Brooks and Dunn - Valdosta, GA -

[bayougator]

Hello - have been reading this forum consistently for the past 4 months - thanks so much for the great ideas and instructions on different techniques. This is a US country music duo and their band. This set of photos were taken at an outdoor amphitheater - started in early evening before sunset then into late evening. last 3 photos were shot in Tampa at a seperate concert. These were shot with Nikon D2X, 15-55mm/2.8 and 70-200mm/2.8 ( Irealize this is a CANON forum but have not found a forum of similar caliber on any Nikon sites)

Any comments and suggestions for improvement in composition/technique would be greatly appreciated. In particular, my images seem to be so "soft" rather than sharp - I know the camera is capable of so much more than I am currently able to get out of it -

Thanks in advance - thanks again for the great tips and discussions.

1.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p0c264de631f874fba007d177a4e55663/e9fb4aa4.jpg


2.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20011.jpg

3.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20031.jpg

4.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20023.jpg

5.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20033.jpg

6.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20058.jpg

7.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20077.jpg

8.
http://web.mac.com/skyskimmer/iWeb/Site/Brooks%20and%20Dunn%20-%20Oct%202006_files/BND%20FL%20Weekend%2006%20-%20106.jpg

[bayougator]

sorry - have tried to edit the post several time with the HTML code but the photos just won't come up - will try and re-post again

[Steve Parr]

Well, for starters, it would help if Brooks & Dunn didn't look like eight little red "X"s...

[bayougator]

Well, for starters, it would help if Brooks & Dunn didn't look like eight little red "X"s...

yes, I totally agree - not sure what's going on with my links - they've worked in other forums - just tried to re-post but no luck - will delete the topic - apologies for the clutter -

[René Damkot]

They probabely don't show up because of the script used: 'slideshow.html'.
The images do open in a new window.

Try pointing to the image files directly...

[bayougator]

They probabely don't show up because of the script used: 'slideshow.html'.
The images do open in a new window.

Try pointing to the image files directly...


thanks for the note - tried to modify the links again - still no luck with the code - I change code to URL and posted links instead - the images will now open in seperate windows = cumbersome but at least a temporary fix -

thank you -

[René Damkot]

Quick try: right clicked the image in the first link, select 'copy image address'. paste the url inbetween and . Tadaa:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p0c264de631f874fba007d177a4e55663/e9fb4aa4.jpg

Nice image. I dislike the squarish aspect ratio, but apart from that, it's nice ;)

[bayougator]

Quick try: right clicked the image in the first link, select 'copy image address'. paste the url inbetween and . Tadaa:

Nice image. I dislike the squarish aspect ratio, but apart from that, it's nice ;)


excellent - thanks for the tip - will proceed to do so - thanks again!

[johnstoy]

That's a nice, colorful picture, you got there gator...

Those guys are hot!!!

So, Gator...
Rene' was on my case for months regarding my squarish aspect ratios... I now use the photoshop ratios... they are more consistant...

[bayougator]

That's a nice, colorful picture, you got there gator...

Those guys are hot!!!

So, Gator...
Rene' was on my case for months regarding my squarish aspect ratios... I now use the photoshop ratios... they are more consistant...


thank you both for the comment and suggestion re: composition/cropping - Rene' -thanks kindly for the tip on posting - have got the other 7 on the board -

best wishes -

[bayougator]

2 more photos - same band - different location
10.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid224/pa09cbe63dc809afeec1f1bf599d5f71f/eaa3da54.jpg
11.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p98121829ad108b00a1c342956e773abb/e9fb3d95.jpg

[DwightMcCann]

I shot these guys once ... you did a good job. My images are at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/BrooksDunn02242006.htm although I expect I have a thread in here somwhere, too.

[bayougator]

I shot these guys once ... you did a good job. My images are at http://www.dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/BrooksDunn02242006.htm although I expect I have a thread in here somwhere, too.

thanks for the link/compliment Your Brooks and Dunn images are amazing!

