Bruce Springsteen & The E St Band Magic Tour US Leg

[skifurthur]

Rather than make numerous threads for each date I am shooting, I think it best to make one thread and add to it as I have time. I also will not go with 8 shots per date. I am just going to pick out a few shots that I really like from each.

As always, critique and comments are requested.

Philadelphia, PA 10/05/07

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[skifurthur]

Continental Airlines Arena - East Rutherford, NJ 10/09/07

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[taygull]

Great Shots....

I just learned last week that his guitar player is the same guy from the Soprano's.

[TARPONTIM]

Awesom shots i look foward to more.

[DwightMcCann]

Hehehe! Excellent. And you are using the perfect lens! BTW, are you doing some noise reduction? The skin on many of these doesn't seem to have "normal" texture. It's OK as I know these people are all getting old and most are as vain as the witch in Snow White and thankfully aren't covered in Tats! :-) Again, I am really sorry I couldn't have cooperated on this tour with you, sigh. I shot BB King Thursday night ... my best images are with the 300mm but I also mounted the 400mm f/2.8L IS on a Gitzo/Wimberley setup at the light board and got some nice shots although now wish I used the 1.4TC with it. Keep 'em coming!

[art2face]

Bruce Springsteen ... one of my all time favs!
great pics!

cheers
marc

[Mills]

This is going to be fun to watch!

[karinne]

Mighty Bruce ... still lookin' pretty good! Nice shots!

[HighPixel]

Very nice images..
HP

[skifurthur]

Madison Square Garden - New York, NY - 10/17/07

Photos removed

[DwightMcCann]

Excellent, excellent! Always loves to see them wimmen!

[SuzyView]

Wow! Did you like sit in the middle of row 8 on a platform? Those are terrific! Congrats. He looks great, BTW. And how were the performances?

[skifurthur]

United Center - Chicago, IL - 10/21/07

Photos removed

[Elphaba]

The first post: #2 awesome interaction shot... I really like how you captured the facial expressions... very sharp. Second post: #2 makes it look like Max is Bruce's puppeteer, controlling him with his drumsticks... which I find quite charming in some odd way. LoL
And the last post, last image: classic Bruce... super shot. Overall, all of them are great... I am utterly envious!!!

[skifurthur]

Hehehe! Excellent. And you are using the perfect lens! BTW, are you doing some noise reduction? The skin on many of these doesn't seem to have "normal" texture. It's OK as I know these people are all getting old and most are as vain as the witch in Snow White and thankfully aren't covered in Tats! :-)

Thanks, Dwight. I am just loving the 300 L. I have not been using noise reduction at all. The texture on Bruce's face is probably has a three-fold explaination.

1) Bruce uses makeup like most big names on stage. It's not vanity, it's stagecraft.

2) Bruce also douses himself, liberally with a sponge throughout the show. Makeup + large amounts of water = glop

3) I do use the LR masking feature when sharpening the photos. I am finding that from 100 - 150 ft, where I am shooting all of these photos, that if I sharpen things like the guitar strings well, the face needs the mask or he looks rather like he comes from another planet!

Wow! Did you like sit in the middle of row 8 on a platform? Those are terrific! Congrats. He looks great, BTW. And how were the performances?

As stated above, most of the photos have been taken on a platform next to the soundboard approx. 100 - 150 ft from the stage. At Madison Square Garden I shot from the walkway between the 100 and 200 level of seats. That was a good 200 ft from the stage.

Thanks for all the feedback so far. This tour has been an experience, learning and for just plain fun. I only have a year more of this...lol.

[sadowsk2]

Can anyone tell me if he has policy on bringing cameras to the venue??? I'm going to the Detroit show as a fan, and am planning on TRYING to bring my 70-200 f/2.8 IS with me...

[skifurthur]

Can anyone tell me if he has policy on bringing cameras to the venue??? I'm going to the Detroit show as a fan, and am planning on TRYING to bring my 70-200 f/2.8 IS with me...

Access is very restricted. If you are close to the stage, if they see you with a camera, or even a cell phone, they are confiscating them. They have a procedure in place to return them after the show, but they do erase any pictures except one.

If you are further away from the action, they are a bit looser. A white L lens tends to draw attention, so you will probably be seen.

[DwightMcCann]

Yup, you are having too much fun!

[narlus]

Access is very restricted. If you are close to the stage, if they see you with a camera, or even a cell phone, they are confiscating them. They have a procedure in place to return them after the show, but they do erase any pictures except one.


which one?

btw, looking good...not a dud in the batch, by far.

[skifurthur]

From the people that I have heard from it happening to, security has actually allowed the owner to pick out what shot they want to keep. Amazing, huh?

Thanks, narlus. There have been more than a few duds, but I am not posting those ones. ;)

[narlus]

From the people that I have heard from it happening to, security has actually allowed the owner to pick out what shot they want to keep. Amazing, huh?

that's funny! is that a bruce/management edict?

