Reba, Trace Adkins, and Kellie Pickler - Country Thunder USA

[PAS Photography]

Hey everyone, Thought Id post some of my first Concert Media Pass photos. I have all access to Country Thunder USA this year as a media / press photographer thanks to a microsite giving me credentials to ANY event with celebrities. (not to bring up the highly debated topic of microstock sites, but getting Free access to the top country vocalists and front center location is the only way to go.

http://www.pasphotography.com/images/600_CT_MG_6227_copy.jpg

Reba


http://www.pasphotography.com/images/600_CT_MG_5980_copy.jpg

Trace Adkins


http://www.pasphotography.com/images/600_CT_MG_5777_copy.jpg

http://www.pasphotography.com/images/600_CT_MG_5781_copy.jpg

Kellie Pickler - American Idol Contestant


Tonight I'll be shooting Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bently, and Trick Pony. Thanks for viewing, and C&C always wecome!


Paul

[johnstoy]

These are outdoor shots... What are you shooting with?

There is no EXIF available so there is no way to review these...

Except for Reba's beautiful poise, the other shots look shaken and too sharpened.

[PAS Photography]

Sorry, Canon 20D, 100-400 L IS, 580EX flash. Its and outdoor concert and the concerts vary from mid-afternoon to late evening (it was cloudy all day). ISO 100 for Kellie, ISO 200 for Reba and Trace. All were shot at 1/60 to 1/100 at f5.6. with IS on.

[René Damkot]

Why the flash in #1 (?) and 2?
Bad bokeh / BG, but good expression in the last two.

[johnstoy]

IS is ok to assist but your ISO needs to be up considerably higher... Many of us are shooting at ISO 1000, 1250, 1600 and even 3200, without too much grain.

You've got great potential with these passes, I'd get a second body and some low light lenses...

[thelightofsound]

john hit the nail on the head. i'll add that reba could be cropped a bit tighter.

but i'm interested in hearing more about how you got all access to a venue from a stock site. also you sig link is wrong; take the www part out.

[PAS Photography]

The flash really does help compared to ones without as I am only 15-30ft away for half of the images. I have another body but the only low light lens is my 70-200 f2.8. Ill shoot some with that tonight while Carrie Underwood is on stage. Thanks.

[René Damkot]

The flash really does help compared to ones without as

It might help exposure wise, but it doesn't help lighting (quality) wise IMHO....

[PAS Photography]

The site in my signature is where I received the press/media pass from (which the link is fixed now, thanks). Basically you submit a request to them once you have an established portfolio (not a couple dozen) and they will help you contacting the event and give you credentials for a media pass. Also you are allowed to sell the images as editorial exclusivley on their site (no other stock sites can use the images). You can do what you want with them as far as publishing or large stock agencies though.
I never would have got in free to the 5 day event with VIP access, media access and backstage for photos during interviews without them.

Paul

[DwightMcCann]

While I think the photos shown here are marginal I admire your fortitude and perseverance in getting access. So how did you become aware of this opportunity?