KTU @ Lutakko, Jyväskylä Finland [large images]

[kmb]

Kimmo Pohjonen, Accordion
Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Warr Guitar
Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Drums & other rytmic devices

1
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4585.jpg

2
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4752.jpg

3
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4788.jpg

4
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4814.jpg

5
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4849.jpg

6
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4922.jpg

7
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_4956.jpg

8
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/_MG_5056.jpg

[livewire-photography.com]

Holy Crap these are stunning, normally not a fan of side on shots but 6 is wicked. i think Dwight has said it before but you really do have such a creative eye with the grainy effect, you are a master of it lol.
awsome.

[bacchanal]

money;)

[Suicidenote]

Looks like that guy is playing the hell out of that "squeeze box".

[Nick_b]

#4 all the way! Very film like....

[Roddie]

OMG! Not only are the photos fantastic but I'm getting "goose bumpy" trying to figure out what the music sounded like. Great set of pictures .... awesome

[René Damkot]

Wow. I wanted to say I liked #1. Then I saw #4 and #6 and my jaw hit the keyboard...
Very, very nice series indeed.
Some comments:
I think I'd have liked #3 with a bit more contrast. I like the way the backlight gives 'traces' over the accordeon. Could be brought out more IMO.
Also, I'd crop off the mixing console in 8.
Also, #5 is better then #2.

[kmb]

Holy Crap these are stunning, normally not a fan of side on shots but 6 is wicked.

Nice to hear people like that one. I'm a rather big (tall) guy, and the stage is rather small and lots of wires and equipment (I don't know how the performers never trip over them), and it was hard to find a place where I wouldn't _litrally_ be in a spotlight with my camera, so shooting on-stage there made me sweat hard (and not because of the warm spotlights). I was very busy being nervous about everything, so I'm just happy that I could get at least one good shot from there :)

money;)

What? Where? :)

Wow. I wanted to say I liked #1. Then I saw #4 and #6 and my jaw hit the keyboard...
Very, very nice series indeed.


Thanks, I think I haven't got a double "very" from you before ;).

I think I'd have liked #3 with a bit more contrast. I like the way the backlight gives 'traces' over the accordeon.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. BTW, I also did a sort of jagged "vignet" to the picture (I drew some "teeth" with the polygon selection tool - or whatever it is called - around the performer, painted the area black, gaussian blur and set the blending mode of the layer to Soft light) to sort of repeat the "jaws" of the accordeon. I think the effect might be a bit too subtle (but that's better than the other way round).


Also, I'd crop off the mixing console in 8.

Crop or clone? I think cropping the mixing board would result in cropping the hand out also, which would make it look like a head popping out of an accordeon ;)

Also, #5 is better then #2.

Here's a replacement for #2: http://kuvat.huumakuva.net/displayimage.php?pos=-1827 (I'm always too quick to post the images and therefore I find better "versions" later on). I guess #2 still has more mood, but the linked image works on a different level, I'd say (the contact between the performers...)

One more image, I think I'll put this in my portfolio:
http://kuvat.huumakuva.net/displayimage.php?pos=-1828

[René Damkot]

BTW, I also did a sort of jagged "vignet" to the picture (I drew some "teeth" with the polygon selection tool - or whatever it is called - around the performer, painted the area black, gaussian blur and set the blending mode of the layer to Soft light) to sort of repeat the "jaws" of the accordeon. I think the effect might be a bit too subtle (but that's better than the other way round).

I see it. Thought it was 'natural light'. So, yes, pretty subtle ;)
Adds to the image.

Crop or clone? I think cropping the mixing board would result in cropping the hand out also, which would make it look like a head popping out of an accordeon ;)

Crop:
http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/POTN/_MG_5056.jpg

If you darken the mixer, you could leave it a bit wider...

Here's a replacement for #2: http://kuvat.huumakuva.net/displayimage.php?pos=-1827 (I'm always too quick to post the images and therefore I find better "versions" later on). I guess #2 still has more mood, but the linked image works on a different level, I'd say (the contact between the performers...)

