ZZ Top @ Chumash Casino Resort, April 26th, 2007

[DwightMcCann]

These guys are fun although they are not my kind of music! Had to sign a release (which they didn't pick up from me) and was limited to two songs only from "the pit" (we don't have a pit, but they have their rules!) But, their songs do tend to ramble on so there was certainly plenty of time even if not a lot of variety in lighting and costumes.

I dropped back to using LightRoom for processing and only used the RAW images. Due to bullying from Rene and taygull I did try passing the LR image to PS CS2 for one image to do some cloning of a very awkward bass neck sticking into an image of Billy. LR has handshaking with PS CS2, so while it would be tricky to develop two versions of one image and blend with my very limited PS knowledge this is at least a step in the right direction. And since I didn't have the gallery generator process the images the EXIF is, again, in tact.

#1 Collage
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTopCollage.jpg

#2 Focus on Dusty
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop029.jpg

#3 This is the one passed from LR to PS in order to clone.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop048-Edit.jpg

#4 Both the bearded ones:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop167.jpg

#5 Frank Beard, the drummer, way in the back (but I was allowed to shoot with belly to the stage!) Please note that to stop his drumstick I shot at 1/2500th sec.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop207.jpg

#6 Second drummer shot ... I really like his paraphenalia!
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop177.jpg

#7 I liked this ... just seemed sparkly:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop237.jpg

#8 Belly to the stage at 16mm f/2.8 ... I almost never get to use my 16-35mm f/2.8L so this was fun! I didn't feel that I had enough time to also grab my 5D with fisheye.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/ZZTop04162007/fullsize/ZZTop253.jpg

[Grace]

fisheye would have been very cool on that last shot... and I think you could lose a lot of space to the right in pic 7..

I love 3 and 4! Great job! I know the casino is thrilled with these, or will be when they see them.

[moemoe6434]

Nice photos! zztop are badass!

[byronling]

wicked shots, i love zz top

[Isaac86hatch]

Nice shots! Their equipment is awesome!

[Ballen Photo]

Very well done Dwight! The first tightly framed image of the trio is "KLLER!" :cool: and I think you could lose a lot of space to the right in pic 7..
But then we'd lose that little prop of theirs with the sombrero & six shooters at stage left. I suspect they have some meaning for the band?
-Bruce

[CanonXTuser]

I remember one of the first works I saw of yours was ZZ Top and I was blown away.

You and them go well together.

#8 is tops.

[DwightMcCann]

fisheye would have been very cool on that last shot... and I think you could lose a lot of space to the right in pic 7..

I love 3 and 4! Great job! I know the casino is thrilled with these, or will be when they see them.
Naw, they never look at them! And Bruce is correct on the composition of #7.

Nice photos! zztop are badass!
Thank you.

wicked shots, i love zz top
And thank you.

Nice shots! Their equipment is awesome!
Thank you ... they do have interesting stuff ... I like the multi-colored-lights microphone stands.

Very well done Dwight! The first tightly framed image of the trio is "KLLER!" :cool:But then we'd lose that little prop of theirs with the sombrero & six shooters at stage left. I suspect they have some meaning for the band?
-Bruce
The first image is a collage ... each of the heads is from a different 300mm shot ... it took me hours to figure out how to fit three guys in!

I remember one of the first works I saw of yours was ZZ Top and I was blown away.

You and them go well together.

#8 is tops.
Dusty, Billy and I are triplets ... I'm just better looking and Frank was adopted. I only wish I could have leaned in farther for #8 ... it was nice they had turned their heads so the microphone stands complimented rather than covered their faces.

