Broomstock 07

[303villain]

Every year the city of Broomfield,CO puts on their own little music festival, mostly as an end of the school year type party featuring punk, hardcore, and indie bands. I went as a fun thnig to do/practice. This is the second time I've shot music. By the time the sun went down my card was full so i had to skip the last 2 bands.

Any CC is definitely welcomed as I would like to dive a little deeper into concert photography and improve as much as possible.

1. Abilene
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/abilene1.jpg

2. Abilene again
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/abilene3.jpg

3. Effstardee
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/effstardee2.jpg

4.Reunion I know its a little soft but i like the movement of it.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/reunion.jpg

5. Reunion
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/reunion3.jpg

6) The Axe That Chopped The Cherry Tree-This is the first photo ive EVER used a flahs in.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/theaxe2.jpg

7)Left In The Fire
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/303gli/leftinthefire3.jpg

[René Damkot]

#2 and 3 are nice, allthough #3 really should have been framed wider.
#4 is more then *a bit* soft... Focus is on the arm, not the head.
#5 is nice, but the BG is distracting.
#6: Flash kills it.
On the last, I think I'd have preferred the head stock. Nice otherwise.

[303villain]

Ya it was a bit tough since I was shooting from the crowd, alot of times if i tried wider shots I ended up with either heads at the bottom of the frame or tons of negative space at the top :(

But all of the bands have been super pleased and excited about the photos so hopefully Ill get opportunities to shoot them again.

[303villain]

any other advice??

[livewire-photography.com]

Not much advise from me am afraid Rene pretty much said it all, but i really like 2 and 3, you have managed to capture energy and well a cool/crazy haircut lol.
Cheers

[303villain]

thanks very much livewire and Rene, these have been really well recieved so Im hoping to continue shooting more shows and improving!

[dzstudios]

Hello there!

These look so familiar - we support a few local 'grass roots rock festies' and its not easy to get glamorous shots.

When we cover an outdoor festival, its important to capture the "summery" "outdoorsy" feeling - which you've done great in the first few shots.

Shot 4,5, and 6 are very 'flat' looking - and although you can obviously not control the weather - you do have Photoshop. And jacking up the saturation and contrast a titch, will add a bit of sunny sparkle.

For example - if shot 4 had a blazing blue sky behind it (or even a vague hint of blue sky) - you would be completely forgiven for the slight lack of sharpness.

I guess its all about ambience - either use the sunny outdoors, or the lighting at the event, to make people feel they wish they were there.


A final word:

Bands are always happy about their pics... especially if they've never seen anything better.

Although that is important - you shouldn't use it as your only yard stick. Mostly they don't know the first thing about photography - So keep a balance -- keep pursuing technical excellence AND make sure you please your fans!

[Michael1116]

Really nice shots. Is it me, my monitor, or both? On number 6 I see a double left hand?

[303villain]

Thanks for the tips, I am only taking the praise from the bands lightly, but with as many more experienced concert photographers there are around here, it was nice to hear. I will spend some more time with them in PS and see what becomes of them.

[René Damkot]

Really nice shots. Is it me, my monitor, or both? On number 6 I see a double left hand?

The 'massive one' is lit by the flash, the streak is motion blur in the time the shutter was opened...