Toys for Tots Benefit: Danielle Peck @ Chumash Casino Resort

[DwightMcCann]

I shot a Toys for Tots benefit at the Chumash Casino Resort on December 8th. It was a country singer/songwriter event with three peformers from Big Machine Records. This thread is of Danielle Peck, my 5 year old's favorite at the moment ... we have to have her CD in the car for our family commute each day ... she knows all the words ... my friend Rick Barker of Big Machine Records got Anna an autographed portrait and now it must get framed and hung in Anna's room. I love Danielle's lyrics. Without further blathering here are a few images of Danielle:

#1
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0029.JPG

#2
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0134.JPG

#3
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0159.JPG

#4
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0298.JPG

#5
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0313.JPG

#6
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0432.JPG

#7
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Downloads/Chumash/Danielle800/DaniellePeck0457.JPG

[PAS Photography]

Great photos, I hope to be shooting Kenny Chesney at Country Thunder next year from the VIP area or backstage as I did there two years ago of Neal McCoy, Martina McBride and Willie Nelson.

[steveathome]

Nice series as usual Dwight

[dpurslow]

DW, Great photos, love the red on blue. If I did not know you had the Big glass I would have said your suffering from David syndrome of oversharpening on 4 and 5 but guess that the 300mm - also you were posting these just as I was getting out of bed, seems like a late night on the west coast.

[bmoguy]

Looking at 4 & 5 - I'm gonna ask Santa for one of those 400's (I'm not holding my breath). :D They look great.

[taygull]

Good Stuff Dwight,

I love it when they have natural light against a blue background, you can really get the shots to pop.

[DwightMcCann]

Thank you, gentlemen. I thought 4 & 5 looked oversharpened, too, but they were the exact same sharpening after resizing as the rest ... I think it is mostly that Danielle's skin is a bit rough and the directional lighting really emphasizes it. I can tell you with absolute certainty that when you are hugging her this is totally unnoticable! :-) She is quite gorgeous.

[dpurslow]

DW, There is something really nice about 3 also, I have been looking at it for a while trying to work it out and I think she is giving someone a look, what that look is - is the appeal of the photo to me.....

[DwightMcCann]

David, #3 was from up on the stage level behind the curtain and she was looking down into the front row of audience. Both Danielle and Taylor made great effort to look right into my camera about 1/3 of the time I was there ... in the past with other artists I have made a point with this same management group that the images I can provide will be substantially better if the performers will look at the camera every now and then ... the really top end singers always seem to do this as a matter of course, but the newer folks almost avoid it. Had I ventured back to the dressing rooms I would have mentioned it as I have shot both these women in intimate venues before and know them enough to ask ... but now that I am famous it looks like the word was spoken.

[Eyelikedurt]

These are RIDICULOUSLY sharp.
It's almost painful to open any of your threads Dwight!!

Well done again sir!

[DwightMcCann]

These are RIDICULOUSLY sharp.
It's almost painful to open any of your threads Dwight!!

Well done again sir!
Don't you have a sharpen button on your computer? Just keep pushing it until they look like this. :lol: Thanks, but a lot credit goes to the $30K in equipment.

[Eyelikedurt]

Hmmm, i've heard it mentioned that a poor workman blames his tools. Im not entirely sure that you can accredit everything to your gear Dwight. Tell you what, lend it to me and we'll see ;)

[DwightMcCann]

Durt, you pop over here and we'll give it a go! :-)

[Eyelikedurt]

Hmmm, im not entirely sure the budget would stretch Dwight. However, if i ever find myself in Buellton, expect a visitor (with some cheapo lenses to trade ;))

[NJPDDC]

Very nice photos. Very crisp and the colors really do pop.

[DwightMcCann]

OK, Durt.

Thanks NJPDDC

[johnstoy]

You're resorting to the 400mm lens a lot this evening...It is that good...now you can stay further back and take your time...So is Danielle related to Gregory?

[taygull]

Dwight,

On #4 I am assuming that was on a tripod? 1/50th at 400mm?

[DwightMcCann]

Dwight,

On #4 I am assuming that was on a tripod? 1/50th at 400mm?

Yes, Gitzo carbon fiber legs with leveling base and full Wimberley head. The 400mm f/2.8 is simply too heavy for me to handhold ... which is why my 300mm f/2.8 is my favorite.

[Just ordered a 5D.]

[taygull]

I hope you like the 5D better than I do......

[DwightMcCann]

I hope you like the 5D better than I do......

If not I can put it on eBay! :-) Actually, if the colors are good and it has low noise I can put up with poor low light focusing. I really want FF sensor for my fisheye and wide angleness. If Canon comes out with a new professional, meaning 1D, FF body next year I will get one of those, too ... and that will be the end of my equipment budget for the year! :cool:

[taygull]

If not I can put it on eBay! :-) Actually, if the colors are good and it has low noise I can put up with poor low light focusing. I really want FF sensor for my fisheye and wide angleness. If Canon comes out with a new professional, meaning 1D, FF body next year I will get one of those, too ... and that will be the end of my equipment budget for the year! :cool:

Don't forget to buy a lens with it and you will double the $300 rebate to $600!

[DwightMcCann]

Don't forget to buy a lens with it and you will double the $300 rebate to $600!
Well, I screwed the pooch on that ... and I have four or five lenses I want, too! But too late, it is shipped!

[taygull]

Well, I screwed the pooch on that ... and I have four or five lenses I want, too! But too late, it is shipped!

It is not too late, you can buy a lens and then submit it later....

I'll shoot you an email.

[johnstoy]

Well, I screwed the pooch on that ... and I have four or five lenses I want, too! But too late, it is shipped!


that's still all right...Just buy another lens anyway...and file the rebates together...It's OK if they are purchased separately...As long as they are within the promotional timeframe...

John

[DwightMcCann]

Thank you gentlemen! I will check Chris' email.

[alan_potter]

Dwight, you recently told us that you shoot JPG and don't use PhotoShop. Do I take it from that that the colour balance is what came out of the camera?

I remember you saying that you use a grey card for colour balance; I take it that your lighting designer keeps the light colours (on the main subject, at least) pretty consistent?

I should also say "well done, nice pictures". But that seems so futile - they're so obviously outstandingly good pictures, it just seems repetitious.

If you ever feel like setting up a daemon to post some of your out-takes automatically, say once a month or so, I'm sure it would make the rest of us feel better :D

regards,
/alan

[Rhinotherunt]

OMG! WOW!!! The lighting is AMAZING! Great images!

[DwightMcCann]

OMG! WOW!!! The lighting is AMAZING! Great images!

Read my lips: I AM GOOD! :lol::lol::lol:

[Rhinotherunt]

LOL! Loud and clear!

[René Damkot]

#4 is best of teh bunch by far IMHO. The 'totals' have a too distracting BG I think... (Yeah, I know, it's Xmas)

[DwightMcCann]

#4 is best of teh bunch by far IMHO. The 'totals' have a too distracting BG I think... (Yeah, I know, it's Xmas)

The production staff was VERY PROUD of the set, which was gorgeous but it is distracting! :-)

Yes, I really like what that 400mm f/2.8 can do!