And I need to mention that there are a few more in my gallery at http://dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/ZZTop04262007.html

[Grace]

ok, well then what is the significance? if they never see them- how does keeping the hat and lantern in the image help me any? I like it in 8, just not 7 :) did you use your little tripod :)

[Ballen Photo]

The first image is a collage ... each of the heads is from a different 300mm shot ... it took me hours to figure out how to fit three guys in!
You got me on that one, DUH! :lol: ;)
-Bruce

[DwightMcCann]

ok, well then what is the significance? if they never see them- how does keeping the hat and lantern in the image help me any? I like it in 8, just not 7 :) did you use your little tripod :)

I don't know the significance because I left before/if they did anything with that stuff ... but it is interesting for many of us to see it as it is part of their setup. And my work for the casino is documentary so no one needs to see it, just have it stored away. :lol::lol: No, really, truly, they don't have an exact reason for having me shoot other than they want a historical record ... but it is true that they like my images and they show up hither and yon in offices around the building and I am sure in homes. Without me these acts would come and go and simply be lost over the years and the tribe/casino would prefer not to lose any more history. The reason I post several is because different folks like different strokes!

I had the little tripod (and medium and big tripods) with me but they had their euipment all draped with black cloths up until they were coming on so I didn't get to wander around and shoot the "before the concert" shots I like so much.

You got me on that one, DUH! :lol: ;)
-Bruce

Hey, taygull started me on the cutout thing so it's his fault! But I'm glad it caught you as that suggests that it is reasonably well done ... doesn't look to hookie!

[Ballen Photo]

I'm glad it caught you as that suggests that it is reasonably well done ...I prefer to think of it as "Very" well done, Thank you very much. :oops: :lol:
-Bruce

[bestfromnw]

nice picture. colors and wb looks great

[Grace]

I. Without me these acts would come and go and simply be lost over the years and the tribe/casino would prefer not to lose any more history. The reason I post several is because different folks like different strokes!




Makes perfect sense Dwight!

[DwightMcCann]

I prefer to think of it as "Very" well done, Thank you very much. :oops: :lol:
-Bruce
Well, it was certainly never my intention to "trick" anyone ... I have done these before where I stacked multiple performers on top of each other up one edge of the frame. But I am glad it was good for you! :rolleyes:

nice picture. colors and wb looks great

Thanks ... flat from the camera and AWB.

[calicokat]

Great shots, love the last one, wide angle heaven :)

[René Damkot]

Collage is a bit 'busy' for me... Don't like the date font.
#2, 3 and 4: nice.
#5: Very nice, but man, he looks old.
#6: I like the kit, not the shot.
#7. Have to come back for this one I think. Not sure.
#8: Nice timing. I think a bit of straightening would improve symmetry. Then it's nice.

[DwightMcCann]

Makes perfect sense Dwight!
You have no idea how often I am asked this question ... and the answer is not totally clear even with my explanation. Among several other deliverables, I deliver one CD to the Entertainment department directly. It is this CD that I believe is for 'the archives', but I have no knowledge of exactly what happens to it. It really isn't too important since I have copies of everything (several copies actually) and I would be happy to compile a set of DVDs for them.

I also send a CD to their Art Editor for their magazines (one for employees and one in-house for the hotel) and he uses some of the images, although they are very careful about IP rights. The next issue will be featuring my boxing pictures I am told. I also sent him a CD of the Wild Flower Restoration Project I did recently that included our local barn owl pair. I imagine some of those will also show up in the magazines.

And you might have heard me talking about the books you and Chris do and that I am considering doing one per year with my stuff but I just haven't any time. I would give them one and see if it went anywhere.

[DwightMcCann]

Great shots, love the last one, wide angle heaven :)

Wow, nice to see you here again! I like the shots, too. :D

Collage is a bit 'busy' for me... Don't like the date font.
#2, 3 and 4: nice.
#5: Very nice, but man, he looks old.
#6: I like the kit, not the shot.
#7. Have to come back for this one I think. Not sure.
#8: Nice timing. I think a bit of straightening would improve symmetry. Then it's nice.
Oh, yes, the collage, it was hours and I agree ... I tried it without the BG image and it just didn't work. I am simply not artistic. And I always have a very hard time with the font/size/color/treatment of the text.

Thank you ... and now that you mention it I didn't think to try perspective control on the last one but that would likely be the best bet and PI has a great tool ... does CS2 have such an animal?