Here is a double 'much':
Much, much better ;)
I might even prefer it to #5...

One more image, I think I'll put this in my portfolio:
http://kuvat.huumakuva.net/displayimage.php?pos=-1828

Thanks, My jaw is getting sore from hitting the desk *again*.
Great image.

[DwightMcCann]

These are utterly stunning! If I ever grow up I am coming to Finland and working with you for a week! But I will learn Photoshop first as well as how to process RAW, sigh.

[Croasdail]

Love the graine feel - matches the atmosphere well. Very well done.

[narlus]

they are all great, but esp 1, 4 and 6, 7 deserve special mention. wow!

here's a question...would you mind posting up an unprocessed image from one of these? i'm curious what these look like out of the camera. this is no intended to be any sort of knock about photoshop skills, i am genuinely interested in seeing any difference.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

These are incredible!!! Absolutely stunning, you are very talented. :-)

I'm curious though, as too how much PP went into these images. Because I noticed in the exif that pretty much all of them had neg EC from -1/3 to -1, I'm guessing to boost Tv's? I'm guessing the images came out under exposed then, and you had to boost them, but then how did you keep the noise from looking nasty?

[Eyelikedurt]

4 - 6 - 7 - 8

absolutely incredible. point me in the direction of your post entitled 'how i pp my shots' .... what do you mean you haven't done one? ;)

[kmb]

Hi,

Thanks again for all the praise, I really apreciate it (and all other comments as well). I really need to comment the pictures you guys post more often.

here's a question...would you mind posting up an unprocessed image from one of these?

Here are two. These are from RAW converter (ACR), the settings I used to open the images in PS are applied:
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/unmod/_MG_4814.jpg
http://www.bjorklid.net/jako/foorut/ktu/unmod/_MG_4922.jpg

Because I noticed in the exif that pretty much all of them had neg EC from -1/3 to -1, I'm guessing to boost Tv's? I'm guessing the images came out under exposed then, and you had to boost them, but then how did you keep the noise from looking nasty?

The neg EC is for what it's designed - most of the image area is black or rather dark. That causes the need for negative EC. Depending on the levels of the smoke (and backlight), I use -1 to 0 EC in most of my shots. I often end up using negative post EC but heavy positive brightness adjustment (the neg. post ec is to recover clipped color channels in all parts of the image that matter).

If the noise is not nasty as such (eg. there is banding or something else like that), it helps to add contrast and reduce saturation. Try a saturation layer with -100% saturation, then curves-layer to add contrast (to the now black and white image) then go back to the saturation layer and add some saturation back, but keep it low - don't go to "normal" saturation levels. This is basically all that was done to 6 and 8.

One more tip: I use mulitple curves-layers often. One is used to add "basic contrast" to the image, and another is used to fine tune - to pronounce dramatic shadows of the subjects face or something like that.

One thing to note is that for this sort of post processing to work (the "grainy effect" the input has to be suitable - I couldn't make all my concert photos to have the same feel as these do. I guess that basically "enough smoke" is what is needed.

I hope that this explanation was helpful :)

[narlus]

kalle, many thanks for your informative post. using multiple layers of curves is something which never occurred to me, and i think i'll try it out soon.

[bmoguy]

If the noise is not nasty as such (eg. there is banding or something else like that), it helps to add contrast and reduce saturation. Try a saturation layer with -100% saturation, then curves-layer to add contrast (to the now black and white image) then go back to the saturation layer and add some saturation back, but keep it low - don't go to "normal" saturation levels. This is basically all that was done to 6 and 8.

I was just processing some pictures when I stopped to read the forum for a bit. This tip really improved a couple that I'd been having a tough time with. Thanks for taking the timne to post it.

[Steve Parr]

Yep, nothin' says "rock-n-roll" like an accordian!

Nice shots! I'm not a big fan of the grain; I'd love to see them without the grain, but still nice shots...

[DwightMcCann]

Yep, nothin' says "rock-n-roll" like an accordian!

But, Steve, did you see how BIG his was? :rolleyes:

[dpurslow]

wow, these are some fantastic shots, some of the best I have seen on POTN well done !