Thanks, narlus. There have been more than a few duds, but I am not posting those ones. ;)


we all have our dirty laundry...no need to air it! :D

[thelightofsound]

very nice shots here. i can see where you would have trouble getting the feet in the shot, which would be the only complaint i could think of; however, that work to you advantage when you get the hand of that audience. i'm glad you are doing so well on this tour. this should be a huge stepping stone for your photography!

[skifurthur]

The Palace at Auburn Hills Auburn Hills (Detroit) - 11/05/07

Photos removed

[DwightMcCann]

Wonderful shots ... love the facial expressions! but aren't you getting bored by the 'same ole, same ole?' :-)

[skifurthur]

Wonderful shots ... love the facial expressions! but aren't you getting bored by the 'same ole, same ole?' :-)

There is a measure of boredom in this gig. All the concerts I have shot have been a mix of the same 4 songs in the first 3 slots. Considering this gig is a 3 and out gig, I would like a bit more variety. It has also been fun helping out the wire service and newspaper photographers as to what settings they need to use and basic musician positions in those songs. I've gotten quite a few thank you's and have made some fine contacts with a lot of different publications.

On the plus side, Bruce Springsteen always has a degree of unpredictability in his movements, his facial expressions and "rock star moves" are always top notch and the lighting varies a bit from night to night. That keeps me in the moment and interested in what is going on onstage. I also keep trying out new settings myself, sometimes shooting other players in places when I know that Bruce is up tight against the mic, changing apetures and ISO settings. I try to keep it fresh and not get the same shots every night.

[thelightofsound]

i would think a lot of the "same ole same ole" come from the fact that you have to shoot from the back like that. i am getting a little bored in the pit with widespread panic, but it seems like there is a lot more opportunity for different angles from the pit as opposed to your spot. i think your doing a fantastic job though and it sound like you are making the best of the conditions.

[20DNewbie]

This is one outstanding series you've got here!

I keep forgetting just how good this lens can be, I've got to take mine out for some air soon.

[freebird]

Impressive to say the least. I would love to have that access with that "Pick of the Litter" lens.

Thanks for sharing with us

Chuck

[johnms88]

Great shots! Hope to be shooting him when he comes to Buffalo.

[skifurthur]

Times Union Center - Albany, NY - 11/15/07

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[René Damkot]

not sure about the expression on the first of those 3, but the last two are great.

[thelightofsound]

i like them all. these look sharper than the others. you also look like you are higher. did you change anything up?

[airfrogusmc]

Great shots...

Saw the boss first night here in Chicago. He is still the boss.

[skifurthur]

i like them all. these look sharper than the others. you also look like you are higher. did you change anything up?

Always tweeking to make the shots better. Lower ISO and some shot at f/4. The photo platform is not a standard height, so sometimes I am higher.

I'm having laptop download problems right now with my photos of the first Boston show. On the plus side, I shot the whole show. :cool:

[shesgotthepic]

Ski

Love all the pictures. Great job!

You might want to check your PMs. You have one from me.

She

[woollyback]

Fantastic series - love them all.

Last two from Chicago are my faves so far.. Big man and classic Bruce, brilliant.

Best Wishes

Rob

[skifurthur]

And I'm off the road...for now. Starting back up in late Feb. I have a ton of shots, opportunities galore, a few hundred road stories and a huge AMEX bill...lol.

For those who have responded to my call for European photographers, I will be in touch in a day or two. The wheels of communication had to pause for a few seconds because the E St Band is losing a member, at least for now, while Danny Federici pursues treatment for melanoma. I take this moment to send my prayers that Danny is back in the band soon.

TD Bank North Garden - Boston, MA - 11/18/07

Photos removed

[DwightMcCann]

Just better and better and better! What was rain from? [And you could number them!]

[René Damkot]

#1 and 4!

[brazo]

I think thats not rain, it's Bruce spitting out a mouthfull of water.

[narlus]

wow, excellent set! 1, 4 and 5 are great, and 6 is very nice too.

any shots from monday's gig? i wanna see what i missed ;)

[skifurthur]

I think thats not rain, it's Bruce spitting out a mouthfull of water.

brazo is correct. Bruce takes in a mouthful of water and while backlit will spray it out above his head. I will post a series of that soon. Cool moment that I was waiting for as soon as I heard the backbeat to Working On The Highway. Sometimes seeing all those shows allows you to be ready for the shot.

[skifurthur]

It just came to my attention that some of these photos are being used in non-authorized ways and I need to take them down. I will get around to putting up watermarked and smaller versions when I get the chance.

[DwightMcCann]

It just came to my attention that some of these photos are being used in non-authorized ways and I need to take them down. I will get around to putting up watermarked and smaller versions when I get the chance.
Been there, done that, sigh! It really sucks!!! :(

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I liked these so much, I was coming back to see them again. Darn. :-(

[skifurthur]

I will fill these pages again soon. I just have to protect the interests of some clients as well as my own copyrights.