[taygull]

Ah, yes, several of the numerous difficult issues of shooting in even the best venues! It is very hard to suugest that this shooting is difficult to the club shooters who have no light, but they don't usually have a lot of the things that are problems in the big venues. BTW, they use both ear speakers and monitors and way more of them than are necessary.

So how many other photographers were there? I get limited to three songs and I'm usually the only one there. :-) Welcome to the big leagues, Chris.

I added #3, probably my favorite, mostly because of the bass player.

There were 4 of us shooting, one guys was old school..he had 3 cameras and was shooting all film. One was from the Dallas Morning News, I'm not sure who the other was.

I'm pleased with the "quality" of the shots just not the composition....I wish Vince would show up and play at Gilleys or even Hanks...I think I could get much better shots...kinda funny..who knows how much was spent on the Meyerson Center, maybe a couple hundered million. I'd hate to shoot there again.

[DwightMcCann]

I love the Chumash Casino Resort! They use Hollywood designers for their sets and lighting. :-)

[taygull]

I love the Chumash Casino Resort! They use Hollywood designers for their sets and lighting. :-)

I agree...you've got one of the best venue's to shoot in.

With all fairness to the Meyerson there is probably not a better place to see an orchestra or concert, the acoustics are amazing. It is truly a world class concert hall.....shame on them for not thinking about us photogs!:p

I played with this one a little...I'm kinda liking it......

so what do you think about the logo?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m16/taygull/vRM8P1123.jpg

[Photodawg1]

All things considered you did great. I especially like the last one. I cover alot of local events and there is one council member that rarely has his eye open, and just looks goofy to begin with...very frustrating.

[taygull]

Thanks Photodawg1,

Some of them are growing on me a little more.

[johnstoy]

# 2 in particular, is a great shot of Vince, representing that mellow moment during a particular song...even the musician in the background has a good face on...

Your composition of each photo, shows consideration to the many other musicians on the stage...It reflects on your ability to compose a quality outcome of the immage...you and I know, you only have a split second to find the best of all the inclusive individuals, while capturing the image...I usually don't notice it till after the show, when I review the captures...

I first checked these photos out right away after you posted this thread...Knowing Vince Gill is of great statute in the music industry,..I needed more time to feel comfortable interpreting these images...Each photo is well composed and framed...The softer, 2nd image of photo #3, is interesting, and just might be better...

Lastly, for now, although I don't have Photo Shop yet, however, I personally might try to dodge the green color lighting on his face, to generate a more natural skin color...Who knows, maybe it will look different, and still, look appropriately good...

[taygull]

Thanks johnstoy,

I appreciate the attention to detail, I think what I actually need to do is pay even more attention to the other musicians and my "keeper" rate would be better. It is very difficult to do on a 3 song limit.

I've got a pretty bad case of color blindness so sometimes I struggle to see and adjust colors. I tend to try and not change the colors that were "on-stage" much, mostly for that reason.

I do think the 2nd image of #3 would letter better with a more natural skin tone. I may do that (I always get my wife to review the important shots) as I want to print that image large. What makes that shot for me is the bass player.....it is almost like you can feel Vince singing "Go Rest High on That Mountain" in this picture (even though he did not play that song). I think he was singing "When Love Finds You" during this shot, a great song.

[johnstoy]

The limits, you Pro's are subjected to, make for some difficult shooting...I don't envy you guys...

Up here in the NE...
The local DJ's on Penn's Peak Internet Radio often play Vince Gill's music...We love it here...

[Mike Reynolds]

nice job there