[kmb]

Sorry to bump up an old thread, but here are the North American tour dates for KTU:

March 7: Los Angeles, California - Knitting Factory
March 9: Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Canadian Music Week - Drake Underground
March 12: NYC, NY - Knitting Factory
March 14: Austin, Texas - SXSW
March 20: Chicago (Palatine), IL - Drum Pad Presents @ Durty Nellie's
March 22: Mexico City, Mexico - Festival de México en el Centro Histórico
March 23: Mexico City, Mexico - Festival de México en el Centro Histórico

If somebody wants to photograph them, I'm sure I can help arragning that, I'm in good terms with their manager.
At least go and see them, if you have the chance!

[johnstoy]

Sorry to bump up an old thread, but here are the North American tour dates for KTU:
March 12: NYC, NY - Knitting Factory
If somebody wants to photograph them, I'm sure I can help arragning that, I'm in good terms with their manager.
At least go and see them, if you have the chance!

MapQuest has it mixed up with (probably a restaurant) Yick Sang Fat Knitting Factory
in Mid Town Manhattan...The Venue; Knitting Factory is way downtown near Canal Street...

http://www.knittingfactory.com/index_switch.php?dest=/index.php

http://www.knittingfactory.com/show.php?event_id=100708

This is in Downtown Manhattan on Monday, Mar 12, 2007 // SHOW 7:30 PM // ADV $15 // DOS $15

Knitting Factory - New York
74 Leonard Street
New York, NY 10013
Tel: (212) 219-3132
Fax: (212) 219-3401

Box Office Hours
Monday to Saturday: 10 AM until close
Sunday: 2 PM until close

Directions
You can take the 1 or 9 train to Franklin Street, walk one block south to Leonard, turn left and walk a block & a half to the club.

You can take the A, C or E train to Canal Street, walk 4 blocks south and turn left on Leonard. You could also take the N or R train to Canal Street, walk down Broadway 4 blocks to Leonard, turn right, and see the club at the far end of the block. If you are unfamiliar with the the downtown area click here for a full MTA New York City Subway Map

Finnish Moosic Tour featuring: KTU: Gunn, Pohjonen, Mastelotto 22-Pistepirkko Lodger Disco Ensemble

[kmb]

Finnish Moosic Tour featuring: KTU: Gunn, Pohjonen, Mastelotto 22-Pistepirkko Lodger Disco Ensemble

There's a lack of commas here, so the bands are:
1. KTU (Gunn, Pohjonen, Mastelotto)
2. 22-Pistepirkko (they sing in English even if the name is finnish)
3. Lodger (never heard them)
4. Disco Ensemble (see here (http://www.huumakuva.net/content/kb/disco_ensemble/index.html))

Disco Ensemble is one of the most interesting bands (photography-wise) I have had the pleasure to photograph.

Moosic?

[René Damkot]

22 Pistepirkko is nice! Translation of the name is nice as well ;)
Been quite a while since I've seen / photographed them....

[narlus]

i've got a cd or two from 22 Pistepirkko...not bad.

my current fave finnish bands are:

circle
pharoah overlord (circle off-shoot)
radiopuhelimet (http://www.radiopuhelimet.net/index1.htm)
deep turtle
KEMIALLISET YSTÄVÄT and most things on fonal

[johnstoy]

There's a lack of commas here, so the bands are:
1. KTU (Gunn, Pohjonen, Mastelotto)
2. 22-Pistepirkko (they sing in English even if the name is finnish)
3. Lodger (never heard them)
4. Disco Ensemble (see here (http://www.huumakuva.net/content/kb/disco_ensemble/index.html))

Disco Ensemble is one of the most interesting bands (photography-wise) I have had the pleasure to photograph.

Moosic?

It's expected, that a NYC venue will mix up stuff, omit commas etc...It's their posting, on their web site...Go figure...
That section of Manhattan is a "one big party scene".

[Steve Parr]

But, Steve, did you see how BIG his was? :rolleyes:

Dwight, I'm not really comfortable commenting on the size of another man's accordian...