I have tried to keep in mind your key recommendations posted in the first note of this forum - particularly about faces and headstocks as well as recommendations on sharpening after re-sizing. Any suggestions regarding composition or grouping or white balance in shooting these concerts? Thank you -

[DwightMcCann]

thanks for the link/compliment Your Brooks and Dunn images are amazing!

I have tried to keep in mind your key recommendations posted in the first note of this forum - particularly about faces and headstocks as well as recommendations on sharpening after re-sizing. Any suggestions regarding composition or grouping or white balance in shooting these concerts? Thank you -

I have always shot AWB for the big shows where there are spotlights as they are usually color correct. If the light is very orange I hear it recommended to use the incandescent setting. If the light is unchanging and you can access the lighted area then I recommend Custom White Balance and it only takes about 10 seconds to setup. But sometimes utterly nothing will "fix" the "problem" (I don't think it is usually a great problem) ... this being my favorite example:
http://www.dwightmccann.com/Images/BrianMcComas2/BM500/BrianMcComasBand2974-500.JPG
This guy was one of two guitarists with Brian McComas when I shot them in 2004.

But you could use some levels adjustments in a couple. You need to run on "Image Editin OK" in the UserCP settings so people can adjust your pictures and repost to show you what they would do.

[bayougator]

But you could use some levels adjustments in a couple. You need to run on "Image Editin OK" in the UserCP settings so people can adjust your pictures and repost to show you what they would do.


Appreciate for the feedback and "how-to" - I have enabled the "Image Edit OK" option also - thank you -

[DwightMcCann]

OK, on this one I adjusted the levels "by eye" as it looked a little dull and then sharpened it a touch more. This is not to suggest that mine is better, only that I like it better to my eye.

[livewire-photography.com]

7 8 and 11 are really great. nice set overall.

[bayougator]

OK, on this one I adjusted the levels "by eye" as it looked a little dull and then sharpened it a touch more. This is not to suggest that mine is better, only that I like it better to my eye.

great - thanks so much - it helps to be able to "see" the adjustments - this is actually one of my favorites of the set given that these musicians are so difficult to capture given their backline positions and the large number of activity usually happening in front of them. The detail in the adjustment does seem to "pop" more - In looking at the set and my shots in general, my images lack "sharpness" - am working on this as a result of the combination of technique, equipment and processing.

Am currently using the basic iPhoto tool and am trying to decide on a photo app - Aperture vs Photoshop - given that I am doing this only as a hobby, the big guns seem quite intimidating/cumbersome - am considering Lightroom or Photoshop Elements and currently looking for threads on this subject -

thanks also to others for the kind comments - this has been a very helpful review

[johnstoy]

Say Gator...This entire photo set is very good... I like Dwight's modifications... although the fella on the right has better skin tones than the drummer on the left... The different color lighting on different parts of the stage is tough to balance...

And I too, "eye ball" almost all of my color and B&W work so far... there are some consistencies in processing, but the eye, makes the final decission... I'd love to hear others tell me otherwise... It would be great to have another alternative to compare the processes to... (That's other than "Auto Color", "Auto Levels" and "Auto Contrast" which I sometimes use to check my work before I consider starting my personal adjustments.)

[DwightMcCann]

great - thanks so much - it helps to be able to "see" the adjustments - this is actually one of my favorites of the set given that these musicians are so difficult to capture given their backline positions and the large number of activity usually happening in front of them. The detail in the adjustment does seem to "pop" more - In looking at the set and my shots in general, my images lack "sharpness" - am working on this as a result of the combination of technique, equipment and processing.

Am currently using the basic iPhoto tool and am trying to decide on a photo app - Aperture vs Photoshop - given that I am doing this only as a hobby, the big guns seem quite intimidating/cumbersome - am considering Lightroom or Photoshop Elements and currently looking for threads on this subject -

thanks also to others for the kind comments - this has been a very helpful review

For under $100 you can get PhotoImpact which is what I have been using for years and think it is easily the best value for your buck ... although I am trying to convert to Photoshop, have had the Studio product for a couple of years and am about to buy Adobe's biggest package. LightRoom is very slow and doesn't allow all the edits you may need (I have it and use it) as it is more a workflow program.