[calicokat]

Wow, nice to see you here again! I like the shots, too. :D

I am always around, I just look for your shots at this point ;) Someday I will make the drive up and say hi. We were up there for Valentines Day, but the wife would not like a photography chat on her day :eek:

[René Damkot]

does CS2 have such an animal?

Two of them actually: Transform or (easier & I think better, yet haven't tested extensively): Lens correction filter.

[DwightMcCann]

Two of them actually: Transform or (easier & I think better, yet haven't tested extensively): Lens correction filter.
Yup, you need to grab your significant other and come stay with me for a month! :lol:

[johnstoy]

The entire set is excellent... The variety of pics makes for a very interesting series of shots... Especially love the collage...

I've heard some of their music... It's pretty good energy... They are kinda cute with those "Rip Van Winkle" beards... and the ladies in their music videos are super hotties...

[scottcolbath]

Stunning shots. I love them.

S.C.

[bmoguy]

I think I need to come up with an acronym for replying to your threads. YAAGSD (Yet again, another great set, Dwight) :D
I like the photo part of your collage, agree about the font "treatments". And I like the last stage shot (8) better than the one before it (7).

Well done.

[squashed]

I love these shots !! Im glad you got a chance to pull your 16-35 out. My wife is a huge fan of ZZ Top.

[taygull]

These are very nice, this looks like the work I'm accustomed to seeing.

[DwightMcCann]

The entire set is excellent... The variety of pics makes for a very interesting series of shots... Especially love the collage...

I've heard some of their music... It's pretty good energy... They are kinda cute with those "Rip Van Winkle" beards... and the ladies in their music videos are super hotties...
Well, I certainly like "super hotties"! Are those beards real or do they wear the hats and glasses to hide the elastic straps that hold them on?

Stunning shots. I love them.

S.C.
Thank you.

I think I need to come up with an acronym for replying to your threads. YAAGSD (Yet again, another great set, Dwight) :D
I like the photo part of your collage, agree about the font "treatments". And I like the last stage shot (8) better than the one before it (7).

Well done.
Thank you. I did make a subtle change to the date font for the CD I am providing to the casino when I shoot Willie Nelson tonight. If I get a chance I'll swap it onto my website. And I must point out once again that I shoot in the best of all venues for lighting and support. I just wish they'd get a better handle on "house photographer" of the place that is paying them!

Actually, except for the specific criticisms like Rene's (which I always take to heart) a simple ILT (I Like These) is great.

I love these shots !! Im glad you got a chance to pull your 16-35 out. My wife is a huge fan of ZZ Top.
Yup, usually can't stand in the middle with my belly against the stage front ... I would usually get a similar shot with 24-70mm at the first row or with 70-200mm at about 80mm from the lightboard ... neither of which is quite the same.

Send your wife out to my gallery!

These are very nice, this looks like the work I'm accustomed to seeing.
Well, thank you. And speaking of work we are accustomed to seeing how about an update on your work with Jon and the book?

[taygull]

Well, thank you. And speaking of work we are accustomed to seeing how about an update on your work with Jon and the book?

I've not done anything with it.

I did do a bunch of work for Gilley's Dallas...I've just not had much time to really post anything. Work keeps getting in the way of my personal life!

[Robuk]

As always, Cracking Shots Dwight :D and it's great to see the "Masters" work..............

I'm also seriously jealous, as ZZ Top are one of my fave groups, and would have loved to be at the concert :D

#3 and #8 are my favourites by the way, but there all great shots

Rob

[DwightMcCann]

As always, Cracking Shots Dwight :D and it's great to see the "Masters" work..............

I'm also seriously jealous, as ZZ Top are one of my fave groups, and would have loved to be at the concert :D

#3 and #8 are my favourites by the way, but there all great shots

Rob

I am but a humble technician blessed by leading edge technology and equipment and a first rate venue and production staff ... and very thankful that this all makes me look good. ;)